Samsung soundbar- one connect and apple tv 4k connection routing

If your soundbar has HDMI-in and HDMI-out, then you could connect as

Apple TV →[HDMI]→ soundbar →[HDMI ARC]→ [One Connect box/TV]

or as

Apple TV →[HDMI]→ [One Connect box/TV] →[HDMI ARC]→ soundbar

The first should give you the best possible audio options from Apple TV, possibly limiting the video options (depending on video passthrough specs of the soundbar).

The second should give you the best possible video options from Apple TV, possibly limiting the audio options (depending on audio passthrough specs of the TV/One Connect box). This seems fine, as this model soundbar doesn’t do Atmos anyway, as far as I can tell.

For some reason- apple tv > hdmi in on soundbar does not work.

Ok, then use method #2 instead.

I have to hook up the apple tv directly to my one connect hdmi in ports... My apple tv is not even recognized on my samsung tv then as an input.

Is the Apple TV box on, with a continuously glowing status light?

If your Apple TV isn't working, won't turn on, or shows a black screen - Apple Support

If this Apple TV was previously connected to a different TV, then the video settings might be off. Then try cycling through video settings until a valid setting is found (→§‘Check video resolution’ in the linked support page).