Apple TV Help Articles

Published on November 3, 2012 by iOS TV

Apple has many articles to help Apple TV users solve common problems. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of help articles for troubleshooting Apple TV issues and learning more about the device.

You can bookmark this page to find all of the help articles for Apple TV in one place.

Understanding Home Sharing

Home Sharing in iTunes is designed to let you easily share your iTunes media libraries between up to five computers in your household. You can also use Home Sharing to play your iTunes content on your iOS devices and Apple TV (2nd generation) if they are connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

How to find your AppleCare registration number

You’ll need the AppleCare registration number to register a recently purchased AppleCare agreement if your agreement hasn’t been registered yet.

About Remote app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Remote app is a software application for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that allows you to control audio and video playback of iTunes and Apple TV. Learn how to set up Remote app, and how to troubleshoot issues that may arise.

Apple TV: How to use AirPlay Mirroring

Learn how to use AirPlay Mirroring to show your iPhone 4S or iPad screen on your HDTV via Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation only).

About Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates

Learn about changes in Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates version 4.1 and later.

Setting up Home Sharing for Apple TV (2nd generation and 3rd generation)

Learn about setting up Home Sharing for Apple TV (2nd generation and 3rd generation).

Troubleshooting Apple TV not recognized in iTunes

If you can’t view your Apple TV on the left side of the iTunes window (below Devices) when trying to sync content, try following the steps in this article.

Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

Use these steps if:

The AirPlay icon doesn’t appear on your iOS device, or iTunes on your computer, after following instructions about how to use AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring.
or
There are performance issues while using AirPlay streaming or AirPlay Mirroring.

How to update Apple TV software

Learn how to update your Apple TV software. It is always a good idea to make sure you have the latest software update for your Apple TV.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): How to restart your Apple TV

If you experience a blank screen, or if your Apple TV becomes unresponsive, a restart should resolve the issue.

Apple TV: Not showing in the iTunes device list when connected on Ethernet

When your Apple TV is connected via Ethernet, Apple TV may not appear in under Devices on the left side of the iTunes window.

Apple TV (1st generation): Streaming photos via iTunes

Apple TV (1st generation) can be used to stream your favorite photos from iPhoto or Aperture on a Mac, as well as Photoshop Album or Photoshop Elements on a PC and then view them on your widescreen television.

Controlling Apple TV with a third-party remote control

Apple TV can learn how to be controlled by third-party infrared remotes.

Apple TV repeatedly asks for password to play iTunes Store rentals or purchases

If you have authorized your Apple TV to play your iTunes Store rentals (or purchases on Apple TV 1st generation only), but can’t play them because Apple TV keeps asking for your password, try the following suggestions.

iTunes Store: About closed captioning

Learn more about purchasing or renting movies from the iTunes Store that contain closed captioning.

Plus and minus on Apple Remote can control volume of music on Apple TV

Plus and minus on Apple Remote can control volume of music on Apple TV.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Purchasing and viewing TV shows

Learn how to purchase TV shows directly on your Apple TV (2nd generation or 3rd generation).

Apple TV: About the status light

Apple TV has a status light (LED) on the front that indicates what’s happening.

Apple TV (2nd generation): No audio when using Apple TV

Apple TV (2nd generation) automatically sets the audio output mode for use with your TV or AV receiver. In some cases, however, certain TVs or AV receivers may not properly play audio from your Apple TV.

Apple TV (2nd generation): About the on-screen keyboard in Apple TV software 4.2 and later

Apple TV 4.2 software introduces an improved on-screen keyboard designed to make it easier to search and enter usernames and passwords.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Third-party content provider information

Using your Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation), you can access content from many third-party content providers. Learn how to get information or support from a third-party content provider.

Apple TV: How to install a configuration profile

Apple TV Software Update 5.1 allows your Apple TV to install a configuration profile from Apple Configurator to configure Wi-Fi and Ethernet corporate networks.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Understanding AirPlay settings

Learn about AirPlay settings on Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation).

Apple TV: Connections through proxy servers are not supported

Apple TV needs a direct connection to the Internet to play content from the iTunes Store, obtain software updates, or view Theatrical Trailers and iTunes Top Movies/TV Shows/Music/Music Videos. If you are unable to connect to the Internet without a proxy, you will not be able to play this content or update the software on Apple TV.

About the security content of Apple TV 5.0 software

This document describes the security content of Apple TV 5.0 software.

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Purchasing and viewing movies

With Apple TV software version 5.0 or later, you can purchase movies directly on your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation) and view them using your Apple TV.

About the security content of Apple TV Software Update 4.4

This document describes the security content of Apple TV Software Update 4.4.

Apple TV (1st generation): Why is there an alert icon next to Apple TV in the iTunes device list?

Music or movies in your iTunes Library that are in a format not supported by Apple TV (1st generation) will not be transferred to your Apple TV (1st generation) when syncing. When this occurs a triangle with an exclamation mark appears next to the Apple TV (1st generation) icon in the iTunes Device list.

Apple TV: How to change the name of your computer as shown on Apple TV

Use these steps to change the name of your iTunes library as it appears under Computers on the main menu of Apple TV (2nd generation), or as a source for syncing or streaming data on your Apple TV (1st generation).

Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Connecting the cables

Learn how to connect cables to your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation).

Apple TV: Photo Stream unavailable after updating Apple TV software

After updating to Apple TV Software Update 5.1, you may see the following Photo Stream behavior until you accept the new iCloud Terms of Service:

Unable to view Photo Stream content on Apple TV.
Screen savers using Photo Stream may display no photos or images.
An alert appears stating “Photo Stream Unavailable. The iCloud Terms of Service have changed.”

Apple TV (2nd generation): “Netflix is currently unavailable” when accessing Netflix for the first time in the UK or Ireland

UK or Ireland customers attempting to access Netflix for the first time via Apple TV may encounter this alert:
“Netflix is currently unavailable. Try again later.”

About the security content of Apple TV 5.1

Learn about the security content of Apple TV 5.1.

Apple TV: Change from vivid or dynamic picture setting for best color display

Some televisions include a picture setting labeled “Vivid” or “Dynamic” (which may be set as the default setting). This setting can be useful if the TV is in a brightly lit room, but may affect the colors displayed.

Apple TV (1st generation): Sync is temporarily paused when playing video content

While Apple TV (1st generation) is playing back video content, syncing of content from iTunes is temporarily paused.

Apple TV (1st generation): Favorites and Subscriptions are not available when accessing a YouTube account

The following message may appear when accessing Favorites or Subscriptions for a YouTube account:
“No content was found, There is a problem communicating with YouTube. Try again later”

Apple TV: Arranging icons on the main menu

Learn how to adjust the arrangement and display of icons on the Apple TV main menu.

Apple TV: Changing language settings for system and playback

Learn how to change the system language as well as the audio and subtitle language.