Set up Apple TV without Remote

these are all great suggestions. Also, in a pinch you can unplug the apple tv from power for a few seconds. when you plug it back in, I believe it turns on. Then you can use the remote app on an iOS device 🙂

I wanted to share what worked for me because none of these suggestions did. I have an older generation apple tv 2. I did not have an ethernet cable, and I did not have a keyboard that would connect to the apple tv in any way. Somehow, I had turned off home sharing in my apple tv settings therefor, no apple remote apps would work. So, to fix this what you need is 1. an apple computer with internet access. and 2. a micro usb to usb cord. Download the app "CiderTV" from the app store on your computer. Connect the apple tv to your computer via usb cord. Follow CiderTV's instructions on how to pair it with the remote app without a physical remote. Once connected, use the CiderTV app to connect to wifi and turn on home sharing and connect remotes. I hope this makes sense. Let me know if it helps, or if you have any questions. Also, this may work with another similar app on a non-apple computer but I don't have one to test it out.

Great tip! The Bluetooth feature was not always available in the past.

@janacigler How did you plug in a keyboard? I'm having the same issue with my 3rd generation apple TV. Trying to figure out any way to get to settings without a the remote after reseting apple tv.

No, it is not possible. A replacement remote can be obtained from Apple for less than $30US.

The remote app is not a replacement for the physical remote. It does not handle any set up or settings function and can only access limited content. You'll need to break down and replace the remote.

Had the exact problem and this worked like a charm.

http://matthopkins.com/gadgets/apple-tv-wifi-forgot-remote/

This worked amazingly! Thank you!

My son loves playing with remotes and finally made our apple TV remote disappear last night. Tried exactly what you suggested and worked like a charm.:)

thanks!

cndfromwoodlandJun 15, 2014 7:23 PM Re: Can you set up Remote app to Apple TV without original Apple TV remote?
Re: Can you set up Remote app to Apple TV without original Apple TV remote?in response to jcallinHelpful

I had a similar problem and just figured out a solution which I hope helps others. After losing two Apple remotes, I had been using Apple Remote app successfully for a couple years. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I was changing some settings and somehow messed up my connection with my Remote app. The Remote app would not recognize my Apple TV. After looking everywhere online, I finally decided to restore my Apple TV to factory settings by connecting it to my iMac via a micro USB cable. After restoring it, I connected it back up to my TV as normal. The first thing it asks is if you would like to connect to a wireless keyboard, so I connected my Apple keyboard which then gained me control of the Apple TV so that I could go into Settings and reconnect my Apple Remote app. Let me know if this helps anyone else.

^^^^^^^

This worked awesome for a Apple TV I got in an auction that didn't come with a remote. I'd recommend doing this while connected to wired ethernet that does DHCP. Once the keyboard is working, you can disconnect the wired ethernet to enter the WiFi information ... with a real keyboard.

Try cidertv app for Mac in case you have Mac. It lets you to pair any remote without the native remote. It works via bluetooth, so is especially helful if Apple TV is not connected to same WiFi with your iPhone. Then you can use iOs version too (it even supports TV volume control)

cidertv.com/osx

I have the same problem, my ethernet is connected to the back of the apple tv. I can airplay, it includes playing songs, but i cannot use the remote to control the cursor of the apple tv. Can anyone help me out.

Ironically enough if you have an Android phone you can sign onto the Google Play store and download an "Apple TV" app which allows your android phone to control your Apple TV just as if it's the original remote.

was it a normal keyboard that you'd connect to a monitor? And did you just plug it into the tv or did you plug it into the apple tv?