The fastest way to pair your remote
Your new Apple TV remote pairs automatically to your Apple TV box when you hold it near the device for a few seconds. You do not need to enter codes or visit a settings menu. Hold the remote about six inches from the front of your Apple TV, point it at the device, and wait. The pairing light on the remote will blink, then stop. That means it is paired.
If automatic pairing does not work, your remote may have arrived unpaired or the battery may be dead. Charge the remote by connecting the USB-C cable that came in the box to the port on the bottom. Let it charge for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing again by holding it near the Apple TV.
Once paired, the remote will control your Apple TV from across the room. You do not need to point it directly at the device the way older infrared remotes required. The pairing stays active until you deliberately unpair the remote or set up a new one.
Key Takeaways
- New Apple TV remotes pair automatically by holding them near the Apple TV box for a few seconds — no codes or menus required.
- If pairing fails, charge the remote with the included USB-C cable for at least 15 minutes and try again.
- Once paired, the remote works from anywhere in the room without pointing at the device, unlike older infrared remotes.
- You can unpair a remote and pair a different one by holding the new remote near the Apple TV until the pairing light stops blinking.
- The Siri button on the remote lets you search for shows and control playback by voice without opening the remote app.
What to do if your remote will not pair
If the pairing light keeps blinking after 30 seconds, move the remote closer to the Apple TV and try again. The remote needs to be within a few feet of the device to establish the connection. If you are too far away, the pairing will not complete.
Check that your Apple TV is powered on and connected to the internet. A remote cannot pair to an Apple TV that is in sleep mode or offline. Press the power button on your Apple TV directly, or unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in to restart it, then try pairing the remote again.
If the battery is completely dead, the remote will not pair no matter how close you hold it. Plug the USB-C cable into the remote and into a power adapter or computer, and charge for at least 30 minutes. You can use the remote while it charges. Once it has power, hold it near the Apple TV again.
Using the Siri button to control your Apple TV
The Siri button is the microphone icon at the top of your remote. Press and hold it to speak commands like "show me action movies" or "play The Office." Release the button when you finish speaking. Siri will search for what you asked and show results on your screen.
You can also use Siri to control playback. Say "pause," "play," "skip forward," or "go back 15 seconds" while watching a show. Siri understands these commands without you having to open an app or navigate menus. The remote sends your voice to Apple TV over the same wireless connection that lets it control the device.
Pairing a second remote or replacing an old one
If you want to use a second remote with the same Apple TV, hold the new remote near the device for a few seconds just as you did with the first one. Your Apple TV can pair with multiple remotes at once. All paired remotes will control the same device.
To replace an old remote with a new one, pair the new remote using the same method. The old remote will still work unless you unpair it. If you want to stop using the old remote, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Remotes and Devices, then Bluetooth, and choose the old remote from the list. Select Forget This Remote to unpair it.
If you have lost an old remote and cannot unpair it through the menu, you can reset your Apple TV to factory settings. This will unpair all remotes. Go to Settings, select System, then Reset, and choose Reset All Settings. You will need to set up your Apple TV again and pair your new remote from the start.
Charging your remote and checking the battery
Apple TV remotes use a built-in rechargeable battery, not replaceable batteries. The USB-C port is on the bottom of the remote. Use the cable that came in the box, or any standard USB-C cable, to charge it from a power adapter, computer, or wall outlet.
A full charge takes about two hours and lasts for several weeks of normal use. You do not have to wait for the battery to die before charging. You can charge the remote while using it.
To check the battery level, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Remotes and Devices, then select your remote from the list. The battery percentage will appear on the screen. If the battery is below 20 percent, charge the remote soon to avoid it shutting down during use.
Troubleshooting when the remote stops responding
If your remote stops responding during use, the battery may be low. Charge it with the USB-C cable. If it still does not work after charging, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.
If restarting does not fix it, unpair and repair the remote. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Remotes and Devices, then Bluetooth. Find your remote in the list and select Forget This Remote. Then hold the remote near the Apple TV again to pair it fresh.
If the remote still does not work after repairing, there may be a hardware problem. Check the Apple TV support page or contact Apple Support for repair options. Do not try to open the remote or replace internal parts yourself.
Using the remote app on your phone as a backup
You can control your Apple TV from your iPhone or iPad using the Apple TV Remote app, which is built into the Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone (or up from the bottom on older models), then tap the remote icon. Your phone will connect to the Apple TV over Wi-Fi.
The phone remote works the same way as the physical remote — you can navigate menus, play and pause, and use Siri by tapping the microphone. This is useful if your physical remote is lost, charging, or not responding. The phone remote does not require pairing; it connects automatically if your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my remote every time I use it?
No. Once paired, the remote stays paired to your Apple TV until you unpair it or set up a new one. You can turn the remote off and on, charge it, and use it again without repeating the pairing process.
Can I use an older Apple TV remote with a newer Apple TV?
It depends on the model. Older infrared remotes do not work with newer Apple TV boxes that use Bluetooth. If you have an older remote, you will need to buy a new one that matches your Apple TV model. Check the Apple TV support page to confirm which remotes work with your device.
What if I lose my remote?
You can control your Apple TV from your iPhone or iPad using the built-in Remote app in Control Center. This works over Wi-Fi and does not require pairing. You can also buy a replacement remote from Apple or a third-party seller and pair it the same way you paired the first one.
Why does my remote keep disconnecting?
This usually means the battery is low or your Apple TV is too far from the remote. Charge the remote and move closer to the Apple TV. If disconnections continue, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then unpair and repair the remote through Settings.
Can I use the same remote with multiple Apple TVs?
No. A remote pairs to one Apple TV at a time. To use it with a different Apple TV, you must unpair it from the first device and pair it to the second one. You will need separate remotes if you want to control multiple Apple TVs at the same time.