Frequently asked questions
What is CleanCut?
An app for iPhone and iPad that filters what plays on your Apple TV — muting or skipping profanity on your rules, in real time. You keep watching in Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV+, YouTube, Plex, and the other apps you already have.
What do I need to use it?
An Apple TV and an iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network. You pair once with a code shown on your TV.
Which apps does it filter?
Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Peacock, Crunchyroll, Tubi, and most other streaming apps, plus YouTube and Plex. The two exceptions are Netflix and Max — see below. CleanCut is not affiliated with or endorsed by any streaming service.
Does CleanCut work with Netflix or Max?
No, and it never will. Netflix and Max both use their own video players on Apple TV instead of the system one, so they report nothing about what's playing — no title, no playback position. That leaves CleanCut nothing to act on. It's an app-side decision on their end. If Netflix is most of your watching, CleanCut isn't the right buy.
What do I get without paying?
YouTube and Plex in full — real-time muting and skipping, sponsor-segment skipping on YouTube, and every rule and word-list control. The free tier shows non-personalized ads. A subscription adds the other streaming apps and removes the ads.
How does Plex filtering work?
Connect the Plex account you already have, press play, and CleanCut filters your movies and shows as they run. Live TV channels are coming soon.
Is my viewing private?
Yes. There's no CleanCut account, no analytics, and no tracking. Ads on the free tier are non-personalized — no advertising ID, no profile of you — and paid plans have none. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Subscriptions run through your Apple ID in the App Store. For Plex, you connect the Plex account you already have.
What is Mic Sync?
A Pro feature for when the filter drifts out of step with the audio. Tap it and CleanCut listens for a few seconds through your device's microphone and lines the filter back up. The audio is processed live on your device — never saved, never uploaded.
How do I cancel a subscription?
Apple handles it. Open the App Store, tap your account, choose Subscriptions, and cancel — at least 24 hours before the period ends to avoid renewing.
CleanCut can't find my Apple TV.
CleanCut needs Local Network access to discover your Apple TV. If you declined the prompt, enable it in Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → CleanCut. Your device and Apple TV must also be on the same Wi-Fi network.
My Apple TV won't show a pairing code.
Your Apple TV is restricting connections. On it, open Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home, set Allow Access to “Anyone on the Same Network,” and turn Require Password off. Then in Settings → General → Restrictions, make sure AirPlay Settings and Remote App Pairing are both set to Allow.
CleanCut disconnects right after connecting.
Your Apple TV's AirPlay access is set to “Only People Sharing This Home.” Open Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home and change Allow Access to “Anyone on the Same Network.”
Filtering isn't kicking in.
CleanCut acts on what your Apple TV reports as now playing, so make sure AirPlay is On (Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home). If the wrong title shows, the Apple TV may be reporting a previously used app — restart the streaming app or change playback to clear it.
Want the longer version? There are guides to filtering profanity on an Apple TV, filtering Plex, SponsorBlock on Apple TV, and why Netflix and Max can’t be filtered. Every supported app has its own page, and ClearPlay and VidAngel are compared side by side.
Still stuck? Email support@reclinedlogic.com.