Unboxing a new Apple TV is a blast. This little thing packs a lot of power and puts an entire world before you. But take your time with it. Before you can mess around with all its features, you need to set it up. Don’t worry, though, and this guide will show you how to get through the first activation steps on activate.apple.com.
Understanding What You Need
Before you can begin, you’ll need to gather a few things:
- Personal internet connection
- A TV or display with an HDMI port
- An HDMI cable
Preparing Your iPhone for Setup
If you plan to use your iPhone to set up your Apple TV, ensure the following:
1. Your iPhone has the latest version of iOS.
2. Sign into iCloud with your Apple ID and enable two-factor authentication.
3. Activate the iCloud Keychain in your iCloud settings.
4. Turn on Bluetooth and connect to your home Wi-Fi.
Setting Up Your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD Now
that you’ve completed all the little things, you can start setting up your Apple TV. During Setup, remember to press the back button on your remote if you need to go back. On the other hand, if you need to restart completely, unplug it and then plug it back in.
Plug in and Power Up
Connect your Apple TV to your TV using an HDMI cable and plug it into a power source. If you want to enjoy 4K HDR movies on Apple TV 4K, ensure you’re using an HDMI 2.0 or later cable and your TV supports 4K, HDR, or both. Then, power your TV and select the HDMI input connected to your Apple TV.
Select Language and Enable Siri
Navigate the language and country options using your Apple TV remote. To choose an option, highlight it and press the center of the click pad. If you choose the wrong language, press the Back button to return to the previous screen.
Sign in with your Apple ID
To automatically transfer your Apple ID and Wi-Fi settings to your TV, choose ‘Set Up with iPhone.’ Unlock your iPhone, hold it close to your Apple TV, and follow the onscreen prompts.
If you’d prefer not to use your iPhone for Setup, select ‘Set Up Manually.’ Follow the onscreen instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network and sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you can create one. If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it.
Signing in with your TV Provider
You can sign in with your cable or TV provider in certain countries and regions on your Apple TV. This allows you to watch TV shows and movies included in your subscription.
Choosing Your Settings
Keep your home screen and apps consistent across your Apple TVs with ‘One Home Screen.’ You can choose which room your Apple TV is in here. To do that, go to the Home app. You can also add other users.
Start Streaming!
With everything all set up, you’re greeted with a warm welcome on your home screen. This is where the magic happens, and you can explore everything it offers, from bingeing shows to watching movies or finding new stuff on the Apple TV app. Remember to subscribe to Apple TV+ to enjoy original shows and movies.
Troubleshooting
If you’ve stumbled upon any issues while setting up, follow these steps:
Can’t Redeem Apple TV+ Subscription
Here are some things you can try if you’re having trouble applying for either a promotion or a free trial for Apple TV+:
Can’t Set Up or See an Error Message
Your Setup might freeze at some point but don’t panic. Just unplug it from power and plug it back in. If that doesn’t work, try using a different Wi-Fi network, such as your phone’s hotspot, instead of the one you’re already connected to. Once the Setup is complete, go into settings on your Apple TV, then link back to your home Wi-Fi network.