My son has an Apple TV with his iTunes account for TV shows, YouTube videos and music. We don’t share tastes. Can I also log onto the device to access the stuff from my own iTunes account?
Logging into the Settings screen on the Apple TV to pair the device with another iTunes library and Apple ID account is one way to share, but an update for the small black second- and third-generation Apple TV makes it easier. The Apple TV now allows the use of multiple iTunes accounts without having to sign in and out, but you need to have at least version 5.1 of the Apple TV software. The latest update does not work on the first-generation silver Apple TV model, which was discontinued in 2010.
To check for a software update (if you have not updated recently), turn on the Apple TV and use the remote to select Settings from the main screen. In the Settings menu, select General and then Update Software. If an update is available, select the option to download and install it.
Once you have updated the Apple TV, go back to the Settings menu and select iTunes Store. Click the Accounts link with the remote. If your son has been the only one using the Apple TV to play his iTunes Store content, his Apple ID account should be listed on the screen. To add your Apple ID account (and with it, access to your own iTunes library and purchases that live online up in Apple’s cloud), select Add New Account on the screen. Enter your Apple ID user name and password.
Once you have added your Apple ID information, both accounts should be listed on the screen. It’s a little kludgy, especially for apple, but to switch back and forth between your son’s account and yours, just revisit the Settings screen, choose iTunes Store, Accounts and select the account you want to use from the list. If you are purchasing iTunes content directly on the Apple TV, make sure you have your own account selected before you buy.