page 1 of 2
Apple TV 4 comes with the Siri Remote, a sophisticated device which uses many of the same components as a smart phone. This article covers how to charge the Siri Remote.
Apple TV 4 leaves a few things to be desired, but a capable remote is not one of them. The Siri Remote is one of the most appealing features of the product. With its motion controller, touch controller, bluetooth radio, digital signal processor and other components, it’s almost as sophisticated as a smart phone.
The Siri Remote’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery is a great convenience. Unlike the aluminum Apple Remote that came with the 2nd and 3rd generation models, you’ll never need to buy batteries for the Siri Remote. This is yet another innovation that sets the Siri Remote apart from competing devices.
How Long Does the Siri Remote’s Battery Last?
A fully charged Siri Remote can be used for a few months without recharging. This all depends on how often you use the remote and what you do with it. If you use it to watch TV for a few hours in the evening, it will last for a few months. Playing video games with the remote will drain the battery faster. I use my Apple TV 4 every evening and play the occasional game. My Siri Remote will last for about two months on a single charge.
Check Siri Remote Battery Level
The Siri Remote doesn’t have a display. The remote itself has no way to indicate battery charge level. You can check the battery level by going to Settings > Remotes and Devices. You will see a battery icon next to the Remote text label. This provides a simple representation of the Siri Remote’s charge status. Clicking on Remote displays the actual battery level in percentage. Right now, the battery icon shows that my remote is fully charged, but the percentage is really 84%.
Siri can also provide the battery charge level. This is the easiest way to check the battery level. Simply hold down the Siri button and say “battery level”.
You don’t need to obsessively check the battery level of your Siri Remote. tvOS will pop up a message when the Siri Remote’s battery is running low. If you require that your Siri Remote always works, I suggest setting a calendar event as a reminder to charge it monthly. The battery will most likely last more than a month, so this will ensure it’s always ready to use.
Charging the Siri Remote
Apple TV 4 comes with a USB to lightning cable for charging. Unfortunately, you can’t use the USB port on your Apple TV 4 to charge the remote. The USB cable won’t fit the USB-C port. Apple TV 4’s USB port provides no current. The USB port on Apple TV 4 is for diagnostics and support.
To charge the Siri Remote, connect the USB end of the cable to a power source, such an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch charger. You can also use a computer or a USB charger that plugs directly into an outlet. Virtually any power source will work. Make sure to check the charging port and cable for dust, pocket lint or any other debris before connecting the lightning end of the connector to your Siri Remote.
Unlike an iPhone, which is capable of rapid charging (which can shorten the battery’s lifespan), the Siri Remote can only charge at one current. The Siri Remote uses a Texas Instruments BQ24250C battery charging integrated circuit. This charging circuit has programmatic charge current level. This means that Apple sets the amperage for charging the Siri Remote. It doesn’t matter if you use an iPad or iPhone charger. Your Siri Remote will charge at the correct current. (continue…)