How to pair an Apple TV remote

Your Apple TV remote connects to your Apple TV box or compatible device through Bluetooth, which means it needs to be paired once before it will work. The pairing process takes about a minute and works the same way whether you have a Siri Remote, an older aluminum remote, or the newer black remote with a clickpad.

Start by making sure your Apple TV is powered on and you can see the home screen. Hold your remote about 6 inches from the front of the Apple TV box. Press and hold the Menu and Volume Up buttons at the same time for about 5 seconds until you see a pairing message appear on your TV screen. The remote will vibrate slightly when pairing is complete, and you should see a checkmark on the screen.

If nothing happens after 5 seconds, try moving closer to the Apple TV and try again. Sometimes the remote's battery is too low to pair — if you suspect this, plug the remote into a USB-C or Lightning cable for 30 minutes and try pairing again.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold Menu and Volume Up together for 5 seconds while pointing the remote at your Apple TV from about 6 inches away.
  • You will see a pairing message on your TV screen and feel a vibration when the connection is successful.
  • If pairing fails, charge the remote for 30 minutes using a USB-C or Lightning cable, depending on your remote model.
  • Once paired, your remote will reconnect automatically each time you turn on your Apple TV.
  • You can pair the same remote to multiple Apple TV devices by repeating the pairing steps on each one.

What to do if your remote won't pair

The most common reason a remote won't pair is a dead or nearly dead battery. Plug your remote into a power source using the correct cable — Siri Remotes and newer models use USB-C, while older aluminum remotes use a Lightning connector. Leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes, then try pairing again.

If the battery is not the problem, restart your Apple TV. Unplug the power cable from the back of the box, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Once the home screen appears, try pairing your remote again using the Menu and Volume Up button combination.

Make sure nothing is blocking the path between your remote and the Apple TV. Bluetooth signals can pass through some obstacles, but a clear line of sight works best. Move any large objects away from the front of your Apple TV and try pairing from directly in front of the box rather than from the side.

Pairing a remote to a different Apple TV

If you have more than one Apple TV in your home, you can pair the same remote to each device. The process is identical — just move to the second Apple TV, make sure it is powered on, and repeat the Menu and Volume Up button hold for 5 seconds.

Your remote will remember all the Apple TV devices it has been paired with. When you point it at a specific Apple TV and press a button, it will automatically connect to that device. You do not need to unpair it from the first Apple TV before pairing it to the second one.

Charging your remote so it stays paired

A remote with a dead battery will not pair, and a remote that loses power during use will disconnect. Check your remote model to know which charging cable to use. Siri Remotes (the white ones with a clickpad) and the newer black Siri Remote both use USB-C. The older aluminum remote uses a Lightning connector.

Plug your remote in for at least 30 minutes before you expect to use it. Most remotes will hold a charge for several weeks of normal use, so you should not need to charge it more than once a month. If your remote is losing charge very quickly, the battery may be failing and the remote may need to be replaced.

Using your remote after it is paired

Once your remote is paired, it will reconnect to your Apple TV automatically when you press any button. You do not need to pair it again unless you reset your Apple TV to factory settings or you want to use the remote with a different Apple TV.

Point the remote at your Apple TV when using it, just as you would with any infrared remote, even though Bluetooth works at longer distances and through some obstacles. The clickpad on newer Siri Remotes controls navigation — swipe up, down, left, or right to move through menus, and press the center to select. The Menu button takes you back one screen, and the TV button takes you to the home screen from anywhere.

Resetting your remote if pairing fails repeatedly

If you have tried charging the remote, restarting your Apple TV, and pairing from a clear line of sight and nothing works, you can reset the remote itself. The reset process differs by remote model.

For a Siri Remote with a clickpad, hold down the Menu and Back buttons together for about 10 seconds. You will see the light on the remote blink, which means the reset is working. Release the buttons and wait a few seconds, then try pairing again.

For an older aluminum remote, hold the Menu and Left arrow buttons together for 6 seconds until the light blinks. For the newer black Siri Remote, hold Menu and Volume Down together for 10 seconds. After the reset, charge the remote for 30 minutes and attempt pairing one more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iPhone or iPad as an Apple TV remote?

Yes. Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, tap the Remote icon, and select your Apple TV from the list. This works over Wi-Fi and does not require Bluetooth pairing. You can use both your physical remote and your phone at the same time.

What if I lost my remote and need a replacement?

You can purchase a replacement Siri Remote from Apple or from electronics retailers. When you receive it, charge it for 30 minutes, then pair it to your Apple TV using the Menu and Volume Up button hold. You do not need to do anything special to remove the old remote first.

Why does my remote keep disconnecting from my Apple TV?

A remote that disconnects frequently usually has a low battery. Charge it for at least 30 minutes. If disconnections continue after charging, try resetting the remote and pairing it again. If the problem persists, the remote's battery may be failing and replacement may be necessary.

Do I need to pair my remote every time I turn on my Apple TV?

No. Once paired, your remote will reconnect automatically whenever you press a button. You only pair once, unless you reset your Apple TV or want to use the remote with a different device.

Can I pair a third-party remote to my Apple TV?

Some third-party remotes work with Apple TV, but the pairing process may differ. Check the instructions that came with your third-party remote. Apple TV officially supports Apple remotes and some universal remotes, but not all brands are compatible.