How to Set Up an Apple TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Apple TV lets you stream movies, TV shows, music and even play video games on your TV screen. Enjoy content from iTunes or other apps available in the App Store and use the Siri Remote to find the content you want or as a controller for any available games. This guide will assist in setting up your Apple TV to enjoy all the entertainment it brings to your home.

2. Package Contents

In the package you will find:

• Apple TV
• Siri Remote
• Power cable
• Lightning to USB cable

You will also need an HDMI cable (HDMI 2.0 or later compatible cable recommended), as it's not included, but sold separately.

3. Connection Type

Devices can be connected to a network in two ways:

Wired

Wired, using an Ethernet cable.

Wireless

Wirelessly, using Wi-Fi.

4. Connect Device to Network - Wired

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into your device's Ethernet port.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

5. Connect Cables

Connect your Apple TV:

1. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the Apple TV box and the other end into your TV.
2. Plug one end of the power cable into the Apple TV box and the other end into a power outlet.

6. TV input channel or source

Use your TV's remote to make sure that your TV input channel or source is set to the correct HDMI port.

7. Pair Remote

1. You will be presented with instructions on how to pair the remote with your Apple TV.
   

1. Click the Touch surface on the remote to pair it with your Apple TV.
   

1. If the remote won't pair, press and hold the Menu and Volume Up buttons for five seconds.
2. Or if a message says that you aren't close enough, set the remote on top of your Apple TV.

8. Start

1. Select your preferred language.
   

1. And select your country or region.
   

1. Choose whether you want to use Siri, Apple's intelligent voice assistant.
   

1. You will be then asked how you want to set up your Apple TV. If you have an iOS device such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can use that to transfer your account and internet connection information, or you can choose to enter all that manually.
   

9. Enable Bluetooth

1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
   

1. Then tap Bluetooth.
   

1. Make sure Bluetooth is set to On.
   

10. Set Up With Device

On the Apple TV

You will be presented with instructions on how to initiate the setup with your iOS device.

On the iOS device

1. Hold your iOS device close to the Apple TV. You will be prompted to start the setup. Select Set Up or Continue.
   

1. Your account and network (Wi-Fi) information will be transferred from the iOS device to the Apple TV. If the iOS device doesn't contain that information, you will be prompted to enter it.

On the Apple TV

Wait for the Apple TV to be set up using the information received from the iOS device.

11. Finish

1. Choose whether you want to be prompted to enter a password for making purchases.
   

1. You will be asked to sign in to your TV provider or skip that for now.
   

1. You can enable One Home Screen for every Apple TV in your home or skip it.
   

1. Choose whether you want Location Services enabled for the Apple TV to retrieve your approximate location.
   

1. Select whether you want screensavers to be downloaded automatically.
   

1. Choose whether you want to send Diagnostics and Usage data to Apple.
   

1. Then choose whether you want to share App Analytics data with app developers.
   

1. Agree with the Terms and Conditions to finish the setup.
   

1. At this point your Apple TV should be set up and ready to use.
   

12. Wired

1. Since you connected the Apple TV to the network using an Ethernet cable, the internet connection will be established automatically.
2. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID.
   

13. Connect Cables

Connect your Apple TV:

1. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the Apple TV box and the other end into your TV.
2. Plug one end of the power cable into the Apple TV box and the other end into a power outlet.

14. TV input channel or source

Use your TV's remote to make sure that your TV input channel or source is set to the correct HDMI port.

15. Pair Remote

1. You will be presented with instructions on how to pair the remote with your Apple TV.
   

1. Click the Touch surface on the remote to pair it with your Apple TV.
   

1. If the remote won't pair, press and hold the Menu and Volume Up buttons for five seconds.
2. Or if a message says that you aren't close enough, set the remote on top of your Apple TV.

16. Start

1. Select your preferred language.
   

1. And select your country or region.
   

1. Choose whether you want to use Siri, Apple's intelligent voice assistant.
   

1. You will be then asked how you want to set up your Apple TV. If you have an iOS device such as an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can use that to transfer your account and internet connection information, or you can choose to enter all that manually.
   

17. Enable Bluetooth

1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
   

1. Then tap Bluetooth.
   

1. Make sure Bluetooth is set to On.
   

18. Set Up With Device

On the Apple TV

You will be presented with instructions on how to initiate the setup with your iOS device.

On the iOS device

1. Hold your iOS device close to the Apple TV. You will be prompted to start the setup. Select Set Up or Continue.
   

1. Your account and network (Wi-Fi) information will be transferred from the iOS device to the Apple TV. If the iOS device doesn't contain that information, you will be prompted to enter it.

On the Apple TV

Wait for the Apple TV to be set up using the information received from the iOS device.

19. Finish

1. Choose whether you want to be prompted to enter a password for making purchases.
   

1. You will be asked to sign in to your TV provider or skip that for now.
   

1. You can enable One Home Screen for every Apple TV in your home or skip it.
   

1. Choose whether you want Location Services enabled for the Apple TV to retrieve your approximate location.
   

1. Select whether you want screensavers to be downloaded automatically.
   

1. Choose whether you want to send Diagnostics and Usage data to Apple.
   

1. Then choose whether you want to share App Analytics data with app developers.
   

1. Agree with the Terms and Conditions to finish the setup.
   

1. At this point your Apple TV should be set up and ready to use.
   

20. Wireless

1. You will need to connect your Apple TV to the internet over Wi-Fi. Select the network name from the list then enter the password if required.
   

1. Then you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID.