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How to use a remote with MacBook Pro 13/15 retina

I give a lot of presentation and need to start and stop videos frequently, but the Macbook Pro doesn't support infrared remotes like the older models did. I wanted to do so cheaply and ideally use my old white Apple remote to control things like I used to on my old computer. For around $20, I can tell you that FLIRC (available on Amazon) works. It essentially adds an IR receiver to your Mac via USB. After configuration, I was able to start/stop movie in Quicktime Player, start presentations and advance forward and back in Keynote, and I can increase and decrease the volume system-wide. This setting also allows you to go forward and back in PowerPoint, but the play button doesn't start the slide show.**

It was a bit trying to get it to work because the f10 &f11 cannot be assigned to control the volume, so if you are interested in using the product, this should save you some frustration.

1) Plug in FLIRC

2) Dismiss/ignore any prompt that tells you about an unrecognizable keyboard

3) Open FLIRC app

4) It should default showing the minimalist controller layout (left, right,up, down, enter, back)

5) DONT press the GO! button to start the automated process

6) Click on the green left arrow and then click on the left direction on the remote

7) Click on the green right arrow and then click on the right direction on the remote

8) Go to the controller menu and select MEDIA KEYS (this refers to media keys and not just a 'media computer' like it suggests)

9) Click on the gray play button and then click on the play button on the remote

10) Click on the gray volume up button and then click up on the remote

11) Click on the gray volume down button and then click down on the remote

There you are done!

Remember once you program it, like shown above, you don't need to launch the app anymore. The FLIRC device itself will store the settings.


**I noticed that Powerpoint 365 uses shift command return to play the slide show. If you wish to map the MENU button on the remote to start your Powerpoint, here is how you do that

1) Go FULL KEYBOARD under CONTROLLERS

2) Click on the gray virtual keyboard shift command return

3) Click on the menu button on the remote, this should allow you to start Powerpoint presentations using that button


In the event you wish to clear your FLIRC (so it goes back to factory settings), you can select CLEAR CONFIGURATION under FILE.

I am definitely happy with my purchase, right price, it works, and if this post saves you some frustration or gives you a solution, then it was worth the time to share.

Posted on Jul 28, 2015 5:54 PM

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How to use a remote with MacBook Pro 13/15 retina

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