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apple tv remote won’t work with sonos ray

  • January 9, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 8898 views
J

Hey all,

 

I have an LG TV connected with an Apple TV 4K and a Sonos Ray. I was able to set up my LG Smart Remote to control the sound bar in the Sonos App with no problems.  However, the Apple TV remote still does not control the Sonos Ray audio. I have tried resetting the Apple TV remote by holding down the home and volume down button, and while it did reset the remote it did not fix the issue. I tried adding the remote via the Sonos app but it didn’t detect it. My Apple TV is connected via the HDMI CEC on the TV. All systems are fully updated. Any ideas in what I can do to make it work?

Best answer by controlav

In my case I just use the ‘TV remote’ for adjusting the volume of both the TV and Apple TV… it’s rare I use the Apple remote, but just to say my Apple TV remote worked out the box anyway to adjust the TV volume using CEC control. As mentioned here…

If the Apple TV remote doesn’t control Sonos volume but your TV’s primary remote does, go through the steps in the help section of Apple’s support article to verify that your Apple TV remote is programmed and that your TV’s HDMI-CEC setting is turned on.

So just ensure you have Simplink turned ‘on’ on your TV and that the Apple TV is set to control the TV over HDMI. I think that will resolve your issue and if you get unwanted messages on-screen, then refer back to the Sonos support article in my previous post. 

Hope you can get it sorted. 👍

The Ray doesn’t use CEC, so that is all a waste of time.

Instead, make sure the Apple TV remote is in IR mode (settings on the ATV), reboot the remote (that is a thing, look it up), then set it up in the Sonos app (under the Ray settings).

J
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6 replies

Ken_Griffiths

Maybe see if this Sonos support link and the links off it, will assist you to get the ATV remote working…

 https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/use-an-apple-tv-remote-with-sonos-home-theater-products

J
J
  • JuddJones
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 9, 2024

Hey Ken! Thanks a lot for your quick reply. Unfortunately even the steps in that link didn’t work, although I did try them. I did make sure I had paired my remote with the Ray first before trying to use the Apple TV remote for example, but no luck.

I did notice that when I left the Apple TV idle for a bit, when I went back to use it I could see the volume up/down and mute icons on my tv, although it didn’t change the volume. That was only briefly however, and now it is back to no icons on screen and no volume change. ☹️

Ken_Griffiths

Hey Ken! Thanks a lot for your quick reply. Unfortunately even the steps in that link didn’t work, although I did try them. I did make sure I had paired my remote with the Ray first before trying to use the Apple TV remote for example, but no luck.

I did notice that when I left the Apple TV idle for a bit, when I went back to use it I could see the volume up/down and mute icons on my tv, although it didn’t change the volume. That was only briefly however, and now it is back to no icons on screen and no volume change. ☹️

In my case I just use the ‘TV remote’ for adjusting the volume of both the TV and Apple TV… it’s rare I use the Apple remote, but just to say my Apple TV remote worked out the box anyway to adjust the TV volume using CEC control. As mentioned here…

If the Apple TV remote doesn’t control Sonos volume but your TV’s primary remote does, go through the steps in the help section of Apple’s support article to verify that your Apple TV remote is programmed and that your TV’s HDMI-CEC setting is turned on.

So just ensure you have Simplink turned ‘on’ on your TV and that the Apple TV is set to control the TV over HDMI. I think that will resolve your issue and if you get unwanted messages on-screen, then refer back to the Sonos support article in my previous post. 

Hope you can get it sorted. 👍

Airgetlam
J
controlav
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  • controlav
  • Lead Maestro
  • Answer
  • January 9, 2024

In my case I just use the ‘TV remote’ for adjusting the volume of both the TV and Apple TV… it’s rare I use the Apple remote, but just to say my Apple TV remote worked out the box anyway to adjust the TV volume using CEC control. As mentioned here…

If the Apple TV remote doesn’t control Sonos volume but your TV’s primary remote does, go through the steps in the help section of Apple’s support article to verify that your Apple TV remote is programmed and that your TV’s HDMI-CEC setting is turned on.

So just ensure you have Simplink turned ‘on’ on your TV and that the Apple TV is set to control the TV over HDMI. I think that will resolve your issue and if you get unwanted messages on-screen, then refer back to the Sonos support article in my previous post. 

Hope you can get it sorted. 👍

The Ray doesn’t use CEC, so that is all a waste of time.

Instead, make sure the Apple TV remote is in IR mode (settings on the ATV), reboot the remote (that is a thing, look it up), then set it up in the Sonos app (under the Ray settings).

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
Airgetlam
J
Ken_Griffiths

The Ray doesn’t use CEC, so that is all a waste of time.

Instead, make sure the Apple TV remote is in IR mode (settings on the ATV), reboot the remote (that is a thing, look it up), then set it up in the Sonos app (under the Ray settings).

Ah it just shows I know Nuuuurrrfing. I hate these senior moments.

I wouldn’t mind, but I actually have the Ray here myself in the Kitchen/Diner. 

Note to self - “must try harder”. 

Thanks @controlav 🙏

Airgetlam
J
F
J
  • JuddJones
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • January 10, 2024

Holy smokes that did it controlav! Thanks so much! I did the remote reboot and then went into remote control setup in the Sonos app and it recognized it! The app didn’t recognize the remote when I tried to add in initially,  but the AppleTV remote reboot and THEN adding it via the app did the trick. 🏆
 

And thanks for the HDMI advice Ken! That didn’t apply to my Ray issue here but it is still good info for another soundbar I’ll be setting up at a family member’s house as they have an AppleTV also. 👍🏼

Airgetlam
Ken_Griffiths
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