Various smart devices, such as light switches, thermostats, and smart doorbells, are controlled with Amazon's Alexa, the most popular virtual voice assistant in smart homes. Many Apple TV users, however, try to use Alexa to enhance their viewing experience.
Alexa can undoubtedly control Apple TV, and users can use Alexa to control playback functions such as pause, play, and volume. This guide will show you how to connect Alexa to Apple TV via different methods.
Understanding the Compatibility Between Apple TV and Alexa
Nowadays, manufacturers have promoted many smart home devices designated to match their systems. Homeowners usually face mismatching and malfunctioning issues. However, they can still achieve connections between systems by using tools or software.
Apple TV and Alexa cannot match and function together, but you can use a third-party source to connect the TV with Alexa or use some straightforward methods, such as physical cables.
How to Connect Alexa to Apple TV
You can connect Alexa to Apple TV using Bluetooth or physical cables. Bluetooth is a valuable and easy-to-get wireless tool. In the meanwhile, cables are a traditional but practical wired approach.
Connect via Bluetooth
The easiest way to connect Alexa to your Apple TV is through a Bluetooth connection. With this setup, the Amazon Echo smart speaker can act as the TV's speaker while you control the TV using your Siri remote. Here are some steps you should follow:
- Please set up your Apple TV and ensure it's connected to the same WiFi as your Alexa-enabled device.
- Go to Settings, Remotes & Devices on your Apple TV, and select Bluetooth. Say "Alexa, pairing" to set your Amazon Echo speaker into pairing mode.
- Once the Apple TV and Alexa-enabled device are successfully connected, you can use Alexa for playback control on your TV.
Connect via Cables
Connecting Alexa and Apple TV through cables is an old-fashioned but reliable solution. It can prevent wireless or software problems.
- Go to "Settings," choose "Audio & Video," select "Default Audio Options," and then choose "TV Speakers" on your Apple TV.
- Select "TV Speakers" after tapping "Default Audio Options."
- Turn on the TV port and the Amazon Alexa device, and attach a 3.5 mm cable.
- Return to Apple TV Settings and choose Audio Options to disable TV speakers to avoid audio obstructing or interference.
- You'll also need to ensure the Alexa device is not linked to a Bluetooth network to avoid audio pauses.
How to Control Apple TV via a Harmony Hub Remote
Harmony Hub Remote is a universal remote that can control various smart devices and can be easily integrated with Alexa and Google Home. There are two principal Harmony remote types: infrared and hub-based.
How to pair a hub-based remote with Apple TV
- Download and install the Harmony app on your smartphone. It’s free on the Google Play Store and the App Store.
- Open the app, navigate to "Menu," and enter "Harmony Setup".
- Choose "Add" / "Edit Devices" and tap "Devices".
- Select "Add Device" and choose "Scan for WiFi Devices".
- Once prompted to create a new activity, select "Yes" and follow the on-screen steps to make a Watch Apple TV Activity.
How to pair an infrared remote with an Apple TV
- Download and install the MyHarmony software on your PC.
- Go to the "Remote Gallery" screen and choose infrared remote.
- Navigate to "Devices" > "Add Device" and input the device information of your Apple TV streaming device.
- Once added, go to "Activities" > "Add Activity" and choose Watch Apple TV.
- Follow the on-screen steps to set it up and sync your IR remote afterward.
Alternative Way to Control Apple TV with Alexa
If you find the above methods challenging, you can also use the Homebridge app as an alternative. First, you must get the Alexa plug-in and add it to the Homebridge server. Then, connect your Apple TV to the server. You can use this method to give Alexa spoken commands to control your Apple TV. At the same time, it is equivalent to finding an intermediary to conduct information and thus indirectly control the Apple TV.
Why Won’t Alexa Connect to Apple TV: Common Issues Explained
WiFi may be the leading cause of why Alexa won't correctly connect with Apple TV. The best solution is to restart your Alexa device. Unplug the gadget, wait a while, and then plug the power adapter back in. After a time, the widget will automatically connect.
Following these steps, you can restart and reconfigure the WiFi network if the issue continues.
- Go to "Account Settings" after opening the Amazon website.
- Click twice on the "Your Content and Devices" option after scrolling down to discover it.
- Then click the drop-down arrow next to "Manage your content and devices" and choose "Settings."
- A list of "Saved WiFi Passwords" will appear, and choose the "Delete" option.
If it fails again, you should seek to restart the router or resort to the professionals.
FAQs
How do I use the voice control feature on my Apple TV?
All you need to do is press and hold the Siri button on the Siri Remote and start talking, and then the Apple TV will execute your voice command accordingly.
Does Alexa work with Apple products?
Sure it does. The Alexa app is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems. You can connect Alexa and Apple products through many approaches, such as cables and Bluetooth. If you figure out how to connect the device and the system, you can enjoy the convenience of the smart system.
How do Siri and Alexa work?
Alexa and Siri are applications powered by artificial intelligence. They rely on natural language processing and machine learning (two subsets of AI) to improve performance. Amazon's Alexa is a voice control system with an Echo speaker receiving voice requests.
On the other hand, Siri uses linguistic information from the phone, puts this information through the program's algorithmic post-computer processing, and finally operates with the appropriate commands.
Can I use Alexa as a speaker for Apple TV?
The answer is yes. You can use the Alexa app to control your Apple TV with Alexa. Once connected, use voice commands to control your TV with Alexa. You can also use the Alexa app to turn your TV on and off.
Conclusion
Alexa and Apple TV are both famous in digital users' everyday lives, and people may harassed by the compatibility between them. As mentioned above, the article has discussed several easy ways to connect Alexa and Apple TV. It is easy to link them together if you choose the proper methods. I hope this article will be helpful to you, and share this blog with your friends and family. Please leave your thoughts below; that would greatly incentivize us.