What you’re dealing with
The test is simple. If the remote works when pointed away from the TV, or has a microphone button, it is almost certainly Bluetooth.
| Broadcasts as | Apple TV Remote, Fire TV, Roku Voice Remote, some LG and Samsung models |
|---|---|
| Typical battery | Months on coin cells; weeks to months on rechargeable models |
| Findable by scan | Yes, while powered on |
| Search window | Days to weeks |
Once the battery is gone: Bluetooth remotes sip power and last a long time, so a remote lost in the sofa a month ago is very likely still discoverable.
Where it usually is
Inside the sofa, not under it
Remotes fall into the frame through the gap at the back of the seat cushion.
Under the sofa against the wall
Kicked back by feet over several evenings.
In the blanket or throw
Wrapped up when the blanket was folded.
The fridge, the bin, the laundry basket
This is a joke until it is not.
How to search for it
- Check the last-seen map firstBefore you search a room, find out which building. A pin saves you from searching the right way in the wrong place.
- Scan from the middle of the roomNote everything that appears, then select the device you want so the rest of the list drops away.
- Walk and watch the signalSweep in a straight line, give each position a few seconds, and turn 90 degrees when the reading stops rising.
- Search inside things, not across themA strong signal with nothing visible means it is underneath or inside something. Fabric and metal block Bluetooth badly.
Tips specific to tv remote
- Run a scan while standing at the sofa. If a Bluetooth remote is in it, the signal will be very strong, strong signal with nothing visible means inside the furniture.
- Take the cushions fully out rather than lifting them. Remotes sit in the base frame, below the cushion line.
Other things people lose
The same method applies to these, with different battery windows and different hiding places.
- How to find an AirTag, yours or an unknown one, About a year on a CR2032 coin cell
- How to find a lost Tile tracker, One to three years depending on model
- How to find a lost Fitbit, About 5 to 10 days depending on model
- How to find any lost Bluetooth headphones, Anywhere from 5 hours on earbuds to 40+ on over-ears
- How to find a lost Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, Weeks to months
- Clap to find your phone, Clap tab
- Reading Bluetooth signal strength (RSSI), Reference
- All device guides, the complete list
Common questions
Is my TV remote Bluetooth or infrared?
If it has a voice or microphone button, or if it works without being pointed at the TV, it is Bluetooth. If you have to aim it, it is infrared and cannot be scanned for.
Can I find an infrared remote with an app?
No. Infrared is light, not radio, and it only transmits when you press a button. There is nothing continuous to detect.