Apple’s new Apple TV 4K (4th generation) costs $299 (U.S.) and reaches stores November 13, and Apple’s store page says plainly that “HDMI and USB-C cables” are “sold separately.” If you plan to watch in 4K HDR, Apple’s own setup guide says you need “a compatible Ultra High Speed HDMI cable,” so order one with the box if you do not already have one.
Here is what is in the box, what Apple says you need to add, and how setup works once everything is plugged in.
What is in the box
Apple lists three items on its buy page, plus documentation on the spec page:
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- Apple TV 4K (4th generation)
- Siri Remote (4th generation)
- Power cord
That matches the previous Apple TV 4K, whose spec page also listed no HDMI cable and said “Requires HDMI cable (sold separately).” The new model’s spec page carries the same line. Apple TV 4K has a built-in power supply, so the power cord goes straight from the box to the wall.
The HDMI cable Apple tells you to buy
Apple describes the cable in two places, in slightly different terms:
| Apple page | What it says you need |
|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K buy page, “What you need” | HDMI cable for HD streaming, or Dolby Vision-compatible HDMI cable for 4K HDR streaming |
| Apple TV 4K User Guide, “Set up Apple TV 4K” | If you have a 4K TV that supports HDR, you need a compatible Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (sold separately) |
| Apple TV 4K tech specs | Requires HDMI cable (sold separately) |
So Apple asks only for an HDMI cable for HD, but for a 4K HDR or Dolby Vision picture it wants a Dolby Vision-compatible, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. The new Apple TV 4K has an HDMI 2.1 port. Apple’s footnote says it supports “up to 4K 60-fps HDR video output, Audio Return Channel (ARC or eARC), and Quick Media Switching (QMS) only,” and requires HDCP when playing protected content with a compatible TV or receiver.
The USB-C cable is for the remote
The second missing cable is for the Siri Remote (4th generation), which has a USB-C connector and a rechargeable battery. Apple’s spec page says it charges “via USB‑C cable to computer system or power adapter (each sold separately).”
What else you need
Apple’s buy page and user guide list the rest:
- A TV with HD capability or better. For full audio and video quality, Apple’s guide says you need a TV that supports 4K, HDR or Dolby Vision, and a Dolby Atmos-compatible sound system.
- A broadband internet connection, over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The new model includes Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO. Ethernet needs an Ethernet cable.
- An Apple Account, which Apple says you need to set up your profile, buy or rent movies and shows, use services like Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, and download apps.
- Your Wi-Fi network name and password, which Apple says to have ready before you start.
How to set up Apple TV 4K
These steps come from Apple’s Apple TV 4K User Guide for tvOS 27:
- Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on Apple TV 4K and the other end to the HDMI port on your TV.
- Connect the power cord to the power port on Apple TV 4K and to a power outlet.
- Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that is connected to Apple TV 4K, if it is not already selected.
- Use the remote to follow the onscreen instructions for your internet connection, single sign-on with your cable or satellite TV provider, and more.
The faster route: set up with iPhone or iPad
Apple says you can set up Apple TV 4K “even faster” with an iPhone running iOS 9.1 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 13 or later. When prompted on the TV, select Set Up with iPhone or iPad and follow the onscreen instructions. Apple’s guide says to keep the iPhone or iPad nearby for this expedited setup.
After setup
Once the box is running, Apple suggests adding profiles so several people in your household can share it, downloading other streaming apps from the App Store, and using it for music, podcasts and workouts. If you want to turn it into a home theater, Apple TV 4K (4th generation) supports four-speaker surround sound with HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs, which we priced out here.
Siri AI is available in beta in tvOS 27.2. Apple’s Apple TV 4K press release says it is available at launch in English in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK. It requires the owner of the home in the Home app to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software. Hands-free Siri through the built-in far-field microphones is supported when the primary tvOS language is set to one of nine languages Apple lists.
Price and availability
Apple TV 4K (4th generation) comes in one configuration with 128GB of storage and an A19 chip. It costs $299 (U.S.), or $49.83 (U.S.) per month for six months, and can be pre-ordered in the U.S. and 29 other countries and regions, with availability in stores beginning November 13.
