This article explains how to use the redesigned Apple TV remote that first shipped with the 2021 Apple TV 4K. You'll also get an overview of its features and tips for getting the most out of the new control scheme.

The Apple TV 4K Siri Remote (2021) has had a total overhaul since the first-generation Siri Remote that first shipped with the Apple TV 4K (2017). Most of the aesthetic changes introduced in the 2017 version have been rolled back, with this remote sporting a silver aluminum housing and a circular navigation button that will look familiar if you’ve used a second- or third-generation Apple TV.

Instead of the featureless glass touchpad found on the first-generation Siri remote, the 2021 Apple TV 4K remote has a circular navigation button with a touch-enabled clickpad in the center. The circular button offers easy navigation through menus, while the central touch-enabled clickpad has similar functionality to the touchpad built into the previous-generation hardware.

Other notable changes include repositioned buttons and a slightly different set of controls. Additionally, the controller no longer feels symmetrical in your hand like the 2017 version, with the navigation clickpad now a raised, physical button with a non-touch-sensitive ring button surrounding it. This makes it much easier to check whether you’re holding the controller correctly in the dark, and helps prevent accidental inputs.