How to Use a Universal Remote With Apple TV

Control all of your devices with one remote

By
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Writer
Johnny Evans is a former Lifewire writer who specializes in iPhones, iOS, and Apple TV and blogs daily about it at other publications.
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Updated on October 27, 2021

What to Know

  • Using the Apple TV remote, choose Settings on the Apple TV screen. Select Remotes and Devices > Learn Remote.
  • On the universal remote, select Start. Press and hold the Up button on the remote until the progress bar fills. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Name the remote and choose Done. Select Set Up Playback Buttons to assign Play, Pause, Stop, Rewind, and Fast-Forward.

This article explains how to configure a universal TV remote to work with Apple TV.

How to Configure a Universal Remote With Apple TV

The Apple TV remote control is great, but it has its limitations. If you want to control your Blu-ray player and other connected devices with one remote, it makes sense to configure your Apple TV with a universal remote control.

The steps for setting up the remote depend on the brand, so consult the manual that came with it. Power on the new remote and then follow these steps to configure the universal remote for your Apple TV.

  1. Using your current Apple TV remote, select Settings on the Apple TV home screen.

    The Settings app on Apple TV

  2. Select Remotes and Devices.

    Select Remotes and Devices.

  3. Select Learn Remote.

    Select Learn Remote.

  4. Using the universal remote, select Start.

    Using the universal remote, select Start.

    If this doesn't work, make sure the remote is on and that you are using a new device setting.

  5. Press and hold the Up button on the remote until the progress bar is full.

    Press and hold the Up button on the remote until the progress bar is full.

  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish assigning buttons.

    Follow the on-screen instructions to finish assigning buttons.

    If you get a No Signal Received message, make sure there are no objects between your remote and the Apple TV.

  7. Enter a name for the remote control if you'd like and select Done.

    Enter a name for the remote control if you'd like and select Done.

  8. Select Set Up Playback Buttons to assign Play, Pause, Stop, Rewind, and Fast-Forward buttons.

    Select Set Up Playback Buttons to assign Play, Pause, Stop, Rewind, and Fast-Forward buttons.

When you have completed this process, you'll be able to use your universal remote to control most functions on your Apple TV.

Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions

If you previously set up another remote with your Apple TV, you might get a Button Already Learned message when attempting to set up the new one. You can unpair the old remote even if you no longer have the device by going to your Apple TV Settings.

Are all Universal Remotes Compatible With Apple TV?

Apple TV is compatible with most universal infrared (IR) remote controls. However, not every remote supports Apple TV, so do some research online before making a purchase.

You can only use Siri voice recognition and touchpad features with official Apple TV remotes.

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