When Apple TV isn’t connected to the WiFi, you can’t keep track of your favorite shows. Normally to connect it, you simply pick up the remote, and with a few button clicks, you’re connected, but what if you no longer have the remote? How do you connect your Apple TV to the internet without the remote?
If you have another Apple device such as an iPhone, Ipad, Mac, or MacBook you can still connect Apple TV to the WiFi without a remote. Alternatively, you can also use a Bluetooth keyboard or a simple app. With a few steps, you can connect your Apple TV app to the WiFi at home, and nearly anywhere you go.
Don’t despair if you don’t have the Apple TV Remote, we know you can’t connect Apple TV to the WiFi without the remote because you have to punch in the credentials, but there are other ways around this.
Just pick up the ethernet cable, your other Apple device, or another remote. After you hook up the internet to your Apple TV without the remote, go ahead and order another Apple remote, just so you don’t have to go through this again.
6 Ways To Connect Apple TV To WiFi Without An Apple TV Remote
1. Use Another Remote For Your Apple TV
For this first trick, you need an ethernet cable attached to your router, another remote, such as a DVD remote, and an Apple device such as an iPhone, or iPad.
Your first step is to attach the ethernet cable to your Apple TV. We are assuming the other end is already attached to your WiFi router.
Next, turn on your Apple TV and wait for the load screen. If you don’t see it loading, use the TV’s INPUT/SOURCE button to get to the HDMI option.
While the TV is loading, open up the CONTROL CENTER on your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device. From there tap on the Apple TV Remote App, then tap on your Apple TV from the list provided. You will have to enter a 4-digit code which is sent to you by following the instructions.
If your device does not already have the Apple TV Remote App, go to the CONTROL CENTER and tap ADD (+) next to Apple TV Remote.
Make sure you have the temporary remote nearby. On your Apple Device, using the Apple TV Remote, open up SETTINGS on your Apple TV. From there open up REMOTES AND DEVICES, then tap LEARN REMOTE.
Follow the onscreen instructions to pair the remote to your Apple TV. Once the TV and infrared remote are communicating with each other, you can disconnect the ethernet cable and connect to the WiFi network.
2. Use A Bluetooth Keyboard To Connect Apple TV To The WiFi
If you don’t have an extra infrared remote lying around, you can use a Bluetooth keyboard in place of it. You’ll still need to follow the instructions listed above until you get to REMOTES AND DEVICES.
Go ahead and put your keyboard into its pairing mode. Now go to SETTINGS on your Apple TV, tap on REMOTES AND DEVICES, now instead of tapping LEARN REMOTE, you need to tap BLUETOOTH.
When your particular keyboard shows up, pair it with the TV. You may need to enter a 4-digit code. Once the keyboard is paired with your Apple TV, it should appear in MY DEVICES.
Now just use your keyboard to connect the Apple TV to the WiFi.
Related Read: What to Do If Your Apple TV Keeps Freezing
3. Use Your Mac Or MacBook
If you don’t have a Bluetooth keyboard, but you have a Mac or MacBook you can use either of these to control your Apple TV. You will need a particular piece of equipment for this task. You’ll have to get your hands on an ethernet cable to a USB-C dongle. You can get one here USB-C to Ethernet Adapter.
Step 1. Start off by disconnecting your iPhone from the WiFi, and connecting your Mac or MacBook to the WiFi.
Step 2. Connect the TV to your Apple TV device using an HDMI cable.
Step 3. Now connect the ethernet cable to the Apple TV box and the USB-C dongle, and connect the USB-C to your Mac, and turn on the Apple TV.
Step 4. Open up the Mac menu and go to PREFERENCES and click SHARING. From there you should see SHARE YOUR CONNECTION FROM, and select WiFi. Under the menu TO COMPUTERS USING, check the boxes that contain THUNDERBOLT ETHERNET, and IPHONE USB.
Be sure to click the box INTERNET SHARING in the SERVICES field.
Step 5. On your iPhone go into the CONTROL CENTER and open the Apple TV Remote. Make sure your Apple TV is recognized, then tap it to connect. Enter the PIN that shows up on your TV.
Step 6. Now you need a Bluetooth keyboard. If you don’t have one, you can download a free app called Typeeto. This will make your Mac device Bluetooth enabled.
Step 7. Now on your iPhone connect your Mac as a Bluetooth device. Open up the SETTINGS menu, tap on GENERAL, and then BLUETOOTH AND DEVICES.
Step 8. You can now unplug the ethernet cable from your Apple TV. You can now use the Mac, via the Bluetooth connection and Typeeto to set up the WiFi connection. The arrow keys on your computer will help you navigate. Use the ESCAPE and ENTER keys to enter and exit or back out.
You can now connect your iPhone to the WiFi again.
4. Use Your Smart TV Remote
You may have a Smart TV that you are watching Apple TV on, and if that’s the case, your TV’s remote can help you connect to the WiFi. As long as the remote had the navigation keys (up, down, right, and left directional buttons) you can use it with Apple TV.
You still need your iPhone, Ipad, or other Apple device for this method, and it’s connected to the same network you want your Apple TV to connect to. First though, be sure to connect the ethernet cable to the TV and internet router.
Go into the Apple TV Remote App, head into SETTINGS, then tap GENERAL, and then tap REMOTES, followed by LEARN REMOTE.
After you get there, press START on the Smart TV remote. Apple TV should now bring up a screen that shows a series of arrows on the screen. Aim the remote at the TV and press the buttons in the order shown on the TV.
You will probably have to press Up, Down, Left, Right, Select, then Menu. Once this is completed, the remote should be paired with Apple TV, and you’ll need to give a name to the remote. After you have christened the new remote, disconnect the ethernet cable from the TV. You can’t connect to WiFi while it’s connected via cable.
5. Use Your iPhone As A Remote
You need a newer operating system on your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device. Even if you have an older device, as long as you have kept up with the operating system updates you should be updated enough to try this. Your alternative Apple device should have iOS 12.0 or newer.
You may need to upgrade if you have an older operating system. Go ahead and update the iOS if needed. First off, open up the CONTROL CENTER and look for Apple TV Remote Control.
When you open this up you should see a very basic remote control on the screen of your iPhone or iPad. At the top, there should be a wide area you can use as a trackpad. You can swipe up, down, left, or right to select apps and navigate through the menu.
You can control the volume from the phone, press PLAY/PAUSE, there is a MENU button or you can bring up Siri and talk to her.
Now you can go into the SETTINGS menu on Apple TV, then tap NETWORK, and then WIFI. Now all you need to do is enter the network and password, now your Apple TV should be connected to the WiFi.
6. Share The WiFi Password From Another iOS Device
As long as your iPhone, Mac, iPad, iPod, or other Apple device is connected to the WiFi, you can easily share the network SSID and Password to Apple TV. As long as your device has iOS of 9.0 or newer this is possible.
On your iPhone or other Apple device, make sure you have the Bluetooth and WiFi settings turned on. After that, turn on your Apple TV.
Now, when the startup screen comes on, simply touch your iPhone or another iOS device to the Apple TV box. By following the instructions on-screen on both your Apple TV and other Apple iOS device you should be able to connect to the WiFi.
Related Read: Do Smart TVs Have Bluetooth? (What To Do If Yours Don’t Have It)
Wrapping It Up
The Apple TV remote makes it easy to activate the service and connect to WiFi, but sometimes the remote goes missing and you still need to connect to the WiFi. When that happens, don’t panic, just grab your iPhone, Mac, or another remote and follow the above steps.
You’ll have your Apple TV working in no time. I’d still suggest ordering a new Apple TV remote so you have it on hand next time though. It may be expensive, but it sure makes things much easier.
