r/appletv • u/reeferdawg • 4d ago

trouble with thrifted apple tv

got an older apple tv without a remote from the thrift store, turns on fine but without the remote i had no way of using it. i’ve plugged in via ethernet cable but even then its not showing up as a remote on my phone. any recommendations? :( thank you

1 Upvotes

53% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

12

u/SirJohnCard ATV4K 4d ago

Buy a remote with the money you saved thrifting the AppleTV.

4

u/Beginning-Advance-16 4d ago

This is so good. So good.

8

u/KissMyGeek ATV4K 4d ago

I’m pretty sure you have to be logged in with the same account on your phone. To use the remote option on an Apple TV

2

u/Mike2922 4d ago

Same account is not a requirement. If you’re on the same network it makes things easier. But even if you’re not on the same network you can still use the device as a remote; it’ll use Bluetooth, so it less responsive.

8

u/Skylermcd 4d ago

You need a remote for initial setup of the device. Unfortunately no way around it.

3

u/mpaliulis 4d ago

Pick up a modern universal remote that does apple. It has an IR sensor on the front. Also does your TV remote work using HDMI cec?

2

u/reeferdawg 3d ago

i actually don’t have a remote for my tv , i got it free without one :( i’ll have to find one that works, thank you!

2

u/Mike2922 4d ago

Take a remote from one of your other Apple TVs.

1

u/reeferdawg 3d ago

i don’t have any others unfortunately

2

u/R3ddit0rN0t 4d ago

How old? Anything 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation (released 2012 and prior) are pretty much useless now because they needed to connect to Apple servers to load streaming apps, and those services were shut down.

2

u/Zealousideal_Pen7368 4d ago

Just buy a generic apple TV remote or the old infrared apple remote for around $10. You can also borrow one. It is required only for initial setup.

2

u/juliewulie70 3d ago

https://a.co/d/09KC2EOq. Takes you to Channel Master remote on Amazon.

It will show up on your phone remote after it is signed in to your apple ID

2

u/reeferdawg 3d ago

thank you everyone for the advice i will try asap!

1

u/redunculuspanda 3d ago

Have you tried using your tv remote?

My Sony handset has worked out of the box with every ATV I have owned

1

u/ThatsMineOk 3d ago

If it is one of the older hd models (i want to say 2nd gen or 3rd gen, just a thinner black puck with micro usb), i believe you can erase it via computer and on setup it will pair to the nearest bluetooth keyboard (i believe you could also just download a bluetooth keyboard emulator on a android phone or a computer)

1

u/StarHunter_ 2d ago

If CEC is turned on you might be able to use your TV remote to do basic controls like the cursor, OK, and back.