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    How to Set Up and Use Apple TV 4K

    Get started with Apple TV 4K — how to set it up, use the Siri Remote, find your streaming apps, and use AirPlay from your iPhone.

    4 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026
    1

    Connect Apple TV to your television

    ~32s
    Plug the included HDMI cable into the back of the Apple TV box and into an available HDMI port on your TV. Plug the power cord into the Apple TV and into a wall outlet. Turn on your TV and use your TV remote to select the correct HDMI input — this is usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc. The Apple TV setup screen should appear.

    Quick Tip

    If you are not sure which HDMI input to select, press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and cycle through until you see the Apple TV setup screen.

    2

    Set up using your iPhone (the fast way)

    ~28s
    If you have an iPhone, hold it close to your Apple TV during setup. A prompt will appear on your iPhone asking if you want to set up Apple TV. Tap "Set Up" and follow the on-screen steps. Your iPhone will automatically transfer your WiFi password and Apple ID to the Apple TV, so you do not have to type them manually with the remote.

    Quick Tip

    Make sure your iPhone's Bluetooth and WiFi are both turned on for this automatic setup to work.

    3

    Learn the Siri Remote

    ~24s
    The Siri Remote has a circular touchpad at the top — swipe your thumb around it to move through menus, and click the center to select. The outer ring of the touchpad works like a scroll wheel for fast scrolling. The Home button (looks like a TV) takes you back to the main menu. The Back button goes back one screen. The Microphone button activates Siri when you hold it and speak.
    4

    Find and watch your streaming services

    ~33s
    From the Apple TV home screen, you will see icons for apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+. Tap any app to open it. If a service you use is not already on the screen, swipe to find the App Store on the home screen and search for it there. Sign in to each streaming service with your existing account credentials.

    Quick Tip

    The Apple TV app (the icon that looks like a blue TV screen) brings together content from all your services in one place. Check the "Up Next" row to quickly resume shows you are in the middle of watching.

    5

    Use AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad

    ~26s
    To send a video or photo from your iPhone directly to your TV screen, open the video and tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Your Apple TV will appear in the list of AirPlay destinations. Tap it to start playing on your TV. The audio and video appear on your TV in seconds. Tap the AirPlay icon again and choose "iPhone" to stop AirPlay and return playback to your phone.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Set Up and Use Apple TV 4K

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Apple TV 4K is a small black box about the size of a hockey puck that you connect to your television. Once connected, it turns your TV into a smart TV with access to hundreds of streaming services — Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, and many more — all controlled from a single remote.

    If your TV does not have a smart TV built in, or if you find your TV's built-in apps slow or confusing, Apple TV 4K is a popular upgrade. It tends to be faster and more responsive than the apps built into most TVs.

    The device comes with the Siri Remote — a slim aluminum remote with a touchpad at the top and a few buttons. You can use the touchpad to swipe through menus, and you can press the microphone button to ask Siri questions like "What should I watch tonight?" or "Show me comedies on Netflix."

    Apple TV 4K works especially well with other Apple devices. AirPlay lets you wirelessly send a video, photo, or music from your iPhone or iPad directly to your TV screen in seconds — without any cables. You can also use your iPhone as an alternative remote if you lose the physical one.

    The Apple TV app (not the same as the Apple TV hardware device) has a "Watch Now" section that brings together content from all your streaming services into one feed, so you do not have to open each app separately to find something to watch.

    Setup takes about 10 minutes and requires your TV to have an HDMI port, a WiFi network, and an Apple ID. If you have an iPhone nearby during setup, Apple TV can transfer your WiFi password and account details automatically.

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    Official Resources

    Netflix Help CenterSpotify SupportHow-To Geek — Streaming

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    How to Set Up and Use Apple TV 4K — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure