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To connect a Bluetooth keyboard to Apple TV, put the keyboard in pairing mode, then go to Settings › Remotes and Devices › Bluetooth and select the keyboard under Other Devices. This works for Logitech, Apple and most other Bluetooth keyboards, and makes typing passwords and searches much faster than using the remote.
This guide covers pairing the keyboard, entering a pairing code, unpairing it, fixing a keyboard that won’t connect, and choosing a keyboard that works well with Apple TV. The steps follow Apple’s Connect Bluetooth devices to Apple TV 4K guide and its Bluetooth accessories support article.
How to Pair a Bluetooth Keyboard With Apple TV
- Turn on the keyboard and put it in pairing mode. Check its instructions. Many keyboards have a dedicated pairing button or a key combination.
- On your Apple TV, open Settings.
- Go to Remotes and Devices › Bluetooth. Apple TV searches for nearby accessories.
- Select your keyboard in the Other Devices list.
- If asked, type the four-digit code or PIN on the keyboard and press Return.
Result: Apple says the keyboard appears in My Devices. A “Keyboard Connected” message flashes briefly on screen, and you can type in any text field, including search boxes in streaming apps.
A keyboard already paired to your Mac or iPad may need to be disconnected from it before Apple TV can find it.
How to Unpair a Keyboard
- Go to Settings › Remotes and Devices › Bluetooth.
- Select the keyboard under My Devices.
- Select Forget this Device.
Result: The keyboard is removed from Apple TV. Turning the keyboard off simply disconnects it, so you only need to forget it if you’re moving it to another device permanently.
If the Keyboard Won’t Connect
Apple suggests trying these steps in order, checking after each one:
- Make sure the keyboard is in range of the Apple TV and there’s no interference nearby.
- Check that the keyboard is charged and turned on.
- Update the software on your Apple TV and the keyboard if it has firmware updates.
- Move the Apple TV to a different spot near the TV.
- If the keyboard appears in Bluetooth settings but won’t connect, select it, choose Forget this Device, and pair it again.
If it still won’t work, Apple recommends contacting the keyboard’s manufacturer.
Choosing a Keyboard for Apple TV
Most Bluetooth keyboards work. A small multi-device keyboard like the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is handy because it can switch among your Apple TV, phone and computer with one button. Look for a compact layout that fits on a coffee table and long battery life.
No Keyboard? Use Your iPhone
When a text field appears on Apple TV, you can type with your iPhone or iPad instead. You can pair an iPhone as a remote so its keyboard can enter text on the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Bluetooth keyboard work on every Apple TV?
Keyboard support arrived on the fourth-generation Apple TV with tvOS 9.2. Current Apple TV 4K models support Bluetooth keyboards in Settings › Remotes and Devices.
Can I use a mouse with Apple TV?
Apple’s Bluetooth guide covers keyboards, game controllers, headphones and other accessories. Use the Siri Remote or a keyboard to navigate.
More Apple TV Guides
If you watch your own media library, here’s how to AirPlay a Plex movie from an iPhone to an Apple TV.
Setting up an Apple TV on an older set? Learn how to connect an Apple TV to a TV that doesn’t have HDMI.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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