How to Set up and Connect Apple TV

Get started with Apple's streaming box

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on January 19, 2022

What to Know

  • Use an HDMI cable to connect Apple TV to TV or home theater receiver, then plug the TV into a power outlet.
  • Turn on the TV and set it to the same Apple TV input.  Tap the remote's touch pad to pair Siri Remote.
  • Follow on-screen prompts and enter your Apple ID.

This article explains how to set up and connect an Apple TV 4K (4th generation) or Apple TV HD (5th generation). Additional information covers how to set up the older 3rd and 2nd generation Apple TVs.

How to Connect and Set Up Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD (4th and 5th Generation)

Already an iPhone user? You can skip most of these steps and set up your Apple TV even faster with your iPhone.

Setting up Apple TV proves why Apple is famous for designing great interfaces and creating products that are a snap to set up and use. Hooking up the Apple TV is easy. It takes just minutes to go from opening the box to streaming video from the internet and playing music through your home theater.

Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD have more features than their predecessors. Here's how to set them up.

  1. Begin by connecting the Apple TV to your TV or home theater receiver with an HDMI cable (HDMI 2.0 for the Apple TV 4K) and plugging the Apple TV into a power outlet. You can connect Apple TV to the internet using ethernet or Wi-Fi.

  2. Turn on your TV and set it to the input that the Apple TV is connected to. The Apple TV setup screen will appear.

  3. Pair the included Siri Remote to your Apple TV by clicking the touchpad at the top of the remote.

  4. Use the Siri Remote to follow the onscreen prompts to set up the Apple TV. You'll choose a location and a language, sign in with your Apple ID, pick screensaver settings, and more.

  5. Sign in to your TV provider account, if you have one. This option unlocks access to streaming video content in apps that your TV provider supports.

  6. When setup is complete, you can start installing apps and watching content.

Apps on the Apple TV
image credit: Apple Inc.

How to Set up the 3rd and 2nd Generation Apple TV

The setup process for older models of Apple TV is similar. Here's what to do.

  1. Unbox the Apple TV. Plug the cable into your HDTV or receiver and your Apple TV. Connect the device to a power outlet. The Apple TV will boot up, showing you the Apple logo onscreen.

  2. Choose the language you want to use for the menus using the remote.

    The volume up and down buttons move the highlight up and down; select using the center button.

  3. The Apple TV scans for available Wi-Fi networks (assuming you're using Wi-Fi. The Apple TV can also connect via Ethernet). Find yours and choose it, then enter your password and select Done.

  4. Choose whether you want your Apple TV to report diagnostic information to Apple or not. This option shares information about how Apple TV is running (if it crashes, etc.) but does not send personal information.

  5. Make sure Home Sharing is enabled on your main home computer. Home Sharing allows you to stream content from your iTunes library so you can watch it on your big screen. You can use the Apple TV to connect to the internet and get content without turning on Home Sharing, but you'll get more use from the Apple TV with it on.

    Sign in to Home Sharing with the same iTunes account you use with your main iTunes library.

  6. You can now play music or video from your iTunes library via AirPlay or access web-based content at the iTunes Store, Netflix, YouTube, or other locations.

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