Set up your new TV
What does this screen mean? What happens if I skip it? Can I change it later? Every setup screen explained in Apple's own words — then what to do in the first hour, day and week.
New TV setup — % complete of 7
Apple What the screen means, what happens if you skip it and anything else worth knowing — quoted, with a link to the page.
Change it later Where the setting lives after setup, from the verified Settings Pathfinder.
Osnivo tip Our own plain-language advice, kept separate from Apple's words.
Setup screens
The first 15 minutes — what each screen means
-
Apple: “Before you start, make sure you know your Wi-Fi network name and password, and keep your iPhone or iPad nearby for expedited setup.”
-
Apple: “If you have a 4K TV that supports HDR, you need a compatible Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (sold separately).”
-
Apple: “You can use your iPhone or iPad to automatically set up Apple TV 4K. When prompted, select Set Up with iPhone or iPad and follow the onscreen instructions.”
-
Apple: “You need an Apple Account to set up your profile, purchase and rent movies and TV shows, use services like Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, and download apps from the App Store.”
-
Apple: “Use the remote to follow onscreen instructions for setting up your internet connection, single sign-on through your cable or satellite TV provider, and more.”
Day one
Recommended configuration
-
Apple: “Using the Home app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac (with macOS Catalina or later), you can add profiles to your Apple TV 4K for family or other household members who have Apple Accounts.”
Apple TV 4K User Guide: Set up Apple TV 4K profiles in the Home app ↗
-
Apple: “You can set device restrictions, often also referred to as parental controls, so only authorized profiles can watch, download, or play items from search results, or make purchases on Apple TV 4K.”
Apple TV 4K User Guide: Set up parental controls on Apple TV 4K ↗
Find any other setting
Settings Pathfinder: the exact path for your version.
Is it up to date?
Should I Update? checks the version it shipped with.
What can it run?
Compatibility Checker: releases and features by model.
Sources for this page
- 1 Apple TV 4K User Guide: Set up Apple TV 4K support.apple.com · current guide
- 1 Apple TV 4K User Guide: Set up Apple TV 4K profiles in the Home app support.apple.com · current guide
- 1 Apple TV 4K User Guide: Set up parental controls on Apple TV 4K support.apple.com · current guide