Here’s how you can repair your Siri Remote, or pair a new one.

When you first plug in your fourth-generation Apple TV, your Siri Remote should automatically pair to your device, allowing you to begin the setup process. But what if your Siri Remote’s battery dies, or you need to pair a new remote? Here’s how to repair a remote to the Apple TV.

How to reset your Siri Remote

If your remote is merely out of battery or misbehaving, you can reset it by simultaneously pressing the Menu and Volume Up buttons. This will reset your remote and put it back into pairing mode.

Any questions?

Let us know below.

Get ready to play some games on your Apple TV by adding a third-party controller.

If you decided to pick up a third-party Made For iPhone (MFi) gaming controller along with your new Apple TV this week, you’re likely going to want to set it up. Here’s how to pair your controller with your fourth-generation Apple TV.

Add a game controller to your Apple TV

1. Turn on your controller. (On the SteelSeries Nimbus, you can do so by switching the Hold button to ON.) If the controller has been previously paired, you may also have to press and hold the Bluetooth button.
2. On your Apple TV, use your Siri remote to go to the Settings app, then go to Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.

   

3. Find your game controller and click on the entry. After a few moments, your controller should automatically pair.

How to add an iPhone or iPad as a game controller for your Apple TV

Third-party MFi game controllers are universal: You can use them anywhere on your Apple TV, including in non-gaming apps and on the Home screen. If you’re looking to connect your iPhone or iPad to use as a controller, however, you’ll have to first launch the specific game in question on both the Apple TV and your iPhone or iPad, then follow its instructions for pairing.

Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod currently can’t control the fourth-generation Apple TV outside of specific applications—though we hope an update to the Remote app comes soon to remedy that.

Troubleshoot adding a game controller

If you’re running into an issue adding a third-party MFi controller, there are a couple of steps you can take.

1. Make sure your controller is charged.
2. Restart your controller by turning it off, then on again.
3. Restart the Apple TV.
4. If your controller has previously been connected to any other Bluetooth devices, make sure it’s not currently connected to those devices before attempting to pair with Apple TV. If you’re still having trouble, you may have to click or tap on the device, then ”Forget Device”, under the Bluetooth screen.

Questions?

Having trouble with game controllers, or want to know more? Read our overview on third-party controllers, and if you still have questions, pop them below and we’ll try to get them answered as best we can.

Want to rock a game controller for your Apple TV games? Here’s the deal.

Apple’s fourth-generation Apple TV offers an App Store chock full of third-party apps for you to enjoy—including, yes, games. To expand the gaming universe further, the Apple TV is supporting Apple’s Made For iPhone (MFi) standard for third-party controllers, which means you’ll be able to game with a Siri Remote and Xbox-style controller alike.

So, how do third-party controllers work in the wide wonderful world of tvOS? We’ll walk you through it so you can start gaming in no time.

What can I use to control an Apple TV game?

Currently, you can play games with three different devices: the Siri remote, MFi controllers, and your iOS device.

Games have to support the Apple TV’s Siri remote

Many tvOS games are supporting MFi controllers to allow for more detailed interactions inside gameplay. But you don’t have to worry about being locked out if you don’t have a fancy controller: All games still have to support playing via the Siri Remote.

Apple does this by requiring developers to support multiple controller profiles: The Siri Remote offers a limited controller set, through which the core tenets of the game should be playable. Switch to a third-party controller, and you’ll gain access to the extended control layout, which supports multiple buttons, shoulder and trigger buttons, multiple thumbsticks and a directional pad, and more.

For the end-user, this means that you won’t be locked out of an awesome tvOS game if you choose not to buy additional hardware, but a third-party controller will add more complexity and a range of extra options for play.

All MFi game controllers work with the Apple TV

Apple may be primarily advertising the SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller for the new Apple TV, and for good reason: The controller feels great in the hand and charges via Lightning cable. But you don’t have to buy the latest and greatest controller to game on your Apple TV—any MFi-approved game controller that works on iOS will also connect to the new set-top box.

iPhone and iPods work as game controllers, too—if your game supports it

You’re not just limited to a Siri Remote or third-party controller: The new Apple TV can use your iOS device as an additional controller if the game you’re playing supports it. Typically, you’ll see iOS controller support for games that have an iPhone or iPad counterpart, like SketchParty.

How do MFi game controllers interact with the Apple TV?

Connecting an MFi controller is as easy as turning it on and pairing it from the Apple TV’s Settings app (just go to Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth). Once that controller’s connected, however, there are a few things you might want to know.

Game controllers work as remotes, too

Everything your Siri Remote can do, your game controller can do, too: Just like you might navigate your Xbox with an Xbox controller, you can use third-party controllers to move through your Home screen or any other apps. The D-pad and left thumbstick both work to navigate through menus, while the A button works as a click, and the B button as a back option.

On the Nimbus, you also have a ”Menu” button which, in addition to working as a back button, also allows you to pause games and movies alike.

Sadly, no: There’s no way to get voice control in your games just yet. You can’t trigger Siri except via the Siri remote.

You can only have two controllers (and a remote) hooked up at any time

Don’t get too excited for four-player mayhem just yet: Unfortunately, you can only link two MFi controllers to your Apple TV at a time. That, plus the Siri Remote, seems to indicate a total of three possible players at a time (unless the game in question also offers iOS controllers, as well.)

Third-party controllers don’t have accelerometers

If you’re opting for a controller over Siri Remote or iOS device, be prepared to give away some more creative functionality: Standalone controllers don’t currently support accelerometer tilt or motion controls.

How do I know if my game supports a third-party controller?

All games on the tvOS App Store offer a helpful indicator on their app pages in regards to controllers: If your game offers third-party controller support, you’ll see Game Controller Optional below the description.

I do find that wording interesting—”optional”—given that, currently, Apple prevents tvOS games from requiring a game controller. It might be worded in such a way to open up the possibility controller-required games in the future… or it just might be a random word choice on the part of tvOS App Store staff.

How the Siri Remote works as a game controller

If you’re planning on using the Siri Remote to play games, here are a few things you’ll want to know.

You can hold the Siri Remote in either portrait or landscape, depending on the game—most controller-type games will require landscape, while point-and-click games should be fine in portrait mode.

When you hold the remote sideways in landscape, the touchpad should face to the left, with the Lightning port (and optional connected wrist strap) to the right.

The touchpad works as a D-pad; click the touchpad to hit the ”A” button equivalent. The Play/Pause button becomes the ”X” button, while the Menu button becomes the pause function to bring up the game’s menu. The volume buttons, Siri button, and TV On/Off button remain mapped to their original functionality.

The Siri remote will recognize basic motion data while playing, but don’t expect anything overly complicated: It currently can’t determine precise altitude or rotation of the remote.

How third-party controllers work in games

When you connect a third-party controller, you have access to the full expanded controller layout. That means iOS games can incorporate any and all of those extra buttons.

Many games won’t, of course, leaving you the traditional A/B button + D-pad controls to work with. But for those that do, you may gain access to the X and Y buttons, shoulders, triggers, and thumbstick controls.

Questions about game controllers?

Drop ’em in the comments and we’ll try to dig up some answers.

Apple TV now has promo codes, just like Apple’s other app platforms—it’s how you redeem them that’s different!

On Apple’s other app platforms you redeem promo codes right in the respective App Stores. On the Apple TV, perhaps out of respect for how difficult entering alphanumeric sequences would be with the Siri Remote, you redeem your promo codes on iOS or iTunes.

How to redeem a promo code for an Apple TV app using iOS

If you have an iOS device handy, it’s easiest to redeem right there.

1. Launch the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap on the Featured tab.
3. Tap on Redeem at the very bottom.
4. Sign in with your iTunes password, if requested.
5. Enter your promo code.

   

When you go back to your Apple TV, the newly redeemed app should now show up under Purchased.

How to redeem a promo code for an Apple TV app using iTunes

If you’re already on your Mac or Windows PC, you can redeem right in iTunes as well.

1. Launch iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC.
2. Click on the App Store tab.
3. Click on Redeem under Quick Links.
4. Sign in with your iTunes password, if requested.
5. Enter the promo code.

   

When you go back to your Apple TV, the newly redeemed app should now show up under Purchased.

If you can’t or simply don’t want to tap to set up your new Apple TV, you can still do it manually.

The new Apple TV is incredibly easy to set up—just tap it with an iOS 9.1 device and you’re good to go. If you don’t have an iOS 9.1 device handy, or want to use different account information on your Apple TV, you can also set it up manually. It’s a chore, mind you, but it’s doable!

How to manually set up your new Apple TV

You need to use your Siri Remote to set up your Apple TV. Swipe the trackpad at the top to navigate, click it to select.

1. Click on your preferred Language. (Apple TV will offer you the one it thinks is correct but you can swipe to scroll down and choose another.)
2. Click on your Region. (Apple TV will offer you the one it thinks is correct but you can swipe to scroll down and choose another.)
3. Click on Set Up Manually.

   

4. Click on your Wi-Fi Network, if you’re not connected to Ethernet.
   1. Enter your Wi-Fi password.
   2. Click Continue.

      

5. Wait a few moments for your Apple TV to activate.
6. Enter your Apple ID (the one you use for iTunes and App Store, if you have multiple).
7. Click Continue.
8. Enter your Apple ID password.
9. Click Continue.

   

10. Click to Accept the terms and conditions.
11. Choose whether you want to Enable or Disable location services. Location services, among other things, help select the ariel screen savers.

    

12. Choose whether to Use Siri or Don’t Use Siri. Siri lets you search and command your Apple TV using natural language voice control.
13. Choose whether you want to Automatically Download screen savers or download them Later. It’s roughly 600 MB a month if you choose the automatic option. But, you’ll get all the new locations and scenes as they’re added.

    

14. Choose weather to Send to Apple or Don’t Send any diagnostic information. The information helps Apple improve products and fix bugs.
15. Click to agree to the Warranty.
16. Click to agree to the Terms and Conditions.

    

And—phew!—you’re done!

Apple has pushed out a new app that acts as a companion to Beats Pill+ speakers, allowing you to manage and control them. The app does much of what you’d expect, allowing users to control music output for one or two speakers right from the app. Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll find with the Beats Pill+ app:

• Like the Beats Pill+ speaker, the app has a sleek interface and is intuitive to use.
• Connect to your Beats Pill+ from two audio sources.
• Unlock more ways to play with two Beats Pill+ speakers for even more dynamic sound.
• Keep track of your Beats Pill+ power levels so you always know how much battery is left.
• In Amplify, adjust the volume of two speakers wirelessly from your external Bluetooth® source.
• Get additional software updates and product support.

Overall, it’s a pretty handy thing to have if you’ve already ordered one of the newly-released speakers. If you’d like to check the app out for yourself, be sure to hit up the link to the App Store below.

• Free – Download Now