Sony Bravia TV remote stopped working with Apple TV

Update - I found threads on other websites where people were discussing this issue from just this week - some said after the most recent software push 17.4. People were reporting the same thing on other brand TV remotes...Samsung, Panasonic you name it. Some of them sent a bug report to Apple. So I'm sure it'll get fixed. Good thing is it's not just us with the Sony remotes - kind of relieving, because was starting to wonder about my TV.

I’m going through the same issue. Out of the blue it wasn’t working. I reprogrammed the Sony remote and realized one thing interesting. The remote can not control the apple device unless it’s directly pointed to the device. My apple device is behind the screen and it appears the Sony remotes IR signal isn’t able to penetrate the screen. I will make an attempt contact apple support to see if there’s a work around for this issue.

Anyone have a fix for this which doesn't require turning bluetooth off and learning remote through apple tv?

My Sony Bravia TV remote isn’t working with my Apple TV menus either. I, like others , it’s due to the newest update. Fingers crossed Apple fixes the issue with new update. That’s assuming that is the cause.

I had the same issue, starting March 20, after updating my ATV to 17.4 ; the sony bravia remote is no longer connect to the ATV, must used 2 remote instead of 1, quite annoying. Do everything recommend on web, factory reset, learning remote, still can't.

I wonder when Apple Support will fixed this issue, and why the supporting team never comment anything on any thread, are they noticed?

man...what a disaster. Went thru the reprograming remote and still the original Sony will not work and a replacement has to have direct sight to Apple TV box. WTH happened here?

im having this same issue. started to experience this Saturday (march 16th). in my room i have a sony a80j and 1st gen 4k atv model which is where i am experiencing this issue. in my living room, i have the sony a80j as well but with a 2nd gen model atv with no issues. both atv and tvs are up to the latest firmware updates. i hard reset my bedroom atv (the one with the issues) and still the same thing. also checked bravia sync settings and still nothing. i even tried another remote. super annoying. i hope apple fixes this. i dont want to buy the newer for my bedroom just for this to work

I believe Apple broke this, so I am counting on the Cupertino gurus to unbreak this. It seems to occur only on certain of my Sony TVs — 3 out of 5 — and yet it still works fine on 2 others. I ordered a new OE Sony remote for one of the affected ATV4 units, but after finding this thread, I am convinced it is Apple’s problem to fix. Get to it, boys!

Update: under the Apple TV settings, I went through the learn remote steps and so far so good

hello same problem in France no more compatibility with my sony remote control and I'm not going to cut the bluetooth or tamper with it to make it work. I'm waiting for your fix, thank you!

can confirm

you can still use the learning remote option if you disable the bluetooth on the Sony TV

but this will cause the TV and Apple device to receive the button press at the same time, which is far from ideal

March 24 Update: I had hoped that "Learn New Remote" might work, but it does not.

First I forgot the remote, then disconnected the battery every single time I had to press a button.

The biggest problem is that the Sony remote Model RMF-TX500U does not most of the buttons the set-up program was asking for, such as fast forward, rewind, stop, next track, etc.

After going through the entire set up, disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it for every single click, I gave the remote a new name, then selected it and clicked. It asked me to set it up all over again.

Total failure.

Exact same thing! Sony Bravia TV remote. Can't do "Learn Remote". Seems like software!

I have the same issue. Worked on 3/14, then the morning of 3/15 it doesn't work. Rebooted Apple TV device, Sony TV, Receiver, changed the batteries. It does still work with Sony Blu-ray.

Glad it's not just me, have reset everything today and checked for updates. After ease of Sony remote the Apple TV remote is awkward to use.

Hopefully it sorts itself soon..