Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen not pairing with Apple TV HD Remote

[spaceknight]

We've been using an Apple TV HD (2015, 32GB) in our living room for many years. After upgrading to a 4K TV, I purchased an Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen (2022, 128GB Wifi+Ethernet) and the Apple TV HD went to the bedroom.

As the silver Siri Remote (3) that comes with the Apple TV 4K lacks some sensors, it is not fit for game playing. I enjoy playing Real Racing 3 and love the experience of the Apple TV HD Remote (Siri Remote (touchpad & mic); black), the one *without* the white ring around the Menu button.

So, I thought of switching the remotes.

The silver Siri Remote 3 paired with Apple TV HD as expected.

However, the black remote did not pair with the Apple TV 4K, no matter what I did.

I read so many documents about pairing, including Apple official pages (like the one below) and follow the instructions, but there is nothing, no notification when I press the Menu and (+) buttons at the same time.

If your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote isn't working - Apple Support

If your remote isn't working as expected, learn what to do.

support.apple.com

I spoke to a Senior Apple Expert and after investigating this, he called back and told me that the black remote is supposed to pair with Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen naturally, however he added that recent tvOS updates broke this function and he reported it to the engineering team.

Both Apple TV's run on tvOS 16.2. I even updated the Apple TV 4K to 16.3 beta yesterday and it did not help either.

Did anyone try this combination before? If someone owns both, can you please try for me and confirm?

Any advices?

 

[-Gonzo-]

No issues here with that remote and the ATV4K 3rd Gen.
Press and hold Menu and Volume+ for 5 seconds.

 

[spaceknight]

I'd die to see that screen... No response again. No notification, nothing.

What is your tvOS version?

 

[Juicy Box]

It was with an older tvOS version, but I successfully swapped the remotes for the ATV4K1 and ATV4K3.

Any advices?

Start with all the devices turned off by unplugging them.

Plug one back in, and pair the remote that you want to be paired with it (hold menu (back) and the volume up buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds. Hold the remote about a few inches from the ATV box). Then do the same with the other one.

If you have them both on, they may automatically pair with the remote that came with it. That is why I unplug them and only touch the remote that I want to have paired with the device after replugging the power.

Not sure if I explained that.

I spoke to a Senior Apple Expert and after investigating this, he called back and told me that the black remote is supposed to pair with Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen naturally, however he added that recent tvOS updates broke this function and he reported it to the engineering team.

This is not surprising. Apple hardly ever updates tvOS, at least adding features and fixing bugs, and when they do, they tend to break something else.

 

[-Gonzo-]

I'd die to see that screen... No response again. No notification, nothing.

What is your tvOS version?

tvOS 16.3