Apple has finally heard the heartache of millions of Apple TV users who have lost their remote control in the twists and turns of sofa cushions, or in the dog’s stomach. A new function in iOS 17 and tvOS 17 allows an iPhone to precisely locate a remote control!
In 2021, Apple launched the second generation of the Apple TV 4K which, in addition to integrating a more powerful A12 Bionic chip, was above all supplied with a remote control with a completely revised design. Easier to use, it is also more robust… but just as easy to lose as previous models!
But where did the remote control go?
Many had hoped that the manufacturer would integrate a U1 chip, which had appeared two years earlier on the iPhone 11. This Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip allows very precise localization of the device. It is also at the heart of AirTag, Apple’s lost object tracker launched at the same time as this Apple TV. But strangely, Apple did not think of integrating it into the remote control of the streaming box, even though we generally spend our lives looking for it.
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iOS 17 and tvOS 17 finally bring relief to all Apple TV 4K users! The latest betas, before the final versions expected next Monday, are accompanied by new firmware for the remote control. Together, these three updates finally enable a precise location feature for the device!
To take advantage of it, you have to go not to the Locate application, that would be too simple, but to the iPhone control center. Tap the Apple TV Remote icon, then in the top menu Choosing a TVyou should see an option To research the remote control. From there, an interface gives an increasingly precise indication of the remote’s position, almost as if it were saying ” you heat up… you cool down… “.
The whole thing is reminiscent of the precise location function of the AirPods, which also do not have a U1 chip. In both cases, it’s very practical for getting your hands on those damn little devices that have a habit of getting lost! The feature is compatible with Apple TV 4K 2nd generation (2021) and 3rd generation (2022).