Multiple Apple TV remotes at once?

Recently lost my Apple TV remote. It's nice a small, but I think sometimes TOO small.
Anyway, ordered two new ones (nice and shiny and slightly bigger) and the same day they arrived I found the old one (of course).
So I thought, that's okay...I like having more than one remote because I swap the Apple TV between my kitchen and my living room all the time and it would be nice to only worry about brining the box (as each room has spare cables).
But surprisingly the Apple TV only lets you keep one remote at a time. I understand the logic but I also understand the logic of making that an option - which it isn't.
It has a "learn" option but that doesn't appear to work with other remotes unless I unpair (?)
Is this a waste of time or can I have multiple Apple remotes or should I just return one of the two I bought?

applefish wrote:
So I don't "need" to pair them? I can un-pair the one I have and they all will work?
yes
the only reason to pair is to stop the appletv responding to more than 1 remote. if that is what you want then pairing is not required.

Similar Messages

Multiple Apple Remotes no longer work with Apple TV!

I've been using Apple TVs since the minute Steve Jobs introduced them in 2007. I bought the 2nd and 3rd Generation Apple TVs the minute each of them were introduced. I've been watching every Apple Keynote Address since they were available online or on CDs from the early 1990s, on my HDTV via my latest Apple TV when that was possible. I watch far more TV through my Apple TV than via my Cable Box, much of it music and music videos from iTunes on my 2006 Mac Pro! But as of YESTERDAY I am seriously thinking of getting another, ANY OTHER manufacturer's similar internet streaming box!!!
WHY??? Because YESTERDAY, for no apparent reason except some programmer's or software engineer's stupidity, my Apple TV stopped working with all but ONE of my Apple REMOTES!!!
Why is that stupid? Because, in my household there are three people who use Apple TV all day, and each of them have an aluminum Apple Remote which they all use to control what the Apple TV is streaming. We have two other Apple Remotes lying around in case one of us misplaces his or her Apple Remote, which happens occasionally. ALL FIVE of the Apple Remotes, just like the beige plastic Apple Remotes that they replaced, always worked with all three of my Apple TVs! Then yesterday, suddenly, only the LAST Apple Remote that was paired with this 3rd Generation Apple TV is able to control it.
I've spent HOURS trying to fix this. This wasn't caused by an Automatic Update to the Apple TV's iOS; there has been no update in recent days. I've got Automatic Update turned on, just as I, a good Apple citizen, have my Apple TV set up to automatically send back Usage Data to Apple. I've rebooted my Apple TV. I've put brand new 2032 button batteries into my Apple Remotes. I pulled the power cord out of my Apple TV for 15 seconds and again for five minutes and then restarted it. As per instructions, I have Unpaired and re-Paired each and all of my 5 Apple Remotes. All to no avail. Only the last Apple Remote that was paired with the Apple TV works! Horrible. And STUPID, if it was a deliberate programming decision and it was introduced in a minor automatic update.
Worse, I've been using the Remote app on my 5th Generation iPod touch to replace ONE of the unusable Apple Remotes, and as of a couple of minutes ago even THAT stopped working with my Apple TV! Well, I was able to fix that fairly easily by pairing the iPod touch Remote app with my Mac Pro and then pairing it again with my Apple TV. But I don't think that solution would be so easy for many non-technologically-inclined users. I also don't think that a $200 or $300 iPod touch is a very acceptable replacement for a $20 Apple Remote, especially since everyone buys iPod touches for totally different uses (I use mine primarily for taking notes using voice-activated audio or video -- it is by far the best device for that purpose out there -- police departments should take note).
I'm hoping that this multiple Apple Remote problem somehow resolves itself, unless it is a hardware problem with my Apple TV. If so, I can hold out until Apple's media event next week, which I HOPE will premiere a new 4th Generation Apple TV, hopefully which will once again allow my five Apple Remotes to all control my Apple TV interdependently, without having to Unpair and Pair each one each time you wanted to use it, requiring you to quit whichever Apple TV app you were using each time, or alternatively to use Sneaker-Net to deliver the one working Apple Remote to each person who wants to use it, which can be difficult since at least one of the users is very ill! (Whew! A long sentence. But I hope you get the point.)
Two days ago, I could never have imagined myself getting a Roku or an Amazon, Sony, Microsoft or some other streaming device. It just proves how fast a stupid little decision (if it was deliberate) can turn EVERYTHING around!

People have a misconception with remote pairing (as does the description on this page -> Pairing your Apple Remote with your computer - Apple Support).
The 1st paragraph is incorrect.
The 2nd paragraph is correct.
"If you have several Mac computers or an Apple TV that use the Apple remote, or other devices with integrated infrared ("IR") receivers in one room, you can "pair" your Apple Remote with a specific Apple device so it doesn't interfere with other Apple devices or IR devices nearby.
Pairing allows you to set the receiving Apple device so that only it can be controlled by one remote. Learn how to pair your Apple Remote"
Pairing sets the device to read only a specific remote.
It does not set a specific remote to work only with a specific device. ie. if you point th remote at another Apple device (that is not paired) it will control it.

HT1551 How do I pair multiple apple remotes with the same apple TV

I have one apple TV but it is is access on multiple screens via a matrix system. I therefore need an apple remote in each room so I am not having to carry the same one from room to room. Please can someone let me know how this is achieved . . .

It's almost counter-intuitive the way this works. You have to actually "unpair" the remote that it is paired to - then once no specific Apple TV remote is paired, all remotes (any remote, including standard TV remotes) will work!
The step-by-step would be:
Using a remote that is currently paired navigate to General under settings.
Go to Remotes.
Select "Unpair Apple Remote"
Once unpaired, simply back out of all the menus using the menu button to see that it does work. Then try on your other remote(s). It/they will now also work.
You can even use the Learn Remote feature to use a standard TV remote. I use my Directv remote and it works great.
The ONLY thing you need pairing for is if you want only one remote to be capable of controlling the ATV. So therefore unpair any remote that's paired, and you'll be golden.

Control multiple apple tv units with 1 remote app

Is it possible to control multiple apple TV units with 1 remote app on an iPhone/iPad? I have apple tv at home, set up under my own personal apple id. I have an apple tv unit at work which I want to use, but that uses our work apple id. can I control both units without having to log out of my personal id and then log into the work one?

On the ATV menu itself there is an option to name the ATV.
Does that not do it for you?

TS1741 How do I have multiple apple IDs on one Apple TV 5.3

I have looked and looked but I can't find a way to put both mine and my boyfriends apple IDs onto this Apple TV that I just bought him. It's the 5.3 version, I went under general, settings, and then iTunes Store, and there isn't a accounts option, it's just a sign in option so how can we both use our phones as remotes?

Well, you could save multiple Apple ID on your Apple TV, but you can't use them at the same time!
To add and manage multiple Apple IDs on Apple TV, follow this guide:
How to add, manage multiple Apple IDs on the same Apple TV

Apple TV Remote hidden controls

Are these controls legit? While in know some of these are simple and work on the device without much risk, I don't want to blow my device trying out unknown/new control.
Restart Your Apple TV
p>This is my favorite tip on this list because I frequently find myself navigating into the Apple TV’s layered Settings screens to restart the device whenever it gets <a href="/glossary/wi-fi" title="Wi-Fi is a way of wirelessly connecting to the internet over a broadband connection." class="lexicon-term">Wi-Fi</a> issues. Well, no more! Simply press and hold the DOWN and MENU button at the same time for six seconds to restart your Apple TV.
h3 dir="ltr">Sleep Your Apple TV</h3>
p>You can also quickly put your Apple TV to sleep using the remote. Usually it goes to sleep at after a predetermined amount of time passes. To make that happen sooner hold the PLAY/PAUSE for five seconds.
h3 dir="ltr">Get To Home Screen Instantly</h3>
p>Sometimes you can be knee deep in submenus on the Apple TV, especially when using some third-party channels. The good news is you don’t need to back out of each sub-menu step by step. Simply press and hold the MENU button on the Apple TV remote for three seconds and you’ll be taken to the Home screen right away.
h3 dir="ltr">Arrange / Hide Channels</h3>
p>For the longest time the layout of the Home screen was fixed, but then in a software update last year Apple finally added the ability for the user to rearrange and hide channels. This no doubt came in response to the increased availability of third-party channels on the Apple TV--some of which a user may never have an interest in viewing.
p>To rearrange channels simply hold down the SELECT button for two seconds. The channel icons will jiggle. Use the DIRECTION arrows to move the selected channel. Or press the PLAY/PAUSE button to hide an channel.
h3 dir="ltr">Rewind / Fast Forward At Different Intervals</h3>
p>Everyone knows you can use the left and right direction pad to skip backwards and forwards, but you can actually use the same left and right buttons on the direction pad to rewind and fast forward at different intervals. Hold the LEFT button to rewind 30 seconds. Press the LEFT button to rewind continuously. Alternate your rewind speeds further by pressing LEFT once each time to cycle through slow, medium, or fast rewind.
p>The opposite applies to fast forwarding as well. Hold the RIGHT button to fast forward 30 seconds. Press the RIGHT button to fast forward continuously. Alternate your fast forward speeds further by pressing RIGHT once each time to cycle through slow, medium, or fast fast forward.
h3 dir="ltr">Go Slow-Mo</h3>
p>This one is really cool. You can rewind or fast forward through video in slow motion on the Apple TV. To do this simply press the PAUSE button then press the LEFT or RIGHT button to rewind or fast forward in slow motion.
h3 dir="ltr">View Video Settings</h3>
p>Sometimes you might want to adjust audio or other settings for a video that is already playing. You can use the Apple TV remote to quickly do this by pressing and holding the SELECT button for three seconds while the video is play. This will bring up the video’s settings including subtitles, speaker settings, audio, and closed captions.
h3 dir="ltr">Mark Episodes As Watched</h3>
p>Many times we have full TV series we’ve bought via the iTunes Store that we watch on the Apple TV. However most of the time we’ve already seen some of the episodes in each season. This tip allows you to use the Apple TV remote to mark episodes as already watched. To do this you need to be in the iTunes TV Shows channel on the Apple TV. Select the episode you want to mark as watched and then press and hold the SELECT button. You can also mark entire seasons as watched by selecting the season and then pressing and holding the SELECT button as well.
h3 dir="ltr">Pair / Unpair Apple TV Remote</h3>
p>If you’ve got lots of Apple TV’s in your house you may have some remote conflicts. The good thing is you can quickly pair and unpair remotes simply by using...the remote. To pair a remote to an Apple TV press and hold the RIGHT and MENU buttons for five seconds. To unpair a remote from an Apple TV press and hold the LEFT and MENU buttons for five seconds.
h3 dir="ltr">Switch On-Screen Keyboards</h3>
p>Using the on-screen keyboard is one of the chores of navigating the Apple TV. You’ll use this keyboard whenever you need to enter login information (say, for Netflix) or when you are searching for a show. Thankfully the Apple TV remote has these hidden controls to make using the keyboards easier.
p>Press PLAY/PAUSE when entering text to switch between the alpha, numeric, and symbol keyboards. You can also hold down the SELECT button for two seconds to bring up the accented characters and then press PLAY/PAUSE to select the one you want.

Welcome to the Apple Community.
If you don't want to use a remote with your computer the easiest thing to do is just to turn the IR off. (System_Preferences/Security/General)
If you still want to use your computer remote then you must pair your computers remote with the computer AND the Apple TV remote with the Apple TV.
To pair a remote with a device hold down the menu and FF buttons together for six seconds or until you see a chain icon on screen (best take the computer into another room, or turn it off, when you do this)

Can you access/use multiple apple ID's on one device?

Hello,
In our family we have been registering everything (ipods, iphones and computers) all under one apple id. We have made purchases with the family apple id which we have been accessing on multiple devices. With everyones different needs I am wondering about setting up new apple id's for different family members. Can I use multiple apple id's on devices like my iPhone and still access apps/books/music purchased on the family apple id's and if so how do I do this.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Why do you have 3 Apple IDs?
Apple IDs cannot be merged and items bought with one Apple ID cannot be transfered to another. A computer can only be associated with one Apple ID every 90 days for automatic downloads, re-downloading of past purchases or iTunes Match. There is no getting around this restriction.
One computer can be autorized to play content purchased with multiple Apple IDs, though.
My suggestion is to pick on Apple ID and stick with it for the future. Once you have decided, log into one of the other Apple IDs and download every avialble item you bought with that ID to your computer. Wait 90 days. Log into the other ID and do the same thing. Wait 90 days. Finally log into the "main" Apple ID and stay logged in. Keep current backups of all your purchased items on a local, external HDD.

Multiple Apple ID's on one Mac

Hi, ive read all other question related to miltiple apple id's. but they dont answere my question.
I got 3 Apple ID's. I want them all activated on my macbook pro. Google search says i can do it. I have to create for each apple ID a seperate iTunes Library (i followed this guide http://www.imore.com/how-use-multiple-apple-ids-one-computer-and-itunes)
but that doesnt work.
I cant add my other two ID's. iTunes keeps telling me i can not add another Apple ID. I have to wait 90 days.
So, thats kinda weird. Apple does allow to register multiple Apple ID's. But why cant we use em?
I asked Apple Support to transfer all content from my previous Apple ID's to my new one. but they wont do it.
Right now i can not use my own stuff. Thats so unnecessary.
any help would be highly appreciated.
thanks

Why do you have 3 Apple IDs?
Apple IDs cannot be merged and items bought with one Apple ID cannot be transfered to another. A computer can only be associated with one Apple ID every 90 days for automatic downloads, re-downloading of past purchases or iTunes Match. There is no getting around this restriction.
One computer can be autorized to play content purchased with multiple Apple IDs, though.
My suggestion is to pick on Apple ID and stick with it for the future. Once you have decided, log into one of the other Apple IDs and download every avialble item you bought with that ID to your computer. Wait 90 days. Log into the other ID and do the same thing. Wait 90 days. Finally log into the "main" Apple ID and stay logged in. Keep current backups of all your purchased items on a local, external HDD.

HT5312 How Do I Stop email Harassment from same person creating multiple apple Ids?

Hi,
I am being harassed by someone who is creating multiple apple ids and deleting them. The person is constantly trying to get me to click on links. When I tried to reply to one ID the person created, an error came up stating "this user does not exist" It then provided me with a code for that user. I believe this person has hacked into my account on multiple occassion because a lot of time right after I change my password, it stopped working again a few days later.
I feel I have no privacy. This person sends all kinds of emails using the names of major brands as the front. All the emails look cheap and it seems as if it wants you to select the "unsubscribe" button which then phishes my info someone. Can someone tell me who I can report these emails at apple to investigate? The would have to know who created the email links, which are used once then deleted, but the person who is doing this is the same I'm certain.

Hello ascending404,
Thank you for the details of the issue you are experiencing with the emails you have been receiving. I would be concerned about this too. I found a resource that provides some good information about identifying and reporting emails like the ones you are recieving.
I recommend reviewing the full article, but this specific section provides steps for reporting these emails:
What to do with suspicious iCloud emails
If you receive a suspicious email, select the message text so that it is highlighted. Choose Forward as Attachment from the Message menu (OS X Mail) or the Actions menu (Outlook). Send the email to [email protected] This provides Apple's legal department and law enforcement with useful information to help prevent future phishing emails.
Note: For suspicious emails related to iTunes, see this article.
You can view the full article here:
Identifying fraudulent "phishing" email
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4933
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Multiple Apple ID's on Single Mac - Manually choose Apps to Sync

Scenario:
1 MacBook Pro, 3 iPhone 4s's.
3 Separate Apple ID's
Different Apps purchased on different Apple ID's.
Question:
How can I tell iTunes not to sync apps on a particular iPhone individually.
e.g. I download Videostar on iPhone 1, but no other iPhone, I use it, I then want to keep the app in iTunes but not on the iPhone,
In other words, I want to manually choose what apps I have on each of my iPhones irrespective of what iTunes has a record of having been synced with the iPhone before.
At the moment on iTunes 11.1.3(8), when I sync an iPhone, all the apps I ever had on it are put back on whether I want to or not.
There used to be a tick box in previous versions to choose what apps to sync per iPhone?
Has that gone now?
All I see is the "Will Install" and "Install" options, no "Do Not Sync" option, not even a "Remove" option.
Thanks....
Adrian.

Why do you have 3 Apple IDs?
Apple IDs cannot be merged and items bought with one Apple ID cannot be transfered to another. A computer can only be associated with one Apple ID every 90 days for automatic downloads, re-downloading of past purchases or iTunes Match. There is no getting around this restriction.
One computer can be autorized to play content purchased with multiple Apple IDs, though.
My suggestion is to pick on Apple ID and stick with it for the future. Once you have decided, log into one of the other Apple IDs and download every avialble item you bought with that ID to your computer. Wait 90 days. Log into the other ID and do the same thing. Wait 90 days. Finally log into the "main" Apple ID and stay logged in. Keep current backups of all your purchased items on a local, external HDD.

How to FaceTime and iMessage on multiple apple devices with one iTunes account

We recently received iPad 2's for Christmas and was looking for some advice on how to FaceTime and iMessage on multiple apple devices with One iTunes Account (Apple Id). I have created or attached other e-mail addresses to our apple id but do not know how to use them on the new devices. Our home MacBook Pro uses our main apple id for FaceTime. The iPads have been setup with the main apple id w/o being able to use FaceTime and iMessage.
Please Help...
I appreciate the help and support.

P and V-
If you are trying to connect to someone with a different Apple ID, I think all the devices should work, but one at a time.
The problem is when you try to connect between two with the same Apple ID. Once the calling device tries to make the connection, it finds the second device to be "busy". That is where each needs to use a different E-Mail address when setting it up.
On iOS devices, when you press the Home button to exit an App, the App may still be active in the background, even when the device is sleeping. If FaceTime or iMessage is merely being active that way, it may be enough to "tie up" the E-Mail address.
From the Home screen, double click your Home button. You will see a list of recent Apps along the bottom of the screen. Press and hold on one of them until they start to wiggle. You will then see a red minus sign on each. Pressing the minus sign will remove an App from the list, and stop it from working in the background. (Click the Home button to stop the wiggling, and again to hide the recent Apps.)
Fred

Multiple Apple TVs on the same network

I teach at a school and have used an Apple TV in conjunction with my iPad for presentations. I find it invaluable. Other teachers at my school would like to do the same, but I'm told by our tech support that multiple Apple TVs on the same network cause problems. When I ask them what problems, they aren't sure. They just tell me that other school have experienced problems. Other than a wifi bandwidth problem, I can't imagine what kind of problem it would be. A collegue of mine wants to jump onboard but desn't want to make waves. Does anyone know of any problems?

I have two Apple TV's, one in the living room and one in the bedroom... however, the living room is the only one that my iphone Remote APP is connecting with... I've named/tagged the two ATV's hoping that the Remote APP would provide me the option on which one to control, but it doesn't....
I've confirmed that home sharing is "on" with in all devices "settings"...
Any suggestions?

Can you have multiple Apple TV's in the same house and network? If so how do you know which one to pick from your Idevice?

can you have multiple Apple TV's in the same house and network? If so how do you know which one to pick from your Idevice?

Yes, there are even defaults for naming them, such as LivingRoom, Bedroom, etc, or you can even enter your own name with the remote for each AppleTV.

Using Multiple Apple TVs to stream iTunes Music

Hey there All,
I'm considering using multiple(at least 2) Apple TVs to stream iTunes content around my home. The layout is ranch style and I'd like to put 1 in my Media room where I have my main HT set-up and another in the dining area. Will I be able to have these act like Airport Express units and have same music playing on both, if both are on? I'm considering this as I often entertain and am looking for an inexpensive solution to a Crestron or Sonos system and I'd also like to be able to move 1 Apple TV unit to a different location like the Deck in the Summer & just connect my old boombox with RCA inputs.
TIA for any assistance or suggestions.

Hey there BCFind,
Thanks for your response and good wishes. I've tried a couple of AE stations with limited success(dropping connection--still have them, any thoughts there? I'd appreciate them) and I would like to have the video option, have over 100 DVD rips stored on my iMac CD's external drive that play through iTunes(converted to H.264), a Netflix sub and we love the Jazz stations on iTunes radio. I use my 1st gen iPod Touch and Apple's Remote app with my iMac for music in my bedroom/office but, we'd like to occasionally also eat & watch a movie together as well have the music, get a 2 for 1-- music for entertaining and movies for the family. So, the original question... you're saying 2 ATVs will play the same music if both are on, in the same way that the Airport Express does?
Your set-up seems sweet. Thanks again.

HT204053 Can you have multiple apple ids that access one itune account??

I need to know if I can have multiple Apple Ids attached to one itunes account. Trying to set facetime up on these separate devices and it keeps failing. Any help would be appreciated. I tried to add additional emails, but I all I get is verifying and it never verifies it.

yes you can still sync all the devices on itunes using one master itunes/appleID account.
Music:
If you want to select specific playlists for your kids, DON'T enable iTunes Match on their devices, otherwise they will get ALL the playlists on their devices (learned that the hard way)
If you have wi-fi synced enabled that should still work.
Apps:
I manually select which apps they get on their devices using itunes. It only changes when they re-sync.
Don't enable AUTO downloads on their devices for Apps or Music purchases.
Since I also have young kids using these devices:
I have restrictions setup on their devices. I don't allow them to install/delete apps, nor do I allow them to make any account changes on their devices. This way their devices stay in order and get backed up to icloud. I can easily restore their devices if I needed too.
Once in a while I will disable the restrictions so I can update all their apps.
Hope this helps!

Multiple Apple TV remotes at once?

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