Pair original remote

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Level 2

210 points

Pair original remote

After I pair an Apple TV 4K 64GB with an official aluminum Apple Remote, is it possible to revert to pairing the original black Siri remote that came with the Apple TV? The instructions that came with the aluminum remote say “After you pair your Apple Remote with your Apple TV, your Apple TV is controlled by only the paired remote”, so I want to make sure it’s reversible.

If it’s reversible, then is the pairing of the original Siri remote done any differently than with the aluminum remote or with a new replacement Siri remote?

iPhone 7, iOS 11

Posted on Nov 12, 2018 5:27 PM

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Answer 1

Connor Hawke Author

Level 2

210 points

Nov 12, 2018 11:29 PM in response to Connor Hawke

I paired the aluminum remote and it didn’t stop the Siri remote from working; they were able to be used simultaneously. I was also able to unpair the Siri remote and re-pair it. However I haven’t found a way to unpair the aluminum remote, not through settings nor the MENU+left button combo, and restarting the Apple TV didn’t help either. Any ideas? Also is it expected that the aluminum remote would have limited functionality in some apps (e.g. only MENU button works)?

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Answer 2

Urquhart1244

Level 10

147,160 points

Nov 13, 2018 1:35 AM in response to Connor Hawke

The Apple Remote (aluminum) can be used interchangeable with the Siri Remote with the Apple TV (4th and 5th generation). The Apple Remote (aluminum) can be used without being linked (paired). I think the older type remote even can’t be linked to the newer device, as the key combination to link or unlink are unresponsive with my Apple TV 4K.

The communication with the Siri Remote is through bluetooth. Bluetooth pairing is defined in the bluetooth protocol.

The communication with the Apple Remote (aluminum) is through IR. Linking is done on a software level. If an Apple TV (1st–3rd generation) receives signals from an unlinked remote, then it chooses to ignore it (the indicator light will still blink to acknowledge receiving the signal).

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Pair original remote

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