Apple TV without remote.

So I got an Apple TV a1625 model from work and there’s not remote. I use my hotspot on my iPhone for WiFi so I have no Ethernet cable. Can I set up the Apple TV with my phone being the hotspot? When I have my hotspot on and I go to the remote app on my phone it tells me that they have to be connected to the same WiFi which isn’t possible if my phone IS the WiFi. Or do I just need to buy a remote for it?