The simplest way to turn off your TV with the Apple TV remote
The Apple TV remote does not have a dedicated power button for your television. Instead, you control your TV's power through the Control Center on your Apple TV device itself, or by using the remote to navigate to your TV's settings within tvOS. The remote sends commands to the Apple TV box, which then communicates with your TV through HDMI-CEC (a technology that lets devices on the same HDMI cable talk to each other). If your TV supports HDMI-CEC and it is turned on, you can power down your television without reaching for a second remote.
The method you use depends on whether your TV is HDMI-CEC compatible and whether you have already set it up. Not all televisions support this feature, and some have it disabled by default.
Key Takeaways
- Your Apple TV remote controls the TV's power only if your television supports HDMI-CEC and you have enabled it in both the TV and Apple TV settings.
- You can turn off your TV by opening Control Center on Apple TV (swipe down from the top of the screen with Siri Remote), then selecting your TV from the list of devices.
- If HDMI-CEC is not working, check that your TV has the feature enabled in its own settings menu—it may be called CEC, HDMI Link, Anynet+, or EasyLink depending on the brand.
- Without HDMI-CEC support, you will need to use your TV's original remote or a universal remote to power it off.
Using Control Center to power off your TV
The fastest way to turn off your TV is through the Control Center on your Apple TV. Press and hold the Menu button on your Siri Remote (the button with three horizontal lines at the top of the remote). This opens Control Center at the top of your screen.
Look for a tile showing your television's name or a TV icon. Tap it to open the TV controls. You should see a power icon—tap it to send the power-off command to your TV. This works only if your TV has HDMI-CEC enabled and is properly connected to your Apple TV via HDMI.
If you do not see your TV listed in Control Center, your television either does not support HDMI-CEC, has it turned off, or is not properly detected by your Apple TV. Move to the next section to troubleshoot.
Check if your TV supports HDMI-CEC
HDMI-CEC is the technology that allows your Apple TV remote to control your TV's power. Not every television has this feature, and many that do have it disabled in the factory settings. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to see if it supports CEC. The feature goes by different names depending on the manufacturer: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it HDMI-CEC, Sony calls it BRAVIA Sync, Panasonic calls it HDMI Link, and Philips calls it EasyLink.
To enable HDMI-CEC on your TV, go into the TV's settings menu (usually accessed with the TV's own remote), look for the CEC option under HDMI or External Input settings, and turn it on. The exact path varies by brand and model. Once you have enabled it on your TV, restart both your TV and Apple TV by unplugging them for 10 seconds, then plugging them back in.
If your TV does not have HDMI-CEC or you cannot find the setting, you will need to use your TV's original remote or a universal remote to turn it off. Apple TV cannot control the power of televisions without this feature.
Make sure Apple TV has HDMI-CEC enabled
Your Apple TV also needs to have HDMI-CEC turned on in its own settings. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Control TVs and Receivers. Make sure this toggle is switched on. This tells your Apple TV to send power commands to your TV when you use the remote.
If this setting is already on but your TV still is not responding, try toggling it off and back on again. Then restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart.
Use HomeKit to control your TV remotely
If you have set up HomeKit on your Apple TV, you can turn off your TV from anywhere using the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Open the Home app, find your TV in the list of accessories, and tap the power icon to turn it off. This works even when you are away from home, as long as you have a HomeKit hub set up (an Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini).
To set this up, make sure your TV is already controllable through HDMI-CEC, then open the Home app and add your TV as an accessory. Your Apple TV will detect it automatically if it is on the same network and HDMI-CEC is working.
What to do if the remote is not working
If your Apple TV remote is not responding at all, the batteries may be dead. The Siri Remote uses a rechargeable battery that you charge with a USB-C cable. Plug it in for at least 30 minutes, then try again. You can check the battery level by opening Control Center and looking at the remote's battery indicator.
If the remote has power but still is not controlling your TV, unpair and re-pair it with your Apple TV. Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remotes, select your remote, and choose Unpair. Then hold the remote close to your Apple TV and press and hold the Menu and Back buttons together until you see a pairing prompt on your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Apple TV remote to turn off any TV?
No. Your TV must support HDMI-CEC and have it enabled. If your TV does not have this feature or it is turned off, the Apple TV remote cannot control its power. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm HDMI-CEC is available and switched on.
What if my TV turns off but then turns back on by itself?
This usually means your TV has a setting that automatically powers it back on when it detects an HDMI signal. Go into your TV's settings and look for options like "Auto Power On" or "HDMI Auto Power On," then disable them. The exact name and location depend on your TV brand.
Do I need a special remote to control my TV with Apple TV?
No. The standard Siri Remote that comes with Apple TV is all you need, as long as your TV supports HDMI-CEC. You do not need to buy anything extra or set up a universal remote.
Why does Control Center not show my TV?
Your TV is not appearing because HDMI-CEC is either disabled on your TV, disabled on your Apple TV, or your TV is not properly connected via HDMI. Check both devices' settings, make sure the HDMI cable is plugged in firmly, and restart both devices. If it still does not appear, your TV may not support HDMI-CEC.