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New Apple TV set up only in Chinese

Cannot get anything to work other than power button and volume so cannot set up new Apple TV. How do I get English instructions? Thank you.

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 2:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 3:15 PM

For setting up the first time, the very first question is about language. If that were set to English, then English would be the device language.

If you got the device from a different user, or open box, or third party refurbished, then one of your earlier steps should be to reset it, so that you can do the setup questions for your location and enter your own account and your own Wi-Fi settings, and remove baggage from a previous setup. Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support


To first the the language to something readable, do this:

Change the language or region format on Apple TV - Apple Support

As the Settings layout is the same for every language, you can do it ‘blindly’ by symbols and counting. See here for more details:

1. Open Settings on Apple TV (tile with sprockets wheel icon).
2. Go to General (top menu option).
3. Go to Apple TV Language (8th menu option; globe symbol on the left).
4. There select English if listed.
5. Else add a new language to the list: Last option is for adding more.
6. Select a language from the full list. Languages will be named in their own language and also in the current system language.
7. Choose to apply the new language now, or only add it to the shortlist. [Three buttons: Use now, Keep current, or Cancel.]
8. For English, select English once more with the correct locality: (US) vs. (UK) vs. (CA) vs. …
1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 1, 2023 3:15 PM in response to phoebefromchelsea

For setting up the first time, the very first question is about language. If that were set to English, then English would be the device language.

If you got the device from a different user, or open box, or third party refurbished, then one of your earlier steps should be to reset it, so that you can do the setup questions for your location and enter your own account and your own Wi-Fi settings, and remove baggage from a previous setup. Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support


To first the the language to something readable, do this:

Change the language or region format on Apple TV - Apple Support

As the Settings layout is the same for every language, you can do it ‘blindly’ by symbols and counting. See here for more details:

1. Open Settings on Apple TV (tile with sprockets wheel icon).
2. Go to General (top menu option).
3. Go to Apple TV Language (8th menu option; globe symbol on the left).
4. There select English if listed.
5. Else add a new language to the list: Last option is for adding more.
6. Select a language from the full list. Languages will be named in their own language and also in the current system language.
7. Choose to apply the new language now, or only add it to the shortlist. [Three buttons: Use now, Keep current, or Cancel.]
8. For English, select English once more with the correct locality: (US) vs. (UK) vs. (CA) vs. …

New Apple TV set up only in Chinese

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