How to set up and configure your apple tv

To get started with your Apple TV, follow these steps.

Here’s what you need

• Personal Internet*
• A TV or other display with an HDMI port
• An HDMI cable (On Apple TV 4K, you need an HDMI 2.0 or later compatible cable)

If you want to set up your Apple TV with your iOS device, do these things first on your iOS device:

*Apple TV doesn’t support public or subscription networks with sign-in requirements.

Choose your Apple TV

Set up your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD

To go back to a previous screen during setup, press the Menu button on your remote. To start over, unplug your Apple TV from power, then plug it back in.

Plug it in and turn on your TV

Plug your Apple TV into power and connect it to your TV with an HDMI cable. To watch movies in 4K HDR on Apple TV 4K, make sure that you’re using an HDMI 2.0 or later cable, and have a TV that supports 4K, HDR, or both. Then turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that your Apple TV is connected to.

If you don’t want to connect to Wi-Fi during setup, you can connect your Apple TV to your router with an Ethernet cable.

Choose your language, and turn on Siri

Swipe on the Touch surface of your Apple TV Remote to find your language and country or region. To choose an option, click the Touch surface. If you choose the wrong language, press the Menu button to return to the previous screen.

If asked, choose whether to use Siri.

Continue setup with your iOS device or set up manually

To automatically add your Apple ID and Wi-Fi settings to your Apple TV, choose Set Up with Device. Then unlock your iOS device, hold it next to your Apple TV, and follow the onscreen steps on your iOS device and Apple TV.

If you don’t want to set up your Apple TV with your iOS device, choose Set Up Manually. Then follow the onscreen steps on your Apple TV to connect to your home Wi-Fi network and sign in with your Apple ID.

If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one. If you forgot your Apple ID, learn what to do.

Sign in with your TV provider

In some countries and regions, you might be able to sign in with your TV or cable provider on your Apple TV to watch TV shows and movies included in your cable or TV subscription.

Choose settings

Turn on One Home Screen to keep the Home screen and apps the same across every Apple TV. Choose a room where your Apple TV is to automatically add it to the Home app on your iOS device and Mac. Or add users to your Apple TV.

Get apps and start streaming

When setup is complete, you’ll see the Home screen. From here, you can watch your favorite shows, movies, and discover more of what you love to watch in the Apple TV app. You can also download games and apps from the App Store.

To learn more about your Apple TV, read the Apple TV user guide.

Need help?

To learn what to do next, find your issue below.

If your Apple TV won’t turn on

If your Apple TV doesn’t power on, show video, or play sound, learn what to do.

If you can’t use the remote

If you purchased an Apple TV from someone and it didn’t come with a remote, then you’ll need to buy an Apple TV Remote to set up your Apple TV.

If you can’t set up your Apple TV or see an error message

If your Apple TV stops responding during setup, unplug your Apple TV from power, then plug it back in.

If you can’t get past a screen during setup, try connecting your Apple TV to a different Wi-Fi network, like a personal hotspot from your phone. After setup is complete, go to Settings on your Apple TV and connect to your home Wi-Fi network.

If you have other issues, contact Apple Support.

Чтобы начать пользоваться Apple TV, выполните следующие действия.

Вот что вам нужно

• Персональное подключение к Интернету*
• Телевизор или другой дисплей с портом HDMI
• Кабель HDMI (для Apple TV 4K необходим кабель HDMI 2.0 или более поздней версии)

Чтобы настроить Apple TV с помощью устройства iOS, сначала выполните на устройстве iOS следующие действия:

* Apple TV не поддерживает общедоступные сети и сети с подпиской, где требуется регистрация.

Выберите устройство Apple TV

Настройка Apple TV 4K или Apple TV HD

Чтобы во время настройки вернуться на предыдущий экран, нажмите кнопку «Меню» на пульте ДУ. Чтобы начать процедуру сначала, отключите Apple TV от источника питания, а затем подключите снова.

Подключение к сети питания и телевизору

Подключите устройство Apple TV к источнику питания и к телевизору кабелем HDMI. Чтобы смотреть фильмы в формате 4K HDR на Apple TV 4K, необходимо использовать кабель HDMI 2.0 или более поздней версии, а телевизор должен поддерживать форматы 4K и (или) HDR. Включите телевизор и выберите вход HDMI, к которому подключено устройство Apple TV.

Если вы не хотите подключаться к сети Wi-Fi во время настройки, Apple TV можно подключить к маршрутизатору кабелем Ethernet.

Выбор языка и включение Siri

Смахните на сенсорной поверхности Touch пульта ДУ Apple TV Remote, чтобы выбрать язык и страну или регион. Для выбора нужного варианта нажмите на сенсорную поверхность Touch. Если вы выбрали неправильный язык, нажмите кнопку меню для возврата к предыдущему экрану и повторите попытку.

Если появится запрос, выберите, нужно ли активировать Siri.

Продолжение настройки с помощью устройства iOS или вручную

Чтобы автоматически добавить на Apple TV свой идентификатор Apple ID и настройки Wi-Fi, выберите «Настроить устройством». Затем разблокируйте устройство iOS, поднесите его к Apple TV и следуйте инструкциям на экране устройства iOS и Apple TV.

Если вы не хотите использовать для настройки Apple TV устройство iOS, выберите «Настроить вручную». Затем следуйте инструкциям на экране Apple TV, чтобы подключиться к домашней сети Wi-Fi и войти в систему с использованием идентификатора Apple ID.

Если у вас нет идентификатора Apple ID, создайте его. Если вы забыли свой идентификатор Apple ID, узнайте, что делать.

Вход в систему поставщика телевизионных услуг

В некоторых странах и регионах можно войти на Apple TV в систему поставщика телевизионных или кабельных услуг для просмотра телешоу и фильмов, входящих в подписку.

Выбор настроек

Включите функцию «Один экран “Домой”» для синхронизации экрана «Домой» и приложений на всех устройствах Apple TV. Выберите комнату, где находится Apple TV, и она будет автоматически добавлена в приложение «Дом» на устройстве iOS и компьютере Mac. Или добавьте пользователей в Apple TV.

Получение приложений и запуск потоковой передачи

По завершении настройки отобразится экран «Домой». С этого момента вы можете смотреть свои любимые телешоу и фильмы и находить новый интересный контент в приложении Apple TV. Также можно загружать игры и приложения из App Store.

Нужна помощь?

Чтобы узнать, какие действия следует выполнить далее, выберите проблему ниже.

Устройство Apple TV не включается

Если устройство Apple TV не включается, не воспроизводит видео или звук, узнайте, что делать.

Если пульт ДУ не работает

Если устройство Apple TV было приобретено с рук и без пульта ДУ, то для настройки Apple TV необходимо купить пульт ДУ Apple TV Remote.

Не удается настроить Apple TV или выводится сообщение об ошибке

Если устройство Apple TV перестает отвечать во время настройки, отключите его от источника питания, а затем подключите снова.

Если во время настройки не удается вернуться на предыдущий экран, попробуйте подключить Apple TV к другой сети Wi-Fi, например с помощью телефона в режиме модема. По завершении настройки перейдите в меню «Настройки» на Apple TV и подключитесь к своей домашней сети Wi-Fi.

Если у вас возникли другие проблемы, обратитесь в службу поддержки Apple.

Ниже приведен список того, что требуется для использования Apple TV .

Телевизор 4K или высокого разрешения с кабелем HDMI.

Кабель HDMI для подключения Apple TV к телевизору (для 4K HDR может потребоваться сверх-высокоскоростной кабель HDMI, продается отдельно).

Доступ к беспроводной сети 802.11 (для потоковой передачи требуется сеть 802.11a, g, n или ac) или к сети Ethernet и широкополосное подключение к интернету.

Apple ID для покупки, проката и загрузки приложений из App Store и использования Домашней коллекции.

Чтобы использовать все аудио- и видеовозможности Apple TV 4K , Вам потребуется телевизор с поддержкой 4K, HDR и Dolby Vision и аудиосистема, которая совместима с Dolby Atmos.

Более подробную информацию о настройке Apple TV 4K и телевизора 4K см. в статье службы поддержки Apple Сведения об использовании 4K, HDR и Dolby Vision на Apple TV 4K.

Более подробную информацию о настройке Apple TV 4K для использования объемного звука, включая Dolby Atmos, см. в статье службы поддержки Apple Воспроизведение аудиофайлов в режиме Dolby Atmos или объемного звука на Apple TV.

Вид Apple TV спереди, все модели:

Вид Apple TV 4K сзади

Вид Apple TV HD сзади

Использование пульта Siri Remote для настройки Apple TV

Используйте сенсорную панель с сенсорной поверхностью (на пульте Siri Remote 2-го поколения) или сенсорную поверхность (на пульте Siri Remote 1-го поколения) для настройки Apple TV .

Для выделения объектов во время настройки выполните любое из следующих действий.

На пульте Siri Remote (2-го поколения). Нажмите кнопку вверх, вниз, влево или вправо на кольце сенсорной панели или смахните вверх, вниз, влево или вправо на сенсорной панели.

На пульте Siri Remote (1-го поколения). Смахните вверх, вниз, влево или вправо по сенсорной поверхности.

Для выбора объектов выполните любое из следующих действий.

На пульте Siri Remote (2-го поколения). Нажмите на центр сенсорной панели.

На пульте Siri Remote (1-го поколения). Нажмите на сенсорную поверхность.

Для получения дополнительной информации о функциях и кнопках пульта Siri Remote см. раздел Управление Apple TV .

Настройка Apple TV

Прежде чем приступать к настройке, уточните название Вашей беспроводной сети (и пароль, если сеть защищена паролем). При использовании проводного подключения используйте кабель Ethernet для подключения к устройству Apple TV .

Подсоедините один конец кабеля HDMI к разъему HDMI на Apple TV , затем подключите другой конец кабеля к разъему HDMI на телевизоре.

Подсоедините один конец шнура питания к разъему питания на Apple TV , а другой конец — к розетке.

Включите телевизор, затем выберите вход HDMI, подключенный к Apple TV .

На некоторых телевизорах вход HDMI может быть выбран автоматически.

Следуйте инструкциям на экране, чтобы настроить интернет-соединение, функцию единого входа и другие параметры.

Для использования VoiceOver во время настройки трижды нажмите кнопку «Назад» на пульте Siri Remote (2-го поколения) или кнопку на пульте Siri Remote (1-го поколения). Подробную информацию см. в разделе Использование VoiceOver на Apple TV .

Автоматическая настройка Apple TV с устройством iOS или iPadOS

Кроме того, можно автоматически перенести данные сети Wi-Fi, пароль и данные учетной записи Apple ID на Apple TV с устройства iOS с iOS 9.1 или новее или с устройства iPadOS с iPadOS 13 или новее.

Когда появится экран настройки Apple TV , разблокируйте устройство iOS или iPadOS и убедитесь, что Bluetooth® и Wi-Fi включены.

Держите устройство iOS или iPadOS ближе к Apple TV и следуйте инструкциям на экране устройства и Apple TV .

Примечание. Автоматическая настройка не позволяет переносить данные учетных записей сторонних приложений, таких как Netflix или Hulu, и не включает службы iTunes Match или «Домашняя коллекция».

Настройка улучшенного реверсивного звукового канала HDMI на Apple TV 4K (2-го поколения)

Устройство Apple TV 4K (2-го поколения) использует технологию eARC, которая обеспечивает передачу звука в полном разрешении (включая форматы объемного звука, такие как Dolby Atmos) с телевизора с поддержкой eARC (или любого подключенного к нему устройства HDMI) на Apple TV .

Например, если Вы настроили колонки HomePod с Apple TV 4K для создания эффекта домашнего кинотеатра, Вы можете воспроизводить на них звук с игровой консоли, которая подключена к телевизору с помощью кабеля HDMI.

Примечание. eARC в настоящее время используется в бета-режиме.

Подсоедините один конец кабеля HDMI с поддержкой eARC (продается отдельно) к разъему HDMI на Apple TV 4K, затем подключите другой конец кабеля к разъему HDMI с меткой eARC на телевизоре.

Включите телевизор и убедитесь, что на нем включен параметр HDMI-CEC.

См. статью службы поддержки Apple Проверка включения HDMI-CEC.

Откройте Настройки на Apple TV 4K.

Настройте HomePod (или стереопару HomePod) в качестве аудиовыхода по умолчанию для Apple TV .

В Настройках на Apple TV выберите «Видео и аудио» > «Аудиовыход» > «Реверсивный звуковой канал (ARC), бета-версия», затем выберите «Звук с ТВ», чтобы включить eARC.

На телевизоре выберите вход HDMI для устройства, с которого хотите направлять аудио (например, игровой консоли или DVD-плеера).

Звук с выбранного устройства направляется через Apple TV на колонки HomePod.

Примечание. Возможно, чтобы включить eARC для вывода звука потребуется задать дополнительные настройки. Этот вопрос можно уточнить у производителя телевизора.

Дополнительную информацию см. в статье службы поддержки Apple Использование HDMI ARC или eARC с Apple TV (2-го поколения).

Get started with Apple’s streaming box

• Tweet
• Share
• Email

What to Know

• Connect the Apple TV to your TV or home theater receiver using an HDMI cable. Plug the device into a power outlet.
• Turn on the TV and go to the input the Apple TV is connected to. Pair the Siri Remote by tapping the touchpad.
• Use the remote to follow the on-screen prompts and enter your Apple ID. Sign in to your TV provider account.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You are here

Overview

The following instructions can be used to configure your Apple TV to connect to PittNet Wi-Fi. At this time wired 802.1x connections to PittNet are not supported by the Apple TV. Certain steps require you to switch between your Apple TV and Mac computer, so pay attention to which is required.

Requirements

• An Apple computer running macOS 10.14 or higher.
• Micro USB or USB-C cable (older models) or an Apple TV and macOS computer on the same wired or Wi-Fi network (new models).
• Apple TV and macOS Computer updated with current software versions.
• Initial configuration of the Apple TV so that it is on the home screen​.

Configuring Apple TV

1. On the Apple TV, go to Settings >General >Profiles.

• Remove all previous WIRELESS-PITTNET profiles, if any exist.
• This option will not exist if profiles were not previously installed.

1. Return the Apple TV to the home screen.
2. On the Mac computer, Download Apple Configurator 2 from the Mac App Store.
3. Open Apple Configurator 2.
4. Create the network profile by choosing File >New Profile from the Mac menu bar.
5. You will need to configure several profile settings; from the General tab, enter WIRELESS-PITTNET as the Name.
   Note: This is how the profile will be named under Profiles on the Apple TV.

​

1. Select the Wi-Fi tab, click Configure, then provide the following information:

• Service Set Identifier (SSID): type WIRELESS-PITTNET.
• Auto Join: check this selection.
• Security Type: select WPA / WPA2 Enterprise (Enterprise Settings will appear after selecting this option).
• Enterprise Settings: Protocols tab.
  • Accepted EAP Types: select PEAP.
  • Username: type in your University Computing Account username.
  • Password: type in your University Computing Account password.

1. From the Wi-Fi tab, locate Enterprise Settings, click Trust, then under Trusted Server Certificate Names, click + and an entry titled Certificate Common Name will be created. Double-click on this entry and change the text to ias.cssd.pitt.edu.

From the menu, click File, then select Save.
Note: You may see a warning stating This profile requires user input when installed on a device and cannot be installed on supervised devices. This means there will be a manual install prompt for the certificate on the Apple TV device. Click Save Anyway.

On the toolbar in Apple Configurator, click Add, then select Profiles.

Is it possible to install a VPN on Apple TV? The short answer is yes, although it takes a bit of work to set up. In this tutorial, I’d like to share with you exactly how to configure your Apple TV to connect to a VPN so you can watch shows from anywhere in the world.

The great thing about using a VPN while you’re living or traveling abroad is that you can watch some of your favorite shows on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services. In many cases (such as when trying to stream Netflix in China), the services is geo-restricted, meaning the entertainment won’t stream.

This is excellent if you want to watch Netflix on your laptop or computer. But what if you want to finally migrate to the big TV screen to watch your shows? Getting a VPN setup on your Apple TV (or even a VPN on the Amazon Stick or Chromecast) seems confusing at first, but if you’ll allow me to guide you through what I learned, you’ll realize that it’s really quite easy.

This simple guide will teach you how to set up Apple TV with a VPN.

Below I’m going to walk you through an example using a service I use called 12VPN. Now, you can use a number of other good VPN services to do this same little trick but I chose 12VPN here just because they offer SmartDNS as part of their package (more on that in a moment) and they work well here in China where I live. This tutorial works can help no matter what SmartDNS system you use, though.

*Note: Some links within this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you I will be compensated if you decide to purchase the service. If this tutorial has been helpful to you, please consider these links as a way of saying thanks!

Simple Apple TV VPN Setup Tutorial

The first thing you need to know as you begin to setup your Apple TV to work outside your home country is that in reality you will be setting up a SmartDNS protocol, not a VPN. This is important to note because not all VPN services bundle VPN and SmartDNS together. If they don’t, you’ll have to purchase a separate SmartDNS service.

Like I said above, I recommend 12VPN because all of their packages (except the mobile phone package) provide you with a VPN and a SmartDNS setup. Thankfully, it’s worked very well for me over the past couple years.

To explain this in the most simple terms, what we are doing by changing the DNS address on our Apple TV is similar to changing the license plate on your car. Nothing else has changed (i.e. your car is still at your home and it’s still red) but the license plate says the car is from a different location. This is how we’re able to get around the geo-blocking that sites like Netflix and Hulu have. We’re just tricking them into thinking that we’re somewhere else without actually being there.

So let’s begin by opening up our Apple TV and finding the settings app, which you can see below highlighted on the right side:

Once you click on the Settings app, you’ll be directed to the next menu where you want to find the “General” tab to click. You can see that here:

Next, we want to find and manipulate our Network settings, so find that tab and click it.

Click on the “Wi-Fi” section, that should already show as being connected to your home wifi…

…and then make sure you choose your wi-fi connection among the many others.

At this point we are going to configure the DNS, so find that setting toward the bottom of your wifi connection setting…

…and then instead of “Automatic” you need to choose “Manual” for your setting.

At this point you will be directed to a screen with a bunch of numbers that looks like this:

Now here you will need to input the DNS address supplied by your VPN or SmartDNS provider. In my case, since I’m using 12VPN like I mentioned before, what I did was log into my 12VPN account and find the SmartDNS button. You can see it here on my dashboard:

SmartDNS can be used on a lot of different devices, such as an Apple TV, an xBox, an Apple Airport, etc., but in this case I’ll just go ahead and click on the Apple TV option:

Once I click on this, 12VPN will supply me with a few different DNS address options that I can input into the Apple TV manual DNS page.

IMPORTANT

With any Smart DNS provider, you will need to activate Smart DNS for your current IP address (this feature prevents people from just sharing the DNS address with all their friends). 12VPN has a link at the bottom of their page where you can click to activate. You’ll have to make sure you’re not on a VPN while you’re activating SmartDNS so that they can collect your real IP address.

There might be times when DNS somehow deactivates or perhaps you move to a different location with a new IP address. In these cases, just go back to activate another address for your Smart DNS settings.

Conclusion: Apple TV Smart DNS Tutorial

If you’ve done everything correctly, you should be able to open the Netflix or Hulu apps immediately after you’ve activated the service.

If you’re still having problems, you might want to connect with your Smart DNS provider. Just make sure you understand that unlike a VPN which will tunnel through censorship like what I have here in China, a Smart DNS just changes the address so that geo-blocked content can be streamed.

I’d also like to note that not every app on Apple TV will work using Smart DNS. For instance, I haven’t been able to get the “Watch ABC” app to work outside of the U.S. despite the change in DNS settings. Thankfully, though, most of the streaming services will work using this simple fix.

Smart DNS from 12VPN or other services are an excellent way for me to stream Netflix on my Apple TV so that I don’t have to constantly be watching on my small laptop all the time!

How did this tutorial work for you? Please leave any comments below or share this on social media if it’s been helpful. Thanks!

Just unboxed a brand new Apple TV 4K? You’re in for a treat. While not inexpensive compared to other options, the set-top streamer is one of the best in its class, offering access to thousands of streaming services — including Disney+, Netflix, and Paramount+ — which can be controlled through Siri right out of the box.

Difficulty

Duration

What You Need

An Apple TV (preferably 4K)

An Ethernet cable (optional)

An iPhone or iPad (optional)

• Plug it in
• Turn it on
• Set it up

But while Apple’s intelligent voice assistant is capable of handling just about any task you can imagine, there’s one thing it can’t help with: the setup process. So if you hit a bump in the road to streaming bliss, you can always turn to this guide.

Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

Plug it in

First things first: Take everything out of the box and make sure it’s in working order. You’ll have the Apple TV itself, a power cable, a USB-A-to-lightning cable (for charging the remote), and the Siri remote control.

Step 1: Plug the small end of the power cable into the appropriate spot on the back of the Apple TV and the other end into a wall socket or power bar.

Step 2: Plug the HDMI cable into the Apple TV and the other end into your TV, soundbar, or receiver.

Step 3: Plug in the Ethernet cable if you don’t want to use Wi-Fi.

Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

Turn it on

Now that everything is plugged in, it’s time to turn it on.

Step 1: Turn on your TV and change its input selection to whatever the Apple TV is connected to. If you’re going through a receiver or soundbar instead, make sure that’s what the TV is looking for.

Step 2: You should see the Apple TV setup screen once everything has booted up.

Step 3: Pick up the Siri remote and pair it via the on-screen instructions, which should tell you to press back, TV/control center button (or Menu on a first-generation Siri remote), and the plus button (volume up) all at the same time.

Set it up

If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, the rest of the setup is extremely easy as the Apple TV can use your geographical, network, and account settings from either of those devices. Following the instructions on the screen:

Step 1: Unlock your device.

Step 2: Make sure it’s connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

Step 4: Hold the iPhone or iPad fairly close to the Apple TV.

Step 5: When prompted, enter the authentication listed on the TV screen.

If you don’t use this automated setup process, you’ll be asked to enter your network and account information manually, which is a lot less fun.

Your Apple TV will then say that it’s activating, connecting things like your iCloud account and HomeKit.

After that, you’ll be asked if you want to require a password for purchases. There are three options — always require, require after 15 minutes, and never require. If you’ve got kids who lack appreciation for things like income and bank accounts, now is a good time to set up a little protection. (You can always change the settings if you want.)

Your Apple TV may also automatically switch display types depending on your TV, such as 4K Dolby Vision at 60Hz. If you like what you see, select OK and keep going. Again, this is a setting you can change later if you want.

And that’s it for the main setup process. Anything you do here can be changed in the settings, including additional options for the Siri remote, audio, video, and any other devices you may connect.

Setting up the popular Apple TV to use Unlocator Smart DNS is a very simple process.

In this article

• Video Instructions
• Apple TV 1, 2 & 3
• Apple TV 4+

Apple TV 1, 2 & 3

The video was made on Apple TV 3. The instructions differ slightly based on the version of the Apple TV that you have. They all work with Unlocator but the steps are a little different.

1 Open up the Apple TV and go to the Settings > General > Network 2 Then go ahead and select Wi-Fi for wireless network or Ethernet if you are using a wired connection. If you have not already setup a Wi-Fi connection you will have to choose your network and input your password for the Wi-Fi again if needed. 3 Select Configure DNS and select Manual 4 Enter following number and click Done: 185.037.037.037 5 On the Network screen please verify that the DNS numbers you have just entered are present. 6 To make sure the US Apps are present on your Apple TV please go to the Settings > General > iTunes Store > Location 7 Select United States 8 Go to settings and select Sleep now 9 Go ahead and Unplug the Apple TV power cord 10 Wait ten seconds 11 Plug the cable back in on your Apple TV

Apple TV 4+

1 On your Apple TV Menu choose the “Settings” option 2 Select network 3 Click on the Wi-Fi button at the top 4 Choose your Network 5 This will take you to your Wi-Fi configuration where you will see configure DNS option at the bottom of the page 6 Confirm that you want to set DNS manually 7 Select configure DNS option and select Manual then enter the following DNS Number: 185.037.037.037 8 Go to settings and select sleep now 9 Go ahead and Unplug the Apple TV power cord 10 Wait ten seconds 11 Plug the cable back in on your Apple TV

Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.

How can I make my Apple TV 1st gen join a WiFi network without having a TV connected? Is there an OSX utility for set up in the same way there is with Airport Express?

2 Answers 2

No. You need to connect the AppleTV to a video output of some sort, otherwise there’s no way to specify the SSID (the WiFi network identifier) and the password (if any). After you’ve done that once, you can unplug it from the video output.

YES! It can be done. If the bluetooth method isn’t working (turning on Apple TV and touching your iPhone to the device to configure), you can work your way through the menus and manually enter your wifi password using the voiceover command. This activates automatically when you first plug in Apple TV. I needed Apple TV only for my music receiver (and don’t own a tv), so I ran HDMI from the Apple TV device to my receiver, made sure my receiver was on so I could hear voice commands and then found images of the on-screen keyboard Apple TV uses (easy image search on Google). Using the voice commands and these images, I could get through the menus and select everything (including a long gibberish password) with the remote. Once I got going with the voiceover, it took under 10 minutes.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you’re looking for? Browse other questions tagged appletv .

Related

Hot Network Questions

To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader.

• Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

site design / logo © 2022 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. rev 2022.1.21.41235

By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

Apple TV is truly the most perfect choice to enjoy your favorite TV shows and films. Even though you can’t access the US Netflix, Hulu, ESPN+, and HBO outside the US, such services as SmartDNS by KeepSolid and VPN Unlimited for Apple TV can save the day of any TV shows fan and cinephile. Set up a VPN on your Apple TV and get access to all the desired content.

Method 1: Set up VPN Unlimited on Apple TV

If you want to use your Apple TV for viewing video content that is only accessible with Virtual Private Networks, we recommend setting up an Apple TV feature – AirPlay Mirroring. This way you will be able to share your Mac or iOS screen using the HDTV attached to your Apple TV. The video from your Mac or iOS device will be shown on your Apple TV display.

How to set up VPN Unlimited on Apple TV? It takes just a few simple steps:

• Run the VPN Unlimited app on your computer or mobile device.
• Connect to one of our VPN servers.
• Enable AirPlay Mirroring to Apple TV, or use the Network Sharing (please refer to the below guides for further instructions).

Check out our detailed manual and easily set up VPN Unlimited on Apple TV.

Bypass geo-restrictions and stream your favorite TV shows and movies with VPN Unlimited for Apple TV!

Choose your perfect subscription and enjoy all benefits of VPN Unlimited for Apple TV!

The Apple TV integration allows you to control an Apple TV (any generation).

There is currently support for the following entities within the Apple TV device:

Configuration

Adding Apple TV to your Home Assistant instance can be done via the user interface, by using this My button:

Apple TV can be auto-discovered by Home Assistant. If an instance was found, it will be shown as “Discovered”, which you can select to set it up right away.

If there wasn’t any discovered automatically, don’t worry! You can set up a manual integration entry:

• Browse to your Home Assistant instance.
• In the sidebar click on Configuration.
• From the configuration menu select: Integrations.
• In the bottom right, click on the Add Integration button.
• From the list, search and select “Apple TV”.
• Follow the instruction on screen to complete the set up.

Media Player

The Apple TV media player platform will create a Media Player entity for each Apple TV discovered on your network. This entity will display the active app and playback controls.

Remote

The Apple TV remote platform will automatically create a Remote entity for each Apple TV configured on to your Home Assistant instance. These entities allow you to turn the device on/off and to send control commands.

The following commands are currently available:

• wakeup
• home
• home_hold
• top_menu
• menu
• select
• up
• down
• left
• right
• volume_up
• volume_down

NOTE: Not all commands are supported by all Apple TV versions

Service send_command

Examples

Create a script to invoke the Netflix application based on the application icon being in a fixed place on the home screen:

Script using the home_hold command to send your Apple TV to sleep and turn off the Media Player:

Send 3 left commands with delay between each:

My Apple TV does not turn on/off when I press on/off in the frontend

That is correct; it only toggles the power state in Home Assistant. See the example above to use the home_hold command. This can be used on Apple TVs running tvOS 14.0 or later.

Is it possible to see if a device is on without interacting with it

When adding a new device, a PIN code is requested, but none is shown on the screen

This can happen when pairing the AirPlay protocol in case the access settings are wrong. On your Apple TV, navigate to Settings, find the AirPlay menu and make sure that the access setting is set to “Everyone on the same network” and try again.

The buttons (play, pause, etc.) do not work

The tvOS apps themselves decide what commands they support and when they support them. Likely, the app you are using does not support the action you are trying to perform. Before writing an issue about this, verify if the same action is possible with the Remote app in iOS. If that is the case, please write a bug in pyatv and include logs (see Debugging below).

I’m trying to play a stream via AirPlay, but it doesn’t work

The Apple TV is quite picky when it comes to which formats it plays. The best bet is MP4. If it doesn’t work, it’s likely because of the media format.

Debugging

If you have any problems and intend to write an issue, make sure you have the relevant logs included. For this integration, you can enable them like this:

By providing logs directly when creating the issue, you will likely get help much faster.

A new Apple TV with an improved Siri remote is finally on the way, but this color tuning feature is something you can use on older Apple TV models right now.

You can now use your iPhone’s front-facing camera to tune your Apple TV’s color for a better picture.

Last week, Apple announced a bevy of new hardware , including a new iPad Pro , new iMac , AirTags , a purple iPhone 12 and a new Apple TV along with a new Apple Siri remote . Among the updates and flashy new features is one that made me say “whoa”: Being able to tune the color of your TV using just your phone. Of course, for Apple, it works just with your Apple TV and your iPhone.

TV optimization settings are an enormous part of any viewing experience, and usually involve diving into specific settings to fine-tune the picture. The right balance of settings can change depending on what kind of movie or show you’re watching — or a slideshow of your photos. Apple’s idea is to remove a lot of these steps by using your iPhone’s front-facing camera to do much of the work.

Get the CNET Apple Report newsletter

The new feature saves you time trying to tune the colors on your own and give you more consistent picture quality when using your Apple TV. Better yet? The new feature works on older Apple TV models, not just the shiny, new Apple TV 4K.

It doesn’t take long to get a better picture from your Apple TV.

Here’s what you’ll need to use the new Color Balance feature

• iPhone X or newer with Face ID running iOS 14.5 or later.
• An Apple TV 4K running TVOS 14.5 (first-generation and later)
• An Apple TV HD running TVOS 14.5

Apple released iOS 14.5 this week , so make sure you update your iPhone and Apple TV to access the new feature.

It only takes a few seconds to get better performance out of your TV, thanks to Apple’s newest feature.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

How to color balance your Apple TV using your iPhone

To color balance your Apple TV to match your TV’s picture and color quality, you need to open the Settings app on your Apple TV. Go to Video & Audio and scroll down to the bottom of the screen, where you’ll find a Color Balance option in the Calibration section. Select Color Balance.

If your TV is using Dolby Vision, the option will be grayed out, and you can rest assured your TV is already properly tuned. However, if you can select the option, unlock your iPhone and bring it close to your Apple TV. An alert will show up on your phone, asking if you want to use it to color-calibrate your television. Tap Continue, and then follow the instructions on your phone.

You’ll see a giant rectangle on your TV. Hold your iPhone inside that square, with the front-facing camera facing the screen, about an inch away from your television. You’ll feel a haptic vibration from your iPhone when you’re close enough and the calibration process is about to begin.

Hold your phone still while the screen flashes several different colors. Your iPhone measures and records those colors, giving your Apple TV the information it needs to tune the colors to look the best on your TV. When the process is complete, your TV will let you switch back and forth between a balanced and unbalanced preview to show you the difference and ask which one you prefer.

It looks like an easy enough process to fine-tune your TV color settings, right?

Video from Apple/Animated image by Jason Cipriani/CNET

The entire process takes less than 30 seconds, start to finish. I turned off Dolby Vision on my TV to see how much of an impact the tuning feature had, and it was night and day. The balanced picture was preferred by every family member in my home.

Want to know more about iOS 14.5? We have plenty to share . Your iPhone has a new Face ID feature that’s somewhat magical, and you can even change Siri’s voice , or completely block apps from tracking you .

Then sit back, relax and enjoy a movie!

So I just got my shiny new Apple TV 4K and I rushed to set it up as quickly as possible so I could watch those new 4K HDR movies on my 4K TV! It’s also way faster and better than the 2nd generation Apple TV that I refused to upgrade until Apple moved to supporting 4K.

In this article, I’m going to go over all the steps to setup your new Apple TV 4K so that you can start enjoying the new super high-definition content. The first step is to plug it in, connect it to your TV using an HDMI cable and connect it to the Internet using an Ethernet cable. You’ll definitely want to use a wired cable over wireless since streaming 4K content will require more bandwidth.

Setup Apple TV 4K

When you turn on your TV and change the input source to the HDMI connection for the Apple TV 4K, you should see a message on how to pair your remote with the Apple TV 4K.

According to the instructions, you’re supposed to press and hold the Menu and + buttons at the same time, but all I did was click the big button at the top a couple of times and it connected.

Next, you’ll need to choose the language you want to use for the device. After that, you’ll need to choose the region. It should automatically select the country you are in based on your IP address.

On the following screen, you can choose whether or not to use Siri and Dictation. This is one of the defining features of the devices, so if you don’t enable this, you will not be getting the full benefit of the Apple TV 4K.

Next, you’ll be asked if you want to setup the device manually or via an iPhone or iPad. It’s much simpler to use a device, if you already have one, so select Setup with Device. The manual method will require you to type or dictate your Apple ID and password.

On the next screen, it will tell you how to connect your iPhone or iPad to the Apple TV 4K so that it can be setup automatically. You’ll have to unlock your phone, connect it to WiFi, enable Bluetooth and then bring it close to the Apple TV 4K.

When you do that, a popup dialog will automatically show up on your device with a big Set Up button. Tap on that and it will setup the Apple TV automatically with your Apple ID account or accounts.

On the TV, you’ll see a message stating that the device is being setup. This step took a few minutes for me, so you’ll have to be patient.

Once the setup procedure has completed, you’ll be asked if you want to require a password for additional purchases after making an initial purchase.

Next, you’ll want to sign into your TV provider if you have a cable subsciption. If not, you can just skip this step for now.

After this, you’ll be asked to enable or disable location services on your Apple TV. I’m not sure how useful this is on a device like the Apple TV, but I just went ahead and enabled it.

Next, you can choose whether or not you want to download some 4K HD video screensavers for your Apple TV. I bought the 64 GB version, so I enabled this since it looks gorgeous on the 4K TV.

Finally, you’ll be asked if you want to enable analytics on the device or not. This is mostly so that Apple can see how the device is being used and to get information about errors and crashes.

That’s about it! Now you should see the main Apple TV OS interface with the App Store, TV app, music app, etc.

I’ll be writing more articles on how to use the Apple TV 4K soon, but for now, sit back, relax and enjoy a 4K movie on your new Apple TV!

Founder of Switching to Mac and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem’s Full Bio

Enjoy your favorite content privately:

• Choose from more than 3200 servers in 65+ countries
• Watch Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus with a secure connection
• Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Download VPN on any platform

Give us a shot with a 7-day free trial

Try Surfshark for free for 7 days on iOs, macOS, and Android

Available on

30-day money-back guarantee on all platforms

Benefits of using a VPN on your Apple TV

Want to feel safe? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to protect your privacy and secure your devices. With this, you can watch Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and many other streaming services knowing you’re safe.

Want to stay fast? In addition to privacy, a VPN can help you avoid throttling (slowing down your connection) by your internet service provider.

3 ways to set up a VPN on Apple TV

Method 1: Set up a VPN on a router for your Apple TV

1. Step 1. Make sure your router is compatible with a VPN. If it’s not, you can use firmware to change that!
2. Step 2. Install a VPN client on your router. Surfshark has guides for Asus , DD-WRT , and Tomato routers .
3. Step 3. Pick a server location and turn the VPN ON . Make sure it works by looking up your IP on Google!

Confusing? It’s ok! For a more in-depth explanation on how to install a VPN your router:

Method 2: Set up a virtual router with a VPN for your Apple TV

Note: this method will only work with Windows computers

1. STEP 1. On your PC or laptop, navigate to the TAP adapter settings in your Network & Internet section.
2. STEP 2. Configure your VPN adapter to allow sharing.
3. STEP 3. Turn your VPN and then your Wi-Fi hotspot ON . Now you can connect your Apple TV to the hotspot.

If you want an easy to follow step-by-step explanation that will make it a breeze:

Method 3: Set up smart DNS on Apple TV

Note: Smart DNS doesn’t give you other VPN features like security and privacy. It just makes your DNS requests appear as they come from somewhere else. This way, no one knows at a glance where your device is.

1. STEP 1. Sign in to your Surfshark account. New here? Signing up will only take a minute!
2. STEP 2. On the My account page, you will see the option to turn on the Smart DNS feature. Click Activate !
3. STEP 3. You’ll get an email once your Smart DNS is ready.
4. STEP 4. Find the “Configure DNS” section in your Apple TV’s settings and enter your Smart DNS manually. You’re good to go!

Not sure about enabling Smart DNS on your TV? Don’t worry – we’ve also got a detailed guide for that. It will make the setup a walk in the park.

Unlimited bandwidth for private streaming

Any content you like, you can stream using a VPN. Our amazing, RAM-only servers with 1 Gbit ports won’t slow you down. Enjoy unlimited bandwidth, no buffering, and absolute privacy when streaming with Surfshark.

Disclaimer: Surfshark does not encourage using a VPN in any way that would potentially violate the Terms of Service of streaming service providers.

A VPN for all Apple TV generations

You can set up a router or smart DNS on ALL Apple TVs:

• Apple TV 4K
• Apple TV HD
• Apple TV 3rd Gen.
• Apple TV 2nd Gen.
• Apple TV 1st Gen.

– Oct. 5th 2013 12:00 pm PT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• LinkedIn
• Reddit

The easiest way to set up an Apple TV is with an iOS device. To use this easier setup mode, you’ll need a third-generation Apple TV, an iPhone 4s or newer, third generation iPad or newer, iPad Mini or fifth generation iPod Touch. Whichever iOS device you use must be running iOS 7.

When the Apple TV is first powered on, it will boot up to a setup screen.

Make sure the iOS Device is connected to the wireless network that you want the Apple TV to connect to. Then use Control Center to turn on Bluetooth.

Then you just need to touch your iOS device to the Apple TV. I was able to successfully pair my iPhone 4S and Apple TV, even with my phone in a Lifeproof case.

Once you touch the iOS device to the Apple TV, a pop-up appears on the iOS device. When the pop-up appears you can remove the iOS device from the top of the Apple TV. Enter your Apple ID and password in the prompt to continue the setup.

After entering in your Apple ID and password, the next prompt asks if you want the device to remember them, so when you purchase any music, TV shows or movies from the Apple TV you will not have to re-enter in the password each time. If there are children who might have access to the Apple TV without adult supervision I would decline this option.

The last prompt asks about helping Apple improve software. This will send anonymous data to Apple on occasion to ensure that they can track down any bugs or other issues. It is optional, but doing so will not compromise your privacy.

While you fill out the information needed on your iOS device, your television displays a picture of the Apple TV with a message that it is finishing the set up.

The Apple TV then connects to the wireless network, activates, connects to the iTunes store and welcomes you to the main page.

Your Apple TV is now ready for use. You can stream content from the iTunes Store, your iCloud account, iTunes Radio, and other devices via AirPlay. You can also setup your Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO, and other accounts to start watching your favorite shows from each of those services.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

The Apple TV is a nice living room companion, but configuring the device to your liking can be challenging. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to configure your Apple TV the right way by adjusting a few important settings that define your experience, including audio and video.

How to set up your Apple TV the right way

Home screen

If you have multiple Apple TVs in your household and use all the same apps across all of them, then you may want to turn on the syncing feature in Settings → Users and Accounts → [YOUR ACCOUNT] → One Home Screen. Now every Apple TV in your household using this particular iCloud account will keep your apps and its Home screen up to date.

Be sure to set the TV Button option to Home Screen in Settings → Remotes and Devices. tvOS defaults to taking you to Apple’s TV software upon pressing the remote’s Home button, but most people just want to get to the Home screen instead.

To make it easier to see which icon is selected, go to Settings → Accessibility → Increase Contrast, then change Focus Style to High Contrast. Doing so will display a white box around the selected icon, making it easier to discern what’s in focus.

You can also change what appears on the Home screen when an app in the top row is selected.

Go to Settings → Apps → TV, then set the Top Shelf option to Up Next. This will display your Up Next queue when the TV app is selected in the Home screen’s top row rather than previews of featured TV shows and movies. Other apps like Music, Infuse and more can also reveal content on the top shelf provided they support this feature.

Remote settings

Go to Settings → Remotes and Devices to adjust your Siri Remote features, such as tracking speed. You can also check your remote’s battery level there,and pair new Bluetooth devices.

Rename your Apple TV

To change the default name of your Apple TV, go to Settings → General → About → Name. Renaming your Apple TV makes it easier to identify your Apple TV on the network, select the right device when interacting with the AirPlay menus and so forth.

Screen saver

Head over to Settings → General → Screen Saver → Type to choose which of the built-in screen savers you’d like to use. If you prefer the high-quality Aerial video screen saver, go to Themes to choose which scenes to rotate (Landscape, Earth, Underwater and Cityscape). Each video can be up to 950MB. To preserve storage space, tell your Apple TV to always stream screen savers by setting Download New Video to Never.

Tracking

Boost your privacy by stopping prompts seeking permission when apps want to track your activity across other apps and websites. Setting Allow Apps to Ask to Track in Settings → General → Privacy → Tracking will prevent apps from even putting up the permission prompt.

TV Provider

Use a live TV service? If so, sign in with its credentials in Settings → Users and Accounts. That’ll save you from manually entering your account information in video apps.

User accounts

If you have added multiple accounts to your Apple TV, go to Settings → Users and Accounts and adjust password settings for each user. With multiuser support, you can simply hold the Home button on the Siri Remote to quickly switch users and their settings.

Video/audio formats and settings

Adjust your audio and video settings to best match your television set by venturing into Settings → Audio and Video. First, set your desired resolution and screen refresh rate under Format. If your TV supports 4K resolution and HDR content like Dolby Vision, enable the Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate options under Match Content.

This will ensure the video is rendered at its original frame rate and dynamic range on HDR TVs.

Keep in mind that some apps like YouTube may produce undesired results if this option has been turned on. On top of that, your TV may annoy you with a delay when switching between different frame rates. In those cases, turning Match Dynamic Range off will fix the problem.

As for the HDMI signal, you’re recommended to choose YCbCr under HDMI Output.

If you have a regular HDMI cable, set Chroma to 4:4:4. If you have an 18-48 Gbps cable that says “HDMI Ultra High Speed,” be sure to set this value to 4:2:0 instead. As noted on Reddit, while the vast majority of video content uses 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, many Apple TV apps and games look their best in 4:4:4.

To have your Apple TV automatically turn off its connected TV, go to Settings → Remotes and Devices and set Control TVs and Receivers to On. Also, choose Volume Control in this section to configure how your TV’s volume is controlled.

HomePod owners should choose their Siri speaker (or stereo pair) under Audio Output. This will route all Apple TV audio to your HomePod. If you have two HomePods, you will enjoy faux surround sound when watching shows with Dolby Atmos sound.

To remove a delay that might occur when using AirPlay, choosing Wireless Audio Sync will help you synchronize your wireless audio devices to your TV’s audio.

If you watch movies and listen to music at night, you may want to set Reduce Loud Sounds to Off in order to avoid disturbing others. Also, consider turning off the Navigation Clicks option.

Those with a second-generation Apple TV 4K and a TV that supports the eARC standard should set Play Television Audio to On (eARC). Doing so will let the new Apple TV 4K output all audio from your TV to your HomePod so you can use the smart speaker for gaming and more.

Other noteworthy options in the Video and Audio section include Color Bars (use your TV’s picture settings to adjust the colors on a reference color bar image), Zoom and Overscan (turn off the overscan option on your TV if you don’t see the entire reference image) and Color Balance (use your iPhone to measure and adjust your television’s color balance).

Learn about Netflix features on your Apple TV, including how to set up and sign out of your account. If you don’t know if Netflix works on your device, follow the steps in the “Set Up Netflix” section.

Netflix is available on Apple TV (2nd generation) and later.

Supported regions
Netflix is available worldwide. Most devices will work wherever Netflix is available, but some older devices will only work in the country where they were purchased. If you’re considering buying a new device, check with the manufacturer to see if it supports Netflix in your region.

Older devices may ask you to go to to set up your device. These devices only support Netflix in the United States and Canada.

Navigation
On most devices, you can browse through rows of TV shows and movies, including a row dedicated to your My List selections. Each row represents a category (for example, comedies, dramas, TV shows) that we show you based on what you’ve watched.

To fast forward or rewind on your Apple TV, make sure that your title is paused or the touch pad is selected.

Search
Find TV shows or movies by searching directly on the Netflix app when using your Apple TV.

Resolution
Most devices can stream Netflix in high definition on fast internet connections and will play Netflix in their maximum supported resolution.

Parental controls
Netflix allows you to set parental controls on individual profiles.

Subtitles & alternate audio
Learn how to use subtitles, closed captions, and alternate audio (including 5.1 surround sound), which are available on many TV shows and movies. To check if your device supports 5.1 audio, go to any Netflix Original to see if there is a 5.1 audio option. If not, your device does not support this feature. Many devices will let you customize the appearance of subtitles and captions. Some devices will display subtitles and captions in their default appearance or are not configured to display subtitles.

On some devices, you can also stream select titles with Dolby Atmos audio, including the models below. For more information on Dolby Atmos, visit our article about using Dolby Atmos on Netflix.

Following setup instructions is only needed one time. Once you finish the initial setup you won’t be needing to take the same steps anytime. Your connection will work automatically *anytime! (as long as your IP is in our database – please read info at the end of this instructions)

Below you can find our short video about Apple TV setup. Below the video, you can find step by step instructions:

If you are planning to use AppleTV we recommend you to configure your router. Please find router configuration details in our How to Setup page. With router setup all your devices in the network connected to your router gets access to Smart DNS Proxy.

*** UPDATE (2014-August) Netflix Application is now forces you to have 1st router setup (click here how) and 2nd static ip routing (click here how). ***

If you don’t have access to the router you are connected to, please find Smart DNS Proxy setup instructions for AppleTV below:

1. On Apple TV, go the Settings > General > Network.

2. Select Wi-Fi for wireless network or Ethernet if you have wired connection. For wireless network, you’ll have to select Wi-Fi network and may need to enter Wi-Fi password (if you didn’t do it before).

3. Go to Configure DNS and switch it to Manual.

4. Enter following Smart DNS Proxy IPs for Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS Server and click “Done”:

From the following use the closest dns server to your physical location as Preferred DNS Server, and second closest dns server to your physical location as Alternate DNS server.

5. Confirm on “Network” screen the DNS address is the numbers you entered (leading zeros will be omitted).

6. Go the Settings > General > iTunes Store > Location.

7. Select United States.

8. Return back to main screen.

9. Put the Apple TV to sleep with the Sleep Now command in Settings.

10. Unplug the Apple TV power cord.

11. Wait ten seconds.

12. Plug the Apple TV back in.

Make sure to RESTART your AppleTV!

* Remember whenever your AppleTV/Router IP changes, our service will stop working for you. You will need to LOG INTO Smart DNS Proxy and UPDATE your IP address so that our system could check your IP address and add your new IP to our database. Then, you will be able to continue using our service. If this is the first time you set up, we also suggest you to log in with your PC to our site from the same Wired/Wireless network to show our system your IP address.

Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.

Learn how to set up your Apple TV with these tips. The Apple TV is an entertainment device that allows you to stream anything that’s on your Mac or iOS device to your HDTV with AirPlay. Below, you will find details on how to connect your Apple TV to your home Shaw network.

How to set up Apple TV

Follow these steps to set up your Apple TV:

1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the back of your TV
2. Connect the other end of that same cable to the back of the Apple TV
3. Connect one end of the provided power cable to the power port on the back of your Apple TV, and connect the other end to an available power outlet
4. Turn on your television and select the appropriate HDMI input. You can switch inputs by finding and pressing the “input” or “source” button on your Shaw Remote

Once connected, your Apple TV will guide you through first-time setup.

Apple TV wiring diagram

Note : While we have provided the following support information, we want to ensure that our customers receive the best possible support for their third-party hardware and software by speaking with the experts. The best way to resolve your third-party issue is to use support resources from the original manufacturer or developer. If the following information does not answer your question, please visit Apple TV Support.

How to connect to Shaw wireless network

During initial setup, the Apple TV will ask you to select your network name from a list of available wireless networks. If you are using a Shaw wireless router, you can find this information listed on a white sticker on the top of your device. Your network name will be listed as SSID, and your network password as Passphrase or Password (See example below).

1. Once you have obtained your network information, use the Apple Remote to select your network from the list of available networks
2. Enter your network password
3. After a few minutes, you should successfully connect to the network, and the setup process will continue

by Patrick Slater • February 3, 2017 February 6, 2017 in How To

You got the Apple TV 3rd gen? Great! So did I! However, if this is your first Apple TV, then you’re probably wondering how to set up apple tv 3rd generation. What’s great about having an Apple TV is that installing it is as easy as using it and in the paragraphs below we’ll tell you everything about it. Let’s go!

Setting up your Apple TV

The first thing you need to understand is that if you want to connect your Apple TV to your TV, then you need to do so by using the HDMI port. This port is used for delivering both video and audio. Before setting up the Apple TV, check the ports on your TV and be sure you have the required cables.

Connecting the cables

At this point you’ll need to connect the cables. Using the HDMI cable, connect one end of it to the back of the TV. The other end should be connected to the appropriate port on the back of your Apple TV. Some people may use an optical digital cable for audio. If that’s the case for you, then be sure to connect one end of it to the appropriate port on your Apple TV (optical digital audio) and the other end to the audio input on your TV or receiver.

Note: The Apple TV features 802.11 Wi-Fi technology, allowing it to connect to your network automatically and wirelessly. However, if you have an Ethernet based network, be sure to use an Ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV to it.

Connect the power cord

One end of the power cord needs to be connected to a power outlet and the other to the power port you’ll find on the back of the Apple TV.

Note: You should never place any objects on top of the Apple TV. Doing so may result in bad signal. Placing the Apple TV on top of electronic equipment is also not recommended.

Turn on your TV and select the input

Since this is the first time you’re using the Apple TV, you’ll be greeted by a screen where you have to select your language and network. However, if the only thing you see is a black screen, then don’t worry. All you have to do is check whether the input setting selected on your TV is the same as the input you connected the cables to on your home theater receiver or TV.

Configuring your Apple TV 3rd gen

If you want to connect to iTunes, then you’ll be very happy to know that the Apple TV can help you configure your wireless network to do so. With iTunes, you can watch and listen to a lot of high quality content from the iTunes library.

Configuring your Apple TV

When configuring your Apple TV, you need to have your Apple Remote, but also your network pass and name ready. The path between the Apple TV and the remote should also be clear. Keep in mind that if you’re on an Ethernet network, then the Apple TV will detect your network automatically. If you’re on a wireless network, then the Apple TV will help you connect to it.

Using the Apple Remote, make sure to enter your network name or select it from the list and then enter the network pass (if you’ve set one).

Entering your IP address along with your DNS address, router address, and subnet address may be necessary if you do not connect using DHCP. Be sure to follow the onscreen instructions to complete the network connection.

How to connect to iTunes

If you’d like to use your Apple TV to access the content of your iTunes library, then you need to have the latest iTunes installed (recommended). Any version earlier than 10.5 won’t work so be sure to keep that in mind. If you do have iTunes, but you’re not sure if you have the latest version, then update it. You can do this by using Software Update (if you’re on a Mac). If you’re using a Windows machine, go to iTunes Help to update the software.

How to set up home sharing

Once your network connection is finally set up, you have to set up your Apple TV and iTunes so you can share your iTunes library. To do so, you need to use Home Sharing on both the Apple TV and iTunes. If you’d like to set up Home Sharing in iTunes, then you need to open iTunes, go to Advanced, and there you’ll see Turn On Home Sharing. You’ll now need to enter your Apple ID and your password. Next, click on Create Home Share.

Now, if you’d like to set up Home Sharing on your Apple TV, then you first of all need to go to settings and then to Computers. Here you’ll see an option that says Turn on Home Sharing. Click it and again, enter your Apple ID and pass (the same ones you entered on your laptop or computer).

As you can see, setting up your Apple TV 3rd generation is not hard at all. Just follow these tips and you’ll be able to watch your favorite videos, movies, shows, and also listen to your favorite music in no time!

What is Apple TV+

Apple TV+ is a streaming service featuring Apple Originals — award-winning series, compelling dramas, ground breaking documentaries, kids’ entertainment, comedies and more — with new Apple Originals added every month.

Apple TV+ can be found in the apps Menu on Sky Q and Sky Glass, or via the apps rail on the Sky Q and the Sky Glass home page.

You’ll need an account with Apple to access Apple TV+, when you launch the app for the first time, you’ll see this screen:

If you have Sky Q mini boxes, you’ll also need to follow the steps above for each box, but you will only need to do this once.

Is there a mobile app for Apple TV+?

Yes, you can download the Apple TV+ app for use on the go from the App store or Google Play.

Using Apple TV+

When you access Apple TV+ you will land on the home page, and Apple TV+ will be highlighted.

You can select other menu options using the left and right arrow buttons on your Sky remote.

• Search – Search for specific shows, movies, or actors.
• Settings – Select account and you can access your apple account and change parental controls, change language settings, set up accessibility settings, change playback to SD and also Apple help.

Watching content

To watch a show on Apple TV+, simply select it and you’ll be provided with options of play, and to the up next , here you will also see what format your programme will be in, such as HD, HDR, 4K, and whether Subtitles or Audio Description will be available, (Subtitles will be shown as CC), press the down button on your remote to the bottom of the page an you will see what languages are available, and details about your selected show.

While watching, press Select on your Sky remote to bring up the progress bar, where you can fast forward or rewind by pressing the left or right. You can also pause by pressing the play button. Pressing the dismiss button will take you back to your menu options, and pressing dismiss again will take you back to the show page, press dismiss again to go back to the main Apple TV+ menu.

Apple TV+ shows are streamed, so you’re not able to download your Sky Q box to watch at a later date. Sky Glass customers can add shows to their playlist.

You will not be able to view any purchased shows you might have bought previously on Apple TV. If you want to view these you’ll need to use the Apple TV+ app on your Smart TV, this also includes any additional subscriptions purchased via Apple TV+, these are not available on the Sky Q/Sky Glass Apple TV+ app.

Want to watch in Ultra HD or HDR?

The Apple TV+ app will detect your TV settings and auto change the stream to Ultra HD or HDR, if you have a compatible TV and Sky Q box, or Sky Glass.

For Ultra HD:

You’ll need a Sky Q 2TB or Sky Q 1TB UHD box, an Ultra HD-enabled TV.

For help with setting up Ultra HD on your Sky Q box, check out our help guide.

For HDR:

Visit our help article to see what you will need.

For help with setting up Ultra HD on your Sky Q box, check out our help guide.

On Sky Glass, this is available as default.

Looking for Dolby 5.1 or Atmos sounds?

Unfortunately if you’re using the Apple TV+ app on Sky Q, this isn’t available yet but we’re hoping to add this at some point this year.

If you’re using Sky Glass Dolby 5.1 is available, however Apple are hoping to add Dolby Atmos at a later date.

If you’re experiencing slow performance on your Apple TV and nothing seems to work, try changing the DNS settings.

Have you been getting slow performance from your Apple TV? Perhaps apps are loading slow and streams keep buffering? You’ve probably tried the basic troubleshooting steps like rebooting your router and modem, checking cables, etc. But nothing seems to work. Well, another thing you can try is changing the DNS settings.

There are many alternative DNS services out there like OpenDNS or Google Public DNS. And just last year Cloudflare launched its 1.1.1.1 DNS service. In fact, there’s even a Cloudflare DNS app. It allows you to change your DNS service on iOS or Android devices with a touch of a button.

But if you want to change the DNS service on your Apple TV you need to go in and do it manually. Here’s how.

Configure Your DNS Settings on Apple TV

1. Fire up your Apple TV and head to Settings > Network and then choose your network. It will say either Wi-Fi or Ethernet depending on how your Apple TV is connected. Then scroll down and select Configure DNS.

1. On the following screen select the Manual.

1. Now enter the address of the DNS service you want to use. So, for example, here I am using Cloudflare’s service. So, 1.1.1.1 is entered in as 001.001.001. Or, if you were using OpenDNS you would set it to 208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220.

Whichever service you end up using after you set the IP address select the Done button.

That’s all there is to it. Now it’s worth noting that if you change the DNS setting while using Wi-Fi and you hardwire it later; the DNS setting will revert to automatic. And vice-versa.

Change DNS Settings on Your Other Devices

While it is easier to just change the DNS setting on your Wi-Fi router, you can configure the DNS providers on individual devices, too. That way, your device can take advantage of that service regardless of the network it’s connected to.

Check out any of the following articles on how to change DNS services:

Why Alternate DNS Settings?

In addition to speed, alternative DNS services can improve privacy and other benefits. OpenDNS offers content filtering on the router level, for example. Also, keep in mind that it’s important to try different DNS services to see which one works the best. In the end, you might find you that your ISP’s service is the best.

In my living room, I have a Mac mini and an Apple TV in my entertainment center. Both have IR ports and can be used with Apple’s remote, but as IR isn’t the most exact thing in the world, a single remote can fire commands on both devices.

Thankfully, the boys and girls in Cupertino thought of this, and an Apple remote can be paired to a computer or Apple TV, allowing other devices in the vicinity to ignore its input.

Apple has directions to pair a remote with the Apple TV and any Mac that has an IR port, but here are the highlights:

Pairing with an Apple TV

According to Apple, the first steps depend on what type of remote you have:
* On an aluminum Apple Remote, press and hold the Menu and Right buttons for 6 seconds.
* On an earlier, white Apple Remote, press and hold the Menu and Next/Fast-forward buttons for 6 seconds.

If the pairing is successful, the Apple TV will display a chainlink symbol. Now, the device can only take commands from that remote, and that remote will only give commands to the device.

Pairing with a Mac

Pairing a remote with a Mac isn’t too dissimilar:

1. Log in on your Mac as an Admin user.
2. Get very close to your Mac (about 3 or 4 inches away).
3. Point the remote at the infrared sensor on the front of your Mac.
4. Press and hold the Menu and Next/Fast-forward buttons simultaneously on the remote for 5 seconds.
5. Your Apple Remote is now paired with your computer. You should see a chain-link style lock appear in the center of your screen for a moment.

The links above have alternative methods and information about unpairing if the need arises.

Follow us

Get App Picks, Guides, & More

Get workflow tips, app recommendations, how-to guides, stories, and more delivered to your inbox. Plus we’ll send you our productivity guide for free!

Guides & Courses

NEW: To Obsidian and Beyond

Organize your notes and ideas to make creative output easy with Obsidian. For beginners and pros alike. »

Full Course List

Serving 14,000 customers since 2013, we have a library full of in-depth courses to help you be more productive, creative, and focused. View all courses »

Bundle up and Save

Save 45% ($241 discount) when you get all ten in-depth courses to complete your library. »

The Latest Posts

Tracking Habits in Notion, Bartender 4 vs The Notch, and More

Catch up on what we published this week, including a look at Chloe’s Notion setup for habits, a tip for collecting and sending links, an upcoming Obsidian workshop, and more. »

Get Up and Running With Obsidian in Just 2 Hours (TSS Workshop)

Ever feel like the notes and ideas you capture are going in one ear and out the other? If so, you’re not alone. Over the past year we have been getting a slew of emails from readers regarding better note taking, writing, and idea management (and the apps that put idea management on steroids). One […] »

How I Track My Habits in a Notion Dashboard

I use Notion almost every day in some capacity. It is the main project management software we use here at Blanc Media, and I also use it for all my side hustles. I also use it as my predominant task list manager, and since it’s one of the apps I use the most, it made sense to start tracking my habits in my personal, customized dashboard. »

Using Shortcuts and Data Jar to Store and Share Multiple Links

For a lot of us, searching the web for information to support research, decision-making, or writing is a common task. I’m sure everyone has their own preferred method for collecting URLs for stuff they want to reference later or share, but I’ve been really happy with the two shortcuts that I put together for this purpose. »

Bartender 4 Is a Must-Have App for Any MacBook Pro With a Notch

The iPhone is a much more popular product than the MacBook Pro, so naturally the discussion around the iPhone X’s notch was much larger than the discussion around the MacBook Pro’s notch. If we were discuss them relative to one another, I think more words have been spilled on the MacBook Pro’s notch. »

The Challenge

Recently my family and I went on vacation and stayed in a condo that had “Complimentary WiFi”. We had packed our AppleTV because my son knows how to access all of his purchased movies (way too many) and it has my wife and I’s current programming for the evenings.

Upon trying to set up the Apple TV on the WiFi network I ran head first into an issue. It was using a “captive portal” to access and the Apple TV has no method of logging into these types of network configurations. There’s even an Apple Support article I found which states:

Apple TV can’t connect to captive networks, which are networks that require an additional or secondary login. Captive networks can include free and pay networks in places like businesses, schools, dorms, apartments, hotels, and stores.

This immediately became a big concern with the family as we were counting on using it for our evening entertainment and wind down for my son. I had to figure out a solution and FAST!

The Solution

Enter Media Access Control (MAC) address spoofing. A MAC address is the globally unique ID that every device has when connecting to an ethernet-based network, which includes WiFi/Wireless networks. The MAC address is used to assign an IP address to your device during Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) configuration, which is how your device talks on the Internet. Captive portals work by authorizing specific MAC addresses to access a network. If a MAC address tries to access the network that has not been previously authorized, then it is redirected to a web page where the user can “log in” to the network (this log in can be as simple as a “Connect Me” button after reading terms and conditions, or as complex as filling out a form and using a username and password). Once the web site authenticates you, it places your MAC address in an “authorized” list of MAC addresses and you’ll no longer see the captive portal when trying to access the network.

The trick here is to figure out a way to authorize the MAC address of your Apple TV on a system that can access a web page (there is no web browser on the Apple TV, so no way to interact with the captive portal). Fortunately, I had brought my Mac laptop with me on vacation and I could use it to “spoof” or mimic the MAC address of my Apple TV for the purposes of authenticating to the portal.

Here are the steps, which I performed on a 2020 16″ MacBook Pro running macOS Big Sur (11.2.3), which was the latest macOS as I write this:

1. Determine the MAC address of your Apple TV:
   1. With your Apple TV remote, navigate to the Settings icon and select it
   2. From the Settings menu, select General
   3. Under General, select Network
   4. Your MAC address will be next to Wi-Fi Address (now referred to as “ATVMAC”)
   5. Write down this address, it will look like: ab:12:cd:34:ef:56 (it is case insensitive)
2. If you have already connected your Apple TV to the wireless network, then unplug your Apple TV (it cannot be connected to the network for this to work), otherwise move to Step 3
3. Option-click the WiFi icon in your menu bar, which will provide you a lot of information about your network, including your Interface Name (mine is en0) and your Address (now referred to as “MacMAC””). Note both of these for the next steps.
4. Run Terminal on your Mac, which is found under Applications and then Utilities
5. Issue the following command to confirm the MAC address of your Mac: ifconfig en0 | grep ether (use the Interface Name from Step 3, mine was en0), if it does not match the MacMAC stop here and go back and see if you missed something.
6. If you are currently connected to the Wireless network from your MacBook, disconnect from the wireless without turning off your wireless card, this is done by
   1. Clicking on your WiFi icon, selecting Network Preferences.
   2. Clicking on the Advanced. button
   3. Selecting the current wireless network from the list
   4. Clicking the – sign to delete it
   5. This should then show your Mac searching for a Wireless network, do not join a network for the next step to work
7. Spoof the MAC address on your MacBook to match the Apple TV with the following command: sudo ifconfig en0 ether ATVMAC
8. You’ll be prompted for your administrative password, enter it
9. There will not be any output from the command, so check it by re-entering the command from Step 5: ifconfig en0 | grep ether
10. If the output from the above command now shows your ATVMAC instead of your MacMAC, then proceed. If it still shows your MacMAC, go back to Step 7. You may have to repeat this a number of times before it is successful.
11. Now that your MacBook looks like your Apple TV to the network, join the Wireless network and authenticate through the Captive Portal and ensure you have Internet access
12. Once you’re able to access the Internet using your ATVMAC, go back to Step 6 and follow the steps again, but now you’re going to set your MacBook back to the MacMAC.
13. Once your MacBook is back using your MacMAC, you can join the wireless again, confirm that everything is working
14. Now power up your Apple TV and it should already be authorized on the network and work properly

While a 14-step process may look daunting to some, it’s really not that bad of a process and should take under 15 minutes to get everything configured, online, and back to their original configurations.

Hope this guide helps you get even more use out of your Apple TV!