Use the Find option in the iPhone’s Apple TV Remote in Control Center to locate a compatible Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote. Apple requires iOS 17 or later on the iPhone and tvOS 17 or later on the Apple TV. If you cannot find the physical remote right away, the iPhone can also control a supported Apple TV while you search.
Check that your iPhone and remote are compatible
Apple’s Find feature requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later and an Apple TV running tvOS 17 or later. The missing remote must be a Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote (2nd generation or later). Apple states: “To find your remote using your iPhone, your iPhone must have iOS 17 or later and your Apple TV must have tvOS 17 or later.” Apple Support’s lost-remote guidance lists these requirements.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Find the remote from Control Center
- Open Control Center on your iPhone. On iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top-right corner. On iPhone SE, iPhone 8, or an earlier model, swipe up from the bottom edge.
- Tap Apple TV Remote.
- Tap the device list, then tap Find beside the missing remote.
- Follow the prompts on the iPhone and move around as directed. The on-screen circle grows as you get closer, and its status changes from “far” to “near” to “here.”
The indicator helps guide you toward the remote, but Apple does not specify a guaranteed locating range. If the iPhone does not connect at first, move around to try to establish a connection; the Apple TV user guide describes the white dot growing as the iPhone gets closer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteUse your iPhone as a temporary Apple TV remote
Finding the physical remote and controlling the Apple TV are separate functions: Find helps locate eligible hardware, while Apple TV Remote in Control Center operates a supported device from the iPhone. Apple says this phone-based control is available for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, so you can use it while searching for the physical remote.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
To set it up, open Control Center and tap Apple TV Remote. Apple’s setup instructions also cover Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and AirPlay-compatible smart TVs. A smart TV must be added to the Home app and assigned to a room. If setup does not work, Apple advises checking that the iPhone and Apple TV or smart TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, updating both devices, and restarting them. See Apple’s instructions for setting up the Apple TV Remote in Control Center.
If the remote is lost, check replacement compatibility
Before buying a replacement, identify your Apple TV generation. Apple lists these compatible remote choices:
Rank #2
- Replacement Remote Control for All Apple TV Remote - 2 Year Warranty
| Apple TV model | Remote choices listed by Apple |
|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD | Siri Remote (1st generation or later), Apple TV Remote (1st generation or later), or Apple Remote |
| Apple TV (3rd generation) | Apple Remote |
These compatibility details come from Apple’s lost-remote guidance. Check your model before choosing a replacement; a remote that works with one Apple TV generation may not be the right choice for another.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【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!!!
Rank #4
- 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
Rank #3
- 【Compatible Apple TV models】 Compatible with All Apple TV Remote, Replacement for Apple TV 4K/ Gen 1 2 3 4/ HD A2169 A1842 A1625 A1427 A1469 A1378 A1218 with TV Control Function, App Swich Function
- 【Easy Pairing】Press and hold the Back and Left button for 6 seconds,until the LED light flashes,Then it works!(Note: Battery not included)
- [IR remote (NOT BT/RF)]-line-of-sight required. NO Siri,NO Voice control,NO Touchpad function. Not for A-Pod/H-Pod. [For those you will need to use the original remote with BT]
- [with TV Control Function Buttons]- Power/Volume+/Volume-/Mute keys design for TV Brand:for Samsung,for LG,for Sony,for Westinghouse,for Insignia,for Vizio,for Toshiba,not for any ROKU TV
- [Slim Design]- Slim body design,for an elegant feel
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.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
