Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

norge

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 14, 2010
59
32
I have a atv4 and an old atv3 in the same room. If I use the old atv3 with the old remote it also controls the new atv4. Is it possible to fix the atv4 to one remote?
In the other direction I don't have the same Problems.
 
I have a atv4 and an old atv3 in the same room. If I use the old atv3 with the old remote it also controls the new atv4. Is it possible to fix the atv4 to one remote?
In the other direction I don't have the same Problems.

In Gen 3, the IR receiver was slightly under the front top edge/rim, center.

Looking at the teardown at:

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4th+Generation+Teardown/49046

Looks like receiver is still there, but slightly to the left (seen from the front). Use black tape and try to cover it I would say.
 
Thanks for this idea, this would be one possibility. I would prefer if it would be possible to pair the atv4 with one specific remote, like it was possible at the atv3. But I don't find an option for this yet...
 
I had the same problem, but now I've got Plex on my aTV4 have resolved it by putting the aTV3 in a box :D

No need for both anymore!
 
This was discussed elsewhere. There appears to be no way to 'omit' the ATV3/2 remotes from the ATV4 except by covering the IR receiver on the ATV4.

You can pair all you want on the 3 but that doesn't stop the 4 from listening to the universal signal of a silver remote.
 
I found a Solution in the apple forums: https://discussions.apple.com/message/29256053#29256053
First pair the Aluminum Remote with the atv4, this can be done while Pressing (Menu + ->) for 6 seconds.
Then cover the IR receiver of the atv4 and press (Menu+Select) for 6 seconds to increase the id of the remote.
After this pair the remote with the atv3 via menu.

Make sure you have unpaid the remote at the atv3 bevor you increase the id or you can not control the atv3 anymore ;) I have used the remote app in this case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rigby
I found a Solution in the apple forums: https://discussions.apple.com/message/29256053#29256053
First pair the Aluminum Remote with the atv4, this can be done while Pressing (Menu + ->) for 6 seconds.
Then cover the IR receiver of the atv4 and press (Menu+Select) for 6 seconds to increase the id of the remote.
After this pair the remote with the atv3 via menu.
Nice! This works. :)

BTW, covering the IR sensor on an Apple TV is not so easy since the whole case is IR transparent, so the remote signals will typically bounce off a nearby surface and find their way to the sensor even if the entire front is covered.
 
I found a Solution in the apple forums: https://discussions.apple.com/message/29256053#29256053
First pair the Aluminum Remote with the atv4, this can be done while Pressing (Menu + ->) for 6 seconds.
Then cover the IR receiver of the atv4 and press (Menu+Select) for 6 seconds to increase the id of the remote.
After this pair the remote with the atv3 via menu.

Make sure you have unpaid the remote at the atv3 bevor you increase the id or you can not control the atv3 anymore ;) I have used the remote app in this case.

Okay so i just tried this method and after doing it my harmony One remote does NOT control the apple tv 4 anymore, it just does that quick triple flash. so this method not only stops the aluminium apple tv remote from working with the new apple tv 4 (which is what we want ) but it also stops the Harmony One Universal remote from working with the Apple TV 4 as well. (which is what we DONT want ) i want to use my harmony one universal remote with the new apple tv 4.



also, i want to note that i wasn't able to do the first step , (or i think i wasn't able to do it but it actually did?)

"
  1. Pair your Apple Remote to the Apple TV (Menu+Right for 6 seconds) make sure there are no other devices in range."


when i held the MENU and RIGHT buttons together nothing showed on the TV to confirm the apple tv 4 and the aluminum remote got linked?


This is a summary of my problem, i got my new apple tv 4 2 days ago, excellent device but i want to keep my Apple TV 3 Connected to my home theatre system along with my new Apple TV 4, my problem is that i want to make it so that the original ALUMINIUM apple tv remote will be the ONLY remote that will control the old Apple TV 3, i noticed that the new SIRI remote that comes with the apple tv 4 only controls the apple tv 4 which is fantastic because its bluetooh and it doesnt interact with the old apple tv 3, however im using a harmony one universal remote which i want to use with my new apple tv 4, i dont plan on using the SIRI Remote.

again, i do NOT want to use the harmony one with the Apple TV 3, i want the original aluminum apple tv 3 remote control to be the ONLY remote in the home that can control the Apple TV 3,


is that possible to do?
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.