Create, switch and manage profiles

Start with the right profile

A profile is the viewing identity active inside Odyssey. Its history, preferences, restrictions and permitted sources can differ from another profile on the same account. Select the intended profile before changing watched progress, joining a Series Lock or starting shared viewing.

Odyssey organises and plays media from sources you connect. Creating a profile does not add media or grant that person provider access. The profile still needs access to an authorised source, and provider conditions still apply.

Where to find profiles

Open Settings → Profiles → Manage Family Profiles. The profile cards show which profile is Watching now, whether it is PIN protected and whether Auto sign-in is enabled. On Apple TV, move focus to the action beneath the relevant card. On iPhone and iPad, tap that action. On Mac (Catalyst), click it.

Web management has its own profile editor. Its labels and layout differ from the app; use the web instructions below when working in Manage Player.

Create and save a profile

1. Choose Add Profile.
2. Enter a Profile name and choose an avatar. For a photograph, follow the profile-picture guide.
3. Review Share every family playlist. This is an access decision, not just an appearance preference.
4. Decide whether to enable Automatically sign in on launch.
5. If appropriate, enable Require PIN to enter profile and set the profile PIN.
6. Save and wait for the result. Check the profile card after the editor closes.

If the save fails, the management screen can show Review and retry save. Review the pending changes rather than creating duplicate profiles. The displayed profile count shows whether the account’s available profile limit has been reached; this guide does not promise a particular plan allowance.

Switch or edit

Choose Switch on another profile’s card. The current one displays Active. A protected profile may ask for its entry PIN. Leaving a restricted Kids profile can require owner approval.

Choose Edit to change a name, avatar, access options or PIN settings. Save before leaving if you want those changes applied. Cancelling an editor is different from saving a profile whose network request later fails; read the resulting status.

In the website’s Manage Player profile section, choose Edit. The web form uses Share every media source with this profile and offers Selected sources when you need more selective access. Finish with Save profile.

Worked example

Two adults share a television but watch different programmes. They create separate profiles with clear names and different pictures. Each switches to their own profile before watching, so unfinished episodes are easier to recognise.

One profile should only use a subset of the account’s sources. The owner reviews that profile in web management, turns off Share every media source with this profile and chooses the permitted sources. This controls what the profile may access; it does not rewrite the provider’s own permissions.

Delete with care

The app’s profile cards include Delete where deletion is permitted. Web profile rows use Remove. Read the confirmation for the profile you selected and satisfy any required owner or profile PIN check.

Deletion is not a temporary sign-out. The confirmation warns that profile settings, history, favourites, hidden categories and PINs are removed. Do not delete a profile simply because a source or account connection is temporarily unavailable.

Common problems and questions

The wrong history appears: check Watching now before editing or clearing anything. A different active profile is often a more useful first check than rebuilding the library.

A source is missing: inspect profile source access in Manage Player, then confirm the source itself is enabled and working. Profile restrictions and provider availability are separate.

A save will not complete: check account access and the PIN requested by the editor. Retry the pending save when offered.

Does everything sync? Do not assume that every device preference or provider credential follows a profile. Managed profile state and device-specific playback settings have different scopes. Confirm the destination device after a change.

Do restriction profiles change the age requirement? No. The website’s 18+ requirement still applies; its restriction controls do not invite children to use Odyssey.