I just received my new remote this morning. Read the instructions to pair (hold back button and Vol Up button) and it keeps giving the message "Bring it closer to Apple TV to pair".
It literally can't get any closer. I sat it on top of the box.
I've unplugged and plugged box, put remote on charger, turned bluetooth off on all other devices nearby, nothing seems to be working.
Any suggestions?
Apple TV HD, tvOS 14
Sorry i forgot to come back and say the issue was resolved.
Turns out the Apple TV software needed to be updated.
Apple Support didn't even ask about that. Someone on Reddit suggested it.
Once I did that it connected immediately.
turns out the simplest solution was the right one.
putting it on the unit may be too close ironically, any other electronic devices near it? that was what caused mine to not connect properly, had another streaming box next to it. once it connected was fine putting other box back
Hi. Yes my work PC, MacBook, iPhone, apple watch. Turned them all off. No other streaming devices.
I've tried just standing in front of the box at a normal distance also and it gives the same message. Idk what it wants at this point.
Been waiting 3 weeks for it to ship only not to be able to use it. Very disappointing.
I had the same issue. Tried everything, and eventually got it going by unplugging the other Apple TV in the house.
Not sure if any of my earlier attempts was actually an important step so included here as well:
-restarted the Apple tv
-unplugged apply tv for a while
-updated tvOS on the Apple TV
-fully charged the new remote
-unplugged the other Apple TV in the house
When it did work, there was no “move it closer” message, just “remote connected”
Thank you for this. I had just commenced the return process when I saw this. All working now with the OS update (not sure why I had to pull down the update - it is set to auto update - but that did the trick). Thanks!
that's a shame. wonder whether reconnecting your old remote back up, then retrying again would work. I have remote connected to ATV4 and another to ATV4K so can't be a compatibility issue
The old remote hasn't stopped working at all. How do i disconnect/unpair it?
PS. says 3-4 inches away in the little book
ah of course it hasn't coz new one has not connected, that was stupid of me :(
Thank you for your help. I'm just gonna return it.
I'm glad it worked for you also. If they'd just mentioned making sure we are on the latest software we could have been saved a headache. I also have mine set for automatic updates.
New Siri Remote not pairing to Apple TV HD
