Pairing your remote takes less than a minute if the box is new
When you turn on a new Apple TV box for the first time, it will prompt you to pair the remote automatically. Hold the remote close to the box — within a few inches — and follow the on-screen instructions. The pairing happens over Bluetooth, and you will see a checkmark when it is complete. If your box is already set up, or if you are pairing a replacement remote, the process is nearly identical but you will start it manually instead of waiting for the prompt.
The remote does not need to be charged before pairing, though a low battery will sometimes prevent the connection from completing. If pairing fails, charge the remote for at least 15 minutes using the USB-C cable that came in the box, then try again.
Key Takeaways
- New Apple TV boxes prompt you to pair the remote on startup; hold the remote a few inches from the box and follow the on-screen steps.
- To pair a replacement remote to an already-set-up box, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, then hold the remote near the box until it appears in the list.
- A low or dead battery is the most common reason pairing fails; charge the remote for 15 minutes before trying again.
- You can pair multiple remotes to the same Apple TV box, and each one will work independently.
- If the remote still will not pair after charging, restart the Apple TV box by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
Pairing a remote to an already-set-up Apple TV
If your Apple TV box is already running and you need to pair a new or replacement remote, go to the home screen and open Settings. Navigate to Remotes and Devices, then select Bluetooth. The box will begin searching for nearby remotes.
Hold the new remote within a few inches of the Apple TV box. The remote should appear in the Bluetooth list within 10 to 15 seconds. Select it from the list, and the pairing will complete. You will see a confirmation message on screen.
Once pairing is done, you can use the remote when ready. There is no need to restart the box or perform any additional steps.
What to do if the remote will not pair
The most common reason a remote fails to pair is a low or dead battery. The remote uses a built-in rechargeable battery that charges via the USB-C port on the bottom. Connect the USB-C cable (included with the remote) to a power adapter and plug it in. Let it charge for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing again.
If the remote still will not pair after charging, restart the Apple TV box. Unplug the power cable from the back of the box, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once the box has restarted and returned to the home screen, go back to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and try pairing the remote again.
If pairing still fails after a restart and a full charge, the remote may have a hardware fault. Try pairing a different remote if you have one available. If no remote will pair, the issue may be with the Apple TV box itself, and you may need to contact Apple Support or check whether the box is still under warranty.
Pairing multiple remotes to one Apple TV box
You can pair more than one remote to the same Apple TV box. Each remote will work independently, and you do not need to unpair one before using another. This is useful if you have multiple people in your household or if you want a backup remote.
To pair a second remote, follow the same steps: go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, hold the new remote near the box, and select it from the list when it appears. The box will remember both remotes, and either one can control the Apple TV at any time.
Checking which remotes are paired to your Apple TV
You can see a list of all remotes paired to your Apple TV box by going to Settings > Remotes and Devices. This screen shows the name and battery level of each paired remote. If you want to remove a remote from the list, select it and choose the option to unpair or forget it.
Unpairing a remote does not erase any settings or data from the Apple TV box. It straightforward disconnects that remote so it will no longer control the box. You can pair it again later if you need to.
Charging your Apple TV remote
The Apple TV remote charges via USB-C, the same connector used by many phones and tablets. Use the cable that came with the remote, or any standard USB-C cable. Connect it to a power adapter rated for at least 5 watts — the adapter that came with your iPhone or iPad will work fine.
A full charge takes about two hours and lasts for several months of normal use. The remote will show a low battery warning on your Apple TV screen when the charge drops below 20 percent. At that point, you should charge it within the next few days to avoid the battery dying during use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Apple TV remote with other devices?
The Apple TV remote is designed specifically for Apple TV boxes and will not work with other devices like iPhones, iPads, or Mac computers. If you want to control your Apple TV from your phone, you can use the Control Center on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16.1 or later, or use the Apple TV app on a Mac.
What if I lost my Apple TV remote?
You can buy a replacement remote from Apple or from retailers that sell Apple products. Once you have the new remote, pair it using the steps above. In the meantime, you can control your Apple TV using the Control Center on an iPhone or iPad, or by using the Apple TV app on a Mac.
Do I need to unpair my old remote before pairing a new one?
No. You can pair a new remote without unpairing the old one. Both will work at the same time. If you want to remove the old remote from the list of paired devices, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices and select it, then choose the option to unpair it.
Why is my remote not responding after I pair it?
Make sure the remote is charged — a low battery can cause lag or unresponsiveness. If the battery is full, try restarting the Apple TV box by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the remote still does not respond, unpair it and pair it again. If only one remote is unresponsive while others work fine, that remote may have a hardware problem.