Apple TV Basic Troubleshooting Guide

To use your Apple TV, you need the following:

• A high-definition TV with HDMI capable of displaying 720p or 1080p video.
• An HDMI cable to connect Apple TV to your TV.
• Access to an 802.11 wireless network (wireless streaming requires 802.11a, g, n, or ac) or an Ethernet network, and broadband internet.
• An Apple ID for purchasing and renting, downloading apps from the App Store, and using Home Sharing.

To set up your Apple TV, follow the steps below:

• Make sure you know your wireless network name and password (if the network is password-protected). If you’re using a wired network, use an Ethernet cable to connect your Apple TV.
• Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your Apple TV, and the other end to the HDMI port on your TV.
• Connect one end of the power cord to the power port on your Apple TV, and the other end to a power outlet.
• Turn ON your TV, then select the HDMI input that is connected to your Apple TV.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to set your internet connection, single sign-on, and other setup items.

Set up Apple TV automatically with an iOS device

You can transfer your Wi-Fi network, password, and Apple ID account information automatically to Apple TV from an iOS device with iOS 9.1 or later.

1. When the Apple TV setup screen appears, unlock your iOS device and make sure Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi are turned on.
2. Touch your device to Apple TV, then follow the on-screen instructions on your iOS device and Apple TV.

Turn ON restrictions

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to General > Restrictions, turn on restrictions, then enter a 4-digit passcode.
3. Once the passcode is verified, restrictions and other options in the Restrictions menu are enabled.

Change the passcode

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to General > Restrictions.
3. Select Change Passcode, enter the current passcode, then enter the new passcode.

Configure what types of content are restricted

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to General > Restrictions, then enter the passcode if required.
3. Select options to restrict iTunes Store purchases and rentals, allowed content types, Game Center settings, and other settings.

You must first turn on restrictions to configure the Restrictions settings. To access restricted content, you must enter the passcode.

Remove all restrictions

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to General > Restrictions, then select Restrictions.
3. Enter the passcode, then set Restrictions to OFF.

If you use Family Sharing, you can also use your iOS device to limit the content your family members can buy including enabling Ask to Buy, which lets your kids purchase items only with parental approval.

To change the network settings, follow the steps below:

1. If you initially set up your Apple TV using a wired network, you can change to a wireless network without having to set up your Apple TV again.
2. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from Apple TV.
3. Open Settings on Apple TV.
4. Select Network, then join a Wi-Fi network

To restart your Apple TV, do any of the following:

• Press and hold the Menu button and Home button buttons on the Siri Remote until the Apple TV status light blinks rapidly.
• Disconnect your Apple TV from the power outlet, wait for five seconds, then reconnect.
• Open Settings on Apple TV, go to System, then select Restart.

To reset your Apple TV to factory or default settings, follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to System > Reset, then select Reset.

To reset your Apple TV to factory or default settings and update, follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to System > Reset, then select Reset and Update.

Check for updates

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to System > Software Updates and select Update Software. If an update is available, a message appears.
3. Select Download and Install to start downloading.

During the update, don’t disconnect your Apple TV. The status of the light may flash slowly during the update.

Set automatic updates

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to System > Software Updates and select Automatically Update.