Haunted TV Help & FAQ

Everything you need to set the trap before your guests arrive: which room and which level to choose, when the scare comes, how to trigger it yourself, and how to get the sound and lights right.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Haunted TV work?

It starts as a cozy room - a crackling fire, flickering candles, rain on the window - and slowly turns into a haunted house. A candle goes out, the fire sinks, the portrait changes, lamps stutter, the colour drains away and the signal starts to fail. When nobody is looking, the scare arrives.

Which scare level should I choose?

Cozy is family safe: no scares, just sweet little surprises. Creepy lets strange things creep in slowly and ends in an eerie hush, never a jump scare. Scary is the classic prank: a slow build-up and one big scare. Nightmare is for horror fans: faster, darker, louder.

When does the first scare come?

You choose: in a few minutes, in an hour or two, or at midnight. Then put the remote away and enjoy the party.

Can I trigger the scare myself?

Yes. Strike early in secret by pressing Play/Pause twice. The iPhone remote works too, so you can do it from across the room without picking up the Siri Remote.

Is it the same every time?

No. Every time you open a room, a new haunting is put together from dozens of events, in a new order, with a different ending - tens of thousands of combinations, so even you won't know what's coming.

Can I have a haunting without ghosts?

Yes. Turn off ghosts and the house haunts with light, sound and decay alone.

Which rooms are there?

Eight: a living room with a family portrait, an old library, a farmhouse kitchen, an attic under the stars, a front porch full of pumpkins, a glass sunroom, a dining room set for a feast and a log cabin by a moonlit lake.

How do I get the best sound?

Rain, wind and fire play all evening, with soft music if you like. Scares can come from behind you with a surround sound system or AirPods connected to your Apple TV.

How do the HomeKit lights work?

Connect your HomeKit lights and Haunted TV dims them during the scare, then brings them back exactly as they were.

Does it contain flashing lights?

Yes. Haunted TV contains flashing lights and sudden loud sounds. Turn on Reduce Effects to soften them, and think about who is in the room before choosing Scary or Nightmare.

Can I test it before the party?

Yes. All the settings can be tried out before guests arrive.

Are there ads or a subscription?

No ads, no subscriptions and no account.

Which Apple TV do I need?

Any Apple TV running tvOS 17 or later.

Haunted TV: Halloween Horror

Get Haunted TV: Halloween Horror

A cozy fireplace on the TV that slowly turns into a haunted house - the Halloween party prank.

How-to guides

How to set up the prank before guests arrive

Ten minutes of setup for one big moment.

  1. Choose a room that suits your party - the living room with the family portrait is the classic.
  2. Pick the scare level for the people who will be there.
  3. Choose when the first scare comes: in a few minutes, in an hour or two, or at midnight.
  4. Test the sound and, if you use them, the HomeKit lights.
  5. Start the room and put the remote away. To your guests, it's just a fireplace.

More ideas in how to pull off a Halloween prank on the TV.

Try this in Haunted TV: Halloween Horror →

How to trigger the scare at the perfect moment

The timer is good. Your timing is better.

  1. Keep your iPhone handy with the Apple TV remote in Control Center, or keep the Siri Remote within reach.
  2. Wait until everyone is relaxed and nobody is watching the screen.
  3. Press Play/Pause twice.
  4. Watch the room, not the TV.
Try this in Haunted TV: Halloween Horror →

How to make the scares come from behind

A whisper over your shoulder only works if the sound is actually behind you.

  1. Connect a surround sound system to your Apple TV, or pair AirPods for a personal haunting.
  2. Place the rear speakers behind the sofa.
  3. Set the volume during the cozy part a little lower than you would like - the scares are louder.

Why it works: why sounds behind you are scarier.

Try this in Haunted TV: Halloween Horror →

How to play it safe with children or sensitive guests

A prank is only fun if everyone laughs afterwards.

  1. Choose Cozy for young children - no scares, just little surprises.
  2. Choose Creepy if you want atmosphere without a jump scare.
  3. Turn on Reduce Effects to soften flashing lights and sudden loud sounds.
  4. Keep Scary and Nightmare for adults and horror fans who have said yes to being scared.

Guidance by age: how scary is too scary for kids.

Try this in Haunted TV: Halloween Horror →

Related guides

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