Generally, when you buy a new Apple TV, it will come with a brand-new remote to set up and control it. But what if the Apple TV remote has been broken before finishing the setup? In such cases, you can try alternative ways to complete the setup process of your Apple TV without a remote. This article illustrates the process of configuring the Apple TV streaming device using remote alternatives.
Things You Need to Set Up Apple TV
- An active internet connection (wired or wireless)
- A TV or a computer with an HDMI port
- An HDMI cable
If you use your iPhone to set up your Apple TV, ensure it runs with the latest iOS software version. The device must be signed in to iCloud with your Apple TV. Additionally, you must enable iCloud Keychain in iCloud settings. Ensure that you enable Bluetooth on your iPhone and it is connected to a WiFi network.
Use the IR Remote App to Set Up Apple TV
If you own an Android mobile, you can set up your Apple TV using IR remote apps. These apps are available only for Android phones, which you can control the Apple TV by emitting infrared signals. Ensure your Android phone has a built-in IR blaster to send signals. If your phone lacks an IR blaster, you can skip this section and try the next method.
Once you install the IR remote app on your smartphone, launch it and set up your Apple TV using these steps.
1. Connect your Apple TV device to your TV via HDMI cable and plug the power cord of Apple TV into the power outlet.
2. Using the IR remote app, select the HDMI input on your TV to which your Apple TV is connected.
3. Once you see the welcome screen of Apple TV, choose English or your preferred language.
4. On the next screen, choose the Country in which you are residing.
5. Tap Continue on the Data & Privacy page.
6. On the next screen, you will be provided with two options: Set Up with iPhone and Set Up Manually. Tap Set Up Manually.
Note: If you are an iPhone user, choose Set Up with iPhone. By choosing this option, Apple TV will automatically add your Apple TV account and WiFi settings.
7. Tap Use Siri if you want to use your Apple TV using voice commands on the next screen.
8. On the Improve Siri & Diction page, tap Share Audio Recordings. You can select Not Now if you don’t want to store your audio recordings.
9. Next, select your home WiFi Network and enter the Password to connect your Apple TV to a WiFi connection.
10. On the next screen, tap Continue after entering your Apple ID and Password.
11. If you have a TV Provider subscription, tap Sign In and choose your TV provider.
12. Then, sign in with your TV provider using the User ID and Password.
Similarly, proceed with the on-screen instructions and accept the Terms & Conditions to complete the setup process of your Apple TV.
Configure Apple TV Without a Remote Using an iPhone
When you don’t have a remote to setup your Apple TV, you can use the built-in Apple Remote on your iPhone. However, to use the remote app, your Apple TV and iPhone should be on the same network connection. Since we can’t connect Apple TV to WiFi right now, you can use the Ethernet cable to connect it to the wired internet. If you don’t have an ethernet cable, you can buy it from Amazon.
Once you connect your Apple TV to the wired internet, run the Apple Remote app and select your Apple TV. A screen with a passcode will appear on your Apple TV. Enter the 4-digit passcode on your iPhone. Now, your Apple TV will be paired with the remote app. You can now access the Apple remote app interface on your iPhone to set up your Apple TV.
Setup Apple TV Using a Bluetooth Keyboard
If you don’t have an ethernet cable, you cannot connect your Apple TV to an internet connection. You need to rely on an external device like a Bluetooth keyboard to set up and control your Apple TV.
Make sure you use a Bluetooth keyboard and not a wireless one that comes with a USB dongle. To connect the keyboard to your Apple TV, you need to reset your Apple TV and update it to the latest version.
To reset your Apple TV, open the iTunes app on your PC and connect your Apple TV to it via HDMI cable. iTunes will show the connection status of your Apple TV. Below the Apple TV Recovery Mode, click the Restore Apple TV option. On the pop-up, select Restore & Update, and wait for a few minutes to complete the process. Once done, tap OK from the pop-up.
Next, eject the Apple TV from your computer and connect it to your TV. Once the main setup screen appears, turn on the Bluetooth paring mode on your keyboard. When the Apple TV finds your keyboard, it will ask you to enter the Bluetooth pairing code. Enter the pairing code that displays on the TV using the keyboard. Once the keyboard pairs with your Apple TV, a keyboard-linked icon will appear on your Apple TV screen. Now, using the Bluetooth keyboard, you can seamlessly set up your Apple TV without a remote.
Use the CiderTV App on Mac to Set Up Apple TV
If you are a Mac user and don’t have a Bluetooth keyboard or a WiFi connection, you can use the Cider TV app. This is a third-party remote app that controls Apple TVs using Bluetooth. You can get the app on your Mac from the App Store. To use the app, you have to pair your Apple TV with the app. To make the CiderTV app pairing successful, you need to reset your Apple TV first.
Refer to the previous methods to reset your Apple TV using the iTunes app. Once you reset it, turn on Bluetooth on your Mac and launch the CiderTV app. Select your Apple TV on the app and enter the pairing code to complete the pairing process. Now, using the Cider TV remote app on Mac, you can configure your Apple TV.
FAQ
If your Apple TV stops responding and freezes in the middle of the setup, unplug the power cord of your Apple TV from the power outlet and plug it back again. Then, initiate the setup process from the beginning.
