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.
Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch.
Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker.
For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com.
The new...
Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by Juli Clover
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released.
iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months.
Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...
Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year.
First up...
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.
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.
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.
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.
