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How to Choose a Replacement Remote for Apple TV

Find the right replacement remote by checking your Apple TV model and tvOS version, then compare charging, navigation, and pairing requirements.
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To choose an Apple TV replacement remote, first identify your Apple TV model and, for Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K, check its tvOS version. Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K support Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote models from the first generation onward; Apple TV (3rd generation) requires an Apple Remote. If you have a compatible iPhone or iPad, Control Centre can also control Apple TV without a physical replacement.

Identify your Apple TV model first

Apple TV model names can be hard to distinguish by appearance alone. Check the model details on the device, then match them to Apple’s Apple TV model identification guide.

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  • Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): A2843 or A2737
  • Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): A2169
  • Apple TV 4K (1st generation): A1842
  • Apple TV HD: A1625

Apple’s replacement guidance says Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K can use a Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote (1st generation or later), or an Apple Remote. Apple TV (3rd generation) requires an Apple Remote. Apple also notes that an Apple Remote may have limited functionality with other Apple TV models. See Apple’s lost-remote guidance before ordering for an older model.

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Which remote works with your Apple TV?

For Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, the generation and minimum software version matter. The 3rd-generation Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote works with those devices on tvOS 15.4 or later; the 2nd-generation remote requires tvOS 14.5 or later. The first-generation remote is also listed for Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K.

#1 Best Overall
Apple TV Siri Remote (3rd Generation)
  • The Siri Remote (3rd generation) brings precise control to your Apple TV 4K.
  • Its touch-enabled clickpad lets you select titles, swipe through playlists, and use a circular gesture on the outer ring to find just the scene you’re looking for.
  • With Siri, you can find what you want to watch using your voice.
  • Includes a USB-C port to quickly recharge.
  • Compatible with Apple TV 4K (3rd generation), Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), Apple TV 4K (1st generation), and Apple TV HD
Remote How to recognize it Compatibility and notable details
Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (3rd generation) Silver aluminum body, touch-enabled circular clickpad, USB-C charging Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K with tvOS 15.4 or later. Bluetooth 5.0 communicates with Apple TV; infrared can control other equipment.
Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (2nd generation) Silver aluminum body, clickpad, Lightning charging Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K with tvOS 14.5 or later.
Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (1st generation) Black aluminum body, glass Touch surface, Lightning charging Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K; supplied with Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (1st generation).
Apple Remote (aluminum) Silver body, physical navigation ring, replaceable coin-cell battery Required for Apple TV (3rd generation); supplied with Apple TV (2nd/3rd generation). Apple warns functionality may be limited on other models.
Apple Remote (white) White body, physical navigation ring, replaceable CR2032 battery Supplied with Apple TV (1st generation); Apple warns functionality may be limited on other models.

Apple uses the name Siri Remote in regions where Siri is supported and Apple TV Remote elsewhere. Siri availability depends on language and region settings, so the name on a listing can differ without indicating a different generation. Apple’s remote identification guide shows generation appearance and compatibility.

Choose between compatible remotes

Once compatibility is established, compare the practical differences rather than assuming the newest remote is automatically the right one.

Rank #2
Sale
Replacement for Apple-TV-4K-Remote, Remote Control for Apple TV 4K/HD
  • 【Note】NOT Siri Remote, NO Voice Function! The power/volume/mute buttons could only works for samsung/LG/Vizio/Hisense/Sony/Amz Firre/Toshiba/Insignia Firre TVs. Please "UNLOCK" your old device with remote before using our remote, or our remote will not connect to your device!!!
  • 【Compatible Models】 Replacement for Apple TV Remote: For Apple TV A1218(1st Gen), for Apple TV A1378(2nd Gen), for Apple TV A1427/A1469(3rd Gen). For Apple TV HD A1625(4th gen), for Apple TV HD ‎MHY93LL/A(5th gen). For Apple TV 4K A1842(1st Gen), for Apple TV 4K A2169(2nd Gen), for Apple TV 4K A2737/A2843(3rd Gen)
  • 【Remote Compatibility】Replacement IR remote compatible with Apple TV Remote (white) A1156 MA128LL/A, for Apple TV Remote (aluminum) MM4T2AM/A. For Siri Remote (1st Gen)/Apple TV Remote (1st Gen) ‎MQGD2LL/A, for Siri Remote (2nd Gen)/Apple TV Remote (2nd Gen) MJFM3LL/A, for Siri Remote(3rd Gen) /Apple TV Remote (3rd Gen) MNC73AM/A
  • 【Packing Included】Comes with user manual. NO more worry on pairing. Just need to insert 2*AAA remote and it's ready for use. (Package includes 1*Replacement and 1*User Manual. Batteries are NOT included)
  • 【Note】If you TV brand is not what we listed in our detail page, please do not take this remote home, or it will not be compatible! Please "UNLOCK" your old device with remote before using our remote, or our remote will not connect to your device!!!
  • Charging: The 3rd-generation remote charges over USB-C; the 1st- and 2nd-generation Siri Remote models use Lightning. Choose a connector that suits your available cable.
  • Navigation: Siri Remote generations use a clickpad or Touch surface. Apple Remote models have physical navigation controls.
  • Other equipment: The 3rd-generation Siri Remote’s infrared capability can control other equipment, which may be useful for a television or audio setup.
  • Software: Confirm the Apple TV’s tvOS version meets the minimum for the remote generation you are considering.

Can you use a newer Siri Remote with Apple TV HD?

Yes. The Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote (3rd generation) is compatible with Apple TV HD when it runs tvOS 15.4 or later. The 2nd-generation remote works with Apple TV HD on tvOS 14.5 or later. Check the installed tvOS version before buying if you cannot update the device or are unsure which version it runs.

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Try software control if you do not need a physical remote

Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K can be controlled using the Apple TV Remote feature in Control Centre on an iPhone or iPad. This is a software control option, not a replacement physical remote. If the remote is misplaced rather than broken, an iPhone with iOS 17 or later can locate a Siri Remote (2nd generation or later) when the Apple TV runs tvOS 17 or later, according to Apple Support.

Rank #3
Replacement Remote Control for Apple TV/Apple HD/Apple TV 4K
  • Newest Universal Remote Control for All Apple TV Remote, Replacement Compatible with Apple TV/Apple TV HD/4K A1218 A1378 A1427 A1469 A1625 A1842 A2169 A2737 A2843 with TV Control Function, App Swich Function(not an original Apple remote control)
  • This is an IR remote (NOT BT/RF), line-of-sight required. NOT Siri remote, NO Voice control, NO Touchpad function. Not for A-Pod/H-Pod. [For those you will need to use the original remote with BT, not IR remote!
  • [Easy to Pair]- Just Press the Back and Left buttons at the same time for 6s,until the LED light flashes,If you still have problem, please read the user manual!(Battery not included)
  • Power key works for TV Brand:for Samsung,for LG,for Sony,for Westinghouse,for Insignia,for Vizio,for Toshiba,not for any ROKU TV
  • Compatible with Apple TV 4K (3rd generation), Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), Apple TV 4K (1st generation), and Apple TV HD

Pair the replacement remote

For Apple TV 4K, Apple’s pairing procedure is:

  1. Hold the replacement remote 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) from the Apple TV.
  2. Press and hold Volume Up and Back or Menu for two seconds.
  3. Wait for the on-screen confirmation that pairing is complete.

Apple says pairing a remote unpairs any other remote, and an Apple TV 4K can have only one Apple TV 4K remote paired at a time. See Apple’s Apple TV 4K remote pairing guide for the current instructions.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Apple TV Siri Remote (3rd Generation)
Apple TV Siri Remote (3rd Generation)
The Siri Remote (3rd generation) brings precise control to your Apple TV 4K.; With Siri, you can find what you want to watch using your voice.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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