Using the Apple TV remote to type using the onscreen keyboard is tedious. You can make it easier by using the Remote app for your iDevice, and now, thanks to a recent update, you can use any physical Bluetooth keyboard.
Note: This feature only works with the second or third generation Apple TV with the system software version 5.2 or higher.
Use Apple TV with Bluetooth Keyboard
Turn on your Bluetooth Keyboard and then on your Apple TV, go to Settings > General and select Bluetooth.
The Apple TV will start searching for the Bluetooth devices available. Select the one you want to use.
Then type the code displayed on your Bluetooth keyboard.
There you go! All paired up and ready to use your keyboard to control the Apple TV.
I’ve tried a couple of different Bluetooth keyboards to navigate around my Apple TV 2 for about a day now. You’ll probably have a better overall experience with an Apple keyboard – for media controls for example.
For me it’s a better experience than even the Remote app on an iPhone or iPad. It’s easy to navigate around the Apple TV OS as well. You can use your arrow keys to move between different apps, and back out of them by hitting Esc. When using apps that require a fair amount of typing, like YouTube for example, it’s much easier.
For more on connecting Bluetooth devices, check out these groovy articles:
- Connect Bluetooth Keyboard to Kindle Fire HD
- Connect Bluetooth Devices to Surface RT
- Connect a Bluetooth Keyboard to iPad
- Connect a Bluetooth Device in Windows 7
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Dan Padolsky
January 30, 2013 at 4:32 am
Is this the only reason Apple made the new Apple TV with the capability of using Bluetooth? Or do you think they have something greater in mind? Because even if you use a keyboard with YouTube on Apple TV it still seems, well, not very useful. I’m thinking that maybe they added the Bluetooth capability for some other reason, something they’re planning in the future. What do you think?