What an Anki Remote is and why you'd connect one
An Anki Remote is a small wireless controller made by Anki (now owned by Digital Dream Labs) that pairs with certain Anki robot toys — primarily the Vector robot. The remote lets you control the robot from across the room instead of using your phone or voice commands. On a Mac, the connection happens through your computer's Bluetooth, the same wireless standard that connects headphones or mice.
You might want to connect the remote to your Mac if you're setting up a new Vector robot, troubleshooting connection problems, or updating the robot's software. The Mac acts as a bridge between the remote and the robot during this process, even though you'll eventually control the robot directly from the remote itself.
The actual pairing is straightforward — it takes about five minutes and requires only your Mac and the remote. You don't need any special software beyond what comes built into macOS.
Key Takeaways
- The Anki Remote connects to your Mac through Bluetooth, the same wireless system your Mac uses for mice and headphones.
- You pair the remote by putting it into pairing mode, then selecting it from your Mac's Bluetooth settings.
- The remote needs fresh batteries to connect reliably — low batteries are the most common reason pairing fails.
- Once paired, the remote stays connected to your Mac until you manually unpair it or the batteries die.
Check your remote's batteries before you start
The Anki Remote uses two AA batteries, and low batteries are the number one reason pairing fails. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote by sliding the cover down, and check whether the batteries look corroded or are visibly old. If you're not sure, replace them with fresh AA batteries now — this takes 30 seconds and prevents frustration later.
Once you've confirmed the batteries are fresh, hold the remote in your hand and look for the pairing button. On most Anki Remotes, this is a small recessed button on the back near the battery compartment. You'll press it in the next step, but don't press it yet.
Put the remote into pairing mode
Press and hold the pairing button on the back of the remote for about three seconds. You should see a light on the remote start blinking — usually a blue or white light. This blinking means the remote is now in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to. The remote will stay in pairing mode for about two minutes, so you have time to move to your Mac without rushing.
If the light doesn't blink after three seconds, try holding the button for five seconds instead. Some remotes need a longer press. If the light still doesn't appear, the batteries may be too low — go back and replace them with new ones.
Open Bluetooth settings on your Mac
On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen. From the dropdown, select System Settings (on newer Macs running Monterey or later) or System Preferences (on older versions). The window that opens will show you various settings categories.
Look for Bluetooth in the left sidebar and click it. Your Mac will now show a list of Bluetooth devices it can see. You should see the Anki Remote appear in this list within a few seconds — it will usually show up as "Anki Remote" or sometimes just "Remote".
Select the remote and complete pairing
Click on the Anki Remote in the Bluetooth list. Your Mac will attempt to pair with it. You may see a popup asking you to confirm the pairing or enter a code — if this happens, click Pair or Connect. Most Anki Remotes don't require a code, so the pairing should complete automatically.
Once pairing is complete, the remote's blinking light will stop blinking and stay solid, or turn off entirely. In the Bluetooth settings on your Mac, the remote will now show as "Connected" next to its name. At this point, the remote is paired with your Mac and ready to use.
What to do if pairing doesn't work
If the remote doesn't appear in your Mac's Bluetooth list after you put it in pairing mode, try these steps in order. First, replace the batteries with fresh AA batteries and try again — this solves the problem about 70 percent of the time. Second, restart your Mac's Bluetooth by turning it off and on again: click the Bluetooth icon in the top menu bar, select Turn Bluetooth Off, wait five seconds, then turn it back on.
Third, forget the remote from your Mac if it's already paired but not connecting properly. In Bluetooth settings, find the Anki Remote in the list, click the X or Remove button next to it, then try pairing again from the beginning. If none of these steps work, restart your Mac entirely and repeat the pairing process.
Keeping your remote connected after pairing
Once the remote is paired with your Mac, it will automatically reconnect whenever both devices are turned on and within Bluetooth range (usually about 30 feet). You don't need to pair it again unless you unpair it manually or reset the remote.
To unpair the remote if you need to, go back to Bluetooth settings on your Mac, find the Anki Remote, and click the X or Remove button. This breaks the connection permanently, and you'll need to repeat the pairing process if you want to use it with your Mac again. The remote itself doesn't need to be reset — it will straightforward wait for a new device to pair with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair the remote to my Mac every time I use it?
No. Once paired, the remote stays paired to your Mac unless you manually unpair it. It will automatically reconnect when you turn on Bluetooth and the remote is nearby. You only pair once.
Can I pair the same remote to multiple Macs?
A remote can be paired to multiple devices, but it can only connect to one at a time. If you pair it to a second Mac, you'll need to unpair it from the first Mac first, or the connection will be unreliable.
What if the remote pairs but doesn't control the Vector robot?
Pairing the remote to your Mac is different from pairing it to the robot itself. After pairing to your Mac, you may need to pair the remote directly to your Vector robot using the Vector app on your phone. Check the Vector app's settings for remote pairing instructions.
How do I know if the batteries are actually dead?
The remote will either not turn on at all or won't stay in pairing mode long enough to connect. If you press the pairing button and the light blinks for only a second or two before stopping, the batteries are too low. Replace them and try again.
Can I use a rechargeable battery in the Anki Remote?
Yes, rechargeable AA batteries work fine in the remote. They may not last quite as long as alkaline batteries between charges, but they'll pair and function normally. Make sure they're fully charged before pairing.