Billboard

If you don't run a full MDM like Jamf or Intune, Apple Configurator 2 (free on the Mac App Store) is the easiest way to prepare Apple TVs for Billboard. You'll install the app, lock each screen to Billboard with Single App Mode so it can't be exited, and save the whole setup as a blueprint you can apply to every other Apple TV in seconds.

What you'll need: a Mac with Apple Configurator 2, and your Apple TVs. Newer Apple TV 4K models have no USB port, so Configurator connects to them wirelessly (see step 1). Preparing a device with supervision erases it, so do this before rolling screens out.

1. Connect the Apple TV to Apple Configurator

Apple TV 4K (no USB port): on the Apple TV go to Settings → Remotes and Devices → Apple Configurator, then on the Mac choose Paired Devices and add the Apple TV using the code shown on screen.
Older Apple TV with a USB‑C port: connect it to the Mac with a cable.

The Apple TV appears in the Apple Configurator window.

2. Supervise the Apple TV

Single App Mode requires the device to be supervised.

Select the Apple TV and choose Prepare.
Choose Manual configuration and Supervise devices. (You can leave it unmanaged by an MDM server.)
Follow the assistant. This erases and sets up the Apple TV as supervised.

3. Install Billboard

Sign in to Apple Configurator with an Apple Account that has Billboard Screen (get it once from the App Store).
Select the Apple TV, choose Add → Apps, and add Billboard Screen.

Open the app once on the TV and enter your gallery code (from the gallery's Connect tab) so it lands on your slideshow. Configurator on its own doesn't push the code, so you enter it here; Single App Mode in the next step keeps the app in front from then on.

4. Lock the screen with Single App Mode

Single App Mode forces the Apple TV to stay on Billboard and prevents anyone opening other apps. Apple Configurator has a built-in action for this, so there's no profile to hand-build. Before you lock it, prepare the Apple TV's screen saver, sleep and update settings, since you can't reach Settings once it's locked — see Prepare the Apple TV first.

In Apple Configurator, select the Apple TV (or select your Blueprint from step 5 to lock every device at once).
Choose Actions → Single App Mode, or right-click and pick Single App Mode.
Select Billboard Screen as the app, set any options you want, and apply.

The Apple TV now stays locked to Billboard and can't be exited to the Home screen. To make changes later, set Single App Mode back to None, adjust, then re-enable it. Apple's own reference is Set Single App Mode in Apple Configurator.

5. Save a blueprint and reuse it

A blueprint is a saved template of everything you just did, so you don't repeat it per device.

Choose File → New Blueprint and name it, for example "Billboard Signage".
Add the Billboard Screen app to the blueprint, then apply Single App Mode to the blueprint itself (step 4) so every device inherits the lock.
To set up any other Apple TV, connect it, select the blueprint, and choose Apply. Configurator installs the app and applies the Single App Mode lock in one step.

For screens that should show different galleries, either enter each gallery's code on that TV once after applying the blueprint, or keep a separate blueprint per gallery.

When to use a full MDM instead

Apple Configurator is ideal for a handful of screens or a one-time setup. If you manage many Apple TVs, or want to change the gallery code and settings remotely without touching each device, deploy with Jamf Pro or Microsoft Intune instead. Those push the gallery to every screen automatically through managed configuration.

Troubleshooting

Single App Mode option is greyed out. The Apple TV isn't supervised. Re-run Prepare and choose Supervise devices.
The Apple TV 4K won't appear. Both devices must be on the same network, and Apple Configurator must be enabled under Settings → Remotes and Devices → Apple Configurator on the TV.
App installs but shows the welcome screen. Enter the gallery code on the TV once; Configurator doesn't deliver it automatically. To make code entry hands-free, use Jamf or Intune.