Did You Know That You Can Change the Apple TV's Keyboard Layout? Here's How

[MacRumors]

If you have ever used an Apple TV, you are likely familiar with the device's linear keyboard, which can be tedious to use if you have a lot of text to enter.

Fortunately, if you are tired of swiping back and forth while entering a long password, the keyboard's layout can easily be changed. To do so, open the Settings app on the Apple TV, select General → Keyboard Layout, and choose Grid instead of Linear.

The on-screen keyboard will then have a square layout by default.

Stephen Robles highlighted this simple but oft-overlooked setting in a recent YouTube video, alongside many other useful Apple TV tips and tricks.

You can also enter text on an Apple TV with Siri or by using a nearby iPhone or iPad that is signed into the same Apple Account as the Apple TV. But, when you want or need to use the Apple TV's on-screen keyboard, this can be a life-changing tip to know about.

Article Link: Did You Know That You Can Change the Apple TV's Keyboard Layout? Here's How

 

[3goldens]

Now that’s a very handy tip. I didn’t know that! Thank you!

 

[ignatius345]

One of the great benefits of the Apple TV is that you almost never have to use the on-screen keyboard at all. I either dictate by voice or type on the on-screen keyboard that pops up on my iPhone.

 

[mattopotamus]

QR code logins is the greatest thing to come to streaming logins. Also, using voice works shockingly well with usernames/passwords where a QR code is not an option.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

One of the great benefits of the Apple TV is that you almost never have to use the on-screen keyboard at all. I either dictate by voice or type on the on-screen keyboard that pops up on my iPhone.

Voice is fine, except when putting in passwords. Wife uses a Pixel so it was a PITA when she needed to manually enter something.

 

[iFunk]

Nice tip!

I do use dictation on the AppleTV especially to enter passwords. I also use my iPhone to type info on the AppleTV. I really wish the apps on the AppleTV didn't log me out as often although the QR code logins has made things a bit easier.

 

[mattopotamus]

Voice is fine, except when putting in passwords. Wife uses a Pixel so it was a PITA when she needed to manually enter something.

Voice is actually shockingly good at passwords, and I have some strange passwords with characters, symbols, etc.

 

[falkon-engine]

I have to try this, but in my opinion there should be the option to use the QWERTY format.
However, one cool thing that I do is when the TV prompts for text, if my iPhone is on the same network as the TV, a prompt comes up on my phone to use its keyboard to type input into the Apple TV. So I just use that. much faster.

 

[G725]

Just from the screenshots I'd guess you simply have to press ⏯️ to change the keyboard.

 

[aUniqueName]

How about a FINGERPRINT READER on the remote? They have them on the wireless keyboards now... Tie it into the Passwords app... It's pretty crappy that AppleTV is the only device that doesn't autofill passwords.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Ooh, great tip!
Why would the rectangular keyboard not be default? While I voice-to-text all queries, the liner text input is a very poor experience.

 

[Xavier]

Omg. This is so great. I had no idea. Thank you!

 

[UnbreakableAlex]

It should be querty or qwertz. Alphabetic order sucks.

 

[ToothBlueth]

One of the great benefits of the Apple TV is that you almost never have to use the on-screen keyboard at all. I either dictate by voice or type on the on-screen keyboard that pops up on my iPhone.

Voice works fine if it is limited to the system language, but it does not work well when utilising multiple languages.

 

[988466]

Alphabetic order sucks.

It's revolutionary!

 

[BeatCrazy]

How about a FINGERPRINT READER on the remote? They have them on the wireless keyboards now... Tie it into the Passwords app... It's pretty crappy that AppleTV is the only device that doesn't autofill passwords.

That's why you use an iPhone to autofill your Apple TV passwords

That's call 'incentivizing the ecosystem 101'

 

[DotCom2]

GREAT tip I never knew of. THANKS!

 

[CapitalIdea]

Now that’s a very handy tip. I didn’t know that! Thank you!

Same! Changed it right away!

 

[furbzv1]

How am I just finding out about this? Changing mine today when I get home.

 

[Tofupunch]

This is GREAT!!

 

[svish]

Useful tip. Very difficult to enter text otherwise. The Grid layout is much better to use and is very convenient.