Set up a new Apple TV

A brand-new Apple TV walks you through its own setup the first time you switch it on. This guide covers that first run — pairing the remote, joining the network, and choosing what to sign into — then hands you off to Billboard so the screen is ready for signage. It follows Apple's own setup guidance, with the choices that matter for an always-on display called out along the way.

Before you start

• An Apple TV and its Siri Remote.
• A display with a spare HDMI input.
• Your Wi-Fi details, or an Ethernet cable if you'd rather go wired.

1. Power on and pair the remote

1. Connect the Apple TV to power and to your display over HDMI, then switch the display to that input. It starts at a setup screen.
2. Pair the Siri Remote — point it at the Apple TV so it can connect.
3. Choose your language and region.

Tip: if the remote doesn't respond, see Pair, reset and fix the Siri Remote.

2. Quick setup, or set up manually

You have two ways through the rest of setup:

• Quick setup — bring an iPhone or iPad running the latest iOS near the Apple TV to copy its Wi-Fi and Apple Account settings across automatically.
• Set up manually — enter everything yourself on the Apple TV. Choose this if you don't have a device to hand, or you want the Apple TV on different settings.

3. Connect to the network

Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Tip: for an always-on signage screen, wired Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi wherever you can run a cable to it.

4. Sign in — or skip it

You can sign in with an Apple Account, or skip it for now.

Billboard itself doesn't need an Apple Account. The App Store does, though — so if you'll install the Billboard app by hand later, sign in here to save a step.

5. Finish setup

Work through the remaining screens to reach the Home screen. The Apple TV is now ready to use.

Get it ready for signage

Once you're on the Home screen, three things turn a plain Apple TV into a live display:

1. Install Billboard and enter your gallery code. See Getting started and The Billboard app on Apple TV.
2. Set the screen never to sleep so it stays on around the clock.
3. Keep it current and running unattended — see Keep an Apple TV running as a display.

Rolling out more than a couple of screens

Setting up each Apple TV by hand is fine for one or two. Beyond that, you usually don't touch them individually — Automated Device Enrolment sets them up and enrols them automatically as they come out of the box. See Apple Business Manager & School Manager.

Stuck on any step? Email us at support@getbillboard.app.