How to Program Your Apple TV Remote to Control Your TV and Other Devices

Program Your Apple TV Remote in Three Steps

Your Apple TV remote can control your television, soundbar, and other devices without switching remotes. To set this up, you hold the remote near your TV, open Settings on your Apple TV, go to Remotes and Devices, then select Remote, and follow the on-screen pairing steps. The remote learns your TV's brand during this process and stores the commands it needs to turn the TV on and off, adjust volume, and switch inputs.

The pairing process takes about two minutes. Your Apple TV will ask you to point the remote at your TV and press buttons while it listens for the infrared signals your TV responds to. Once pairing is complete, you can use a single remote for both your Apple TV and your television.

Key Takeaways

The Apple TV remote pairs with your TV through Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote, and the pairing process happens on your Apple TV screen with step-by-step instructions.
Your remote learns your TV's brand and stores the commands needed to control power, volume, and input without needing a separate TV remote.
If pairing fails, move closer to your TV, make sure nothing blocks the infrared path between the remote and TV, and try again.
You can control a soundbar or receiver the same way you control your TV, as long as the device responds to infrared signals.
Unpair a device by going back to Remotes and Devices, selecting the device name, and choosing the option to forget or remove it.

Where to Find the Remote Settings on Your Apple TV

Start at the Apple TV home screen. Press the Menu button on your remote to open the Control Center, or navigate to Settings using the touch surface on your remote. Once in Settings, scroll down and select Remotes and Devices.

Inside Remotes and Devices, you will see a list of any remotes already paired with your Apple TV. Select Remote to begin pairing a new one. If you are setting up your Apple TV for the first time, you may see a prompt to set up your remote automatically — you can follow that instead, or come back to this menu later.

The Pairing Process Step by Step

After you select Remote in the Remotes and Devices menu, your Apple TV will ask you to point the remote at your TV and press specific buttons. Start by holding the remote about 12 inches from your TV's infrared receiver — usually a small dark window on the front of the TV. Do not point it at an angle; aim straight at the TV.

Your Apple TV will tell you to press the power button. Press it once and hold it for about three seconds. Your Apple TV listens for the infrared signal your TV sends back. Repeat this for the volume up and volume down buttons when prompted. After each button press, wait for your Apple TV to confirm it heard the signal before moving to the next button.

Once your Apple TV has recorded the power and volume signals, it will ask you to select your TV's brand from a list. Scroll through the list and select the manufacturer — for example, Samsung, LG, Sony, or Vizio. If your TV is not on the list, select Other and your Apple TV will guide you through additional steps to learn your TV's signals manually.

When pairing is complete, test the remote by pressing the power button. Your TV should turn off. Press power again to turn it back on. If the TV does not respond, go back to Remotes and Devices and try pairing again, making sure the remote is pointed directly at the TV.

Pairing a Soundbar or Receiver

You can pair a soundbar, receiver, or amplifier to your Apple TV remote using the same process. Go to Remotes and Devices, select Remote, and follow the pairing steps. When your Apple TV asks for the device brand, scroll down past the TV manufacturers and look for audio device options. Select the brand of your soundbar or receiver.

If your soundbar or receiver is not listed, select Other and your Apple TV will ask you to teach it the volume commands manually. Point the remote at the device, press the volume up button, and wait for confirmation. Repeat for volume down. Some soundbars and receivers do not respond to infrared signals — check your device manual to confirm it has an infrared receiver before attempting to pair.

What to Do If Pairing Fails

If your TV does not respond during pairing, the most common cause is a blocked infrared path. Make sure nothing is between the remote and your TV — not a picture frame, a plant, or a piece of furniture. Move the remote closer to the TV, within 12 inches, and try again.

If your TV still does not respond, check that your TV's infrared receiver is not covered. Some TV models have the receiver on the side or back rather than the front. Consult your TV manual to locate it. If the receiver is on the back of your TV, you may not be able to pair the remote with your Apple TV in that location — move your Apple TV closer to the front of the TV temporarily to complete pairing.

If pairing continues to fail, your TV may not support infrared control, or your Apple TV remote may be defective. Try pairing with a different TV to test whether the remote works. If it does, your original TV may require a different control method — some newer smart TVs use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth instead of infrared. Check your TV manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm what control methods your model supports.

Unpairing a Remote or Device

To stop using a paired device, go to Remotes and Devices and select the device you want to remove — for example, your TV or soundbar. You will see an option to forget or remove the device. Select it, and your Apple TV will no longer control that device.

Unpairing does not erase any settings on your TV or soundbar. It only tells your Apple TV to stop sending commands to that device. You can pair the same device again at any time by returning to Remotes and Devices and following the pairing steps.

Controlling Multiple Devices with One Remote

Once you have paired your TV and soundbar, your Apple TV remote will control both. The volume buttons on the remote will adjust your soundbar volume if you have paired a soundbar, or your TV volume if you have not. The power button will turn off your TV.

If you want to control your soundbar volume separately from your TV volume, you will need to use your soundbar's own remote or app. The Apple TV remote can only send one set of volume commands at a time. Some soundbars allow you to choose whether they respond to TV volume commands or soundbar-only commands — check your soundbar manual to see if this option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair my Apple TV remote with a TV that does not have an infrared receiver?

No. The Apple TV remote uses infrared signals, which require your TV to have an infrared receiver. Newer smart TVs sometimes use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth instead. Check your TV manual to confirm it has infrared control. If it does not, you will need to use your TV's own remote or a universal remote that supports your TV's control method.

What if my TV brand is not on the list during pairing?

Select Other and your Apple TV will ask you to teach it your TV's commands manually. Point the remote at your TV and press the power button when prompted. Your Apple TV will listen for the infrared signal and store it. Repeat this for volume up and volume down. This process takes a few extra minutes but works with most TV brands.

Can I use the Apple TV remote to control my cable box or satellite receiver?

Yes, if your cable or satellite box has an infrared receiver. During pairing, select Other when your Apple TV asks for the device brand, and teach it the power and volume commands the same way you would for a TV. Some cable and satellite boxes use different infrared signals than TVs, so pairing may take longer.

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

No. Once you pair your remote with your TV, the pairing stays saved until you forget the device in Remotes and Devices. You can turn your Apple TV and TV on and off as many times as you want without re-pairing.

What should I do if my remote stops controlling my TV after pairing worked before?

First, check that nothing is blocking the infrared path between the remote and TV. Move closer to the TV and try again. If that does not work, go to Remotes and Devices, forget the TV, and pair it again. If the remote still does not work, the remote batteries may be low — replace them and try pairing once more.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.