With Apple TV, all you need is to plug it into your television set, and the next thing you’ll know is you’re binge-watching and playing games in front of the big screen.
But will you always need your TV to use this device since it has “TV” in its name?
What if you want to enjoy your favorite shows on your daily commute or during break time at work? Does the Apple TV experience still work on other devices?
Thankfully, the answer is yes.
While it is originally designed for television sets, you can still use it with many other devices with the help of your HDMI cable. These include projectors, PCs, and Macs (Apple computer).
Below you’ll find quick guides on how to enable Apple TV on all of these devices.
But before you do, make sure to purchase an HDMI cable, since this is not included in the box of your Apple TV device.
Quick Navigation
How to use Apple TV without a TV?
1. Connecting to Projector
Still want to watch from a big screen without an actual TV screen?
Then you’re in luck because most projectors and the latest Apple TVs share HDMI ports.
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Now you can lay back in your very own home theater while streaming the latest shows on Netflix, Hulu, and many more.
Step 1: Plug your Apple TV into an electric outlet.
Step 2: Link both the Apple TV and your projector using the HDMI cable, usually included in projectors’ accessories.
Step 3: Turn on both devices.
Step 4: Using your projector’s remote, access the menu or settings option, and switch the source to HDMI.
Step 5: If your Apple TV is linked to another device (let’s say an iPad or an iPhone), make sure that they are using the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 6: Once all are set, slide open the projector lens and see if your favorite series or movie is appearing on the bigger screen.
2. Connecting to HDMI-Capable Display Devices
You can connect your Apple TV to display devices as long as it has HDMI inputs. Check the sides and the back part of your devices to see which ports are available to you.
Step 1: Connect your Apple TV to the HDMI wire and connect this wire to the HDMI inputs.
Step 2: Grab the end of the HDMI cable or adapter and insert it to your device. Make sure you switch the source signal from your computer to the Apple TV by pressing the “Input” button.
Step 3: Now that everything’s plugged in, you can connect your Apple TV device to your home network or hotspot. Input your username and password using the remote and wait for it to connect.
Step 4: Follow prompts on the Apple TV window that appeared on your screen. Take note of the PIN number provided so you can sync Apple TV to your iTunes account.
Step 5: Open iTunes and select “Apple TV” from the device sidebar. It will ask for the PIN, so enter the number you received here. Once inputted, Apple TV should be now accessible from your iTunes.
3. Using Apple TV on Your iPhone
Most users use their iPhones to control and set up their Apple TVs, but don’t forget that you can also watch wherever you go using the smaller screen of your phone. You just need to be connected to your WiFi or cellular data to be able to access this while you’re on the go!
Step 1: Check if your iPhone’s iOS is updated to iOS 12.3 or later. If not, make sure to install this first.
Step 2: Head over to the Apple Store and look for the application – Apple TV. Download this application.
Step 3: Sign in to your Apple TV account. Use the same account credentials you used in the initial setup of your Apple TV box.
Step 4: Once logged in, you may now watch exclusive Apple content. These include Apple TV+, Apple TV channels such as SHOWTIME, Starz, Paramount+, and more.
Step 5: If you wish to access other streaming platforms through your Apple TV app, sign in to your paid subscriptions here and they’ll all be accessible in one interface.
4. Using Apple TV on Your Macbook Laptops
Your iPhone screen too small?
Switch to your Macbook if you have one! And just like on your iPhone, you need to have internet connection and your Apple TV credentials ready.
Step 1: Check if your Macbook has the latest macOS installed. As long as you’re using Monterey 12, Big Sur 11.0, or Catalina 15, then you’re good to proceed.
Step 2: Head over to the Apple Store and look for the application – Apple TV. Download this application.
Step 3: Sign in to your Apple TV account. Use the same account credentials you used in the initial setup of your Apple TV box.
Step 4: Once logged in, you may now watch exclusive Apple content. These include Apple TV+, Apple TV channels such as SHOWTIME, Starz, Paramount+, and more.
Step 5: To check the new and the most recommended shows, subscriptions, and movies for rental, click on the new “Store” pane on the Apple TV window.
Step 6: Scroll through the different shows and movies available on your AppleTV and enjoy!
Conclusion
We all know how addicting Apple TV is. Watching your favorite shows and movies in one place makes the experience so much better. If you want to use your Apple TV without the heavy TV, just remember that an HDMI cable is your friend. Just plug it into a projector, PC, or laptop and follow the steps above!
If you want to watch Apple TV from anywhere without connecting to other devices, you can simply download the Apple TV app on your iPhone and Macbook and you’re all set!
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.