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{{short description|Remote control introduced by Apple Inc.}}
{{About|the Apple IR remote control|the iOS iTunes Wi-Fi app|iTunes Remote|the Mac OS remote desktop software|Apple Remote Desktop}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Apple Remote
| developer = [[Apple Inc.]]
| type = [[Infrared]] remote
| photo = [[File:Apple TV Remote.jpg|250px]]
| caption = The second-generation Apple Remote, released in October 2009
| first_release_date = October 12, 2005 (first generation)<br />October 20, 2009 (second generation)
| discontinuation_date = 
| processor = 
| baseprice = 
| website = 
| successor = [[Siri Remote]]
}}
The '''Apple Remote''' is a [[remote control]] introduced in October 2005 by [[Apple Inc.]] for use with a number of its products with [[infrared]] capability. It was originally designed to control the [[Front Row (software)|Front Row]] media center program on the [[iMac G5]] and is compatible with many subsequent Macintosh computers. The first three generations of [[Apple TV]] used the Apple Remote as their primary control mechanism. It has now been replaced with the [[Siri Remote]] in the fourth generation. Prior to the Apple Remote, Apple produced several nameless IR remotes for products such as the [[Macintosh TV]], TV tuner expansion boards, and the [[PowerCD|PowerCD drive]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VERY-RARE-REMOTE-for-the-Black-Apple-Computer-Macintosh-TV-RMC-A1-1993-/172249717505?hash=item281ae21b01:g:YSQAAOSwuAVWz9sV|title=VERY RARE - REMOTE for the Black Apple Computer Macintosh TV - RMC-A1 1993|website=eBay|access-date=2016-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Apple-Macintosh-Performa-TV-Tuner-Board-820-0549-A-Power-Mac-Video-Capture-Card-/251434624277?hash=item3a8aabe515:g:CrYAAOxyOlhS5HuL|title=Apple Macintosh Performa TV Tuner Board 820-0549-A Power Mac Video Capture Card|website=eBay|access-date=2016-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VINTAGE-Apple-RK6934-321-PowerCD-CD-Drive-Player-Remote-Control-w-Batteries-/201587742448?hash=item2eef90d6f0:g:7QEAAOSw95lXEXti|title=VINTAGE Apple RK6934/321 PowerCD CD Drive Player Remote Control w/ Batteries|website=eBay|access-date=2016-07-14}}</ref>

==Design==
===Plastic (2005)===
[[File:Apple Remote.jpg|thumb|70px|Original Apple Remote (2005)|left]]
The original Apple Remote was designed with six buttons and made of white plastic. Its shape and layout resembled the first-generation [[iPod Shuffle]]. A circular Play/Pause/Select button sat in the center of a larger four-button circle (clockwise): Volume Up, Next/Fast-forward, Volume Down, and Previous/Rewind. A separate Menu button was positioned below. Size - 83*32*8&nbsp;mm. The price was set at US$29.00.<ref>{{citation |title=Apple Computer Universal Dock and Apple Remote |date=October 21, 2005 |url=http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-computer-universal-dock-and-apple-remote-ipod |access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref>

===Aluminum (2009)===
[[File:Apple remote alu.jpg|alt=Apple Remote Aluminium (2009)|left|thumb|Apple Remote Aluminium (2009)]]
In October 2009, the remote was redesigned as a thinner and longer aluminum version. The new remote was released along with the 27-&nbsp;inch aluminum [[iMac]]s and [[multi-touch]] [[Magic Mouse]]. The Play/Pause button was moved out of the center of the directional buttons and put beside the Menu button (under the directional buttons). The symbols for the Volume Up/Down and Next/Fast-forward buttons were replaced with small dots, to make it clear that the buttons were also used to move up, down, left, and right within menus. Along with the new design, the price was dropped to US$19.99. In earlier aluminum remotes, the navigation ring was flush with the curvature of the remote's aluminum body. In the later revision, the ring is slightly raised to make it easier to locate the ring by touch.

Replacement of the [[CR2032 battery]] in the original remote is done with a small pointed object such as a [[paper clip]] at the bottom right edge of the device, where the battery slides out on a tray. The newer version has the battery located behind a compartment in the middle of the device which is accessed by turning a coin in the compartment door's indent.<ref>{{Citation |title=How to replace the Apple Remote battery |date=June 6, 2008 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1306 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>

== Functions ==
The Apple Remote's original function was to enable navigation in [[Front Row (software)|Front Row]], which allows users to browse and play music, view videos ([[DVD]]s and downloaded files) and browse photos. Although Front Row was removed from [[OS X 10.7]] and later, some Apple software still works with the remote. It can still be used to control presentations in [[Apple Keynote]], slide shows in [[iPhoto]] and [[Aperture (software)|Aperture]], DVD films via [[DVD Player (software)|DVD Player]], and to play video, and audio in [[iTunes]] and [[QuickTime]]. Other software that is still compatible includes [[Elgato]]'s EyeTV 3.5, and [[VLC media player]]. The remote can also be used to run presentations in [[Microsoft PowerPoint]] 2008 or in [[OpenOffice.org Impress]].

Other functions controlled by the remote can include putting a device into [[sleep mode]], selecting a partition to boot from on startup, and ejecting optical discs.<ref>{{Citation |title=Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume|date=March 23, 2009 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> A device can be configured to respond only to a particular remote.<ref>{{Citation |title=Pairing your Apple Remote with your computer |date=November 24, 2009 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]]|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1619 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>

=== iPods ===
An [[iPod]] placed in a [[Apple Dock Connector|dock]] featuring an IR sensor can be used with the remote for music and media control.<ref>{{Citation |title=Pairing the Apple Remote with the iPod Universal Dock |date=May 3, 2010 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4154 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> The iPod's menus cannot be operated with the remote. The Apple Remote can also be used to control the [[iPod Hi-Fi]] or third-party devices tailored to it.<ref>{{Citation |title=Using the Apple Remote with iPod Hi-Fi |date=April 14, 2008 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1697 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>

=== Boot Camp ===
Starting with [[Boot Camp (software)|Boot Camp]] 1.2, the remote has some functionality when a user is running [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. If [[iTunes]] is installed on the Windows partition, pressing the Menu button on the remote will start the program. The remote's media controls also support [[Windows Media Player]], as well as system volume control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boot Camp Installation & Setup Guide |url=http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/boot_camp_install-setup.pdf |publisher=Apple |access-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729005350/http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Boot_Camp_Install-Setup.pdf |archive-date=July 29, 2012 }}</ref> Other third-party programs may also utilize the remote's capabilities; media applications such as [[foobar2000]] and [[Media Player Classic]] allow users to control their functions via the remote. Applications must be in focus for the remote to control them. Boot Camp 5, released on March 14, 2013, also includes drivers for the remote control.<ref>{{cite web|title=Boot Camp 5: Frequently asked questions
|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5639|publisher=Apple|access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref>

== iOS app ==
{{Main|iTunes Remote}}
Apple offers a free 'Remote' app for [[iOS]] devices (available in the [[App Store (iOS)|Apple App Store]]) which allows for wireless control of iTunes on Mac/[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] computers or the Apple TV.

== Siri Remote ==
{{Main|Siri Remote}}
[[File:Siri Remote and old Apple Remote.JPG|thumb|220x220px|First-generation Siri Remote (right)]]
The [[Siri Remote]] was launched with the 4th generation [[Apple TV]] in 2015. It uses both [[Infrared|IR]] and [[Bluetooth]] to communicate with the Apple TV. The remote has a trackpad, dual microphones, five buttons for menu, home, [[Siri]] and play/pause, and a volume up/down rocker button.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT205305|title=Use your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote with Apple TV (4th generation)|publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> Additionally it has an [[accelerometer]] ([[Inertial measurement unit|IMU]]) and a gyroscope<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/tvos/human-interface-guidelines/remote-and-controllers/|title=Siri Remote and Game Controllers - tvOS Human Interface Guidelines
|publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> which allows the remote to be used as a gaming controller for [[tvOS]] apps and games. The remote (unlike previous generations) uses a built-in rechargeable [[Lithium polymer battery|Lithium Polymer Battery]] that is charged through a [[Lightning (connector)|lightning port]] at the bottom of the remote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT205384 |title=Charge your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote |publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> In regions where Siri is not supported, the Siri Remote is known as the Apple TV Remote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-au/ht205300 |title=Use Siri on your Apple TV (4th generation) |publisher=Apple Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref>

On September 12, 2017, together with the Apple TV 4K, Apple announced an updated Siri Remote, with a raised white border around the menu button and additional motion input for apps.

== Compatibility==
[[File:Apple remote imac.JPG|thumb]]

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Macintosh compatibility (devices with suitable IR receivers)
|-
! Model || Compatibility
|-
| [[MacBook]] || {{Partial| Original – Mid 2009 (Except White Unibody)}}
|-
| [[MacBook Air]] || {{Partial| Original – Mid 2009}}
|-
| [[MacBook Pro]] || {{Partial| Original – Mid 2012 (Except Retina)}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itstillworks.com/remotes-compatible-macbook-40071.html|title = What Remotes Are Compatible with a MacBook?}}</ref>
|-
| [[iMac]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iospirit.com/products/remotebuddy/hardware/#applebuiltinirreceiver|title=Remote Buddy Supported Hardware|publisher=IOspirit|access-date=20 December 2013}}</ref> || {{Partial|G5 iSight – Mid 2011}}
|-
| [[Mac mini]] || {{Partial| Early 2006 – Late 2014}}
|-
| [[Mac Pro]] || {{No|None}}
|-
| [[Mac Studio]] || {{No|None}}
|}

Earlier models of the iMac with polycarbonate enclosures featured a magnetic rest for the remote,<ref>{{Citation |title=iMac (Mid 2007): No Remote rest for Apple Remote |date=August 13, 2007 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24898 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref> which was later removed.

=== Use with new MacBook Airs, Retina MacBook Pros and older Macs ===
Using the Apple Remote with newer MacBook Air, Retina MacBook, or other Mac models without a built-in IR receiver requires a USB-based infrared receiver and additional software from a third party.

Using Remote Buddy (from IOSPIRIT GmbH) or mira (from Twisted Melon), it is possible to connect an external USB receiver such as the [[Windows Media Center]] Edition eHome receiver, and use the Apple Remote on these machines with full support for sleep, pairing, low-battery detection and controlling a variety of Apple and third-party software. In addition, Remote Buddy is able to emulate events of an Apple Remote on these systems, enabling users to use software written for the Apple Remote in exactly the same way as with Macs that have a built-in infrared receiver.

For the Apple computers without built-in infrared receiver, there exists a miniature USB receiver (USB-A or USB-C versions), the SmartGUS,<ref>https://gusdevices.wixsite.com/smartgus/description {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> which allows to retrofit the infrared functionality to iMac, MacBook and Mac Pro. In this case, all compatible software (iTunes, Keynote, PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress, QuickTime Player, iPhoto, VLC, Kodi, Remote Buddy, Mira ...) can use the features of the Apple Remote, the same as with the legacy built-in infrared receiver.

It is currently unknown whether the Apple Remote can be used with a USB receiver on [[Apple Silicon]]-based Macs or not, which includes the newly introduced [[Mac Studio]].

==Infrared interference==
Because many electrical appliances use infrared remote (IR) controls, concurrent use of the Apple Remote with other IR remotes may scramble communications and generate interference, preventing stable use. Remotes should be used individually to circumvent the problem.<ref>{{Citation |title=Apple TV: IR interference can prevent your remote from working |date=March 22, 2007 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.]] |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24608 |access-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>

==Technical details==
[[File:Apple-Remote-G2-Infrared-LED.jpg|thumb|Apple Remote 2nd generation with lit infrared LED]]
The Apple Remote uses a modified [[Consumer IR#Standards|NEC IR protocol]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techdocs.altium.com/search/wikinode/NEC+Infrared+Transmission+Protocol|title = Search {{pipe}} Online Documentation for Altium Products}}</ref> which consists of a differential [[pulse-position modulation|PPM]] encoding on a 1:3 [[duty cycle]] 38 [[kHz]] 950 [[nanometre|nm]] [[infrared]] carrier. There are 32 bits of encoded data between the [[automatic gain control|AGC]] leader and the stop bit:<ref>{{Citation |last=Callendrello |first=Casey |title=Apple Remote library for Arduinio |date=October 11, 2008 |publisher=caseyc.net |url=http://caseyc.net/home/2008/10/11/apple-remote-library-for-arduinio/ |access-date=November 27, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208235810/http://caseyc.net/home/2008/10/11/apple-remote-library-for-arduinio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Protocol !!on ([[microsecond|μs]]) !! off (μs) !! total (μs)
|-
!leader|| 9000 || 4500 ||13500
|-
!0 bit ||560 ||560 ||1120
|-
!1 bit ||560 ||1690 ||2250
|-
!stop ||560 ||{{N/a}} ||560
|}

The first two bytes sent are the Apple custom code ID (0xEE followed by 0x87), which are followed by a one byte command and a one byte remote ID (0-255) making a total of 32 bits of data. All bytes are sent [[least significant bit]] first. The least significant bit of the command byte is a parity bit over the command byte and the ID byte.<ref>{{Citation |title=Apple Remote |date=May 17, 2012 |publisher=Hifiduino blog at wordpress|url=http://hifiduino.wordpress.com/apple-aluminum-remote/ |accessdate=May 14, 2025}}</ref> The commands consist of:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Value !! Button !! Command
|-
|0x01 ||Menu ||Menu
|-
|0x2e followed by 0x02 ||Center || Select
|-
|0x03  || Right ||Next/Fast-Forward
|-
|0x04 ||Left ||Previous/Rewind
|-
|0x05 ||Up ||Volume Up
|-
|0x06 ||Down ||Volume Down
|-
|0x2f followed by 0x02 || Play/Pause || Play/Pause
|}

The aluminium Apple remote control has 7 buttons; the extra button is a play/pause button and sends the same code as the center button. However, both these buttons prepend their code with another 32 bit sequence containing the commands 0x2f and 0x2e, respectively.

==See also==
{{commons category|Apple Remote}}
* [[Siri Remote]]
* [[Apple TV]]
* [[Front Row (software)|Front Row]]
* [[iTunes Remote]]
* [[Remote control]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1522 About the Apple Remote control]

{{Apple hardware since 1998}}
{{Apple hardware}}

[[Category:Apple Inc. peripherals]]
[[Category:ITunes|Remote]]
[[Category:Remote control]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2005]]