Connect your Anki remote using Bluetooth in System Settings
To connect an Anki remote to your Mac, you put the remote into pairing mode, then add it through your Mac's Bluetooth settings. The whole process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you have an Anki Overdrive remote, Anki Cozmo controller, or another Anki device remote.
Your Mac needs to be running macOS 10.12 or later, and the remote needs fresh batteries or a full charge. Once connected, the remote will stay paired to your Mac until you manually remove it or reset the remote itself.
Key Takeaways
- Put your Anki remote into pairing mode by holding the power button for 5 to 10 seconds until the light blinks rapidly.
- Open System Settings on your Mac, go to Bluetooth, and wait for your remote to appear in the list of available devices.
- Click the remote name and confirm the pairing code if your Mac displays one.
- If pairing fails, restart both the remote and your Mac's Bluetooth, then try again.
Put the remote into pairing mode
Before your Mac can see the remote, you need to wake it up and tell it to look for a new device. Hold down the power button on your Anki remote for 5 to 10 seconds. The light on the remote will start blinking rapidly — usually a blue or white flash — which means it is now in pairing mode and broadcasting to nearby devices.
If the light does not blink, the remote may be out of battery. Plug it in to charge or replace the batteries, wait 30 seconds, and try again. Some Anki remotes have a small reset button on the back; if the remote still will not enter pairing mode, press and hold that reset button for 3 seconds, then try the power button again.
Open Bluetooth settings on your Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (on macOS Monterey and earlier). The name changed between versions, but both open the same settings panel.
In System Settings or System Preferences, look for Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left. Click it to open the Bluetooth panel. Your Mac will automatically start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices — you should see a list of available devices appear within a few seconds.
Select your Anki remote and complete pairing
Look for your Anki remote in the list of available devices. It will usually show up with a name like "Anki Remote," "Overdrive Remote," or "Cozmo Controller," depending on which Anki product you own. Click on the remote name to start pairing.
Your Mac may display a pairing code and ask you to confirm it matches the code shown on the remote itself. If you see this prompt, look at your remote's screen or light pattern and confirm the numbers match, then click Pair or Connect. If no code appears on your remote, just click Pair on your Mac. The connection should complete in a few seconds, and the remote will move from the "Available Devices" list to the "Connected" section.
What to do if the remote will not pair
If your remote does not appear in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, turn off Bluetooth on your Mac entirely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This resets your Mac's Bluetooth radio. Put the remote back into pairing mode by holding the power button again, and try the connection a second time.
If the remote appears but pairing fails with an error message, the batteries may be too low. Even if the remote powers on, weak batteries can prevent pairing. Replace the batteries or charge the remote fully, then try again. If you still have trouble after a fresh battery, restart your Mac entirely and repeat the pairing steps from the beginning.
Disconnect or forget the remote later
Once your remote is paired, it will reconnect to your Mac automatically when you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth is enabled. If you want to disconnect it temporarily, turn off the remote or disable Bluetooth on your Mac.
To remove the remote permanently so it no longer auto-connects, open Bluetooth settings, find the remote in the Connected list, click the X or Remove button next to it, and confirm. The remote will no longer appear in your Mac's Bluetooth list until you put it into pairing mode again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac not see the remote even though it is in pairing mode?
The remote may be out of range — Bluetooth typically works up to 30 feet, but walls and other devices can reduce that. Move the remote closer to your Mac, within 10 feet, and make sure the light is still blinking. If it stopped blinking, the remote timed out of pairing mode; hold the power button again for 5 to 10 seconds.
Can I connect the same remote to multiple Macs?
Yes, but only one at a time. The remote stays paired to whichever Mac you connected it to last. To switch it to a different Mac, put it into pairing mode again and pair it through that Mac's Bluetooth settings. It will disconnect from the previous Mac automatically.
What if the pairing code does not match?
Do not click Pair if the codes do not match. Cancel the attempt, put the remote back into pairing mode, and try again. A mismatch usually means the remote timed out or lost connection during pairing. If it happens repeatedly, restart both devices and try once more.
Will the remote work with other apps on my Mac after pairing?
That depends on the app. Most Anki remotes are designed to work with Anki's own software — Overdrive, Cozmo, or the Anki app. Other apps may not recognize the remote as a valid input device. Check the documentation for the app you want to use to see if it supports Anki remotes.