I’m visiting my parents this weekend. They are out in the country, so there isn’t as much entertainment. So, on a lark I brought down my AppleTV with the plan of having a movie selection from my laptop available. Unfortunately, I forgot the remote. i.e. The only thing that allows you to control the device; there are no other buttons.
As soon as I plugged it into the TV, it complained that it didn’t know which network to go to. I had no way to select anything. My iPhone can control it, but only if it is on the same network. And the AppleTV wasn’t connected to any network.
My first thought was, oh well, too bad. Then the internet came to my help. I temporarily plugged it directly into my parent’s network (not through wifi) which technically put it on the same network as my iPhone. Then, using the Remote app I was able to have it learn how to recognize a spare television remote. Once I had that done, I had a remote that worked. I could put it back to the television and use the remote to have it recognize the network.
And everything works.
I feel like I have accomplished something today.