This article explains how to set up the 4th-generation Apple TV using an iPhone. Instructions in this article apply to the 4th-generation Apple TV and newer and iPhones running iOS 9.1 and later.

What to Know

  • Connect Apple TV to your TV. Pair Apple TV remote by clicking its touchpad. Select language and location.Select Set Up with Device > hold iPhone near TV > tap Continue on iPhone > sign in with Apple ID.On TV, choose whether to turn on Location Services and Siri, and to share data with Apple.

How to Set Up Apple TV with an iPhone

Setting up your Apple TV with an iPhone is way faster and easier than using your Siri Remote and the onscreen keyboard. Here’s what to do.

  • Plug your Apple TV into a power source and connect it to your TV.
  • Pair your remote to the Apple TV by clicking the touchpad on the Apple TV remote.
  • Select the language you’ll use the Apple TV in and click the touchpad.
  • Select the location where you’ll use the Apple TV and click the touchpad.
  • On the Set Up Your Apple TV screen, select Set Up with Device and click the touchpad.
  • Unlock your iOS device and hold it a few inches away from the Apple TV.
  • On the iPhone’s screen, a window pops up asking if you want to set up the Apple TV now. Click Continue.
  • Sign in to your Apple ID. This is one of the places this approach saves time. Instead of having to type out your username on one screen and your password on another on the TV, you can use the iPhone’s keyboard to do that. This adds the Apple ID to your Apple TV and signs you in to iCloud, the iTunes Store, and the App Store on the TV.
  • Choose whether you want to share diagnostic data about your Apple TV with Apple. There’s no personal information shared here, just performance and bug data. Tap No Thanks or OK to continue.
  • At this point, the iPhone not only adds your Apple ID and other accounts to your Apple TV, but it also grabs all the Wi-Fi network data from your phone and adds it to your TV: it automatically finds your network and signs into it.
  • You can also connect your Apple TV to your router with an Ethernet cable, depending on your preference.

Finish Setting up Your Apple TV

Your iPhone’s role in setting up your Apple TV is now over. Follow these steps to finish the process with your Siri Remote.

Plug your Apple TV into a power source and connect it to your TV.

Pair your remote to the Apple TV by clicking the touchpad on the Apple TV remote.

Select the language you’ll use the Apple TV in and click the touchpad.

Select the location where you’ll use the Apple TV and click the touchpad.

On the Set Up Your Apple TV screen, select Set Up with Device and click the touchpad.

Unlock your iOS device and hold it a few inches away from the Apple TV.

On the iPhone’s screen, a window pops up asking if you want to set up the Apple TV now. Click Continue.

Sign in to your Apple ID. This is one of the places this approach saves time. Instead of having to type out your username on one screen and your password on another on the TV, you can use the iPhone’s keyboard to do that. This adds the Apple ID to your Apple TV and signs you in to iCloud, the iTunes Store, and the App Store on the TV.

Choose whether you want to share diagnostic data about your Apple TV with Apple. There’s no personal information shared here, just performance and bug data. Tap No Thanks or OK to continue.

At this point, the iPhone not only adds your Apple ID and other accounts to your Apple TV, but it also grabs all the Wi-Fi network data from your phone and adds it to your TV: it automatically finds your network and signs into it.

You can also connect your Apple TV to your router with an Ethernet cable, depending on your preference.

  • Choose whether to enable Location Services. This feature isn’t as crucial as on the iPhone, but it provides some nice features like local weather forecasts, so we recommend it
  • Next, enable Siri. It’s an option, but the Siri features are part of what makes the Apple TV so terrific, so why would you turn them off?
  • Choose whether to use Apple’s Aerial screensavers or not.
  • Aerial screensavers come with large downloads (around 600 MB/month).
  • Choose to share diagnostic data with Apple or not. As noted earlier, this doesn’t have personal data in it, so it’s up to you
  • You can choose to share, or not, the same kind of data with app developers to help them improve their apps
  • Lastly, you have to agree to the Apple TV’s Terms and Conditions to use it. Do so here.
  • You’ll return to the Apple TV’s home screen and can start downloading apps and watching your favorite shows and movies.

Choose whether to enable Location Services. This feature isn’t as crucial as on the iPhone, but it provides some nice features like local weather forecasts, so we recommend it

Next, enable Siri. It’s an option, but the Siri features are part of what makes the Apple TV so terrific, so why would you turn them off?

Choose whether to use Apple’s Aerial screensavers or not.

Aerial screensavers come with large downloads (around 600 MB/month).

Choose to share diagnostic data with Apple or not. As noted earlier, this doesn’t have personal data in it, so it’s up to you

You can choose to share, or not, the same kind of data with app developers to help them improve their apps

Lastly, you have to agree to the Apple TV’s Terms and Conditions to use it. Do so here.

You’ll return to the Apple TV’s home screen and can start downloading apps and watching your favorite shows and movies.

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