Can an Apple TV Have Two Remotes?

An Apple TV is handily controlled by its remote. But sometimes, that remote can break, get lost, or just become tedious to use.

In those cases, you might want to pair the Apple TV with another remote or make sure you can control it with more than one remote.

But can an Apple TV have two remotes? Join us as we dive into the details below!

We have found that you can pair an Apple TV with Siri, another Apple TV, an Apple, a network-based, or an infrared remote if the original remote is lost or damaged. 

All compatible remotes can also control it simultaneously by simply unpairing the Apple TV from its current remote.

Can an Apple TV Have Two Remotes?

In short: yes, the Apple TV can have two remotes .

However, there are two vastly different meanings to this.

First, it means that an Apple TV can pair with a remote other than the one it comes with. This is helpful if you lose the original remote or if the original remote stops working.

But that’s not all! It also means that you can use more than one remote to control the Apple TV at the same time.

Can an Apple TV Be Paired with Two or More Remotes?

The answer is no.

While it’s true that you can control an Apple TV with multiple remotes , you can’t pair it with multiple remotes.

This is because pairing is used for an exclusive connection to one remote and one remote only. 

This is useful when you have multiple remotes that might control the Apple TV instead of the device you want to control.

What Remotes Can You Use with an Apple TV?

First of all, what remotes can you even use with an Apple TV?

As you may already know, an Apple TV is compatible with the new Siri Remote: a slick, black remote that comes in the box with an Apple TV.

But you can use an Apple TV with more remotes than you may think! 

Other than the Siri Remote, the Apple TV is also compatible with:

• the Apple TV remote (a white and black remote with six buttons),
• the Apple remote (a white and black remote with three buttons),
• any network-based remote with an 8-digit HomeKit setup code, and
• any infrared remote.

You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to set up a digital Apple TV Remote in the Control Center.

How Do You Pair a Remote with an Apple TV?

Once you’ve decided what remote you’re going to use, you’ll have to pair it with your Apple TV.

There are different methods to install the Siri remote, the Apple TV remote, the Apple remote, a network-based remote, and an infrared remote.

Siri Remote

If you bought the latest model of the Apple TV, it probably came with the Siri remote, which should be automatically paired.

However, if it becomes unpaired or if you have to buy a new Siri remote , you will have to pair it manually.

If you want to pair your Apple TV with a Siri remote, you can follow the steps below:

• Plug your Apple TV and turn it on.
• Point the Siri remote at it.
• Move the Siri remote so that it’s three to four inches away from the Apple TV.
• If you have a first generation Siri remote:
  • Press the Menu and Volume Up buttons.
  • Hold them for two seconds.
• If your Siri remote is a 2nd generation model:
  • Press and hold the Back button and the Volume Up button.
  • Hold these two buttons for two seconds, then release.

Once the Siri remote is paired, you will see a message informing you of your success.

Note that a Siri remote can only pair with one Apple TV, so if you have several Apple TVs, you’ll have to use a different remote for each one.

Apple TV Remote

Compared to the Siri remote, pairing an Apple TV remote to your Apple TV device is much simpler.

If you want to  pair your Apple TV device with your Apple TV remote , you can do the following:

• Plug your Apple TV device and turn it on.
• Take your Apple TV remote and press any button.
• There should be a prompt that says, “Pairing Remote: Bring it closer to your Apple TV to continue pairing.”
• Either press another button or place it beside the Apple TV.
• A prompt saying “Remote Connected” should pop up soon.

Apple Remote

Pairing the Apple remote is also simple.

If you want to pair your Apple TV with an Apple remote , you can follow the steps listed below:

• On your Apple TV, navigate to the Settings menu.
• Choose General.
• Navigate to Remotes.
• Select Pair Apple Remote.

Once the remote is paired, you should see a linked-chain symbol appear on the screen, along with a remote icon.

Network-Based Remote

If you have a spare network-based remote, it might be easier to use this than buy a new remote!

To pair a network-based remote with your Apple TV, you can follow these steps:

• Turn on your network-based remote.
• Connect the remote to your network.
• Turn on your iOS or iPadOS device.
• Go to the Home app.

• Click the Add button.
• Choose Add Accessory.
• Follow the instructions that are given.
• Scan or enter the remote’s 8-digit HomeKit setup code.
• Assign the remote to a room (optional).
• Give the remote a name (optional).

Your Apple TV should now respond to your network-based remote.

Infrared Remote

If you have a spare infrared remote, this is the easiest non-Apple remote to use for your Apple TV!

If you want to pair your Apple TV with an infrared remote, you can do the following:

• Plug and turn on your Apple TV.
• Go to the Settings menu.
• Navigate to the section called Remotes and Devices.
• Choose Learn Remote.
• Follow the instructions that are given.

How Do You Use Two Remotes at the Same Time for an Apple TV?

If you want to use two or more remotes at the same time for an Apple TV, you have to do something very counterintuitive: unpair the current remote.

This is because the Apple TV  can only be paired with one remote control at a time, which helps when you have a lot of remote controls that could accidentally connect to it.

To use two or more remotes with your Apple TV, you can follow these steps:

• Turn on your Apple TV.
• Go to Settings.
• Click General.
• Navigate to Remotes.
• Choose Unpair.

Once you’ve unpaired the current remote, you should be able to control your Apple TV with all compatible remotes simultaneously.

Wrapping Up

The Apple TV can be paired with a remote other than the one it comes with. But if you unpair it, it can be controlled by several remotes simultaneously.

An Apple TV can’t be paired with two or more remotes, but it can be controlled with two or more remotes.

You can use the Siri remote, the Apple TV remote, the Apple remote, a network-based remote, and an infrared remote with the Apple TV.

To pair the Siri and Apple TV remotes, you have to point them at the Apple TV and press their buttons.

You can use the Pair Apple Remote setting to pair the Apple Remote to the Apple TV.

To pair a network-based remote, you need to add it to the Home app on your iOS or iPadOS device.

To pair an infrared remote, you need to use the Learn Remote setting.

To use two or more remotes at the same time, you need to unpair the current remote from the Apple TV.

We hope this article helped you!