If you just bought the latest Apple TV 4K or picked up a pre-used Apple TV box and are looking for a guide on how to set up the device, you have come to the right place. Whether you’re setting up the device for the first time straight out of the box or setting it up after factory resetting Apple TV, it can be done within a few minutes.
The 4th-generation Apple TV HD setup process is similar to the Apple TV 4K. However, the older models of Apple TV have different setup processes. To make it even easier, we have created this beginner’s guide to walk you through the complete setup process of Apple TV.
What’s in the Box
Once you buy and unbox your Apple TV 4K, you will find the following accessories in the box.
- Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Ethernet
- Siri Remote 3
- Power Cord
Note: Apple will not include an HDMI or USB C cable in the box. However, both cables are sold separately by Apple.
What You Will Need Additionally
Apart from what you get in the box, you will need accessories to set up your Apple TV.
- A high-definition 4K TV with HDMI port
- A HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 cable (recommended)
- Stable internet connection
- Ethernet cable (if you’re opting for a wired internet connection)
- USB C cable to charge Apple TV Siri Remote 3
Preparation
Once the unboxing is done, it is time to connect your Apple TV box to your TV.
- Plug the power cord on your Apple TV and the other end into a power outlet.
- Plug in your Apple TV and connect it to your TV with an HDMI cable.
- If you have opted for the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model, plug the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on your Apple TV box and the other end into the router.
Now, turn on your Apple TV and switch the input to HDMI to proceed with the setup process.
Configuring Apple TV Settings
Once you switch the correct HDMI port, the Apple TV remote will automatically pair to your device. You can use the Apple TV remote to configure some of the basic settings on your Apple TV.
Language: Select the language you prefer.
![Language](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-13-1024x571.png)
Select Your Country or Region: Select your country or region.
![Region](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-14-1024x574.png)
Data & Privacy: Read and click Continue on the Data & Privacy page.
![Data & Privacy](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-6-1024x574.png)
Note: Apple TV will prompt you to change your region’s format based on your chosen region or country. You can select Change Format or Keep Current Format to continue with the default format.
Automatically Set Up Your Apple TV
Now, you will have two options to continue the setup process. Choosing Set Up with iPhone is the easiest and quickest way to set up your Apple TV. If you don’t have an iPhone, select Set Up Manually to proceed with the setup process.
![Set Up Apple TV](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-11-1024x573.png)
Set Up with iPhone
We would personally recommend setting up Apple TV with your iPhone. Setting up your TV using an iPhone will automatically transfer your Wi-Fi network and Apple ID information. To use your iPhone to set up Apple TV, you must do the following on your iPhone first.
- Ensure your iPhone is running on the latest firmware.
- Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
- Turn on two-factor authentication on Password & Security.
- Turn on iCloud Keychain in Cloud Settings.
- Turn on Bluetooth and connect to your WiFi network
Once you do all these, hold your iPhone near the Apple TV. Click Set Up on the prompt.
![Set Up with iPhone](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV.png)
Enter the authentication code displayed on your Apple TV and continue with the setup process.
Set Up Manually
If you have opted to Set Up Manually, follow the steps below to continue the setup process.
Siri and Dictation: You can choose between enabling and disabling Siri on your Apple TV. If you want Siri to help you launch apps, find movies, and do other things for you, select Use Siri. Otherwise, select Don’t Use Siri.
![Siri](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-12-1024x576.png)
Improve Siri & Dictation: On the following page, you can opt to Share Audio Recordings to share your interaction with Apple TV using Siri to Apple for improvement of Siri and Dictation. Click Not Now if you don’t want to share any data with Apple.
![Improve Siri & Dictation](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-9-1024x576.png)
Select Your Wi-Fi Network: Now, select your home Wi-Fi network and connect to it. You can use the on-screen keyboard and Siri Remote 3 to enter your network password and connect your Apple TV to WiFi.
Apple ID: Sign in to your Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one on Apple’s official website. Enter your Apple ID details using the on-screen keyboard and click Continue. Enter the Apple ID Verification Code sent to you and complete the sign-in process.
![Apple ID Sign In](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-10-1024x576.png)
You can also select Skip This Step to skip the sign-in process.
Wrapping the Set-Up Process
Following the Apple ID sign-in, you can quickly configure these settings and wrap up the setup process.
Require Password: You can set the password preferences to purchase apps. You will have three options: Always Require, Require After 15 Minutes, or Never Require. Choose the option that suits you the best.
Do you have a Pay TV Provider?: If you have a Pay TV Provider connection, Sign In to your provider account here. If you don’t have a provider, click Not Now.
One Home Screen on Every Apple TV: If you have multiple Apple TVs, select Turn On to keep the home screen and apps on every Apple TV up to date using the iCloud Account. Select Not Now to skip.
![One Home Screen - How to Set Up Apple TV](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-7-1024x576.png)
Where is this Apple TV?: Now, select a room where your Apple TV is located and go the next step.
![Where is this Apple TV?](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-8-1024x576.png)
Location Services: This option allows Apple TV and apps to gather data based on your location. Select Enable Location Service to allow data collection. Select Disable Location Service if you don’t want Apple TV or apps to collect data.
![Location Services](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-5-1024x571.png)
See the World: This option is to set an aerial screen saver on your Apple TV. Select Automatically Download to enable it, or choose Not Now to skip the feature.
![See the World](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-3-1024x573.png)
Analytics: Apple will ask you for permission to send analytic data from your Apple TV to improve the product and service. Selecting Send to Apple will send the data. Choosing Don’t Send will not send any data.
![Analytics - How to Set Up Apple TV](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-4-1024x576.png)
Terms and Conditions: Read the terms and conditions and click on Agree or Disagree.
![Terms and Conditions - How to Set Up Apple TV](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-1-1024x574.png)
Your Apple TV will now check if your TV supports HDR (High Dynamic Range). To skip this process, click Not Now.
![HDR - How to Set Up Apple TV](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV-2-1024x570.png)
Once you complete the setup process, you can start adding apps to Apple TV and start streaming
How to Set Up Apple TV 3rd & 2nd Generation
- Unbox your Apple TV device and connect your Apple TV to your TV using a HDMI cable. Use the power cord to connect your Apple TV to a power outlet. Switch your TV input to HDMI to continue the setup process.
- Using the remote, select the language on your Apple TV.
- Connect your Apple TV to your WiFi network or connect an ethernet cable to the Apple TV box for a wired internet connection.
- Choose whether or not you want to share analytics with Apple.
You can now use your Apple TV to stream movies or TV shows.
How to Setup Apple TV as HomeKit Home Hub
If you have an Apple TV, you can add it to HomeKit to turn it into a Home Hub. Here is how to add Apple TV to HomeKit and set it up as a home hub.
1. Go to Settings on your Apple TV and select Accounts.
![Accounts](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-Set-Up-Apple-TV.jpg)
2. Make sure your Apple TV is signed in to the same iCloud account as the one assigned to your HomeKit on your iOS device.
3. If not, sign in to that iCloud account to convert your Apple TV into HomeKit Home Hub.
You can check your Apple TV Home Hub status on Settings → Accounts → iCloud. See if the Home Hub status is Connected.
FAQ
On your Apple TV, go to Settings → AirPlay and HomeKit → select AirPlay to turn it on. Once you turn on AirPlay, you can AirPlay any content to Apple TV from your Apple device.
It would take between 5-10 minutes to set up your Apple TV.