In iOS 17 and tvOS 17, Apple added a feature that allows Apple TV users to locate a misplaced Siri Remote using their iPhone. Keep reading to find out how to do this.
Before the launch of the latest Apple TV 4K, there were rumors that Apple would integrate Find My functionality into the Siri remote. That didn’t happen, but in its last few major software updates, Apple introduced a new iPhone option that essentially does the same thing.
In early September, Apple quietly released new firmware for its second and third generation Siri remotes. With the new firmware, tvOS 17 and iOS 17, if a Siri remote is lost, the Apple TV remote available in Control Center on an iPhone can be used to locate the missing remote.
When enabled, users will see a Find My-style interface on their iPhone that guides them to the remote, with an on-screen circle that changes size to guide movement in the right direction.
Note that Find My for the Siri remote is available on second- and third-generation Siri remotes, and the functionality is limited to Apple TV 4K models released in 2021 and 2022.
Also keep in mind that updating the firmware is necessary and there is no established method for updating the Siri remote. The Apple TV will need to be up to date, turned on, and connected to the Siri remote to start, but there’s no way to force the new firmware to download.
Find your Siri remote with your iPhone
- Bring up Control Center from your iPhone by swiping up from the top-right corner of the screen (on an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
- Press the Apple TV Remote button (if it’s not there, you can manually add it to the Control Center).
- Tap the chevron next to the name of the connected Siri Remote.
- Press the Find next to the misplaced Siri remote.
- Use the Find My-like interface on the screen to locate the remote control. The size of the circle increases to guide movement in the right direction. When your iPhone is right next to the remote, the screen displays a solid white orb.
- Press the X button to close the location interface.
In our experience, the feature’s proximity accuracy is equivalent to locating an AirTag with Find My, so it’s very useful for locating your Siri remote even if it’s just hidden between the couch cushions.
