AppleTV for Parents, Using My AppleID: What Could Go Wrong?

[Ledgem]

I'm getting my parents an AppleTV to make it easier for them to watch digital content on their television, and to make it easier for them to pull content from my Plex server. (It's also to make it easier for me, since that is my setup and I can set it up and troubleshoot it for them.) I'm pretty sure they are not going to use it for anything more than Infuse, which is my preferred video player. I'd like to set it up for them instead of guiding them through the setup, which would mean logging the AppleTV into my iCloud account.

Question: is there any reason not to do this? The App Store would require my password for any downloads, so it's not like they'll be cluttering my download history. There's no text messaging or mail, so there shouldn't be a privacy issue. I should be able to disconnect that one device from my HomeKit network, so they won't have control or notifications from my HomeKit activity. They wouldn't be able to modify the device without my permission, which is both a blessing and a curse... I figure that if they want to do more with it than Infuse, we can have them log in with their own account at that time.

Mostly just want to make sure that I'm not overlooking something, and if there's some major privacy concern with having an AppleTV logged in under my account in a separate household that I don't go to regularly.

 

[Juicy Box]

I did the same with my older parents when I helped them cut the cord a few years ago.

The biggest problem that I currently have is that the ATV4Ks randomly ask for my password and they don't know it.

Sometimes it appears to be asking non-stop, they cancel it, but it pops right back up a few times. Sometimes it doesn't go away, and they are unable to use it without unplugging the ATV and plugging it back in.

You can also set the ATV to be able to download free apps without a password.

I gave them my PW, and they used to use it for things, even paid subs and stuff, which I didn't mind as long as they used them.

But, they wanted to be more independent and not have me pay for things, so my mother signed up for her own Apple ID and started getting apps and moving the subs to their account. This has caused a few more issues.

The kicker is that they are not exactly close to me, so it is pretty inconvenient for me to have to help them with stuff. I really wished the ATVs could be managed remotely.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Two words: iCloud Photos

Further, they could stumble into/try to do something that does require a password and after several failed attempts, lock your Apple ID password.

Create an Apple ID for them (they don't have one already?). Give yourself the power to manage/help with it - include your phone number as an additional trusted phone number. Keep track of the password - well, as well as you can, since they could still assert their independence and get someone else's help changing the password/resetting a forgotten password.

The basic thing is, don't give anyone with limited technical skills (or appreciation of the security risks) the power to mess with your stuff. You can't foresee everything that can go wrong, and very little is likely to go right.

 

[Audit13]

I added my family members by creating 5 Apple IDs and adding them as members under my Apple ID. Some of them n have their own Apple ID which they can add to the Apple tv if they want to. They can't buy anything without my password and my cell is used for 2FA.