That’s it. I’m convinced…
There’s definitely a hidden dimension under my couch.
I was just using my Apple TV remote, and now it’s gone.
Just as my TV’s having Wi-Fi issues too…
While I can’t be like Doctor Strange and find my remote in a different universe…
I’ll be like Tony Stark and help you replace yours.
Keep reading to discover:
- How to enable CEC on your TV to use its remote for Apple.
- 5 easy ways to connect Apple TV to your WiFi without a remote.
- A layman’s guide to buying the perfect ethernet cable for your Apple TV’s router.
- And so much more…
How to connect Apple TV to WiFi without remote – 5 fixes
#1: With an Ethernet cable
If you can’t connect to your internet wirelessly…
Why not try a wired connection.
How?
Use an ethernet cable.
This way, you’re not only always connected to the internet, but you also have a:
- Faster internet speed.
- Less bandwidth spread.
- More reliable connection.
Convinced? Great.
Now, grab any ethernet cable lying around your house and connect it to your Apple TV and router.
Apple TV should automatically recognize this connection and have access to the internet.
But, what if you don’t have spare cables in your home? And you simply want a faster internet connection.
In short, do you need help buying the right ethernet cable?
I got you. Just refer to this table when you’re cable shopping:
| Ethernet Cable | Shielding | Maximum Speed | Length |
| Cat 3 | Unshielded | 10 Mbps | – |
| Cat 5 | Unshielded | 100 Mbps | – |
| Cat 5e | Unshielded | 1 Gbps | – |
| Cat 6 | Either | 10 Gbps | 55 meters |
| Cat 6a | Shielded | 10 Gbps | 55 meters |
| Cat 7 | Shielded | 100 Gbps | 15 meters |
| Cat 7a | Shielded | 100 Gbps | 15 meters |
| Cat 8 | Shielded | 40 Gbps | 30 meters |
If you’re a little confused, that’s okay.
In fact, a lot of people asked me about the difference between Shielded and Unshielded.
My answer? It isn’t very easy to explain, but here’s the gist of it:
Shielded is much safer because it has electromagnetic protection. With shields, you’re less prone to network speed drops, and your data is more secure.
Fun fact: The ‘E’ next to some cable categories means enhanced, while ‘A’ means augmented.
#2: With your iPhone or iPad
Do you know what I find fascinating about today’s smartphones?
I can use it as anything.
As a map, compass, calorie tracker…
Even as a remote for my Apple TV.
“Wait, what?”
You heard that right.
In fact, it’s really easy to use your iPhone or iPad as a remote.
Just follow these 6 quick steps:
- Ensure that your Apple TV and iPhone/iPad are near each other.
- Head to your Settings menu.
- Select Control Center.
- Tap Customize Controls.
- Press the Add button.
- Under More Controls, select Apple TV Remote.
See? It’s that easy.
Now you can control your TV with a phone or tablet.
Pretty cool, huh?
You may also be interested in: Do You Need Apple TV With A Smart TV? 5 Answers
#3: With a keyboard
If you don’t have a remote…
How about you use your keyboard instead?
“Wait, that’s possible?”
Yes. You can connect a keyboard to your Apple TV in 3 steps.
Step #1: Update your Apple TV
First, you have to update your device. Why?
You see, keyboards only work on Apple TV with tvOS 9.2.
Don’t worry. Most Apple TVs have auto-update enabled.
That means your Apple should already be on tvOS 9.2 if it’s working correctly.
But if it isn’t?
Update your Apple TV first.
Note: If you don’t have a remote, use your phone’s Apple TV remote to do this step.
- Open the Settings menu on your Apple TV.
- Head to System.
- Select Software Updates.
- Go to Update Software.
- Tap Download or Install.
And now, you can proceed to the next step.
Pro tip: Ensure that auto-update is on by returning to Software Updates. And then toggle on Automatically Update.
Step #2: Factory reset your Apple TV
When reading that title, I know what you’re thinking:
“Wait, why do I have to factory reset my TV?”
Here’s the thing:
Since you don’t have a remote to access the Settings menu…
Your only choice is to connect the keyboard while Apple TV is on setup mode.
Now, the next question is:
How can you update your Apple TV without a remote?
Easy. You can use your Macbook.
Simply:
- Open the iTunes app on your Macbook.
- Connect the Apple TV to your Macbook using a Lightning Port to a USB-C cable.
- Check if your iTunes recognizes the TV.
- If it does, select Restore Apple TV.
- Click Restore and Update.
Note: This is also a different method to update your Apple TV without a remote.
Step #3: Pair your keyboard
Once the reset is finished, let’s proceed to the most essential part of the process…
Pairing your keyboard.
But first, here’s a question I always get asked:
“Do I need to use Apple’s Magic Keyboard?”
And the answer is no.
You can use any wireless keyboard, as long as it has Bluetooth.
All you have to do is:
- Connect your Apple TV with the TV itself again.
- When it’s turned on, set your keyboard to Pairing Mode.
- Wait for the TV to recognize your keyboard.
- Enter the 4 digit code on the TV to your keyboard.
- Finish your setup.
And you’re done. You officially have a keyboard as your remote.
Step #4: Connect to WiFi
After the setup, it should direct you to your Apple TV menu.
The only thing left to do now is to connect your WiFi.
To do that, just:
- Use the arrow keys on your keyboard as the directional pad.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Head to Network.
- Press Wi-Fi.
- Select your WiFi network.
Need visual help to understand how to connect a keyboard to your TV fully? Look no further than this video:
#4: Enable IR remote with phone
After you’ve lost your remote, let me guess…
Did you try using a different one?
If you did, I understand…
You had to try out ways to deal with this….
But the thing is, Apple TV filters out other infrared (IR) signals besides its own remote…
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use another one.
You see, you can still use a different remote. But you have to activate it first.
How?
Through the Settings menu. Here, let me teach you:
Note: Use your iPhone or iPad as a temporary remote. Refer to the section titled, “#2: With your iPhone or iPad” in this article to learn how.
- Open your Apple TV’s Settings menu.
- Go to Remotes.
- Select Learn Remote.
- Press Start.
- Tap the buttons on the screen using your IR remote.
- Name your remote.
#5: Enable other remotes with HDMI-CEC
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have 1 remote for everything?
For your TV, your Apple TV device, and even your gaming consoles…
Oh wait. That’s right.
You can also do that with HDMI-CEC.
HDMI-CEC allows your TV and all devices to be controlled by 1 remote.
It’s a pretty handy trick, if you ask me.
Now, you might say:
“If there’s something like that on my TV, how come I’ve never heard about it before?”
Well, chances are, you already have…
It’s just under a different name. That’s because each brand has a different name for CEC.
Yeah. That’s why it can get confusing sometimes.
What names, you ask? Here’s a list of manufacturers and what they call their HDMI-CEC function:
| Brand | CEC |
| Samsung | Anynet+ |
| Sony | BRAVIA Sync |
| LG | SIMPLINK |
| Vizio | CEC (See? Other brands should take note.) |
| Hitachi | HDMI-CEC (If only everyone followed Hitachi and Vizio’s lead.) |
| AOC | E-link |
| Onkyo | Remote Interactive over HDMI |
| Toshiba | CE-Link or Regza |
| Philips | EasyLink |
| Panasonic | HDAVI Control |
| Pioneer | Kuro Link |
| Mitsubishi | NetCommand for HDMI |
| Sharp | Aquos Link |
Here’s the thing:
CEC isn’t activated by default. You have to enable them on your TV.
And here’s how you can do that in the 4 of the most popular TV brands:
Samsung
- Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Head to General.
- Tap External Device Manager.
- Select AnyNet+ and toggle it on.
Sony
- Press the Home button on your Sony TV remote.
- Head to Settings.
- Tap Watching TV.
- Go to External Inputs.
- Select BRAVIA Sync Settings.
- Click BRAVIA Sync device list.
- Press Enable.
LG
- Press the Home button on your LG TV remote.
- Head to General.
- Tap SIMPLINK.
- Enable SIMPLINK by toggling the switch.
Vizio
Note: This is for Roku Vizio TVs. For Android Vizio TVs, follow the instructions under Sony TV. Why? Because it also uses Android TV as its operating system.
- Press the Menu button on your Vizio TV remote.
- Head to System.
- Select CEC.
- Set CEC to Enabled.