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Starting with tvOS 26.2, Apple TVs began displaying a user profile selection screen every time you wake the device from sleep. The feature helps households with multiple users maintain separate viewing histories and recommendations, but it can feel like an unnecessary step if you're the sole user. Fortunately, Apple lets you disable this prompt entirely. Here's how to turn off the user profiles screen and go straight to your Home screen. Disable the User Profile Selection Screen Open Settings on your Apple TV. Select Profiles and Accounts. Toggle off Choose Profile on Wake. With this setting disabled, your Apple TV will skip the profile selection screen and take you directly to the Home Screen when you wake it. What Happens When You Disable Profile Switching Turning off the profile switcher doesn't delete your user profiles or their associated watch history and recommendations. It simply removes the prompt that appears each time you turn on your TV or Apple TV. If you share your Apple TV with others and want to switch profiles manually, you can still access profile options by going to Settings ➝ Users and Accounts and selecting a different user profile from there. To learn more about how user profiles can be genuinely useful, check out our dedicated hands-on article.This article, "Turn Off the User Profiles Screen on Apple TV 4K" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Starting with tvOS 26.2, Apple TVs began displaying a user profile selection screen every time you wake the device from sleep. The feature helps households with multiple users maintain separate viewing histories and recommendations, but it can feel like an unnecessary step if you're the sole user. Fortunately, Apple lets you disable this prompt entirely. Here's how to turn off the user profiles screen and go straight to your Home screen. Disable the User Profile Selection Screen Open Settings on your Apple TV. Select Profiles and Accounts. Toggle off Choose Profile on Wake. With this setting disabled, your Apple TV will skip the profile selection screen and take you directly to the Home Screen when you wake it. What Happens When You Disable Profile Switching Turning off the profile switcher doesn't delete your user profiles or their associated watch history and recommendations. It simply removes the prompt that appears each time you turn on your TV or Apple TV. If you share your Apple TV with others and want to switch profiles manually, you can still access profile options by going to Settings ➝ Users and Accounts and selecting a different user profile from there. To learn more about how user profiles can be genuinely useful, check out our dedicated hands-on article.This article, "Turn Off the User Profiles Screen on Apple TV 4K" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
MacRumors
Turn Off the User Profiles Screen on Apple TV 4K
Starting with tvOS 26.2, Apple TVs began displaying a user profile selection screen every time you wake the device from sleep. The feature helps...
TikTok has agreed to sell its U.S. operations to an investment group that includes Oracle, Silver Lake, and UAE-based company MGX, reports Axios. The "TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC" that includes the three companies will own 45 percent of TikTok, while ByteDance will keep close to 20 percent. Existing investors will continue to hold the remaining shares. The U.S. group will handle U.S. data protection and content moderation, while also maintaining algorithm security. It has been tasked with retraining the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data to "ensure the content feed is free from outside manipulation." Oracle will be in charge of auditing and validating compliance with National Security Terms. The agreement states that the USDS Joint Venture will "operate as an independent entity" that has authority over U.S. data protection, while TikTok's global U.S. entities will manage global product interoperability along with e-commerce, advertising, and marketing. With the sale, TikTok will be able to continue operating in the United States while complying with the 2024 Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The act required TikTok parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to a non-Chinese company or be banned from operating in the United States. TikTok was briefly banned in January, but Donald Trump signed an executive order granting an extension that brought it back. The ban has been extended multiple times since then to provide additional time for a deal to be established. The agreement is set to go into effect on January 22.Tag: TikTokThis article, "TikTok U.S. Sale to Oracle-Led Group Set to Close in January" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple Maps no longer offers a Flyover feature that provides users with automated tours of notable landmarks in major cities. The Flyover option appears to have been nixed around when iOS 26 launched, but its removal went largely unnoticed. Flyover city tours were introduced in 2014 with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, using Flyover imagery to generate an aerial tour. Most cities with Flyover imagery supported the tour feature, but it may not have been used often since Apple was able to quietly discontinue it. Flyover imagery has not been removed and over 350 cities continue to have 3D Flyover imagery that highlights landmarks, parks, important buildings, and more with a bird's-eye view. Apple uses imagery collected with small military-grade planes that created detailed maps of buildings from above for Flyover. The feature is not available in some areas due to privacy and security concerns. Flyover city tours used to be accessible by tapping on the Flyover icon when searching for a city, but that option has now been removed.Tag: Apple MapsThis article, "Apple Quietly Discontinued Flyover City Tours in Apple Maps" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
macOS Tahoe introduced a bug that causes a Studio Display connected to a Mac to flicker every so often, and subsequent updates only seem to have made the issue worse. Mac users with the Studio Display have been complaining about intermittent flickering since the update launched in September. There are also complaints from users who have other kinds of displays, so it might be a bug that is affecting more than one type of external monitor. We have experienced this issue with a MacBook Pro running macOS Tahoe connected to a Studio Display, and the macOS Tahoe 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 updates haven't improved the situation at all. In fact, the flickering seems to be getting worse in recent days. Flickering happens most often when switching between apps that feature stark white backgrounds, or scrolling through webpages on light backgrounds. Any app can cause the flickering, and sometimes it just seems to be random. When flickering occurs, it's typically a brief flicker, but the display can also flicker several times in a row for a few seconds at a time. Switching from dark content to light content can almost always trigger a flicker on affected machines. It's not clear what is causing the issue, but given that multiple Studio Display owners are experiencing it, it's likely some kind of software issue that could be addressed with new Studio Display firmware rather than a hardware problem.Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe 26Related Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "macOS Tahoe Bug Causes Studio Display Flickering Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Just a day after Apple announced alternative app marketplace support for iOS users in Japan, AltStore PAL has launched in the country. iPhone and iPad users in Japan can download the alternative app marketplace from the AltStore website, and then use the AltStore to download apps without having to go through Apple's App Store. Prospective AltStore users need to be physically located in Japan, and have a JapaneseApp Storeaccount. Devices also need to be running iOS/iPadOS 26.2 or later. AltStore developer Riley Testut said that Apple did not provide a heads up about theApp Storerule changes that went into effect yesterday, but the marketplace was able to launch within a few hours because it has been live in the European Union for months now. To celebrate AltStore PAL's launch in Japan, users can get a month of free Patreon access with patron-exclusive features. AltStore is free to download, but the AltStore Patreon provides access to beta updates for the popular Delta game emulator. Along with Delta, AltStore PAL offers several other apps created by independent developers, some of which have functionality that's not allowed in the standardApp Store. Apps distributed through AltStore PAL are able to monetize through Patreon subscriptions. Apple is allowing alternative app marketplaces to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that went into effect on December 18. Marketplace apps are required to pay Apple a five percent Core Technology Commission. Alternative app marketplaces require authorization from Apple to operate, and are able to distribute apps that have also been notarized by Apple. The notarization process checks for basic functionality and ensures that apps do not include malware, but marketplace apps are not subject to the same content requirements, and Apple has little content oversight.Tags: AltStore, JapanThis article, "AltStore Available in Japan One Day After Apple Enables Alternative App Marketplaces" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
While it appears that the iMac will not be updated in 2025, rumors indicate that Apple is planning some big changes for the all-in-one desktop computer. Below, we recap what has been rumored for the iMac over the next two to three years. Current Model: M4 Chip As a refresher, Apple last updated the 24-inch iMac in October 2024. Key upgrades included the M4 chip, up to 32GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, a nano-texture display option, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and new color options. The overall design of the iMac has not changed since April 2021. Next Model: M5 Chip Apple will likely update the iMac with an M5 chip next year, but no other changes have been rumored yet, so expect a spec bump for now. If the iMac receives some of the upgrades that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip did, the next iMac could be available with up to 4TB of storage (up from 2TB), and up to 2× faster SSD performance compared to the previous model. iMac Pro With M5 Max Chip? Earlier this year, Apple accidentally released a macOS kernel debug kit that contained internal product codenames, including for what appears to be an iMac with an M5 Max chip. It is unclear if the 24-inch iMac would be updated with M5 and M5 Max chips simultaneously next year, or if Apple plans to re-release a separate, higher-end iMac Pro with the M5 Max. The previous Intel-based iMac Pro was discontinued in March 2021. 32-Inch iMac? It has been nearly four years since Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac, as part of its move away from Intel processors. Since then, the 24-inch iMac has been Apple's only all-in-one desktop computer, with no larger model available. In October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that a higher-end 32-inch iMac with mini-LED backlighting would be released in 2025, but it appears that rumor was wrong given that the year is nearly over. Kuo has not commented on a larger iMac in a long time, so it is unclear if Apple plans to release such a product. In November 2023, Apple announced that it had no plans to release a new version of the 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip at that time. Instead, Apple recommended pairing its standalone Studio Display with a Mac Studio or Mac mini. Perhaps this was Apple ruling out a larger iMac entirely, but only time will tell, and decisions can change. Wishful thinking: a 32-inch iMac Pro with an M5 Max chip and mini-LED backlighting. OLED Display South Korean publication The Elec this week reported that Apple is planning to release a 24-inch iMac with an OLED display in 2027 or 2028. The primary benefit of OLED technology compared to the current iMac's LCD is better overall image quality, with higher contrast ratio and deeper blacks. Like the iPad Pro, the iMac could go from LCD to mini-LED to OLED over the years. Bookmark our iMac roundup to stay up to date with the latest rumors.Related Roundup: iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Caution)Related Forum: iMacThis article, "iMac Rumor Recap: OLED Display, M5 Max, 32-Inch Model, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone could face supply shortages into 2027 despite a planned launch next year, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo said in a new research note: "Development of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, but the product is still expected to [sic] announce in 2H26. Due to early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, smooth shipments may not occur until 2027. With limited supply and expected strong demand, the foldable iPhone could be facing shortages until at least the end of 2026."The warning suggests Apple's ambitious foldable device will face manufacturing hurdles when it enters mass production. Foxconn was expected to begin limited production of the device before the end of this year, but a dearth of reports on that front could potentially mean that the "iPhone Fold" remains in the design validation stage, where manufacturing consistency issues can still arise. Kuo's forecast of production challenges is reminiscent of concerns previously raised by Mizuho Securities, which suggested the launch could slip to 2027 if Apple takes longer to finalize design elements like the hinge mechanism. For his part, Kuo appears to be saying that Apple is still on course to announce the device in the fall of 2026, but it could end up shipping the device in large volumes later than planned. iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a book-style design with an approximately 5.3- to 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner screen. It will reportedly use liquid metal hinges to achieve a virtually crease-free display and is expected to be priced between $2,000 and $2,500, making it Apple's most expensive iPhone ever.Tags: Foldable iPhone, Ming-Chi KuoThis article, "Kuo: iPhone Fold Production Challenges Could Limit Supply Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple is working on a 24-inch iMac featuring an OLED display, with the aim of completing development as early as 2027, claims a new report out of Korea. According to The Elec, Apple has sent requests for information to Samsung Display and LG Display regarding development of a 24-inch OLED panel for the iMac. Current 24-inch iMacs use a 4.5K Retina display, which is an LCD panel with LED backlighting. The specs apparently being discussed include 600 nits of brightness and a pixel density of 218 PPI. If accurate, that would match the current 24-inch iMac's resolution but deliver a 20% brightness boost over the existing 4.5K Retina display's 500-nit maximum, making it equivalent to the brightness of Apple's Studio Display – though that also uses an inferior LCD panel. OLED display technology benefits from several other advantages beyond brighter screens, such as deeper blacks with higher contrast, improved power efficiency, and other enhancements. This is the first report we've seen suggesting Apple plans to bring OLED technology to its all-in-one desktop lineup. The company has already committed to OLED displays for future MacBook Pro models, with 14-inch and 16-inch versions expected to enter production next year using Samsung Display's 8th-generation IT OLED manufacturing line. OLED versions of its MacBook Air models are expected to follow. For the iMac display, both Samsung and LG Display are expected to propose their respective large-format OLED technologies rather than the RGB OLED method Apple traditionally prefers. Samsung would likely pitch its quantum dot OLED panels, while LG Display would offer its white OLED solution. Both manufacturers are reportedly developing 5-stack configurations that add an extra green layer to improve brightness compared to current 4-stack designs. The report suggests Apple prefers RGB OLED, where light and color generate at the subpixel level, but this technology apparently hasn't yet scaled reliably to the 20-30 inch range needed for desktop displays. Both panel makers are said to be exploring RGB OLED as a longer-term option. Apple aims to complete iMac OLED panel development by 2027 or 2028, but the finished product could launch after that timeline. A recent but separate report has claimed Apple is developing a high-end iMac featuring the M5 Max chip, but there is currently no indication that OLED is destined for this rumored model. Apple could refresh the 24-inch iMac with an updated M5 chip at some point next year.Related Roundup: iMacTags: OLED, The ElecBuyer's Guide: iMac (Caution)Related Forum: iMacThis article, "Report: Apple Developing 24-Inch OLED iMac With 600 Nits Brightness" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple will next year introduce more ads in the App Store "to increase opportunity" in search results, the company has announced. According to an update to Apple's Ads website, additional ads will appear across search queries, appearing at the top as well as further down in App Store results, and existing campaigns won't need to do anything to be eligible. Search is the way most people find and download apps on the App Store, with nearly 65 percent of downloads happening directly after a search. To help give advertisers more opportunities to drive downloads from search results, Apple Ads will introduce additional ads across search queries. You don't need to change your campaign in order to be eligible for any new positions. Your ad will run in either the existing position — at the top of search results — or further down in search results. If you have a search results campaign running, your ad will be automatically eligible for all available positions, but you can't select or bid for a particular one.Apple explains that the ad format will remain the same – a default or custom product page, and an optional deep link. Advertisers and developers won't see a change in their billing, which will remain based on Apple's cost-per-tap model, so developers only pay when a user taps on an ad. Apple displays ads based on a combination of bid amount and an app's relevance to the search query, with ad matching done automatically. The new App Store ads will appear on devices running iOS 26.2 and later from the beginning of 2026. For further details, check out Apple's Ads website. (Via 9to5Mac.)Tag: App StoreThis article, "App Store Search Results to Show More Ads Next Year, Says Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Samsung kicked off a holiday sale last week, and this event has expanded recently with even more great deals on monitors, TVs, Galaxy smartphones, and home appliances. Many of these deals are the exact same all-time low prices we tracked during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Regarding TVs, there are quite a few models of The Frame TV on sale, including a new all-time low price on The Frame Pro models. You can get the 2025 65-inch The Frame TV for $1,199.99 ($600 off), as well as The Frame Pro for $1,999.00 ($1,200 off). $1,200 OFFThe Frame Pro for $1,999.00 This is also a good time to purchase a Samsung monitor, with hundreds of monitor deals available during the event. One of the best markdowns is on the 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor, available for $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99. If you're looking to add a second monitor to your workstation, you'll also find a few smaller options, like the 32-inch ViewFinity S7 for $299.99, down from $459.99. For even more potential savings, eligible shoppers have the chance to get additional discounts through Samsung offer programs. These programs provide extra discounts for students, military, and employees of select businesses, and they provide up to 30 percent extra savings on Samsung's website, so be sure to check whether you're eligible for any of these programs. Monitors 27-inch Odyssey G3 Monitor - $139.99, down from $229.99 32-inch ViewFinity S70A UHD Monitor - $299.99, down from $459.99 34-inch ViewFinity S6 Monitor - $399.99, down from $799.99 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor - $549.99, down from $999.99 27-inch Odyssey OLED G6 Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $899.99 49-inch Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor - $777.99, down from $1,299.99 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Monitor - $899.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen - $1,299.99, down from $2,699.99 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99 TVs 55-inch QLED QEF1 Smart TV - $379.99, down from $599.99 55-inch QLED Q7F Smart TV - $399.99, down from $529.99 55-inch QLED Q8F Smart TV - $599.99, down from $749.99 75-inch Vision AI Smart TV - $679.99, down from $1,199.99 50-inch The Frame - $799.99, down from $1,099.99 75-inch Neo QLED QN70F Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99 65-inch The Frame - $1,199.99, down from $1,799.99 (extra $100 off available through offer programs) 55-inch OLED S95F Smart TV - $1,899.99, down from $2,299.99 75-inch The Frame Pro - $1,999.99, down from $3,199.99 85-inch The Frame Pro - $3,299.99, down from $4,299.99 (extra $660 off available through offer programs) 85-inch Neo QLED QN90F Smart TV - $2,299.99, down from $4,499.99 Appliances Bespoke Smart Dishwasher - $899.99, down from $1,299.00 Large Capacity Side-by-Side Fridge - $999.00, down from $1,666.00 4-Door French Door Fridge - $1,799.00, down from $2,999.00 Bespoke All-in-One Combo Washer/Dryer - $2,099.00, down from $3,299.00 Mega Capacity 3-Door French Door Fridge - $2,499.00, down from $3,499.00 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $2,050.00, down from $4,099.00 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $3,399.99, down from $4,999.00 Galaxy Products Galaxy XR - Save up to $1,140 with the Explorer Pack Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $700 in instant trade-in credit Galaxy Ring - Get up to $150 trade-in credit Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $250 Galaxy Watch 8 - Save up to $200 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Samsung Expands Holiday Sale With Major Discounts on Popular Monitors and TVs" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
