bs98909

Q: Need Apple TV v4 needs to unlearn v3 remote

I use both Apple TV v3 and v4.  Since v4 does not seem to allow for using Movie Smart Playlists I use the Apple TV v4 for netflix and other streaming videos.

 

What I have found is that the Apple TV v4 remote works perfectly for that device only.

However the Apple TV v3 remote works perfectly on the v3 AND the v4.

 

How do I get the v4 to not respond to the v3 remote? The affect is that when using v3 remote to control the Apple TV v3 it is also controlling the Apple TV v4 as well. This leaves the v4 in odd states as at times.

 

So I would like the v3 remote to only work on the Apple TV v3

and the v4 to only work on the Apple TV v4.

itunes and applecare, need to merge accounts

Posted on Mar 20, 2016 10:02 AM

Close

Q: Need Apple TV v4 needs to unlearn v3 remote

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Mar 20, 2016 10:46 AM in response to bs98909
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 10:46 AM in response to bs98909
  • by bs98909,

    bs98909 bs98909 Mar 20, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Vinceassociate
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Mar 20, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Vinceassociate

    That is interesting — one odd ball part of that is I cannot get the Apple TV v3 (silver) remote to un pair with the AppleTV v4!! I have tried several times doing the <Menu>-<left> several times and trying <menu> first and then <left> first since.

     

    The other odd thing is that in the Apple TV there is NO WAY to un pair a remote via the menus — I can pair, just no means to un-pair

  • by Vinceassociate,Helpful

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Mar 20, 2016 1:49 PM in response to bs98909
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 1:49 PM in response to bs98909

    The process does not involve un pairing from the ATV4.

    Reread the steps carefully and follow them exactly.

    The process uses the fact that the remote has an ID number associated with it.  When you pair the device to the remote it only pays attention to remotes with that ID number.

    You pair the silver remote to the ATV4, then change the ID number and pair the new number to the ATV3.  From then on the ATV3 responds to the new number and the IR part of the ATV4 looks for the old number which does not exist.  It responds to the Siri remote via bluetooth and everything is great.

  • by bs98909,

    bs98909 bs98909 Mar 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to Vinceassociate
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iCloud
    Mar 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to Vinceassociate

    Thank you — I cannot find what the <Menu>-<Select> keystone does... is that when the "assign new ID" happens?

     

    One issue that I did have is the unpairing of the remote for the ATV3 — it would not pair after that. The ATV3 would just flash three times and never pair. Since the ATV3 now had no human interface, I paired my iPad via the "Remote" App and I was able to pair via the ATV3 menu interface.

     

    Another odd part is that Office Apple support has no clue how to do this. I referenced this article to them, we shall see what they do with it. There seems to be a general assumption that what I am doing is very rare and they never expected this in their scenarios — which is why they no longer have a means to unfair a remote in the ATV4.

     

    Where can I learn more about how this feature works?

     

    Thank you again...

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Mar 20, 2016 3:23 PM in response to bs98909
    Level 4 (1,738 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 3:23 PM in response to bs98909

    Menu select is the device number change.  Here is a guide to the remote that includes all the commands:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Remote

    Your ATV3 was paired with a different number remote when it flashed 3 times.  I bet you were not careful covering each ATV as was noted and got them mixed up or you did not get the remote unpaired at the start of the process.  This explains the light pattern:

    Get help with your Apple Remote - Apple Support

    One other point - The device not the remote is what is changed during pairing.  If left unpaired, the device will respond to any number remote.  When paired it only reacts to remotes with the correct number.  If you have 10 remotes with the same number they will all control the device even if paired with one since they all look the same to the device.

     

    One final point: Anyone doing computer support quickly appreciates how difficult it can be not being there in person.  Also any company with lots of products with tons of features makes problem solving that much harder for a phone support person.

    I hope they include this scenario in the database for future reference.