Set Up Apple TV Without Remote

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Go back to my question TV and Home Apple TV User profile for user: jcallin jcallin Author User level: Level 1 73 points Set up Apple TV without Remote

I lost my Apple TV remote, so I tried looking up other ways to control my Apple TV. I found the Apple Remote app, but I can't get it to work. The setup information I found indicates that you have to turn on home sharing on the Apple TV, but that can't be done without a remote. Obviously I don't have a remote right now, so I'm trying to find out if there's another way to get my Remote app to work on my Apple TV without the original remote. Can anyone help?

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Apple TV

Posted on Jan 3, 2014 10:27 AM

Me too (8300) Me too Me too (8300) Me too Reply Question marked as Top-ranking reply User profile for user: Waskasoo Waskasoo User level: Level 1 4 points

Posted on Jul 8, 2015 6:01 PM

I had the same problem; we switched to a different wireless network and somehow my little apple remote disappeared as well, leaving the appleTV(3rd gen) completely useless. So I connected via ethernet and my computer monitor. The apple remote on my phone now worked again, so I was able to pair up a bluetooth keyboard and random house remote as well (Backups!). I then unplugged it from ethernet and using the newly paired keyboard, was able to enter in the wifi config. Thanks!

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply User profile for user: Waskasoo Waskasoo User level: Level 1 4 points

Jul 8, 2015 6:01 PM in response to speedracer24710

I had the same problem; we switched to a different wireless network and somehow my little apple remote disappeared as well, leaving the appleTV(3rd gen) completely useless. So I connected via ethernet and my computer monitor. The apple remote on my phone now worked again, so I was able to pair up a bluetooth keyboard and random house remote as well (Backups!). I then unplugged it from ethernet and using the newly paired keyboard, was able to enter in the wifi config. Thanks!

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User profile for user: janacigler janacigler User level: Level 1 11 points

Jul 11, 2015 10:09 AM in response to jcallin

Had exactly the same problem. None of the above advice worked as without a remote, you're not able to control anything on Apple TV. And then an easy trick finally solved it: I plugged in a keyboard and used the arrows.

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User profile for user: DerekLee911 DerekLee911 User level: Level 1 10 points

Aug 22, 2015 6:07 AM in response to jcallin

This is actually VERY SIMPLE

1. If your Apple TV is not powered on, unplug for the moment.

2. Download and install the REMOTE APP on your iPhone or other iOS device running, I believe iOS 6 or higher

3. Connected to wifi, if you click on "add a device" you will see the Apple TV. Now plug your Apple TV back in and give it a moment to restart

4. Connect to Apple TV on the Remote App and in a few moments, you will be connected.

No Apple Remote, No need for other infrared remotes, nothing. All you need is your iOS device and Apple TV to set up. None of this "wired first", bluetooth keyboard wastes of time. Unplug Apple TV and plug it in again, it will restart and power up, connect via the App on your device on the same WiFi network and it REALLY is as simple as that...

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User profile for user: Anjarovskaya Anjarovskaya User level: Level 1 4 points

Dec 29, 2015 4:46 AM in response to jcallin

Try cidertv app for Mac in case you have Mac. It lets you to pair any remote without the native remote. It works via bluetooth, so is especially helful if Apple TV is not connected to same WiFi with your iPhone. Then you can use iOs version too (it even supports TV volume control)

cidertv.com/osx

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User profile for user: LuvCurves LuvCurves User level: Level 1 4 points

Dec 3, 2015 7:18 AM in response to cndfromwoodland

cndfromwoodlandJun 15, 2014 7:23 PM Re: Can you set up Remote app to Apple TV without original Apple TV remote?Re: Can you set up Remote app to Apple TV without original Apple TV remote?in response to jcallinHelpful

I had a similar problem and just figured out a solution which I hope helps others. After losing two Apple remotes, I had been using Apple Remote app successfully for a couple years. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I was changing some settings and somehow messed up my connection with my Remote app. The Remote app would not recognize my Apple TV. After looking everywhere online, I finally decided to restore my Apple TV to factory settings by connecting it to my iMac via a micro USB cable. After restoring it, I connected it back up to my TV as normal. The first thing it asks is if you would like to connect to a wireless keyboard, so I connected my Apple keyboard which then gained me control of the Apple TV so that I could go into Settings and reconnect my Apple Remote app. Let me know if this helps anyone else.

^^^^^^^

This worked awesome for a Apple TV I got in an auction that didn't come with a remote. I'd recommend doing this while connected to wired ethernet that does DHCP. Once the keyboard is working, you can disconnect the wired ethernet to enter the WiFi information ... with a real keyboard.

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User profile for user: Tabicat39 Tabicat39 User level: Level 1 4 points

Apr 18, 2016 12:14 PM in response to jcallin

I wanted to share what worked for me because none of these suggestions did. I have an older generation apple tv 2. I did not have an ethernet cable, and I did not have a keyboard that would connect to the apple tv in any way. Somehow, I had turned off home sharing in my apple tv settings therefor, no apple remote apps would work. So, to fix this what you need is 1. an apple computer with internet access. and 2. a micro usb to usb cord. Download the app "CiderTV" from the app store on your computer. Connect the apple tv to your computer via usb cord. Follow CiderTV's instructions on how to pair it with the remote app without a physical remote. Once connected, use the CiderTV app to connect to wifi and turn on home sharing and connect remotes. I hope this makes sense. Let me know if it helps, or if you have any questions. Also, this may work with another similar app on a non-apple computer but I don't have one to test it out.

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User profile for user: DirteeD DirteeD User level: Level 1 9 points

Nov 29, 2016 4:38 PM in response to jcallin

I had the same issue. http://matthopkins.com/gadgets/apple-tv-wifi-forgot-remote/ Brilliant work around. Who knew Apple TV was capable of this. Where I wanted my Apple TV was no where near my router. So I put it by the router and tv, went through the steps, added a remote from an old LG DVD player, then unplugged it and went to the other room. Worked like a boss. Thanks for the help everyone.

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User profile for user: Alley_Cat Alley_Cat User level: Level 7 20,560 points

Jan 3, 2014 12:43 PM in response to jcallin

If you have a recent iphone and AppleTV 3, maybe.

See:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5900?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

I'm not sure if it automatically enables Home Sharing as well using the itunes credentials - if not it would be good for them to add it.

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User profile for user: speedracer24710 speedracer24710 User level: Level 1 9 points

Jan 25, 2015 9:01 AM in response to jcallin

Ok so I lost remote a while back and then changed wifi network and had not control then to reset the Apple TV.

You basically need to setup a temporary remote (any TV remote) while Apple TV is connected via ethernet cable. I used a bluetooth keyboard to begin setup, and once temp remote was set, restart Apple TV and disconnect ethernet cable. Using temporary remote, go through settings to find wifi network, and once on and with all on same home sharing network the Apple Remote worked.

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User profile for user: Epijake Epijake User level: Level 1 5 points

Feb 10, 2015 11:47 PM in response to jcallin

if you have a wireless keyboard disconnect from your Mac or PC turn off then turn it on. Apple TV will identify the Bluetooth connection and will give you a code enter the code in your keyboard and you're connected. No need to be connected to wifi or Ethernet

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User profile for user: queenbsheb queenbsheb User level: Level 1 16 points

Jan 19, 2018 5:00 PM in response to cndfromwoodland

I know it’s almost 4 years later, but your post helped me tremendously!!! I had the same issue as you, although I didn’t have to restore my AppleTV or connect to my iMac. The reason why is because I connected my AppleTV to the Lan connection on my router and was able to use the app from my phone and get to the bluetooth setting. It was an arduous process, but your post cinched it! Thanks so much! 🙂

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User profile for user: cndfromwoodland cndfromwoodland User level: Level 1 16 points

Jun 15, 2014 7:23 PM in response to jcallin

I had a similar problem and just figured out a solution which I hope helps others. After losing two Apple remotes, I had been using Apple Remote app successfully for a couple years. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I was changing some settings and somehow messed up my connection with my Remote app. The Remote app would not recognize my Apple TV. After looking everywhere online, I finally decided to restore my Apple TV to factory settings by connecting it to my iMac via a micro USB cable. After restoring it, I connected it back up to my TV as normal. The first thing it asks is if you would like to connect to a wireless keyboard, so I connected my Apple keyboard which then gained me control of the Apple TV so that I could go into Settings and reconnect my Apple Remote app. Let me know if this helps anyone else.

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User profile for user: Bondwaan Bondwaan User level: Level 1 8 points

Feb 4, 2016 8:15 AM in response to jcallin

I have the same problem, my ethernet is connected to the back of the apple tv. I can airplay, it includes playing songs, but i cannot use the remote to control the cursor of the apple tv. Can anyone help me out.

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User profile for user: julifromstafford julifromstafford User level: Level 1 16 points

Feb 12, 2018 11:49 AM in response to jcallin

I have spent thousands of pounds on apple products and nothing annoys me more than when the penny pinching ******** don’t give you an easy way of connecting one to make the other work.

This took ages to sort out but here it goes.

Using my laptop and mini usb I reset the Apple TV. Next up I had to use an Ethernet cable, plug it into the Apple TV and my laptop. (Apple TV needs to be plugged in to the mains)

Download the app ‘cidertv’ and pair the devices.

Unplug the mini usb and plug in the hdmi to the tv.

Boom boom boom your laptop is now the remote. Now take the Ethernet cable out and connect the Apple TV to the WiFi so I can connect my iPhone and use that as the remote (downloading another Apple TV remote app).

There’s probably an easier way but this worked for me 👌-1F3FB;

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User profile for user: badtpyist badtpyist User level: Level 1 4 points

Apr 19, 2014 7:32 AM in response to DJ Arlington

Perfect. Thanks DJ. The Matt Hopkins solution worked for me too.

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