If your Apple TV isn’t connected to the internet, you will need to set it up differently.
I have a simple and inexpensive solution for you.
Apple TV with WiFi and Remote
You can connect your Apple TV to your router using an Ethernet cable.
An Ethernet cable and an Apple TV Remote app are available.
This solution can be 100% reliable but you must have to access many things.
- Ethernet cable
- Apple TV Remote App available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- Any type of infrared remote: standard TV remote, remote for DVD players, etc. )
- WiFi router access
You can’t use this method if you don’t have the items listed above.
Connect one end to your Apple TV’s back and connect the other to your WiFi router, if you have four of them.
Once these connections are made, turn on the TV. Turn on your TV to ensure that your Apple TV is properly connected.
Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
- iPhone X or later or iPads running the latest version of iPadOS: Scroll to the upper-right corner.
- iPhone 8 and older, iOS 11 or later: Scroll up to the bottom of your screen.
The Control Center opens
- Click the Apple TV Remote app.
- Choose your Apple TV from the drop-down menu and then tap it to open the list.
- Type a 4-digit passcode to access your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
( To view Apple TV Remote navigate to Settings> Control Centre and tap Add (+). next to Apple TV Remote.
You can use the Apple TV Remote app to navigate to Settings> Remotes & Devices> Learn Remote on your Apple TV.
Now take an extra IR remote and follow the on-screen instructions. This will enable Apple TV to recognize the IR remote signal from your IR remote and sync with it.
Now you can disconnect your Apple TV’s Ethernet cable and connect to the WiFi using your new remote.
A Bluetooth keyboard can be used to replace an IR remote
Maybe you still have an infrared remote. You can still do this if your Bluetooth keyboard is working!
If you don’t own a Mac/MacBook, you can use your laptop as a Bluetooth keyboard.
The steps will be the same as before but, once the Apple TV Remote app is working, you’ll connect to the keyboard via Bluetooth.
Here’s how:
- Change the Bluetooth pairing mode to
- Open Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth to turn on your Apple TV. The Apple TV will search the internet for keyboards.
- Once your Bluetooth keyboard appears, select it.
- Type a four-digit code if prompted. Now your keyboard should be visible under My Devices on the Apple TV.
Connect your Apple TV with the WiFi by using your keyboard
Use a SmartTV remote
If you don’t have the item you need, you should immediately try the next solution.
Although it may not work, can be done quickly and easily.
If your TV has an Apple TV, locate the remote. Open Apple TV on your smart TV. To control Apple TV, use the remote.
Apple TV recognizes many smart TV remote direction indicators. Navigate to Network Settings and then add the WiFi router.
I was able to use the Apple TV Remote app and my iPhone connected to the same network immediately.
If this doesn’t work, you can still read. There are other options.
Rename iPhones, iPads, or iPod Touch and connect to the hotspot
You can also use it to name your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to match your WiFi network at home.
This will allow the Apple TV to automatically connect with your hotspot whenever you turn it on. It already “recognizes” the network.
To rename your Apple device:
- Set
- Then
- You have the option to choose from the top.
- Select Name
- Name your iPhone exactly the same way as your WiFi network. Next, hit Done
(Your hotspot will now be renamed to the name of your phone – your home WiFi network).
Once you’ve connected successfully, you can access your Apple TV Remote app to control it. This will enable you to navigate to Settings > Devices & Remotes > Learn Remote.
Take your spare hotel TV remote, or any other remote, and follow the instructions. This will allow Apple TV to recognize the IR signal and sync with it.
Password and new SSID for WiFi network
This is a similar solution to naming your Apple TV the same name as your home WiFi network and tricking it into connecting via a hotspot
You will not be making any changes to the router in this case.
In particular,
NOTE This solution will not work if you don’t have router admin access to the WiFi network you want to connect.
Now you can access your new WiFi router settings. These instructions will allow you to access almost all router settings.
Once you have logged into the router settings, type phrases like SSID (Wireless Network Name) to search. To make your home WiFi more compatible, you can change the password or network name.
Verify that your SSID/password modifications were successful
iOS SSID
- Choose “Settings”
- Choose “WiFi”
- Search for the network name with a checkmark. This will be your network’s SID.
Mac OS SSID
- Click on the WiFi icon in the menu bar.
- Search for the network name with a checkmark. This will be your network’s SID.
Windows SSID
- Right-click on the wireless signal icon at the bottom right corner.
- Search for the network name besides “Connected”. This will be your network’s unique SSID.
Android SSID
- Choose “Settings” in the Apps menu.
- Choose “WiFi”
- Search for the network name besides “Connected”. This will be your network’s unique SSID.
Once you’ve connected successfully, you can access your Apple TV Remote app to control it. This will enable you to navigate to Settings > Devices & Remotes > Learn Remote.
Take your spare hotel TV remote, or any other remote, and follow the instructions. This will allow Apple TV to recognize the IR signal and sync with it.
Replacing a broken or lost Apple TV remote
If you are having trouble with your Apple TV remote, you can order a replacement.
While remotes can be costly, Amazon can ship them to your door tomorrow.
This is a link to an Apple TV replacement remote from Amazon.
It’s fine, I’m not trying to judge. But you have to see the new Friends episode now. It doesn’t matter if you can hack together a temporary solution.
Do not forget to get the replacement remote. You’ll always be my friend.
Conclusion
If your Apple remote is lost or damaged, you can still use an infrared remote.
Access to the WiFi router, an ethernet cable, and Apple TV Remote app are all required.
Alternativ: You might also consider:
- Leave your remote alone. Sometimes, these can be used to connect to Apple TV.
- Name your Apple device to make it connect to your hotspot.
- Change the password to ensure that the password (and SSID) of the new WiFi network match your home network.
- Get a new remote for your Apple TV.
These tips should help you connect your Apple TV to WiFi without the use of the original remote.
