With the video-streaming wars in full effect, it’s imperative that you have a device capable of watching all of your favorite content. Apple TV is one such device, a great option for all your video streaming needs. As great as Apple TV is, it’s little more than a paperweight without the remote. Fortunately, even if you’ve lost your remote, you can still binge all your favorite content on your Apple TV.
Content
- Use Your iPhone to Find Your Apple TV Remote
- Apple TV Remote in Control Center
- Add Apple TV Remote to Control Center
- Use Your Apple Watch
- Reprogram an Old Remote
- Use a Bluetooth Keyboard
- Buy a New Apple TV Remote
Use Your iPhone to Find Your Apple TV Remote
Before you rush to replace your Apple TV remote, try finding it. We know what you’re thinking – you’ve probably already searched high and low for it and have turned to Make Tech Easier for other options. But did you utilize your iPhone in your search?
If your iPhone is running iOS 17 or later, and your Apple TV runs tvOS 17 or later, you can use your iPhone to ping your lost remote. This feature essentially turns your iPhone into a homing beacon.
Image source:
Apple
Open your iPhone’s Control Center. If you have an iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier or iOS 11 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Apple TV remote button. If you don’t see it, you’ll need to go to Settings to add it to Control Center. Instructions are provided later in this guide.
Tap on the device list, then tap Find. Follow the onscreen prompts to locate your lost remote. The circle graphic on your iPhone will grow larger, and the accompanying text will change from far to near when you get closer to your remote.
Note that if you have an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, you won’t be able to use this method.
Apple TV Remote in Control Center
If you can’t find your remote, don’t worry, you still have options. Chances are, if you own an Apple TV, you probably have other Apple devices, like an iPhone or iPad. Fortunately, the Control Center of your iOS device allows quick access to a variety of settings and controls, including a remote function for your Apple TV.
To use the Apple TV Remote function in Control Center, you must ensure that both your Apple TV and your iOS device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Tap on the button with the Apple Remote icon. Tap on your Apple TV from the device list. If prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to enter a four-digit passcode in the app. Unfortunately, the Apple TV Remote isn’t visible by default in Control Center on some iPhones and iPads. Don’t stress, though, as it’s easy to get it to appear.
Add Apple TV Remote to Control Center
On your iOS device, navigate to Settings -> Control Center -> Customize Controls. Scroll through the list of available controls until you find the one labeled Apple TV Remote. Tap on the + icon next to it to add the Apple TV Remote function to Control Center.
Use Your Apple Watch
You can control your Apple TV using your Apple Watch, provided both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. To do so, open the Remote app on your Apple Watch. Find your Apple TV from the list, and tap on it. If you don’t see it, search for it manually by tapping the + icon.
Jump over to your Apple TV, navigate to Settings -> Remotes and Devices -> Remote App and Devices, then select Apple Watch. You will see a four-digit passcode on your Apple Watch. Enter those numbers on your Apple TV, then use your Apple Watch to control your Apple TV.
Use the following controls on your Apple Watch to navigate your Apple TV:
- Swipe up, down, left and right to navigate the Apple TV menus.
- Tap the Apple Watch’s screen to select the highlighted content.
- Tap the play/pause button to pause and resume playback.
- Tap the back button to go back one screen, or tap the home screen button to exit out to the Apple TV’s main menu.
Reprogram an Old Remote
Do you have an old remote sitting in a drawer somewhere? Chances are you do. You always knew there was a reason you kept it, and this is it! Infrared remotes can be used with your Apple TV; you just need to reprogram them. Be aware that while most remotes should theoretically work with your Apple TV, there are no guarantees.
Image source:
Pexels
Use the Control Center Apple TV Remote widget on your iOS device to navigate to the Settings of your Apple TV. Select Remotes and Devices -> Learn Remote -> Start.
You’ll be prompted to press and hold various buttons on your remote. Make sure you hold each button down until the progress bar is full, and you are prompted to press a different button. Once you do this for each button, you should be able to use your infrared remote with your Apple TV!
Use a Bluetooth Keyboard
You can pair an Apple Wireless Keyboard with your Apple TV, and use it to navigate the interface and enter text. If you don’t have an Apple Wireless Keyboard, you can use a third-party Bluetooth keyboard.
To get started, put your Bluetooth keyboard into pairing mode.
Image source:
Unsplash
Using the Apple TV Remote app or Control Center, navigate to “Settings -> Remotes and Devices -> Bluetooth. This will make your Apple TV search for nearby Bluetooth accessories. Choose your keyboard when it appears. In addition to entering text, you can navigate your Apple TV and its apps by using the following keys:
- Use the arrow keys to navigate menus or the Home screen.
- Hit the Return key to make selections.
- Tap the Spacebar to play or pause content.
- Press Escape to go back or exit an app.
Buy a New Apple TV Remote
The Apple TV remote sports the familiar sleek minimalist design synonymous with Apple products. Unfortunately, they are super small, which makes lost Apple TV remotes a common occurrence. You can replace the Apple TV Remote with a new one for $59.
While Apple may have gotten into hot water in the past for planned obsoletion, they don’t force Apple TV owners to shell out for a new remote if they’ve lost theirs and provide workarounds. Losing your remote isn’t the only hiccup you may run into. Thankfully, you’re not dead in the water, as we have you covered with a comprehensive Apple TV troubleshooting guide.
Image credit: Unsplash
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Ryan Lynch –
Staff Writer
Ryan is an English & Film Studies teacher. He splits his time between Australia and the United States. He passes the time on long haul flights by playing retro video games from his youth.
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