When you set up a new Apple TV and power up the set-top box, the Apple Remote that comes in the box should pair automatically as soon as you press one of the buttons. If the Apple Remote stops working, it's probably out of juice and needs charging for 30 minutes via a USB to Lightning cable connected to a USB outlet.

apple tv siri remote charging
But if that doesn't fix the problem, your best bet is to re-pair the device with your Apple TV. This article shows you how. The following instructions will also come in useful if you need to pair a new replacement Apple Remote in the event that the one that came with your Apple TV stops working completely or is damaged beyond repair.

In addition, at the end of this article we've included a quick tip for pairing your Mac with an Apple TV Remote, for controlling things like iTunes, VLC, and Keynote.

How to Pair an Apple Remote with Apple TV

  1. Make sure your Apple TV is powered on.
  2. Point the Apple Remote three inches away from the set-top box, then press and hold the remote's Menu and Volume Up buttons for five seconds.
    apple tv remote pair

  3. If you see a notification on your television screen asking you to bring the Apple Remote closer, place the Remote on top of the Apple TV.
  4. If you don't see Remote connected notification on the television screen, unplug your Apple TV from the wall power outlet, wait at least six seconds, then plug it back in.
  5. If necessary, repeat steps 1 to 3.

How to Control Your Mac With an Apple Remote.

Apple used to include a small white or silver infrared remote control with some Macs, which allowed Mac users to control things like Keynote presentations and iTunes media from afar.
apple tv remotes first second gen
When newer Macs no longer included an IR receiver (indicated by a black line of the front edge of the body) Apple stopped including these remotes, but Apple TV owners can optionally use their Apple TV Remote to control their Mac, thanks to a free third-party Bluetooth macOS utility called SiriMote by Eternal Storms Software.

SiriMote isn't available in the App Store, but you can download it directly from the Eternal Storms website [Direct Link]. After downloading SiriMote, drag it from your Downloads folder to your Applications folder, then launch the app and follow the onscreen instructions to pair your Apple Remote with your Mac.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Top Rated Comments

iapplelove Avatar
73 months ago
I would buy an Apple TV in a heartbeat, if the remote was actually decent.
I just use my phone.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
73 months ago
No.

I came to that conclusion based on your posts. You hate everything.
You must of missed this one, it was right under the one you quoted:

This is true, the Apple TV can use just about any IR remote using the Remote Learning feature that a lot of people do not know about.

The Remote Learning feature has been around for over a decade, but many people, including long time ATV users did not know it was there.

It is in the settings, and the Remote Learning feature is really easy to use, and takes less than 30 seconds to do.

Also, I have not found a IR remote that would not work with it. I was even able to use my space heater IR remote and my Roomba remote to control an ATV.
It doesn't look like I stated I hated the Remote Learning feature, actually it would seem I quite like it. Looks like you are wrong about me.

Never had to "learn" or program anything, it just worked from day 1.
This is a great solution if everything is compatible. I have a series 6 TCL that it doesn't work.

One good thing about the Remote Learning feature is that you can use any IR remote, including old universal remotes that have all the playback buttons that most modern remotes do not have, like Skip, Step, FF, RW.... It makes it very useful when watching videos.

One thing that it obviously does not do for older remotes, but might for modern universal remotes with a Mic is do Siri. Does anyone know if this works?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
73 months ago
You came to that conclusion because I prefer physical buttons over a touch screen?
No.

I came to that conclusion based on your posts. You hate everything.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martyjmclean Avatar
73 months ago
I would buy an Apple TV in a heartbeat, if the remote was actually decent.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
73 months ago
Well, the black line was only on certain laptops (unibody aluminium MacBooks and Pros, and on the first Air body style). Non-unibody MacBooks has a pill shaped one and non-unibody MacBook Pros as well as Mac minis had round ones. iMacs had them hidden in the Apple logos. The silver remotes were never included with any Mac (though they were designed to match the new iMacs released at the same time (the first 21 and 27 inch models in 2009). The white remotes were indeed included with some Macs (starting with late 2005 iMac G5 with iSight camera). The remote was also designed to match it, and could magnetically stick to the side. The remote was subsequently also included with all Macs that had IR ports until they were no longer included with early 2008 models (or possibly even some late 2007 models).
Thanks, I was wondering what Macs had IR. It looks like more than I thought.
[doublepost=1545235646][/doublepost]
[doublepost=1545211978][/doublepost]how can you say, he hates everything. ('https://wiseshopping.in/semi-automatic-washing-machine/')
I am not sure how @iapplelove came to this conclusion, I guess they took a peek at my posting history.

Although, I am sure that for every post of mine stating my dislike for something, there is one or more post about something that I enjoy.

Maybe it was just a knee jerk reaction to someone disliking something that they like.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years

Monday July 22, 2024 4:02 pm PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. New 'Slim' Design Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4

Tuesday July 23, 2024 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Monday July 22, 2024 7:22 am PDT by
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous ...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...