One of Apple's most popular products to date is the Apple TV. This device offers an engaging and entertaining experience, providing access to hundreds of renowned movies and TV series, as well as support for various media types. The Apple TV functions as a set-top box—a small, cube-shaped device—accompanied by a remote control and its proprietary operating system, tvOS. Apple has also developed a dedicated service for this beloved device called Apple TV+. To use the Apple TV, you need to connect it to your television. Once connected and set up, you'll be introduced to the captivating and astonishing world of Apple TV! In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using your Apple TV, starting from unboxing and connecting it to your television, and continuing through the various settings. So, join us at Apple 98 as we explore this journey.

Connect Apple TV to your TV

Setting-up the Apple TV and connecting it to your TV has some simple steps. Just do the following in this post.

1. Unbox Apple TV

Let's get started by unboxing your Apple TV. Inside the box, you'll find the Apple TV device (commonly known as the Apple TV Box), a remote control, a power cable, a Lightning cable, and the user manual and warranty card.

Choose a spot near your television for the Apple TV. Make sure there's a nearby power outlet or power strip to connect it. If you plan to use a wired internet connection, you'll need an Ethernet cable to connect the Apple TV to your router. However, if you're using Wi-Fi, there's no need for an Ethernet cable.

Keep in mind that you'll need an HDMI cable to connect the Apple TV to your television, as it is not included in the box. If you've purchased the Apple TV 4K and want to enjoy 4K-quality visuals, ensure that your HDMI cable supports 4K resolution.

Lastly, avoid placing your Apple TV on top of other electronic devices to prevent overheating or interference.

2. Connect Apple TV via HDMI cable

Connect one end of the HDMI cable to your Apple TV and the other end to your television. Apple TV also supports TOSlink optical audio output. So, if your soundbar or audio system uses this type of input, you can connect one end of a TOSlink cable to the Apple TV and the other end to your speaker or audio system.

3. Connect Apple TV to the Internet

Apple TV has a built-in Wi-Fi receiver, allowing you to connect it to your Wi-Fi network. If you're using a wired network, you can also connect an Ethernet cable to the Apple TV for direct internet access.

4. Apple TV power supply

To turn on your Apple TV, plug the power cable into the device and connect the other end to a power outlet. Then, wait for the device to power on.

5. Select Apple TV from TV input sources

Turn on your TV and open the input source menu. From the list of inputs, select the HDMI port to which your Apple TV is connected, and step into the exciting world of Apple TV!

How to work with Apple TV Remote

Apple has designed a simple yet functional remote to control and navigate the Apple TV. Although the design of the Apple TV remote varies slightly across different generations, its overall functionality remains the same. Setting up and using the Apple TV remote is straightforward and user-friendly.

1. Pairing Apple TV Remote

The first step in using your Apple TV is pairing the remote. To pair your Apple TV remote, hold it about 5 cm (2 inches) in front of the Apple TV device. Then, press and hold the MENU and + buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. Once you see the "What to do so" message on your TV, place the remote on top of the Apple TV device to complete the pairing process.

2. Navigation with Apple TV Remote

To move the cursor on the Apple TV, simply swipe your finger up, down, left, or right on the glossy area at the top of the remote. In newer generations, this area has been replaced with a black circle. This allows you to navigate between buttons, sections, and menus on Apple TV, as well as through the apps. If you quickly swipe in one direction multiple times (for example, two times upward), it will enable faster scrolling.

3. Opening apps on Apple TV

To select or open anything on Apple TV, simply tap or press the glossy surface at the top of the remote, or the large black circle.

4. Opening and closing Menu in Apple TV

To open and close the options menu on Apple TV, simply press the MENU button on the remote. If you press and hold this button, it will take you back to the main menu of Apple TV. However, when watching a movie, pressing and holding the MENU button will toggle subtitles on or off.

5. Video playback controls in Apple TV

To manage video playback (pause or play) on Apple TV, you can use the Play/Pause button located beneath the MENU button.

6. Opening functions menu on Apple TV

To access the Apple TV user menu, press the Apple TV or Home button, which is located next to the MENU button. To return to the main screen of Apple TV, simply press this button again. If you press the Apple TV or Home button twice in quick succession, you’ll see a list of recently opened apps (similar to the Home button on the iPhone 8). You can navigate between open apps by swiping left or right on the top part of the remote. To close an app from this list, hover the cursor over the app, then swipe up on the remote.

7. Turning on Apple TV

If the Apple TV screen goes to sleep and turns off, you can turn it back on by pressing the Home or MENU button.

8. Use Siri in Apple TV

To use Siri on Apple TV, simply press and hold the Microphone button. Once Siri opens, continue holding the button while giving your voice command.

9. Change sound volume in Apple TV

To increase the volume, press the + button, and to decrease the volume, press the - button. This will adjust the sound on the Apple TV. However, you can still control the volume using your TV remote or audio system as well.

Setting up Apple TV

After familiarizing yourself with the Apple TV remote's functionality, the next step is setting up the Apple TV and the tvOS operating system. This is done in several stages, which are as follows:

1. Selecting the Language for Apple TV

The first step is to choose your preferred language for the user interface. You can scroll through the available languages by swiping up or down on the remote’s surface. To select a language, tap the remote. If you make a mistake, press the MENU button to return to the previous page (language selection).

2. Choosing Your Country

Next, select your country or region. If Iran is not listed, you can choose the USA or the UAE.

3. Apple TV Privacy Agreement

On the Data & Privacy page, click Continue. This page presents Apple's privacy agreement, explaining how your information will be handled on Apple TV.

4. Activating Siri on Apple TV

At this stage, you can choose whether or not to use Siri. To enable Siri on Apple TV, select Use Siri. If you prefer not to use Siri, choose Don't use Siri.

5. Setting Up Apple TV with an iPhone

If you own an iPhone or iPad, you can use it to manage internet access and your Apple ID on Apple TV. Select Set Up with Device for this option. If you'd rather set up manually, choose Set Up Manually. If you select the first option, bring your iPhone or iPad close to your Apple TV and unlock the device. A setup window will appear, where you need to tap Set Up and enter the 4-digit code shown on your TV screen. Wait a moment for the setup process to complete. For Set Up Manually, connect Apple TV to the internet (via Wi-Fi or cable) and log in with your desired Apple ID.

6. Setting a Password for Apple TV

At this stage, you can set a password for Apple TV. This password will be required when turning on Apple TV and before completing any purchases from the App Store. While this step is optional, it is recommended for security reasons.

7. Logging into Streaming Services

Some streaming services, such as Netflix, have dedicated apps for Apple TV. If you have a subscription, you can add it during this step. If you don't, you can select Not Now.

8. Setting Up the Place for Apple TV

Apple TV will ask where you plan to use the device in your home. This helps differentiate multiple Apple TVs (for example, one in the living room, one in the bedroom). If you only have one, choose the relevant option (e.g., Living Room).

9. Location Access for Apple TV

In this step, you grant Apple TV access to your location. This feature is not very useful in Iran, so it is advisable to select Not Now unless you require location services in the future.

10. Allowing Technical Data Sharing

Apple TV asks for your permission to send technical data to Apple and app developers for troubleshooting and improving tvOS. You can select Send to Apple or Share with App Developers to grant permission. To decline, select Don't send or Don't Share.

11. Finalizing Apple TV Setup

At the last stage, Apple TV will present the terms and conditions. Click Agree to complete the setup process. Welcome to the world of Apple TV!

Exploring the Apple TV Interface and Using It

After setup, you’ll see a page with several apps. Initially, the Apple TV interface might feel a bit overwhelming, so here’s a quick guide to help you get started:

1. Opening Apps on Apple TV

To open apps, select them with the remote and then tap the remote’s surface. Initially, Apple TV comes with a set of default apps. The Apple TV app lets you view a list of movies and TV shows available on Apple TV. The Photos app gives you access to photos stored in your iCloud. The Podcasts app allows you to listen to your favorite podcasts. You can also download additional apps from the App Store.

2. Downloading Apps from the App Store for Apple TV

To download apps, open the App Store and browse through categories at the top of the screen or use the search icon to find an app. Once you’ve found the app, select it and click Download. If the app is paid, you’ll be prompted to pay. Otherwise, it will download and appear in your Apple TV menu.

Popular apps for Apple TV include video streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, Max (HBO Max), and music services like Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. There are also apps for sports, finance, and even games. To install game on Apple TV you can use Apple Arcade. Enjoy using this gaming platform by activating Apple Arcade subscription.

3. Using Siri on Apple TV

Siri is typically activated on the Apple TV 4K, but for other versions, you need to enable Siri in the settings. Once activated, press and hold the microphone button on the remote to summon Siri. While holding the button, give your voice command. Siri can launch apps, play movies, search for specific content, and answer common questions such as the weather.

4. Customizing the Apple TV Home Screen

To rearrange apps, select an app and hold down the remote. The icons will start wiggling. You can then move apps around by swiping up, down, left, or right. To group apps into folders, place one app over another.

5. Deleting Apps on Apple TV

To delete an app, select it in the app menu, press and hold the remote, and when the icons begin to wiggle, press the Play/Pause button. In the menu that appears, choose Delete.

6. Screen Mirroring from iPhone to Apple TV

You can mirror or cast the screen from your iPhone or iPad to Apple TV using Screen Mirroring or AirPlay. On your iPhone/iPad, open the Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV. On a Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the top-right menu and choose your Apple TV.

7. Using Home Sharing on Apple TV

With Home Sharing, you can access photos, videos, music, and even iTunes libraries stored on other Apple and Windows devices in your home. Ensure all devices, including Apple TV, are connected to the same network and have one of the apps like Photos, Apple Music, TV Shows, or iTunes open.

8. Installing and Playing Games on Apple TV

Apple Arcade offers many games for Apple TV. To install a game, open the App Store, go to the Arcade section, and search for your desired game. Note that you need a subscription to Apple Arcade to access the games. You can use the Apple TV remote to control the games, but it also supports Bluetooth pairing for PlayStation and Xbox controllers. To connect a PlayStation controller, go to Settings, then Remotes and Devices, press and hold the PlayStation button for a few seconds, and it will start blinking. To connect an Xbox controller, follow the same steps and press the X button for a few seconds.

9. Apple TV Settings

To access settings, look for the icon of two gears in the main menu. The settings are categorized into the following menus:

General:

General settings such as Apple TV information, accessibility options, appearance, screensaver, and privacy.

Users and Accounts:

Manage profiles, Apple ID, iCloud, and TV provider settings.

Video and Audio:

Adjust video and audio settings, including formats and quality.

Remotes and Devices:

Customize remote settings, AirDrop, and Bluetooth.

Apps:

Modify app settings and permissions.

Network:

Manage your Apple TV’s internet and network settings.

System:

Device settings like memory management and updates.

Sleep:

Put the Apple TV into sleep mode.

Summary

Setting up and using Apple TV provides a fresh TV experience. Its tools and features are unmatched anywhere else. While it comes at a price, it’s surprisingly affordable. By subscribing to Apple One, you can unlock all of Apple TV’s features, including free access to Apple Arcade games and 2TB of iCloud storage. Additionally, Apple TV+ subscription is included. Visit the Apple 98 website to purchase this valuable subscription!