How to Set Up a Streaming Device in Australia: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
A streaming device is a small box or stick that plugs into your TV and adds apps like Netflix, ABC iview and 7plus. It is the easiest way to give an older TV a new lease of life, and a common fix when a smart TV stops supporting an app, which tends to happen as older sets age.
Setting one up is not hard, and you only do it once. This guide walks through it in plain steps, whether you have a Google TV Streamer, an Apple TV or an Amazon Fire TV Stick. The steps are much the same for all three.
Quick answer
Plug the device into a spare HDMI socket and into power, switch the TV to that HDMI input, then follow the on-screen prompts to join your Wi-Fi and sign in. The one step people in Australia miss is setting the device’s account to Australia, because the free local apps like ABC iview and 7plus will not install otherwise. You do not need a VPN for our local apps. Have your Wi-Fi password handy before you start.
What you will need
- The streaming device and its remote, with batteries in.
- A spare HDMI socket on the TV, and a power point or a USB socket on the TV.
- Your home Wi-Fi name and password. It is often printed on the underside of the router.
- Logins for any paid apps, such as Netflix or Stan. The free Australian apps need no login.
Step 1: Plug it in
Push the device into a spare HDMI socket on the back or side of the TV. Then connect its power lead, either to the wall plug it came with, or to a USB socket on the TV. The wall plug is the more reliable of the two. Take note of which HDMI socket you used, as they are numbered HDMI 1, HDMI 2 and so on.
Step 2: Switch the TV to the right input
Turn the TV on and press the Source or Input button on the TV remote. A list of inputs appears. Choose the HDMI number you just plugged into. You should see the streaming device’s welcome screen. If you see a blank screen, you are simply on the wrong input, so try the next HDMI number.
Step 3: Join your Wi-Fi
The device will ask you to choose your Wi-Fi network. Pick yours from the list and type in the password using the on-screen keyboard. Take care with capital letters, as passwords are fussy about them. If typing is a chore, many devices let you finish the setup from a phone instead, which is quicker.
Step 4: Sign in and set the country to Australia
Next it asks you to sign in to the account that runs the device: a Google account for the Google TV Streamer, an Apple Account for the Apple TV, or an Amazon account for the Fire TV Stick. During this, make sure the country or region is set to Australia. This matters, because if the account is set to another country, free local apps like ABC iview and 7plus will not appear in the store. If you do not have an account, the device will help you make one.
Step 5: Add your apps
Open the app store on the device and install the ones you want. Good starting points are ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play, which are free, plus Netflix, Disney+ or Stan if you pay for them. For the paid apps you sign in once with your login, and it remembers you after that. Arrange the ones you use most so they sit first on the home screen.
Step 6: Set the remote to control the TV
Most streaming remotes can be set to turn the TV on and off and change the volume, so you end up with one remote instead of two or three. The device usually offers this during setup, or you can find it later in the settings under remote. It is well worth doing, as it is the difference between a tidy coffee table and a pile of remotes.
Step 7: Try it out
Open an app and play something to check it all works. From now on, watching is simple: turn on the TV, make sure it is on the streaming device’s input, and pick an app. If you set the remote up in the last step, the one remote does the lot.
Things to check if something is not working
- Blank screen? The TV is probably on the wrong input. Press Source and try the other HDMI numbers.
- ABC iview or 7plus will not install? Check the device’s account is set to Australia, and turn off any VPN.
- Apps will not load? Restart the device by unplugging the power for ten seconds, then plugging it back in.
- Buying the device? Stick to brand names from a proper shop. Avoid cheap no-brand sticks from overseas marketplaces, as some carry hidden nasties.
Not sure which device to buy?
If you have not bought one yet, the choice comes down to what else you use. The Google TV Streamer suits most people, the Apple TV is the nicest fit if there is an iPhone or iPad in the house, and the Fire TV Stick is the cheapest way to get 4K. Our guide to the best streaming devices for seniors compares them in plain English.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
Next steps
With the device set up, how to watch Netflix or YouTube on a smart TV covers using the apps day to day. If you are thinking about a new TV instead, see the best smart TVs for seniors. And if the remote is the real struggle, our guide to big button TV remotes may help. You can also browse the rest of our TV and entertainment guides.
Researched and checked against current Australian retailer and app listings.
FAQ: setting up a streaming device
Do I need a VPN for ABC iview or Netflix in Australia?
No. Our local apps work on a normal Australian internet connection, and a VPN can actually stop them working. Just set the device’s account to Australia and you are away.
Why does ABC iview say it is unavailable on my Fire TV Stick?
This is almost always because the Amazon account is set to another country, or a VPN is switched on. Set the account region to Australia and turn off any VPN, and the app will appear in the store.
Can one remote control both the TV and the streaming device?
Usually yes. Most streaming remotes can be set to turn the TV on and off and change the volume, so you can put the other remotes away. Look for this during setup or in the remote settings.
Will a streaming device work on my old TV?
Yes, as long as the TV has a spare HDMI socket, which almost all from the last fifteen years do. This is exactly why a streaming device is the easy fix when an older smart TV loses support for an app.
I have lost the streaming device’s input. How do I get back to it?
Press the Source or Input button on the TV remote and choose the HDMI number the device is plugged into. If you set the streaming remote to control the TV, pressing its home button often jumps straight back.
