The fastest way to pair a remote to Apple TV

Most Apple TV remotes pair automatically when you hold them near the device during setup. If you're adding a remote to an Apple TV that's already set up, or if automatic pairing didn't work, you can pair it manually by holding the remote close to the Apple TV and pressing and holding both the Menu and Down buttons together for about five seconds until you see a pairing message on your screen.

The exact steps depend on which Apple TV model and remote you have. The current Siri Remote (released in 2021 and later) pairs differently from the older aluminum remote. Both methods take less than a minute once you know which buttons to press.

Key Takeaways

  • The Siri Remote pairs by holding Menu and Down buttons together for five seconds near your Apple TV.
  • The older aluminum remote requires you to hold Menu and Right buttons together for about six seconds.
  • Your Apple TV must be powered on and you must be within a few feet of it for pairing to work.
  • If pairing fails, restart both the remote and the Apple TV, then try again.

Pairing the Siri Remote (2021 and newer)

The Siri Remote is the white remote with a clickpad at the top. To pair it, make sure your Apple TV is on and you're standing within a few feet of it. Hold the remote so it's pointing at the Apple TV.

Press and hold the Menu button and the Down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for about five seconds. You'll see a pairing animation on your TV screen — it looks like a small remote icon with lines radiating outward. Once the animation finishes, the remote is paired and ready to use.

If nothing appears on screen after five seconds, release the buttons and try again. Make sure the remote's battery isn't dead — if the remote is brand new, it comes with a battery already installed, but if it's been sitting unused, the battery may have drained.

Pairing the aluminum remote (older models)

The aluminum remote is the older style with physical buttons and a clickpad. If you're using this remote with an Apple TV that's already set up, hold it close to the device and press and hold the Menu button and the Right button together for about six seconds.

You'll see a pairing message appear on your TV screen. Once it does, release the buttons. The remote should now work with your Apple TV. This remote uses a different pairing method than the Siri Remote because it uses infrared rather than Bluetooth, so the timing and button combination are different.

What to do if the remote won't pair

If you've held the buttons for the full time and nothing happened, start by checking the remote's battery. For the Siri Remote, you can see the battery level in Settings on your Apple TV — go to Settings, then Remote and Devices, then Bluetooth. If the battery shows as low or critical, replace it with a fresh AA battery.

Next, restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. While it's restarting, remove the battery from the remote for 10 seconds, then put it back in. Once both devices are fully powered on again, try the pairing steps a second time, making sure you're within a few feet of the Apple TV.

If pairing still fails, try unpairing the remote first. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Remote and Devices, then Bluetooth, find the remote in the list, and choose Forget This Device. Then try pairing it again from the beginning.

Using a different remote with your Apple TV

You can pair multiple remotes to the same Apple TV. If you want to use a different remote — for example, if you have a Siri Remote and want to add an older aluminum remote — just follow the pairing steps for that remote type. Your Apple TV will remember both remotes and either one will work.

You can also use your iPhone or iPad as a remote by opening the Control Center and tapping the Remote icon, or by using the Apple TV app. This is useful if you've lost your physical remote, though it requires your phone to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.

Checking which remote you have

If you're not sure which remote you're holding, look at its shape and buttons. The Siri Remote is white and has a large clickpad at the top with a Menu button above it. The older aluminum remote is silver or black and has a row of physical buttons including Menu, Home, Play/Pause, and a clickpad below them.

You can also check in your Apple TV settings. Go to Settings, then Remote and Devices, then Bluetooth. Any paired remotes will show up in the list with their model name next to them. This is also where you can see the battery level of your Siri Remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Apple TV remote with other devices?

The Siri Remote can control other Apple devices like Mac, iPad, and HomePod if they're on the same Wi-Fi network, but it must be paired to your Apple TV first. The older aluminum remote only works with Apple TV. You cannot pair an Apple TV remote to a different brand of device.

Why does my remote keep disconnecting?

If your Siri Remote disconnects frequently, the battery may be low — check Settings on your Apple TV to see the battery level. If the battery is fine, try moving closer to the Apple TV, as Bluetooth range can be affected by walls or interference. Restarting both the remote and Apple TV often fixes disconnection issues.

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

No. Once a remote is paired, it stays paired until you unpair it or reset your Apple TV. You can turn the Apple TV off and on as many times as you want and the remote will still work without re-pairing.

What if I lost my remote entirely?

You can control your Apple TV using your iPhone or iPad through the Apple TV app or Control Center, or you can purchase a replacement remote from Apple. If you want to pair a new remote, follow the pairing steps above once you have it.