Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV

Summary

Learn how to restore your 2nd or 3rd generation Apple TV's factory settings if it exhibits unexpected behaviors, or if it doesn't respond.

Products Affected

Apple TV (2nd generation), Apple TV (3rd generation)

Restoring your Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) to factory settings

On Apple TV, choose Settings > General > Reset, and then click Restore.

Your Apple TV will restore to its factory settings, and will also download and install the latest Apple TV software update. This process may take some time. Do not disconnect your Apple TV's power cable during the restore process.

If you cannot use this process, and you have a micro USB cable, try the steps in the next section.
 

If your Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) still does not respond

If have a micro USB cable (sold separately), you can restore your Apple TV from iTunes:

  1. Disconnect the power and HDMI cables from Apple TV. Note: If you do not disconnect the power cable before connecting the micro USB cable, you will not see Apple TV in the iTunes Source list.
  2. Connect one end of a micro USB cable to the back of your Apple TV, and the other end to one of your computer's USB ports.
  3. Apple TV (3rd generation) only: Reconnect the power cable to your Apple TV.
  4. Open iTunes on your computer.
  5. Select your Apple TV in the Source list, and then click Restore.

Your Apple TV will restore to its factory settings, and will also download and install the latest Apple TV software update. This process may take some time.

Do not disconnect any cables from the Apple TV until the restore process is completed.

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