How to Charge an Apple TV Remote [All Types]

How to Charge Apple TV Remote

Most of us fail to remember that like any other device, that’s battery-powered, our Apple remotes also run out of battery. Because of the minimal usage of power by the Siri remote and the lasting capability of the battery, it’s going to take a while before you need to charge your Apple TV remote. Usually, a fully charged Apple TV remote will function for a few months. So recharging your Siri remote is not a daily event.

The older versions of the Apple TV remote came with a swappable CR2032 button-cell battery. So if you are upgrading from an older device, then charging the Apple TV remote must be a new thing for you. You will receive notifications on your Apple TV once your Siri remote dips to 20% in battery. This is when you need to charge your Apple TV remote.

How to Charge an Apple TV Remote

To charge the Apple TV remote (Siri Remote), you will need a Thunderbolt cable. You should have received one along with your Apple TV device. In case you can’t find your Thunderbolt cable fear not, the USB-C type cable that you use to charge your iPhone will do the job. Connect one end of the cable to the charging port on the bottom side of your Siri remote and connect the other end to a USB port.

How to Charge an Apple TV Remote

How to Check if Your Apple Remote is Charging

When you charge the Apple TV remote, there is no indicator light to check if it is charging or not. The remote lacks a physical indicator to indicate charging.,Instead, you will receive a notification on your Apple TV once your remote is connected to a power source.

Apple TV Remote charging

Moreover, you can manually check the battery status in the Apple TV Settings menu. With the Settings menu, you can also check the Apple TV remote charge level.

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple TV’s home screen.

Apple TV Settings app

2. Go to Remote and Devices.

Remotes and Devices option

3. Click on the Remote option. If the remote is charging, you will see a lightning blot icon. If not, it will show your battery level.

Apple TV remote Status

4. This will display the Apple TV remote’s battery level.

Apple TV Remote Battery level

By using this method, you can charge all the types of Apple TV remotes like Apple TV Remote Silver, Apple TV Siri Remote 1st Gen, and 2nd Gen. All the Apple TV remotes will have a lightning port at the bottom of the remote.

How to Change Battery on Older Apple TV Remotes

If you have an older Apple TV device, you would also have an older remote control. The older Apple TV remotes are non-rechargeable and use a CR2032 button-cell battery. To replace the battery on the aluminum model, open the battery compartment on the back of the remote. You can use a coin for this purpose. Remove the depleted cell and place the new battery in the slot. Take care to place the +ve towards yourself and close the compartment. That’s it, you are ready to go.

Aluminum remote Battery compartment


If you have the white model of the remote, then the process is slightly different. The white model has a battery tray the slides out at the bottom of the remote. You can use a paper clip to remove the tray. Remove the depleted cell and place the new battery in the tray with paying attention to placing the +ve sid3e facing towards you. Once that’s done, slide the battery tray back in and use your remote with the new battery.

White remote Battery Tray

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often do I charge my Apple TV remote?

It usually takes a few months for your Siri remote to go low on the battery once fully charged. You will be notified when the battery dips to 20%.

2. How long does it take for the Apple TV Remote to Charge?

The charging process itself only takes a couple of hours at the most. This will depend on the quality of the cable you are using to charge your remote.

3. What to do Apple TV remote not charging>

The Apple TV remote may have some issues. Check our troubleshooting tips on the Apple TV remote not charging to resolve those issues.