Apple TV Setup

This guide covers everything you need to get Arrivals Board running on your Apple TV, from first launch to a fully configured board on the big screen.

First launch

When you open Arrivals for the first time, the board fills your TV with a boot sequence. Rows flip into place from top to bottom, just like a real split-flap display powering on. After a few seconds the board settles and shows a set of welcome messages.

First launch on Apple TV

Using the Siri Remote

The Siri Remote is your primary way to interact with Arrivals on Apple TV.

Remote action What it does
Press Play/Pause Opens the Settings menu
Swipe left on the touch surface Advances to the next message
Swipe right on the touch surface Returns to the previous message
Press Select (click) on a message Opens the linked content (displays a QR code you can scan with your phone)
Press Menu / Back Closes Settings or dismisses an overlay
Hold Select on a message Shows message details and source info

Adding a source

Because Apple TV does not have a keyboard or web browser for sign-in flows, some sources use QR code authentication.

Adding a source with QR code auth (e.g., Mastodon)

  1. Press Play/Pause on the Siri Remote to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Sources > Add Source.
  3. Select the source you want to add (for example, Mastodon).
  4. A QR code will appear on screen.
  5. Scan the QR code with your iPhone or iPad camera. This opens a sign-in page in your mobile browser.
  6. Sign in and authorize Arrivals. Once complete, the Apple TV will detect the authorization automatically.
  7. The source is now active and messages will begin arriving on the board.

QR code authentication

Adding an RSS feed

RSS feeds do not require sign-in, so you can add them directly:

  1. Press Play/Pause to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Sources > Add Source > RSS / Atom.
  3. Use the on-screen keyboard to enter the feed URL, or select a URL from your iCloud clipboard if you copied one on another device.
  4. Select Done. Headlines will start appearing on the board.

Adjusting settings with the remote

  1. Press Play/Pause to open Settings.
  2. Swipe up and down to navigate between setting categories.
  3. Swipe left and right (or press the directional buttons) to adjust values like flip speed, row count, and volume.
  4. Press Menu / Back to save and return to the board.

Key settings you may want to adjust:

Setting Where to find it Notes
Row count Settings > Display More rows work well on large TVs
Flip speed Settings > Display A slower speed suits living room viewing
Sound volume Settings > Sound Or mute entirely for a silent display
Color scheme Settings > Display Dark schemes look great in dim rooms
Screen saver Settings > Screen Configure behavior when the board is idle

iCloud sync from iPad

Some sources that require complex sign-in flows (such as Threads) may not yet support QR code authentication on Apple TV. For these sources, the recommended workflow is:

  1. Set up the source on your iPad (see iPad Setup).
  2. Make sure both devices are signed in to the same iCloud account.
  3. The source configuration syncs automatically. Within a few moments the source will appear on your Apple TV and messages will begin flowing.

Next steps