My wife and I are constantly struggle with our remotes.

For whatever reason the AAA batteries in our remotes die within a month of replacing them. I got fed up with it, so we eventually switched from a Google TV to an Apple TV.

However, the Apple TV remote will not control our TV’s volume or power.

I have found a few different apps on the iOS App Store that are either not compatible or want us to spend 40 dollars annually for a universal remote.

I’m not opposed to spending 5-25 for an app, but IAP subscription for 40 annually is too rich for me.

Do you have any suggestions?

This is the app my wife prefers, but the free trial expires tomorrow.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1539090879

      • Majestic
        3·
        1 day ago

        I’m assuming you mean the first generation of the Apple TV 4k or the Apple TV HD, that is that your box is black in color? (reference: https://support.apple.com/en-us/101605)

        The actual first generation Apple TV is white, originally debuted in 2007, has a hard drive as opposed to flash memory and runs a modified version of MacOS rather than modern tvOS. If you were indeed using the very first generation I’d be impressed you can do anything streaming related with it.

        All generations after that have HDMI CEC support and IR remotes. How the volume is controlled can be changed via a setting in the settings app on the Apple TV but as mentioned you should make sure your TV has that setting on.

        Additionally iPhones have a built in remote app and you should be able to change the volume using the buttons on the side of your phone while you have the app open and connected to your Apple TV (connection to the same WiFi network is necessary). You can access this remote by adding it to the control center from settings, typing remote in search or pulling down the control center from the top right, in the top right the music/now playing tile when clicked on has a button at the bottom that says “control other speakers and TVs” and when clicked will show a list, once one is selected there’s a button you can press to open the remote.

        Here’s an Apple support page on volume control: https://support.apple.com/en-us/108789

        • TheMinions@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          20 hours ago

          Thanks! This is very helpful. I think it’s an issue with our CEC settings on the Fire TV but I need to buy some batteries to confirm.

      • fartsparkles@sh.itjust.works
        7·
        1 day ago

        I bet you’ve just got HDMI-CEC turned off in the Fire TV’s settings or something (i.e. you probably don’t even need an app).