lost my apple tv remote, can i set a third party remote to control apple tv

Still the best answer for the lost remote. I had reconfigured my WIFI network with a new Time Capsule and established a new network name and password and the ATV was hung on date and time as described. Kids lost our second ATV remote about a month after getting it, no where to be found. The YTV described the right fix. Basically what it instructs to do is connect the ATV to your WIFI router, use the 'remote app' on an iphone etc. to program an alternate remote (have to do this in order to unplug the ATV from the router too find the new WIFI network), and then use the alternate remote to configure the ATV to log into the WIFI.

Actually, it is a pain in the behind but you do not need an apple remote, or purchase a new remote to do this. If an ethernet cable is plugged from the Apple TV the to the router, the free Remote app will work. You can either be done here or:

From there you can use the Remote app to select Learn a new remote. After going through the steps to Learn a new remote (I used my Comcast remote on the AUX button), unplug the ethernet cable. Using your third party remote, go to your Network settings, choose your wifi router from the list (painfully entering your password if you are using one) and there you have it. Your Apple TV is connected to your wifi and you can continue using the free Remote app.

If you have an ethernet cable, try connecting your Apple TV and resetting everything in iTunes. I've replied to a post that says you are out of luck and you need to purchase a new Apple TV remote, using steps showing you that you do not actually need to purchase a new remote to connect to a new wifi network. Try that out and I hope this works out for you.

I can confirm what Sebeux said, I have just paired my bluetooth keyboard with my Apple TV, without using an Apple Remote (I lost mine). It works fine.

Besides, $20 for a replacement remote as simple as Apple's is asking a bit much. Thanks for the solution, Sebdeux.

I didnt have my apple remote and followed these instructions....It worked!

1. Find a regular TV remote. (I used Comcast cable remote)
2. Plug the ethernet cable to the Apple TV.
3. With the iOS Remote App go to

   Settings -> Geenral -> Remotes

   ,
4. Select

   Learn Remote

   and follow the easy steps to teach to Apple TV your TV remote.
5. Once done, unplug the ethernet cable and set the WiFi under

   General -> Network -> Wi-FI

   .

Your apple tv will now be connected wifi and you can use your remote app.

I have one that's seems nobody is noticed!

And is basically to connect your ATV to your laptop and sync with iTunes. it will restore your ATV to the basic settings and update it in case you need it. Then disconnect and restart your ATV, I'll be already using your local network and I'll ask you to connect via Bluetooth your keyboard, activate home sharing and done your app will be working now!

OK to confirm, YOU CAN DEFINITELY SETUP AN APPLE TV USING A BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD, no remote required. But I couldn't set it up without a keyboard, connecting with an iPhone or iPad, before setting up homeshare with a proper remote or Bluetooth keyboard. Attempting to do so will prevent you from gaining full functionality and control over your ATV with your idevice. You'll need to restore it again and follow FIX below.

My story:

Bought an iPad air at pcworst, and an ex demo ATV with no remote.

Never been ATV in my house, or on network, so 'clean install'

I restored ATV using iTunes, this allowed me to connect it to the tv and view screensaver and the menu screen, it allowed me to send stuff via airplay, play iTunes content and mirror games etc on the big screen.

However, it did not let me control the Apple TV using the iPad or my phone properly, no ability to scroll ATV menus etc, the remote app is initially limited to loading and playing iTunes and does not allow access to the menus that allow you to set up home sharing and therefore gain menu and full iTunes control over ATV with another idevice.

Until you have configured ATV for home sharing it will not appear as a device in the remote app and so you can stream to it but not connect and control it.

I tried everything, but until the ATV is home sharing you can't access the menus with an idevice.

THE FIX: as mentioned by others, restore ATV with iTunes then plug it in and connect hdmi to tv. On the setup screen do not try to auto setup with an idevice, it won't work! Instead pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and setup the home sharing etc so that your remote app on your phone or pad will then be able to see it as a device and act as a remote with screen gestures etc.

Again, no apple remote required, just a cheap Bluetooth keyboard in pairing mode next to the ATV when you first start it up after a restore and connect it to a tv.

Hope that helps!

So basically I just went through this 5 minutes ago. I lost my controller which I just found. In the meantime I went through this thread for a fix. I tried downloading an app through my work issues iphone...but it needed me to get to settings which I couldn't because I didn't have the remote. Remembering that android best iphone in well...everything. I took to the Google Play Store to find an app RIGHT away. I installed it and the FIRST button I hit my Apple TV responded. Fully functional remote on my android. I'm so done with apple in every way.

Thank you so much ctgatorfan81 words cannot describe how much I feel for what you just did to help me. I cannot agree with you more. After spending about 3hrs searching google and forums and trying every possible solution that has worked for some but possibly failing in my case due to router firewall setting etc.

I came upon this final msg about android. In literally 2min I took my htc downloaded remote app in playstore and was able to control ATV from my android!!! No setup no bs. I just tested it and ATV is basically controlled via infared that simple nothing complicated like wifi Bluetooth and yet they had to make it this complicated to set things up. Now that is real advance thinking for HELPING OUT a consumer. Lesson learned always keep an android based device around

I too had this priblem . I broke two remotes and the nearest apple store is about 45 mins away. I hadn't turned on home sharing nor set up any other remotes after countless hours of fiddling around and searching for a solutuon. I came across a video on YouTube this one clever fella I owe it to saved me time and money. You must first have an android phone or tablet. Also they must have infrared port on them. The galaxy s4 works like a charm. Luckily my fiance has one. You then open the Google play store search and install apple TV infrared remote download it and it works instanyly. No need for home sharing or any connectivity or actual support of original remote. Then go to setting and learn a remote with any remote teach it the buttons on any unused buttons or do any thing freely believe me it works did it last night thanks android gotta hand them this one embsrrssing for apple not to include this in their store shame.

Thanks so much for this, had gone on hols without remote and Apple TV did not have home sharing enabled. Spent hours unsuccessfully trying to solve the problem until I came across your post.

Used my galaxy tab and solved problem in 5 minutes.

Thanks again....

Gosh Apple support ***.. there are answers to this..

Here is a solution if:

You have lost your original remote

You currently don't have a bluetooth remote connected

You don't have home sharing turned on (there is a solution earlier for this using ethernet and an iphone/ipad and the remote app)

When the appletv is brand new there is an option to automatically pair a bluetooth keyboard or remote without having access to the apple tv with the orginal report. If the above conditions apply do this...

Reset AppleTV back to factory settings.

follow this link https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT202118

For the above link you need a pc/mac with latest version of itunes and a micro usb cable

Once the appletv has been restored, connect power and HDMI cable.

It will ask you what language to start the AppleTV in but will also give you the option to connect a bluetooth Remote or bluetooth keyboard without any other input on the AppleTV

Once you are connected my advice would be to turn on Home Sharing, Connect to wifi and download "remote" on your ios devices (ipad/iphone) as the Appletv is too stupid to remember the bluetooth device after restart

Why apple dont just provide a central support doc for this is beyond me, and why you can never google decent support docs is ridiculous.

Hope that helps all.

Oh thank you! I was frustrated after moving my apple tv to make room for newer version, dog chewed my old remote and was using the phone. Using your directions I was able to reestablish the phone remote and set up the tv remote as a back up....in the move my remote lost connection with the internet and had not considered something so apparent as using the ethernet cord - fortunately I have a very long one because work won't let us use wireless 🙂

After I updated my home wifi settings today, my music streaming apple tv stopped working. I lost the remote for this long time ago and could not get the other remotes (all non original apple tv remotes for other apple tvs at home) to work with this one.

Decided to try the android route before the seemingly more complex itunes reset/ethernet cable routes.

I am glad I did that.

Downloaded this (AIR Remote Free) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.splashythings.macremote&hl=en

It took me under a minute to install the app, pair my samsung phone to the stuck apple tv and access the wifi settings in the apple tv menu using my phone.

I am wondering why the ios remote app could not achieve the same.

All good now!

Couple of month ago I tired CiderTV app for my iPhone https://itunes.apple.com/app/cidertv-remote-control-for/id1017677047?mt=8. It perfectly replaces remote app and control my TV volume. Now the also have Android version (but with Apple TV control only) . Native remote is needed for first pairing, but if you have any other remotes, paired to your ATV before, you can use them to pair Cider app as well.

And if you have Mac - download Mac version to pair without any remote cidertv.com/osx

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ezzi.cidertv