GoKawiilApple TV 4K remote's Precision Finding needs iPhone 17 or newer
Apple's new Siri Remote, shipping with the Apple TV 4K this Friday, adds a built-in speaker and Precision Finding to help locate a lost remote via the Find My app. The built-in speaker works with any iPhone and any Apple TV 4K or HD model, but Precision Finding's step-by-step directions require the second-gen Ultra Wideband chip, found only in iPhone 17, 17 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro models. The remote is sold separately for $59.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Tying the remote's most advanced tracking feature to a specific chip generation means many existing iPhone owners will get a lesser version of the experience despite paying the same price for the hardware. This reflects Apple's broader pattern of using Ultra Wideband capabilities to differentiate newer iPhones and encourage upgrades across its ecosystem.
- New Apple TV 4K and 4th-gen Siri Remote launch this Friday, with the remote also sold separately for $59.
- Precision Finding requires an iPhone with the second-gen Ultra Wideband chip: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, iPhone Air, Duo or 18 Pro, excluding iPhone 17e.
- All users get the remote's new built-in speaker for sound-based finding, regardless of iPhone model.
Apple Siri Remote (4th generation) — This is the exact remote the article covers, now with a built-in speaker and Precision Finding support for easier tracking via Find My. It works with any Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, making it a handy upgrade even if you don't have the latest iPhone to unlock the full finding experience.
See Apple Siri Remote (4th generation) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: 9to5mac.com — Ryan Christoffel, 2026-11-10
Published there as: “New Apple TV 4K remote’s best feature requires a newer iPhone model”
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