Why you might need to disconnect your Apple TV remote
You disconnect an Apple TV remote when you want to stop it from controlling that specific device — usually because you're pairing it with a different Apple TV, troubleshooting connection problems, or selling or giving away the device. Unlike a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, Apple TV remotes stay paired until you actively remove them, so straightforward turning off the remote won't stop it from working.
The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. You don't need to unpair the remote from the remote itself — you do it through your Apple TV's settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting an Apple TV remote happens in the Apple TV Settings menu, not on the remote itself.
- You navigate to Remotes and Devices, select the remote you want to remove, and choose the option to forget it.
- After disconnecting, the remote will no longer control that Apple TV until you pair it again.
- If you can't access the menu because your remote isn't working, you can use the Apple TV app on your iPhone or iPad to navigate instead.
Steps to disconnect through the Apple TV settings menu
Start by turning on your Apple TV and making sure you have the remote you want to disconnect nearby. Pick up the remote and press the Menu button (the one with three horizontal lines) to open the main menu on your screen.
From the home screen, navigate to Settings using the remote's directional pad. Scroll down and select Remotes and Devices. You'll see a list of all remotes currently paired with this Apple TV. Find the remote you want to disconnect and select it. Choose the option that says Forget Remote or Remove. The remote will when ready stop controlling this Apple TV.
If you have multiple remotes paired to the same Apple TV — which is common in households with more than one person — you'll see all of them listed. Make sure you're selecting the correct one before confirming the removal.
What to do if your remote isn't responding
If your remote has stopped working entirely and you can't navigate the menu to disconnect it, you can use your iPhone or iPad instead. Open the Apple TV app on your phone, tap the remote icon at the bottom of the screen, and you'll see the same Remotes and Devices menu. Navigate to the remote you want to remove and select Forget.
Alternatively, if you have a second working remote, use that one to navigate to Settings and disconnect the broken remote. This is often faster than pulling out your phone.
If neither option works — for example, if you don't have another remote or an iPhone — you can reset your Apple TV entirely. This will disconnect all remotes at once, though you'll need to set up the device again from scratch and re-pair a working remote.
Reconnecting the remote after disconnecting it
Once you've disconnected a remote, it won't control your Apple TV anymore. To use it again with the same device, you'll need to pair it. Hold the remote close to your Apple TV and hold down the Menu and Back buttons together for about three seconds until you see a pairing prompt on your screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing.
If you're pairing the remote with a different Apple TV, the process is the same — just hold the buttons near the new device instead. Most remotes pair when ready once you hold down the buttons.
Differences between Siri Remote and older Apple TV remotes
Apple has made several remote models over the years. The current Siri Remote (released in 2021 and later) has a clickpad at the top and a Menu button. Older models like the Apple Remote (the white aluminum remote) and the second-generation Siri Remote (with a touch surface) all disconnect the same way — through the Remotes and Devices menu.
The steps don't change based on which remote model you own. The menu location and button names are the same across all current Apple TV models and remote types.
Troubleshooting if the remote won't disconnect
In rare cases, a remote might not disappear from the list even after you select Forget. This usually means the Apple TV didn't register the command. Try navigating back to Remotes and Devices and selecting the remote again. If it still won't remove, restart your Apple TV by going to Settings, System, and Restart.
After the restart, go back to Remotes and Devices and try disconnecting the remote once more. If the remote still appears after a restart, the issue is usually with the Apple TV itself rather than the remote. In that case, a full factory reset of the Apple TV may be necessary, though this is uncommon.
What happens to a disconnected remote
A disconnected remote is straightforward unpaired — it's not damaged or broken. You can pair it with any other Apple TV, and it will work exactly as it did before. There's no limit to how many times you can disconnect and reconnect the same remote.
If you're selling or giving away your Apple TV, disconnecting all remotes before handing it over is good practice. It ensures the new owner can pair their own remote without interference from yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disconnect a remote without access to the Apple TV menu?
Yes. Use the Apple TV app on your iPhone or iPad to navigate to Remotes and Devices and forget the remote from there. If you don't have another Apple device, a second working remote can do the same thing.
Will disconnecting a remote erase any of my Apple TV settings or shows?
No. Disconnecting a remote only removes the pairing between that remote and the Apple TV. Your apps, settings, and watch history stay exactly as they are.
How many remotes can be paired to one Apple TV at the same time?
Apple TV supports multiple remotes paired simultaneously, so you can have several remotes controlling the same device. There's no hard limit, though most households use one or two.
What's the difference between disconnecting and forgetting a remote?
On Apple TV, "forget" and "disconnect" mean the same thing — the remote stops being paired with that device. The terminology varies slightly depending on your Apple TV model, but the result is identical.
If I disconnect my remote, will it stop working with other Apple TVs I own?
No. Disconnecting a remote from one Apple TV doesn't affect its pairing with other devices. Each Apple TV maintains its own list of paired remotes independently.