How to Install Apple TV

Apple’s digital media device – Apple TV allows users to watch videos, TV and listen to music online while using a high-speed internet connection. Apple TV is highly compatible with other Apple products and Internet TV. You must use an HDMI connection, an Ethernet network, or a Wi-Fi to set up Apple TV.

Table of Contents

Hardware connection

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b0/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b0/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-1- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-1-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Preparing instruments. Apple TV kit includes TV, power cord, and remote. You can only connect Apple TV to HDTV, and an HDMI cable must be prepared. An HDMI cable is not included in the Apple kit, you can buy it at a hardware store or find it online. As for HDMI cables, there is not much difference between the popular and the expensive ones. You also need to connect your Apple TV to your network via Wi-Fi or using an Ethernet cable.

The first generation Apple TV can be connected with a component cable (5 pins), but it cannot be used with the newer version. ^{[1] X Research Source}
If you want to connect your Apple TV to your home theater system, you’ll need an audio fiber optic cable (S/PDIF).

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/9/99/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-2-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/9/99/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-2- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-2-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Place Apple TV near the TV and power outlet. Do not let the cable get stretched when connecting the devices. You should let Apple TV have an open space because when operating the device will generate heat.

If using a wired connection to the router, be sure to use an Ethernet cable.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/21/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/21/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-3- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-3-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Connect Apple TV to HDTV or home theater device via HDMI. You can find the HDMI port on the back or side of your HDTV, or on the back of your home theater device. HDTVs can have one or more HDMI ports. Some older HDTVs do not have an HDMI port.

Remember the name of the HDMI port connected to the Apple TV. Here’s a tip on choosing the correct input port when the TV is turned on.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-4- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-4-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Plug one end of the power cable into the Apple TV, the other end into the power source. More cautiously, you can plug in a power supply with lightning protection.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/1e/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-5-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1e/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-5- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-5-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Connect an Ethernet cable (if possible). If connecting to the network via Ethernet, plug the cable into the back of the Apple TV and the router or network switch. If connecting via Wi-Fi, you don’t need to bother with this step.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/dc/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-6-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-6-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/dc/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-6- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-6-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Connect Apple TV to home theater (optional). Normally, the Apple TV will transmit audio to the TV via an HDMI cable. However, if you use a recording device, you can connect it to your Apple TV using an audio fiber optic cable (S/PDIF). Connect the cable to the rear port of the Apple TV and the corresponding port on the receiver or TV.

Apple TV Settings

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/74/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-7-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-7-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/74/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-7- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-7-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Turn on the TV to select the input port. Press the “Input” or “Source” button on the TV remote to select the HDMI port you use to connect to your Apple TV. Normally, the Apple TV will turn on automatically, you will see a menu of language selection. If the menu doesn’t appear, check the connection again and press the center key of the Apple TV remote.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/39/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-8-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/39/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-8- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-8-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Select language. Use the controls to select the display language. Use the center button on the remote to select.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b4/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-9-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-9-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b4/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-9- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-9-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Network connections. If the network is connected via an Ethernet cable, Apple TV will automatically detect the network and make the connection. If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you’ll see a list of wireless networks. Select the network you want to connect to. Enter the password if the network is protected.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/8/82/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-10-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-10-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/82/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-10- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-10-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wait for Apple TV to be activated. You must wait a few minutes for the Apple TV to perform the initial setup. After completing the setup process, you’ll be asked if you’d like to join Apple’s data collection program. ^{[2] X Research Source}

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/db/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-11-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-11-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/db/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-11- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-11-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Check for updates. Apple TV works best with the latest software updates. You can check for updates via the Settings menu.

Open the Settings app on the Apple TV Home screen.
Open the “General” option and select “Update Software”. Apple TV will check for and install available updates.

Connect with iTunes

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/2a/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-12-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-12-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2a/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-12- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-12-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the Settings app on the Apple TV. You can find this app on your Apple TV’s Home screen.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f7/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-13-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-13-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f7/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-13- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-13-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Select “iTunes Store” in the Settings menu. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. You can now access purchased iTunes content on Apple TV. Also, you can connect your home computer to your Apple TV using Home Sharing.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d8/Install-an-apple-TV-Step-14-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-14-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d8/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-14- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-14-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Update iTunes to version 10.5 or later on your computer. Most people run a newer version of iTunes because 10.5 is pretty old. But at a minimum, you should be running version 10.5 to share your iTunes library with Apple TV.

If you want to update iTunes on your Mac, use the “Software Update” option in the Apple menu to proceed with the update. For Windows computers, click the “Help” menu and select “Check for Updates”.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/4/4d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-15-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-15- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Click the File menu in iTunes and choose “Home Sharing” → “Turn On Home Sharing”. Enter your Apple ID and password, then click Turn On Home Sharing . This is to enable Home Sharing on iTunes, which allows you to share your iTunes library with other computers and devices (including Apple TV).

Repeat the above process with all the computers you want to connect to.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/af/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-16-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an- Apple-TV-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/af/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-16- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Open the Settings app on the Apple TV. You can return to the screen by pressing the “Menu” button on the remote.

Watch Apple TV

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ef/Install-an-apple-TV-Step-18.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an-apple-TV- Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ef/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-18.jpg/v4-728px-Install- an-Apple-TV-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Access purchased content on iTunes. You can watch your purchased movies or TV shows after connecting your Apple TV to your iTunes account. Recently purchased content will appear at the top of the Home screen. You can select your “Movies” (Movies), “TV Shows” and “Music” libraries to view the iTunes store and all purchased content.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/6f/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-19.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an-Apple-TV- Step-19.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6f/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-19.jpg/v4-728px-Install- an-Apple-TV-Step-19.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Use an online viewing application. Apple TV comes preloaded with many apps that you can use to watch online videos. Many apps, including Netflix and Hulu+, require you to pay a membership fee to watch videos.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-20.jpg/v4-460px-Install-an-Apple-TV- Step-20.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3d/Install-an-Apple-TV-Step-20.jpg/v4-728px-Install- an-Apple-TV-Step-20.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

View shared iTunes libraries. If you’ve enabled Home Sharing on all your devices, you can access various libraries via the “Computers” option on the Home screen. So all computers that have Home Sharing enabled in the network will be displayed on iTunes. Select the computer you want to stream from and access the library to select videos and music.

Steps

Hardware connection

Apple TV Settings

Connect with iTunes

Watch Apple TV

Related Posts