Enthusiasts of the Apple TV 4K are eagerly anticipating upgrades to the Siri Remote, with recent discoveries in Apple’s software code hinting at a new iteration. While specific details remain scarce, user-driven suggestions highlight key enhancements desired by the community, including a dedicated source button, integration with Apple’s Find My service, and customizable controls. Interestingly, one of these highly sought-after features is already achievable with the current remote through a clever workaround.
Siri Remote’s Future and User Aspirations
A potential new version of the Siri Remote has surfaced in the code of macOS 26.7, the latest release candidate provided to developers and beta testers. This discovery, first noted by MacRumors, suggests that Apple is working on an updated accessory for its streaming device. While the code reference, identified as ‘ATVRemote1,5’, offers no explicit information about the remote’s functionalities, it aligns with previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who indicated a new remote was part of Apple’s product roadmap for 2026. This has sparked considerable discussion among Apple TV 4K owners, who are vocal about their desired improvements.
The current Siri Remote has been a point of contention for some users, with criticisms often focusing on its minimalist design, which some find less practical than functional. The sharp edges and the precise nature required to interact with on-screen elements, such as the skip button, have led to frustration for a segment of the user base.
Top User-Requested Features for the New Siri Remote
Online forums and discussion boards, particularly on Reddit, have become hubs for Apple TV 4K users to share their wishlists for the next-generation Siri Remote. Three features, in particular, have emerged as popular requests:
1. Dedicated Source Button
A significant number of users are calling for a dedicated button to switch between input sources on their television. This would eliminate the need to juggle multiple remotes, especially for those whose Apple TV 4K is connected to a TV from a different manufacturer. For instance, a user noted on r/apple that while HDMI-CEC often works seamlessly to manage input switching, occasional glitches necessitate the use of their TV’s original remote. A dedicated source button on the Siri Remote would streamline this process, allowing users to control their entire entertainment setup with a single device.
2. Find My Integration for Location
The tendency for remote controls to go missing, often slipping between sofa cushions or disappearing into other household nooks, is a common frustration. To combat this, users are advocating for the inclusion of a speaker in the new Siri Remote that would be compatible with Apple’s ‘Find My’ network. This would enable users to easily locate a misplaced remote by triggering an audible alert. The desire for this feature is so strong that some users have already resorted to using cases that hold an AirTag for their current remotes.
3. Customizable Action Button
Another highly desired upgrade is the addition of a customizable action button. This would allow users to assign specific functions or shortcuts to a dedicated button, tailoring the remote’s usability to their individual needs. While this feature is a popular request for the upcoming hardware, an interesting workaround exists for the current Siri Remote that offers a similar capability.
Customizing the Current Siri Remote: An Existing Solution
For users who wish to add custom functionality to their existing Siri Remote, Apple has provided a less-known but powerful option within the device’s settings. It is possible to reassign the function of certain buttons, such as the Mute button, to perform different actions. This is achieved through the ‘Learn New Device’ feature within the TV remote settings.
The process involves navigating to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Volume Control > Learn New Device. When prompted to press and hold the Mute button, users can instead press and hold the desired button from their TV remote (e.g., the Source/Input button). This effectively teaches the Apple TV remote to mimic that button’s function. The primary trade-off is the loss of the original button’s function; in this example, the Mute button would no longer control volume muting.
Despite this limitation, many users may find it a worthwhile compromise to gain quick access to essential functions like source switching directly from their Siri Remote.
What to Expect Next
The anticipation for a new Siri Remote is heightened by expectations of a new generation Apple TV, reportedly set to launch this Fall, potentially alongside an updated HomePod mini. While the exact features of the forthcoming remote remain unconfirmed, the strong user feedback suggests that Apple is aware of the community’s desires. Whether the new Siri Remote will incorporate a dedicated source button, Find My integration, or a fully customizable action button remains to be seen, but the possibility is generating significant excitement among Apple TV 4K enthusiasts.
