New house changing default user

[machenryr]

Hello folks. Bought a new house. Previous owner left his gigantic TV, surround Sonos system and Apple TV. We haven’t moved it yet. We have a couple of Apple TVs at our old home where we are still living. But I’m trying to change the default setting with this one. It’s not working. I deleted the previous default and have been trying to add myself with my iPhone. I use the dialogue - Bluetooth says connected. Add default with my iPhone close to the Apple TV. It just spins. If says adding user it it just spins. I’m using iPhone 13. Not sure what model Apple TV this is. Ideas? Am I missing something?

 

[Apple8and6]

Hi!
Have you tried factory resetting it? Should wipe everythig

 

[machenryr]

Hi!
Have you tried factory resetting it? Should wipe everythig

Thanks. I didn't see that as an option. I'm going over there momentarily. I'll look for that again.

 

[orbital~debris]

Thanks. I didn't see that as an option. I'm going over there momentarily. I'll look for that again.

Hello!
Here are Apple's instructions to reset tv:

Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings - Apple Support

Use these steps to erase your Apple TV, restore it to its factory settings, and remove all information on it.

support.apple.com

Factory reset, as @Apple8and6 suggested, is going to give the best result, as there's likely other personal data on the device from the previous owner which could cause further problems at a later date.

 

[machenryr]

I reset the box but it still didn't work. Then I noticed the previous owner had an ethernet cable plugged in. He has cat6 all over the property and at least another Apple TV in the master bedroom. I unplugged it and it worked. So perhaps it didn't work because it was networked with another box. Anyway I'm all good. Thanks.

 

[orbital~debris]

Glad you got it reset.
Can't imagine leaving so much technology behind when moving, but I suppose some people just have the capacity to re-purchase everything.

 

[machenryr]

Glad you got it reset.
Can't imagine leaving so much technology behind when moving, but I suppose some people just have the capacity to re-purchase everything.

They do. They had to move out of state for health problems. They are rebuilding this exact house. He's some high tech developer. When we looked at the house there was a closet FULL of routers blinking with Cat6 and BNC cables everywhere. He took all but two routers but left the cables hanging . LOL. Now my adventure is figuring out where things went. Also fiber optic cables. He wasn't concerned with his Apple TVs. He also thankfully left a massive TV mounted on the family room wall. Good times. Absolutely fantastic guy. Very helpful.

 

[kirbyrun]

They do. They had to move out of state for health problems. They are rebuilding this exact house. He's some high tech developer. When we looked at the house there was a closet FULL of routers blinking with Cat6 and BNC cables everywhere. He took all but two routers but left the cables hanging . LOL. Now my adventure is figuring out where things went. Also fiber optic cables. He wasn't concerned with his Apple TVs. He also thankfully left a massive TV mounted on the family room wall. Good times. Absolutely fantastic guy. Very helpful.

Clearly, I've been buying houses from the wrong people my whole life...!