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New Siri Remote not pairing to Apple TV HD

I just received my new remote this morning. Read the instructions to pair (hold back button and Vol Up button) and it keeps giving the message "Bring it closer to Apple TV to pair".

It literally can't get any closer. I sat it on top of the box.

I've unplugged and plugged box, put remote on charger, turned bluetooth off on all other devices nearby, nothing seems to be working.

Any suggestions?

Apple TV HD, tvOS 14

Posted on May 21, 2021 10:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 24, 2021 5:39 AM

Sorry i forgot to come back and say the issue was resolved.

Turns out the Apple TV software needed to be updated.

Apple Support didn't even ask about that. Someone on Reddit suggested it.

Once I did that it connected immediately.

turns out the simplest solution was the right one.

11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 24, 2021 5:39 AM in response to Blah07

Sorry i forgot to come back and say the issue was resolved.

Turns out the Apple TV software needed to be updated.

Apple Support didn't even ask about that. Someone on Reddit suggested it.

Once I did that it connected immediately.

turns out the simplest solution was the right one.

May 24, 2021 1:53 AM in response to collics

I had the same issue. Tried everything, and eventually got it going by unplugging the other Apple TV in the house.


Not sure if any of my earlier attempts was actually an important step so included here as well:

-restarted the Apple tv

-unplugged apply tv for a while

-updated tvOS on the Apple TV

-fully charged the new remote

-unplugged the other Apple TV in the house


When it did work, there was no “move it closer” message, just “remote connected”

New Siri Remote not pairing to Apple TV HD

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