Keep an Apple TV running as a display
The day-to-day Apple TV settings that keep a signage screen on and current — stop it sleeping, keep tvOS updated, and turn off Apple's own Conference Room Display.
Last updated 5 July 2026
An Apple TV running Billboard is meant to be left alone. A few settings on the device itself make sure it stays on, stays current, and shows your content rather than Apple's. Sort these once and the screen looks after itself.
Stop it going to sleep
For an always-on display you don't want the Apple TV powering down during quiet periods.
- On the Apple TV, go to Settings → General → Sleep After.
- Choose Never.
Billboard already keeps the screen awake while it's running, so setting Never here is belt-and-braces — but it's worth doing.
Tip: Never uses a little more power than a timed sleep. That's the right trade-off for signage that needs to be visible whenever someone walks past.
Apple's own reference: Sleep or wake Apple TV.
Keep tvOS updated
Automatic updates keep the Apple TV secure and current with no visits to the device.
- Go to Settings → System → Software Updates.
- Turn on Update Automatically.
Managing a fleet? Handle updates through your MDM instead, so they roll out on your schedule rather than each device's.
Turn off Apple's Conference Room Display
Apple TV has a built-in Conference Room Display mode — a plain screen with AirPlay instructions. This is exactly what Billboard replaces, so you don't need it on while Billboard is running.
- Go to Settings → AirPlay → Conference Room Display.
- If it's enabled, turn it off.
See Apple's guide for background: Use Apple TV as a conference room display.
Lock it down
On a public screen, you'll usually want to stop the app being exited to the Home screen. Use Single App Mode, which needs a supervised Apple TV — see Lock a screen with Single App Mode.
If it misbehaves
If a screen freezes or drops off the network, the first fix is usually to restart or power-cycle the Apple TV — see Restart, force restart and reset an Apple TV.
Set it and forget it
With these in place there's almost nothing to do day to day. Billboard resumes on its own after a power cut or restart, and refreshes its content on the schedule you set in your dashboard — so a well-configured Apple TV keeps itself current without anyone touching it. If you're setting up a screen for the first time, start with Getting started.
Still stuck? Email us at support@getbillboard.app.