Apple IR Receiver
For many years Apple built IR receivers for the Apple Remote in most Macs - but does no longer.
The last models to include a built-in IR receiver were:
- iMac: Mid 2011
- Mac mini: Late 2014
- MacBook: Mid 2009
- MacBook Air: Mid 2009
- MacBook Pro (without Retina display): Mid 2012
If you are unsure whether your Mac has a built-in IR receiver, open the System-Profiler app and look for a USB device called "IR Receiver" with Vendor ID 0x05ac.
Use the Apple Remote with a new Mac
Add an IR receiver to your Mac that works well with the Apple Remote - with support for pairing, wake from sleep and more. With Remote Buddy 2 and Flirc USB !
Learn moreLimitations
Usage with other remotes
The built-in Apple IR receiver is limited to receiving button presses from the Apple Remote. It does not support any other IR protocols.
Apple silicon / M1 Macs
macOS on Apple silicon has dropped driver support for the Apple IR Receiver - likely because none of the M1 Macs has a built-in Apple IR Receiver.
Externally attached Apple IR Receivers (f.ex. spare Intel Mac parts with manually soldered on USB plug) therefore are also no longer supported by macOS on Apple silicon. Thanks to special driver support, externally attached Apple IR Receivers can still be used with Remote Buddy 2 on Apple silicon, but support for this really rare use case should be considered experimental and limited.
If you're looking for an external IR receiver for your Apple silicon Mac that's fully supported by Remote Buddy 2, we recommend getting a Flirc USB.
Topics
Knowledge BaseCompatible remotes
The following IR remotes are supported by Remote Buddy 2 and compatible with Apple IR Receiver:
Remotes with Wakeup badge can be used with Apple IR Receiver to wake the Mac from sleep.
Apps supporting Apple IR Receiver
Datasheet
| Vendor | Apple |
| Technology | Infrared |
| Device Type | Receiver |
| Availability | discontinued |