Disable Apple Remote Control
I have two computers in the same room, about five feet from one another. One is an iMac acting as a media center for playing music, videos, etc. and the other is a MacBook Pro that I use to work on. After I got the iMac hooked up and bumping my tunes, I very quickly realized that I was going to need the remote to control the volume, pause, and play. The only problem was the remote was controlling both my iMac and MacBook Pro, so I had to disable the remote on the MacBook Pro.
To disable the remote control:
- Open “System Prefences”
- Click “Security”
- Check the box “Disable remote control infrared receiver”
Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.
Actually you can “pair” your remote with a specific mac. This will allow you to use the current remote with the mac you want to control, but still allow the other mac to be controlled by other remotes. There is an apple support article here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1619
Why not use the iPhone Remote to control as many Apples as you would like?
@Kap: I paired it with the iMac and it was still controlling my MacBook Pro.
I agree with Kap. I have an Apple TV, Macbook, Macbook Pro, and an iMac at home. Each one has it’s own paired remote, and I can operate them independently.
It was the AppleTV that got me the first time. I got annoyed with FrontRow popping up on my laptop.
Having the remote paired also prevents “rogue” remotes from playing tricks on you in public. Next time you are at a starbucks, point your remote at a few unsuspecting laptops and watch the fun.
Jenny, pairing stops another remote controlling a paired Mac. It doesn’t stop the remote it is paired with from controlling another Mac. To do this, pair your MacBook Pro with it’s own remote, then no other remote can operate it.
@David: Thanks, yeah I don’t need a remote with my MacBook Pro. That’s why I did it the way I did. I just wanted to control the iMac with a remote.
Why do you run a “Apple Blog” when you know little about how to even use a Mac?
@MacRat: This is your one and only warning…don’t come here and troll. It’s simply not welcome.
With new MacBook Pro’s and the Air the remote is an option, so having the ability to turn off the IR function is quite handy if you don’t want people turning on Front Row for you.
But I’m sure the likes of MacRat are more than aware of that…
I need to confess. I use my remote to mess around with Macs which I see out and about. There! I said it.