Can Alexa Control Apple TV? 5 Facts (Updated 2023)

Voice Assistants have been a game-changer.

The ability to control most devices using only your mouth?

Sign me up.

However, for some reason, controlling Apple TV with Alexa is pretty darn tricky.

To the point where you’re wondering:

“Is this even possible?”

And that’s the question I’m answering for you today.

Keep reading to discover:

5 vital facts about controlling Apple TV using Amazon Alexa.
3 fantastic Alexa-enabled speakers you can use to control Apple TV.
3 uncomplicated steps to control your Apple TV using Alexa with a Harmony Hub.
And so much more…

Can Alexa control Apple TV?

Alexa can control Apple TV. However, you’ll need a 3rd device to make their connection work. Most Alexa-enabled speakers should suffice. Otherwise, you can also buy a Logitech Harmony Hub. Also, you can use Alexa on your smart TV to have basic controls over your Apple TV.

Controlling Apple TV with Alexa – 5 facts

#1: Alexa can’t directly control Apple TV

To start, let’s talk about numbers.

Don’t worry. This won’t take long.

In fact, let’s kick this off with this figure:

46.5 million.

Now, what’s the significance of that number?

Well, that’s how many devices Americans used Alexa for during 2020.

And there’s more…

Statista also estimates that the number will balloon up to 130 million in 2025.

So, at this point, you might be wondering:

“Why are you telling me these figures?”

It shows that Alexa may have the lion’s share of the global Voice Assistant market…

But the one thing it can’t control? Most Apple smart devices.

For example, the Apple TV. At least, not directly, but more on that later.

#2: Alexa-enabled speakers can control Apple TV, but barely

To control Apple TV using Alexa, you’ll need a 3rd device to act as a bridge between them.

First, let’s talk about Alexa-enabled speakers.

After all, they can control Apple TV using Alexa—but barely.

What do I mean by that?

Well, these speakers can do the bare minimum tasks, like:

Switch TV inputs.
Change volume levels.
Answer basic questions.
Pause and resume shows.

However, they won’t be able to do more complex tasks. For example:

Switch through apps.
Power up or down your TV.
Set up timers for your watch sessions.

That said, if all you need is the bare minimum, here are the Alexa speakers I recommend:

Now, all that’s left to do is to connect your Apple TV to Alexa. And for that to happen, you’ll need these 2 steps:

Step 1: Connect the speaker to your Apple TV using Bluetooth

Switch to your Apple TV input.
Put your speaker into Pairing Mode. You can consult your speaker manual to learn how.
Go to the Settings menu on your Apple TV.
Head to Remotes & Devices.
Press Bluetooth.
After the initial scan is complete, choose the correct speaker.

Step 2: Enable Alexa on your speaker

For Sonos devices

Open your Sonos device.
Install the Sonos app on your smartphone. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Launch the Sonos app.
Head to the Settings menu.
Go to Services & Voice.
Select the Add a Voice Assistant or Add a Service option.
Press Add Amazon Alexa.
Log in using your Amazon account to complete the process.

For Polk devices

Open your Polk device.
Install the Polk Connect app on your smartphone. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Create a Polk account.
Choose your Polk speaker on the list of devices.
Log in using your Amazon account to complete the process.

For Yamaha devices

Open your Yamaha device.
Install the Yamaha Sound Controller app on your smartphone. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Go to the homepage of your Yamaha app.
Swipe left and go to the Settings menu.
Choose Amazon Alexa.
Log in using your Amazon account.
Follow the instructions on the app to finalize your Alexa connection.

If you’re a little bit lost in the details, that’s OK.

You can watch this video for further clarification on the written instructions above:

#3: Alexa can control most TVs your Apple TV is connected to

Alternatively, you don’t need an external speaker to have the basics of Alexa on your Apple TV.

You just need a smart TV with Amazon Alexa.

Fortunately, Alexa has now become a standard feature on most smart TVs.

Now, all you need to know is how to enable Alexa on your TV. For most mainstream TVs, this is how you can do that:

For LG TVs

Press the Home button on your LG remote.
Open the “Set Up TV for the Alexa” app on your TV.
Install the LG ThinQ app. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Make an LG account using the ThinQ app.
Next, download and open the Alexa app. (Available on Android and iOS).
Go to the Skills & Games tab on the Alexa app.
Tap “LG ThinQ – Complete (Smart Appliance and TV).”
Log in using your LG account.
Switch to your Alexa app and press the Add Devices (+) icon.
Once your TV appears on the list of devices, select it.

For Sony TVs

Press the Home button on your Sony remote.
Head to Apps or Your Apps.
Launch the “TV Control Setup with Amazon Alexa” app.
Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Sign in using the same Google account on your Sony TV.
Go to the Skills & Games tab on the Alexa app.
Tap Sony’s TV — Basic.
Once your TV appears on the list of devices, select it.

For Samsung TVs

Install the SmartThings app. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Register a SmartThings account using the app.
Once done, go to the homepage.
Press the Add Devices (+) icon on the SmartThings.
Pick TV.
Once your TV appears on the list of devices, select it.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
If applicable, copy the PIN on your TV to the prompt on your SmartThings app.

You may also be interested in: Do You Need Apple TV With A Smart TV?

#4: The only way to control Apple TV with Alexa is with Harmony Hub

Now, what if you want to do more with your Alexa on Apple TV? What if you want to use other Alexa features?

That’s possible too. However, you’ll need to spend a couple of bucks.

Why?

You’ll need a Logitech Harmony Hub. This device acts like a bridge for all your other smart devices.

That’s also how it can provide Alexa to your Apple TV.

To connect Alexa to your Apple TV using Harmony Hub, you must do the following:

Step 1: Set up Harmony Hub on your smartphone

Open your Harmony Hub.
Download the Harmony app on your smartphone. (Get this on Android and iOS).
Launch the Harmony app.
Select Set Up New Hub.
Once your app finds the Hub, select it from the list of devices.
Choose the proper Wi-Fi network for your Harmony Hub.

Step 2: Enable Alexa on your Harmony app

Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Go to the Skills & Games tab.
Look for the Harmony skill.
Select Harmony.
Sign into your Harmony account.

Step 3: Connect Apple TV to Harmony Hub

On your TV, switch to your Apple TV input.
Go to the homepage of your Harmony app.
Press the Menu (3 stacked horizontal lines) icon on the upper left side of your screen.
Under Harmony Setup, tap Add/Edit Devices & Activities.
Select Add Devices.
Tap Scan for Wi-Fi Devices.
Once your Apple TV appears, select it from the list of devices.
Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the connection.

Congratulations. You can now use Alexa on your Apple TV.

The catch?

You can only use Alexa if you have your smartphone on hand. You can’t use your Siri Remote to control your TV using Alexa.

#5: You can use a different Voice Assistant to control Apple TV

Going through this article, there’s one thing I could confidently tell you about Alexa and Apple TV:

Setting up Alexa on Apple TVs is such a chore.

That’s why I advise you not to bother unless you really, really want Alexa.

After all, Apple TVs already come with a good Voice Assistant:

Siri.

And all you need to do to enable Siri is:

Switch to your Apple TV input.
Go to the Settings menu.
Head to General.
Set Siri to On.

After that, you’re done. It’s that simple.

The only catch here is that Siri on Apple TV only works in select regions.

As for the list of things you can ask Siri to do, please refer to this list from Apple.

Can Alexa control other Apple devices?

Alexa can control other Apple devices like iPhone and iPad. However, it would be more convenient just to use Siri, Apple’s Voice Assistant, instead of Alexa.

Furthermore, most Apple devices can’t use Alexa…

However, most Apple Homekit devices can. These are devices can be easily controlled with most Apple devices with an interface.