When you set up a new Apple TV and power up the set-top box, the Apple Remote that comes in the box should pair automatically as soon as you press one of the buttons. If the Apple Remote stops working, it's probably out of juice and needs charging for 30 minutes via a USB to Lightning cable connected to a USB outlet.

apple tv siri remote charging
But if that doesn't fix the problem, your best bet is to re-pair the device with your Apple TV. This article shows you how. The following instructions will also come in useful if you need to pair a new replacement Apple Remote in the event that the one that came with your Apple TV stops working completely or is damaged beyond repair.

In addition, at the end of this article we've included a quick tip for pairing your Mac with an Apple TV Remote, for controlling things like iTunes, VLC, and Keynote.

How to Pair an Apple Remote with Apple TV

  1. Make sure your Apple TV is powered on.
  2. Point the Apple Remote three inches away from the set-top box, then press and hold the remote's Menu and Volume Up buttons for five seconds.
    apple tv remote pair

  3. If you see a notification on your television screen asking you to bring the Apple Remote closer, place the Remote on top of the Apple TV.
  4. If you don't see Remote connected notification on the television screen, unplug your Apple TV from the wall power outlet, wait at least six seconds, then plug it back in.
  5. If necessary, repeat steps 1 to 3.

How to Control Your Mac With an Apple Remote.

Apple used to include a small white or silver infrared remote control with some Macs, which allowed Mac users to control things like Keynote presentations and iTunes media from afar.
apple tv remotes first second gen
When newer Macs no longer included an IR receiver (indicated by a black line of the front edge of the body) Apple stopped including these remotes, but Apple TV owners can optionally use their Apple TV Remote to control their Mac, thanks to a free third-party Bluetooth macOS utility called SiriMote by Eternal Storms Software.

SiriMote isn't available in the App Store, but you can download it directly from the Eternal Storms website [Direct Link]. After downloading SiriMote, drag it from your Downloads folder to your Applications folder, then launch the app and follow the onscreen instructions to pair your Apple Remote with your Mac.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Top Rated Comments

iapplelove Avatar
81 months ago
I would buy an Apple TV in a heartbeat, if the remote was actually decent.
I just use my phone.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
81 months ago
No.

I came to that conclusion based on your posts. You hate everything.
You must of missed this one, it was right under the one you quoted:

This is true, the Apple TV can use just about any IR remote using the Remote Learning feature that a lot of people do not know about.

The Remote Learning feature has been around for over a decade, but many people, including long time ATV users did not know it was there.

It is in the settings, and the Remote Learning feature is really easy to use, and takes less than 30 seconds to do.

Also, I have not found a IR remote that would not work with it. I was even able to use my space heater IR remote and my Roomba remote to control an ATV.
It doesn't look like I stated I hated the Remote Learning feature, actually it would seem I quite like it. Looks like you are wrong about me.

Never had to "learn" or program anything, it just worked from day 1.
This is a great solution if everything is compatible. I have a series 6 TCL that it doesn't work.

One good thing about the Remote Learning feature is that you can use any IR remote, including old universal remotes that have all the playback buttons that most modern remotes do not have, like Skip, Step, FF, RW.... It makes it very useful when watching videos.

One thing that it obviously does not do for older remotes, but might for modern universal remotes with a Mic is do Siri. Does anyone know if this works?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
81 months ago
You came to that conclusion because I prefer physical buttons over a touch screen?
No.

I came to that conclusion based on your posts. You hate everything.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martyjmclean Avatar
81 months ago
I would buy an Apple TV in a heartbeat, if the remote was actually decent.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
81 months ago
Well, the black line was only on certain laptops (unibody aluminium MacBooks and Pros, and on the first Air body style). Non-unibody MacBooks has a pill shaped one and non-unibody MacBook Pros as well as Mac minis had round ones. iMacs had them hidden in the Apple logos. The silver remotes were never included with any Mac (though they were designed to match the new iMacs released at the same time (the first 21 and 27 inch models in 2009). The white remotes were indeed included with some Macs (starting with late 2005 iMac G5 with iSight camera). The remote was also designed to match it, and could magnetically stick to the side. The remote was subsequently also included with all Macs that had IR ports until they were no longer included with early 2008 models (or possibly even some late 2007 models).
Thanks, I was wondering what Macs had IR. It looks like more than I thought.
[doublepost=1545235646][/doublepost]
[doublepost=1545211978][/doublepost]how can you say, he hates everything. ('https://wiseshopping.in/semi-automatic-washing-machine/')
I am not sure how @iapplelove came to this conclusion, I guess they took a peek at my posting history.

Although, I am sure that for every post of mine stating my dislike for something, there is one or more post about something that I enjoy.

Maybe it was just a knee jerk reaction to someone disliking something that they like.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...
macbook air blue

Gurman: M4 MacBook Air Models to Launch by March 'At the Latest'

Monday February 17, 2025 2:30 am PST by
Apple will begin selling new MacBook Air models featuring its latest M4 chip by March "at the latest," mirroring the time frame of the M3 MacBook Air launch last year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple last updated the MacBook Air line in March 2024. Gurman's comments appeared in his latest Power On newsletter, suggesting the reporter is no further forward on learning the exact...
iPhone 17 Air Front Page Tech 2

'iPhone 17 Air' With Ultra-Thin Design Allegedly Revealed in New Video

Monday February 17, 2025 6:53 pm PST by
YouTube channel Front Page Tech today revealed the alleged design of Apple's widely-rumored "iPhone 17 Air" model, set to launch later this year. "iPhone 17 Air" render created by @zellzoi for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech shared renders depicting what it believes is likely the final design of the "iPhone 17 Air." The device is expected to feature an ultra-thin...