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User profile for user: Tanyadfoster
Tanyadfoster Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Apple TV 3rd Gen restore to original settings on MacBook Pro

I have an Apple TV 3rd Gen. I lost the remote and the remote app on my iPhone won't pair with it. I can't do anything on the Apple TV. I connected the Apple TV to my MacBook. I opened Finder and selected Apple TV. At first, it showed "Software: loading." It was stuck in this status for hours. I unplugged the AppleTV USB and plugged it back in. Then, it showed this:



I can select one of two Software options, either the tvOS 8.4.4 (as in above screenshot) or OS Build Version 12H885 as in the screenshot below:


I selected Restore Apple TV, and I got this pop-up:



I gather that the software on the Apple TV is out-of-date, but I can't update it because I lost the remote and I can't connect to the device. I had read in the discussion community that you could reset it by connecting it to your MacBook and then pairing it with the remote app.


Does anyone know how I can resolve the error in that pop-up screen?


Thank you.

Posted on Aug 7, 2020 8:15 PM

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
143,058 points

Posted on Aug 7, 2020 10:08 PM

Apple TV Software version 7.5 (build 12H885) is current for this model, and is based on iOS 8.4.4. I don’t know why you would have two options, or why it wouldn’t connect to the update server.


The Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) need a functional remote to set up the Apple TV Remote app.

The Apple TV (4th or 5th generation) should recognize the Apple TV Remote Control Center widget or the Apple TV Remote app, even without a remote.


For the Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), your options are:

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
143,058 points

Aug 7, 2020 10:08 PM in response to Tanyadfoster

Apple TV Software version 7.5 (build 12H885) is current for this model, and is based on iOS 8.4.4. I don’t know why you would have two options, or why it wouldn’t connect to the update server.


The Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) need a functional remote to set up the Apple TV Remote app.

The Apple TV (4th or 5th generation) should recognize the Apple TV Remote Control Center widget or the Apple TV Remote app, even without a remote.


For the Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), your options are:

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Apple TV 3rd Gen restore to original settings on MacBook Pro

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