Apple TV Remote App & 3rd Party Remote

Question

Apple TV Remote App & 3rd Party Remote

I purchased a second hand 3rd Gen Apple TV from a seller on eBay. However this seller did not do a factory reset before he shipped it. I bought a third party Apple remote brand new also from eBay however I’m unable to pair it using any of the methods found online. I’ve tried connecting the Apple TV to my router and then downloading the remote app on my iPhone 8 to bypass the need to set up a WiFi connection to set up this cheap knock-off. But when I try to pair the remote app the pin is displaying on my iPhone and not Apple TV. Shouldn’t this be the other way around so I can enter the pin onto my phone seeing as I don’t currently have any method of entering anything on my Apple TV? I do not have a computer at the moment so doing a factory reset with iTunes isn’t an option for me. Are there any other options where I don’t have to buy a computer or another remote? Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any help at all would be so appreciated. Oh yeah, battery has been check and it works.

Posted on Aug 13, 2018 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

vazandrew

Level 8

40,840 points

Aug 15, 2018 8:44 AM in response to zacharymichael87

That is not going to work. Other remote can be learnt but you would still need the original remote to set that up. Since it’s attempting to mimic the Apple remote there is no guarantee it will even work at all. At any rate, you will need to purchase an official remote from Apple and then I would recommend restoring the unit. Be aware that the 3rd Gen is discontinued, doesn’t have an App Store like the 4th and 4K models and won’t have features associated with the current TVOS platform (Apple Music, iCloud Photo Library, airplay 2 etc)

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,322 points

Aug 14, 2018 6:40 AM in response to zacharymichael87

As you found out, for 3rd generation, you still need a physical remote to navigate the menus to complete the setup of the iOS Remote app. But you should be able to use the physical remote, if you unlink (any setting for previous remote) and link again (new remote):

If your Apple TV remote isn’t working - Apple Support

Unlink and link again, like this:

Apple Remote (aluminum)

Unlink your Apple Remote to your Apple TV. On your Apple Remote, hold down Menu and Left for six seconds. Then on your Apple TV, look for above an icon of a remote.
Link your Apple Remote to your Apple TV. On your Apple Remote, hold down Menu and Right for six seconds. Then on your Apple TV, look for above an icon of a remote.

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Answer 3

Aug 14, 2018 8:16 AM in response to Urquhart1244

I’ve tried the method you suggested, first holding “menu” and the left button to unpair the previous remote as well as “menu” and the right button for 6+ seconds each. Did not work. I should have mentioned the remote is not a genuine Apple remote. It’s a generic version that was advertised as being a clone for the original. Instead of aluminum it is made of plastic. Does that make a difference?

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Answer 4

Urquhart1244

Level 10

146,322 points

Aug 14, 2018 2:31 PM in response to zacharymichael87

I should have mentioned the remote is not a genuine Apple remote.

I have no way of knowing what its limitations are, or if it works at all.

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Apple TV Remote App & 3rd Party Remote

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