How To Pair (or Re-Pair) an Apple Remote With an Apple TV


    The Apple TV is easily one of the most versatile media-streaming boxes you can buy. You can stream your favorite content, mirror a FaceTime call, play games, and more without tethering a phone, tablet, or PC to your TV. It’s like an iPhone interface for your TV, actually — only you need that pesky bundled remote to work correctly.

    Apple set out to make its remotes easy to use, but you may run into issues. This guide shows you how to pair the Apple TV remote again, pair a new remote, and use alternatives to the bundled device.

    A note about remotes

    The remote packed with the Apple TV 4K unit goes by two names: Siri Remote in regions that support Siri and Apple TV Remote in regions that do not.

    The remote packed with the Apple TV 4K model has a white ring around the Menu button, signifying that it’s the latest iteration of Apple’s remote design. This ring is supposed to help you find the Menu button with just a glance.

    Meanwhile, the model packed into the Apple TV HD bundle is a previous generation. Its overall looks and functions are identical, but it does not have the same white ring.

    The third- and second-generation Apple TV units shipped with the same silver Apple Remote (notice the name change). The first-gen Apple TV bundle shipped with a bulky white remote also called the Apple Remote.

    Apple TV 4K

    Apple TV 4K remote

    The Apple TV Remote (or Siri Remote) is designed to automatically pair with your Apple TV 4K without any action on your part. It’s as plug-and-play as you can get. However, nothing’s perfect, not even Apple’s gadgets.

    Check the charge

    Apple TV Settings Select Remote

    If the Apple TV unit won’t turn on when you press down on the remote’s Menu or Home buttons, be sure the remote doesn’t need to be recharged. The remote itself doesn’t have a battery-level indicator, so you may have missed the low-battery pop-up on the screen.

    Apple’s remote uses that pesky Lightning to USB-A cable — hopefully, you didn’t accidentally toss it when you upgraded to an iPhone with USB-C (guilty). Plug it in using a USB-A wall charger for at least 30 minutes, and try using the remote to turn on the Apple TV unit again.

    Remember, you can always check the remote’s battery level in the Apple TV settings:

    Step 1: Select and press down on the Touch Surface to open the Settings app.

    Step 2: Select Remotes and Devices.

    Here you can see a battery icon displayed under Remote, as shown above. However, you can get the actual percentage after completing step 3.

    Step 3: Select Remote.

    Pair the remote again

    If the problem isn’t just a dead remote, pair it again manually. Here’s how:

    Step 1: Check that your Apple TV has power.

    You should see a small white LED illuminated on the front. If it’s not, unplug the power cable, wait six seconds, and then plug it back in. You should now see a shining white LED.

    Step 2: Make sure your TV is turned on, set to the correct HDMI port, and displaying the Apple TV home screen.

    Step 3: Stand at least 3 inches away from the Apple TV unit, point the remote toward the TV, and then press and hold the Menu and Volume Up (+) buttons for five seconds.

    Step 4: If prompted, place the remote on top of the Apple TV device.

    You should see a message confirming that your Apple TV remote was successfully paired. If you don’t, and if the Apple TV still doesn’t respond to button presses, move to the next step.

    Step 5: Unplug the Apple TV unit, wait six seconds, and then plug it back in (this is a hard reboot).

    Step 6: Repeat steps 2 to 4.

    If after trying all of these steps, your Apple TV remote still won’t control your Apple TV, it could be defective. Unfortunately, this means calling Apple support and/or heading over to your nearest Apple Store.

    Apple TV HD (fourth generation)

    Apple TV HD remote

    The previous-gen remote for the Apple TV HD is nearly identical to the one that ships with the Apple 4K TV unit. Again, the only obvious differentiator is that it doesn’t have a white ring around the Menu button. However, the instructions for pairing the remote are exactly the same.

    Apple TV (third generation)

    apple-tv-2012-remote

    The third-generation Apple TV packs an aluminum Apple Remote with a non-rechargeable coin-cell battery.

    Replace the battery

    Try this before doing anything else. You’ll need a CR2032 or BR2032 lithium 3V battery, depending on what was originally installed in the remote.

    Step 1: Flip the remote over.

    Step 2: Use a coin to turn the battery compartment’s lid counterclockwise until it opens.

    Step 3: Remove the old battery.

    Step 4: Place the new battery within the compartment, printed side (positive) facing up.

    Step 5: Replace the compartment lid.

    If this didn’t work, move on to the next section.

    Pair the remote again

    Step 1: Check that your Apple TV has power.

    You should see a small white LED illuminated on the front. If it’s not, unplug the power cable, wait six seconds, and then plug it back in. You should now see a shining white LED.

    Step 2: Make sure your TV is turned on, set to the correct HDMI port, and displaying the Apple TV home screen.

    Step 3: Point the remote toward the Apple TV unit and then press and hold the Menu and Left buttons for six seconds. You should see an on-screen confirmation that the remote has been unlinked.

    Step 4: To link the Apple Remote, press and hold the Menu and Right buttons for six seconds.

    You should see an on-screen confirmation that the remote has been linked. If you don’t, and if the Apple TV still doesn’t respond to button presses on the remote, move to the next step.

    Step 5: Unplug the Apple TV, wait six seconds, and then plug it back in.

    Step 6: Repeat steps 2 to 4.

    Again, if none of these steps help, your Apple remote might be beyond help. A new one can be ordered online or purchased at an Apple Store.

    Apple TV (second generation)

    The second-gen Apple TV uses the same silver Apple Remote as the third-gen Apple TV unit. Follow the same instructions as above.

    Apple TV (first generation)

    Apple TV 1st Gen Remote

    The original Apple TV shipped with a wide, white plastic Apple Remote. As shown above, the Play/Pause button resides within the directional pad, while the Menu button sits below them both. The process for removing and adding this remote is the same as the Apple TV second- and third-generation aluminum remotes.

    Use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

    If you lost the remote or it’s deader than dead, you can always default to the Apple TV Remote controls in the Control Center. The company added this functionality in iOS 11 but didn’t discontinue the TV Remote app until October 2020. To access these controls, do the following:

    Step 1: Swipe Down from the top-right where the LTE, Wi-Fi, and Battery icons reside.

    Step 2: Tap the Remote icon displayed in the Control Center.

    Step 3: When the Apple TV Remote controls open on the screen, be sure your Apple TV device is listed at the top. If you have more than one, tap the currently listed model and select the target device on the drop-down menu. All devices must be connected to the same local network.

    Step 4: If this is the first-time use, follow the instructions to enter the provided four-digit passcode to pair the Apple TV device with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

    Add Apple TV Remote to the Control Center

    If you don’t see these controls on your device, do the following:

    Step 1: Tap to open the Settings app.

    Step 2: Tap Control Center.

    Step 3: Tap Customize Controls (if shown).

    Step 4: Tap the green Plus button next to Apple TV Remote listed under More Controls.

    Configure a universal remote

    Apple TV Settings Learn Remote

    Not interested in buying a replacement Apple Remote? You can control your Apple TV from almost any existing infrared remote control. The only catch is that you’ll need a working Apple Remote, an iPhone, an iPad, or an iPod Touch to get you into the Apple TV’s settings.

    Here’s where to add a third-party remote:

    Step 1: Select and press down on the Touch Surface to open the Settings app.

    Step 2: Select Remotes and Devices.

    Step 3: Select Learn Remote.

    Step 4: Select Start to begin and follow the instructions.

    harmony-665

    If you own one of Logitech’s Harmony line of universal remotes, you can download the remote codes for Apple TV without needing to use the Learn Remote function.

    Editors’ Recommendations








    Source link