If you are having issues on Apple TV that don’t respond after restarting, worry not. You can try resetting the Apple TV to its factory settings using a remote to rectify the issue. What if you don’t have an Apple TV remote? In such cases, you can use a wireless keyboard or mouse, the remote app, or a computer to reset the Apple TV without a remote.
Soft Reset Apple TV Without Remote
Instead of factory resetting the Apple TV directly, consider soft resetting it first. Doing so will resolve most minor problems and avoid the need to erase the device completely.
- After turning off the Apple TV, remove its power cable from the socket.
- Wait for a few minutes for the device to drain all the power.
- Then, plug the Apple TV cord into the power socket and turn it on.
Check whether the Apple TV functions are working normally. If not, move to the next method.
Factory Reset Apple TV using Remote App
If you use an iPhone, you can access the Apple TV remote app through your device’s Control center. If you can’t see it, go to your iPhone settings, click Control Center, and press Customize Controls. Locate the Apple TV remote option and tap the Add button near it. Run the remote app on your iPhone and pair your Apple TV. Using the icons on the app, you can reset your Apple TV using the steps mentioned below.
- Go to the Apple TV home screen and select Settings.
- Click on System and select Reset.
- Further, tap the Reset option.
If you have an Android device, you can rely on unofficial Apple TV remote apps. The following apps are natively available in the Play Store, and you can use them to reset your Apple TV.
Hard Reset Apple TV HD using Mac
If you have a Mac powered by macOS Catalina or later, you can reset the Apple TV HD using a USB-C cable.
- Switch on your Apple TV and remove its cable from the power source.
- Connect the USB-C cable’s one end to an Apple TV and the other to a Mac port.
- Launch the Finder on Mac and open the sidebar.
- Choose your Apple TV and click Restore. Your Apple TV has been reset to its initial settings.
Factory Reset Apple TV using iTunes
If you have an Apple TV HD and a computer with iTunes, or a Mac with macOS Mojave or an older model, this method is for you. Follow these steps to factory reset the Apple TV.
- Remove the Apple TV power cord from the electric socket.
- Plug the USB-C cable into the Apple TV port.
- Plug the other end of the USB-C cable into the Mac/Windows port.
- Launch the iTunes on your computer.
- Go to the Source list, choose your Apple TV, and tap Restore.
That’s it. Your Apple TV will restore to factory default.
Restore Apple TV to Factory Default using Keyboard or Mouse
Luckily, Apple TV has a special feature called Switch Control. With this, you can control or restore your Apple TV by connecting a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse.
- Open Settings and select Remotes & Devices.
- Then, select the Bluetooth option. Also, toggle the Bluetooth button on your keyboard.
- Pick your Bluetooth keyboard/mouse name from the list of available devices. The keyboard or mouse will connect to the Apple TV.
- Then, you can go to the Apple TV settings and factory reset the Apple TV.
These are working alternatives to reset the Apple TV without a remote. Furthermore, you can use an IR-based replacement remote or universal remote to reset the Apple TV.
FAQ
Yes. Go to the Settings → System → Reset. Then, select the Reset and Update option instead of Reset.
