I can't find a way to allow a restricted user to sign in.
I do see a way to set device control with Client settings, but our kids log in from different devices around the house. Several of them are shared with adults.
In short, I'd like to see a second user that has restricted, read-only control of Channels = no access to Settings, to delete a show, to modify anything, etc etc.
Is this possible? If not, seems like a quick add to the code...
Thanks!
Channels has no profile support and there’s no immediate plans for it.
You’re on the right path using server side settings. When settings are set this way, they can’t be changed in the app. This will lock it down.
Also check our Kids Only mode. This will lock the kids devices to just library content set for kids.
Thanks... I guess for now I can set Global Client settings that would restrict regardless of device used. A bit fussy, but...
Have you thought about creating a survey for people to select from a list of most-requested features to add to future versions? I suspect this feature would be very high on the list.
I’m not convinced profiles would even help you here in terms of protection. Your family members could just switch to a profile with more permissions and do destructive things.
Profiles could be secured with a PIN...
Also, as you mentioned, a particular profile could be set to Kids Only. Or have access to certain libraries but not others. Or have access to libraries only, but not trigger DVR recordings. Or have access to certain live TV or virtual channels, but not others. Etc etc 
Some parents would be interested in watch history and/or the ability to set time restrictions when a particular Profile can/can't watch.
Search the forms here. Many threads and posts on wanting user profiles alike to other softwares like Emby, Plex etc.
Channels DVR is designed for single user/everyone in household use for TV and DVR use.
Always has been.
Recent times, the devs have added in some things that kinda help with making things more manageable with multi users, like server side client settings overrides, Kids mode etc.
But they have made it clear, they have no intention to make their product work like those "Home Media servers" with profiles etc.
Your options if you do NOT want a single All-in-one all access DVR experience, ie. need separate "profiles" for each user.
Use Channels DVR as tuner backend for Emby. Emby supports user profiles and full segregation of media.
Use multiple Channels DVR servers. on separate devices, one for each user.
This is what i do. I have 2x Rpi4's one for my use, one for my mother to use.
It means double the management work, but is worth it for me to not have each other shows get all meshed together.
(note, only 1 Channels DVR server can work with remote access natively though.)
Respectfully, I suspect they keep hearing it because it's a glaring absence. Most everything else out there offers multi-user sign in with granular restrictions, and Channels has some fantastic features that potentially could make it a superior replacement for those who (like myself) also use Plex and Emby.
It's a great product now... but nothing wrong with asking to make it better.
Completely agree with you, however...
Like i said, search the forms.....you are just repeating the same things and use case many many others before you have said already, going back years now...and the devs again, make it clear, that is not how they see their product being used.
For me, managed to work around not having user Profiles.
Feel free to search and to upvote the various "Add user profiles" and alike topic threads/ Feature Requests posts.