Apple TV 3rd generation remotes actually use Infrared (IR) technology, so you should be able to just use the Apple Remote. The only reasons your remote may not work with the Apple TV are:
- A dead battery
- you have previously linked the remote to another device (e.g. a Mac)
So, if your Apple Remote is not working with your Apple TV you can replace the battery and/or link it to your Apple TV.
- To replace the battery refer to How to replace the battery in your Apple Remote. Once you've replaced the battery, if it doesn't work with your Apple TV, then try the next step.
- To link the remote to your Apple TV you can just press and hold the Menu and Right buttons simultaneously for five seconds.
As an aside, you may also find that using the same SSID name and password for your new Wi-Fi network (as you did for your old one) means that your Apple TV will be able to connect to it.
Answer from Monomeeth on Stack ExchangeReddit
reddit.com › r/appletv › no remote and no way to connect apple tv to wifi. help!
r/appletv on Reddit: No remote and no way to connect Apple TV to WiFi. Help!
October 11, 2023 -
Ok, got a tough one. Can’t figure it out.
We are on vacation and I brought our Apple TV but forgot the remote. We have WiFi available at our hotel but I have no way to control the Apple TV and connect to the WiFi in order to be able to control it with my phone. The TV it’s connecting to is a LG with an older remote (non-magic remote.)
I’ve seen other discussions about this but it looks like most people recommend connecting with Ethernet or Bluetooth keyboard which I don’t have access to.
If anyone can figure out a way to fix this, that would be incredible.
Top answer 1 of 5
34
Solved myself finally but I’ll post it here in case anyone ever needs an idea. I ended up changing my iPhones name (general settings) and hotspot password to the exact same of our home WiFi. Set up a hotspot on my phone and power cycled the Apple TV. When the Apple TV came back on it automatically connected to my phones hotspot. Then I used my wife’s iPhone, connected to my phones hotspot and used the remote app on her phone since the Apple TV and her phone we’re both on the same WiFi. Set up the LG remote to work with Apple TV and then connected the Apple TV to the hotel WiFi. Long way around but hope this helps someone eventually!
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Hotspot solution is brilliant! Another option is to try controlling the Apple TV with the television's remote…CEC goes both ways, and if the Apple TV is the current input, the TV can send commands upstream.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 5743580
Set up Apple TV without Remote - Apple Community
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...
Videos
01:33
How to connect Apple TV to WiFi without Apple TV Remote - YouTube
01:12
No Apple TV Remote? No Problem! Turn Your iPhone Into One - YouTube
05:11
How to Setup and Use A Apple TV 3rd/2nd gen without a remote - YouTube
How To Connect Apple TV To New Wi-Fi Without Remote
Asurion
asurion.com › connect › tech-tips › connect-apple-tv-wifi-without-remote
How to connect Apple TV to Wi-Fi without a remote | Asurion
October 23, 2025 - Once paired, go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi on your Apple TV using your iPhone remote. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter your password to connect. If your Apple TV is brand new or reset, the Control Center remote won’t work until setup.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › computer networking › wireless networking › wi fi › how to connect apple tv to wi-fi without a remote: 5 ways
How to Connect Apple TV to Wi-Fi Without a Remote: 5 Ways
April 16, 2025 - Click Network and select a new Wi-Fi network. ... Change from Ethernet to Wi-Fi. If your Apple TV is connected to Ethernet, you can easily switch to a wireless network using any of the above methods—just disconnect the cable first. Do the following: Unplug the Ethernet cable. Pair your phone, Bluetooth device, or universal remote.
Top answer 1 of 2
3
Apple TV 3rd generation remotes actually use Infrared (IR) technology, so you should be able to just use the Apple Remote. The only reasons your remote may not work with the Apple TV are:
- A dead battery
- you have previously linked the remote to another device (e.g. a Mac)
So, if your Apple Remote is not working with your Apple TV you can replace the battery and/or link it to your Apple TV.
- To replace the battery refer to How to replace the battery in your Apple Remote. Once you've replaced the battery, if it doesn't work with your Apple TV, then try the next step.
- To link the remote to your Apple TV you can just press and hold the Menu and Right buttons simultaneously for five seconds.
As an aside, you may also find that using the same SSID name and password for your new Wi-Fi network (as you did for your old one) means that your Apple TV will be able to connect to it.
2 of 2
0
- You need a smartphone with an integrated infrared port
- Many smartphones have built-in remote control apps that allow you to communicate with many electronic devices (TV,receiver, etc..)
- Use these apps to configure this smartphone into an Apple TV remote.
- Once it's done, you can setup your wifi connection on your Apple TV.
Works fine for me. I have an LG G3.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › tv-repair › gqf2d-lost-remote-i-ve-currently-moved-new.html
How to Connect Apple TV to New WiFi Without a Remote | Expert Q&A
To connect WiFi, try using a smartphone app compatible with your TV brand as a remote alternative. Alternatively, connect an external USB keyboard or mouse if supported. If none work, consider purchasing a universal remote.
Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-connect-Apple-TV-to-WiFi-without-a-remote
How to connect Apple TV to WiFi without a remote - Quora
It works great. All you need is a computer + Bluetooth keyboard software (free) + WiFi network. 1. Install a virtual Bluetooth keyboard software in the computer. I used Typeeto(free trial 7 days).
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How To Connect Apple TV To New Wifi Without Remote (Set Up Apple TV To New Wifi Without Remote) - YouTube
How To Connect Apple TV To New Wifi Without Remote (Set Up Apple TV To New Wifi Without Remote). In this video tutorial I will show you how to connect Apple ...
Published March 11, 2025
Yahoo!
yahoo.com › lifestyle › articles › connect-apple-tv-wi-fi-180000027.html
Connect Apple TV to Wi-Fi When You Don’t Have the Remote
June 22, 2025 - Next, use the iOS Remote app or a third-party Android app to sync with your Apple TV. Disconnect the Ethernet cable, and then go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi and select your network. This article shows you how to connect your Apple TV to Wi-Fi ...
ElectronicsHub
electronicshub.org › home › how to connect apple tv to wi-fi without remote?
How To Connect Apple TV To Wi-Fi Without Remote?
June 26, 2024 - After successfully learning all the keys/buttons, Apple TV will prompt you to assign a name to this new remote. Give it a proper name. Disconnect the ethernet cable and connect to Wi-Fi using the newly added remote control.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
NEW! How To Connect Apple TV to WiFi Without Remote (2025) 📱 | Easy Wireless Setup Guide! - YouTube
Struggling to connect your Apple TV to WiFi without the remote? 📱 In this video, I’ll show you how to easily set up your Apple TV on WiFi without needing th...
Published April 27, 2025
BoostVision
boostvision.tv › how-to-connect-apple-tv-to-wifi-without-remote.html
How to Connect Apple TV to WiFi Without Remote?
Step 4. Once paired, you can use your Bluetooth keyboard to control your Apple TV. To set up a network connection on Apple TV, choose Settings > (General) > Network > Wi-Fi, choose your WiFi network, and enter the password.
Lifewire
lifewire.com › connect-apple-tv-to-wi-fi-without-remote-11744972
No Remote? You Can Still Connect Your Apple TV to Wi-Fi
June 22, 2025 - This article shows you how to connect your Apple TV to Wi-Fi without the remote.
Emmanuel Bernard
emmanuelbernard.com › blog › 2013 › 08 › 15 › change-the-apple-tv-wifi-settings-without-remote
Change the Apple TV WiFi settings without remote - Emmanuel Bernard
August 14, 2013 - Select Learn Remote and follow the easy steps to teach to Apple TV your TV remote. Once done, unplug the ethernet cable and set the WiFi under General -> Network -> Wi-FI. Your vacations are saved.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255601219
Connect to a new WiFi network without TV … - Apple Community
1751 5 ... The use of the physical remote (or wireless keyboard) is the only way to set the network settings for Wi-Fi. You might be able to use someone else’s Apple TV remote temporarily [1], to help set this up, then continue with the software remote on iPhone.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
how to connect apple tv to wifi without remote
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
5ways to Connect apple TV to WiFi without remote | Lost Remote - YouTube
Do you lost remote ? not to worry. here is the 5ways to connect apple tv to wifi without remoteCheck Online Price for India- https://amzn.to/4hzu2qu Amazon....
Published March 25, 2025
Lifewire
lifewire.com › connect-apple-tv-to-wi-fi-without-remote-5521623
How to Connect an Apple TV to Wi-Fi Without a Remote
June 22, 2025 - On iPhones running iOS 12 or later, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen. For iOS 11 and earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. If Apple TV Remote icon isn't there, tap the plus sign > Add a Control > Remote.
Top answer 1 of 3
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Thanks for the info. I finally got my iOS device to connect by connecting Apple TV to Ethernet and enabling bluetooth and using My apple keyboard to navigate after disconnecting the ethernet. This allowed me to connect to WiFI.
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Apple does sell the Siri Remote separately. If you have or can borrow an aluminum Apple Remote, that would also work in your setup.
MacRumors
forums.macrumors.com › apple services › apple tv and home theater
Connect to WiFi without remote | MacRumors Forums
May 22, 2019 - I think this might work--try changing your wifi network name and password to the old network name and password. Your AppleTV should connect. Then use your iPhone and the remote app to reset the AppleTV to factory settings.