Apple TV is a great streaming device you can pair with your smart TV. It’s one of the few streaming devices with 4K models, 32 GB storage, and exclusive Apple apps. But, some users have asked how to connect Apple TV to WiFi without remote.
Your Apple TV’s remote is critical when setting it up, navigating through apps, and doing important tasks such as connecting to WiFi. This guide will show you how to set up Apple TV without remote and the steps for connecting your Apple TV to WiFi when you’ve lost its remote, or it’s not working. Once it is connected to wifi, and if you still don’t have a remote, you can use Alexa to control your Apple TV.
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How to Connect Apple TV to WiFi Without Remote
When your Apple TV Remote is broken or malfunctioning, you can still use your Apple TV device by following the methods below. When done successfully, you can do various tasks, such as opening streaming apps and connecting to WiFi.
Remember to review each method and see which is the most effective for your Apple TV streaming device.
Method #1: Connect Your Apple TV via an Ethernet Cable, Use the Apple TV Remote app, and an IR Remote
While this method doesn’t connect your Apple TV device directly to WiFi, it first connects your streaming device to the internet via a wired connection. To do this successfully, you’ll need an iOS device with the Apple TV Remote app installed. It will also require you to have an IR remote as an alternative to your Apple TV Remote.
To connect your Apple TV via Ethernet, the Apple TV Remote app on your iOS device, and an IR remote, follow these steps:
- Connect one end of the Ethernet cable on your Apple TV device. Then, connect the other end to the WiFi router.
- Turn on your smart TV with the Apple TV streaming device connected.
Note: If the Apple TV doesn’t load on the screen, navigate to the HDMI input of your smart TV, which the Apple TV device is connected to.
- On your iPhone, swipe from the bottom up to launch the Control Center and tap the Apple TV Remote icon on the bottom.
- Choose your Apple TV streaming device on the list of devices and enter the passcode shown on the TV screen.
- Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices on your Apple TV and choose Learn Remote.
- Then, try using the IR Remote to navigate through the on-screen steps. Your Apple TV device will now recognize the signals from the IR remote.
- Once it’s working, you can try setting up a WiFi connection on your Apple TV using the IR remote.
You can disconnect the Ethernet cable if you manage to get your Apple TV connected to WiFi. Remember that this method is temporary, as your Apple TV may soon be unresponsive to the IR remote’s commands. If you don’t have an IR remote, you can use a Bluetooth keyboard instead.
To use a Bluetooth keyboard to connect your Apple TV to WiFi, proceed to these steps:
- With your Apple TV switched on, use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone and navigate to Settings > Remotes and Devices. Select Bluetooth.
- Turn on your Bluetooth keyboard and set it into pairing mode.
- On the list of Bluetooth devices, select your Bluetooth keyboard. If prompted, enter the pairing code shown on the screen.
- You can now use the Bluetooth keyboard to connect your Apple TV to WiFi.
Method #2: Update the WiFi Network’s SSID and Password
If you’re connecting your Apple TV to a new or different WiFi router, you can change the router’s SSID (network name) and password to your home WiFi network. However, you’ll need admin access to the new router to change its settings.
To set the SSID and password of the new router as your home WiFi network, do the following:
- Open your laptop or computer. Ensure that it’s connected to the router that you want to change the WiFi SSID and password.
- Launch your computer’s default browser and enter your router’s default IP address on the address bar.
Note: You can find your WiFi router’s IP address by looking at the router’s labeling at the bottom or sides or searching for it on Google—type in the name and model of the WiFi router together with the keyword “IP address”
- Type in the login details for your router and choose Sign In.
- Navigate to Wireless and find the Name (SSID) and Password or Passphrase settings. These options can vary depending on the WiFi brand.
- Then, select Save or Apply.
Once connected, you can use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone or iPad to control your Apple TV or a spare IR remote in your house.
Final Thoughts
Having an Apple TV Remote is essential when using your Apple TV streaming device. It helps you do all basic commands and access its features, including connecting to a new WiFi network. Hopefully, this guide helps you to connect your Apple TV to WiFi using alternative methods.
When these methods don’t work, buying a replacement for your original Apple TV Remote is your best option. You can buy one online on popular marketplaces, like Amazon, eBay, etc., or visit an authorized Apple Store nearby.