The Apple Remote's original function was to enable navigation in Front Row, which allows users to browse and play music, view videos ( DVDs and downloaded files) and browse photos. The newer version has the battery located behind a compartment in the middle of the device which is accessed by turning a coin in the compartment door's indent. Replacement of the CR2032 battery in the original remote is done with a small pointed object such as a paper clip at the bottom right edge of the device, where the battery slides out on a tray.

In the later revision, the ring is slightly raised to make it easier to locate the ring by touch. In earlier aluminum remotes, the navigation ring was flush with the curvature of the remote's aluminum body.

Along with the new design, the price was dropped to US$19.99. The symbols for the Volume Up/Down and Next/Fast-forward buttons were replaced with small dots, to make it clear that the buttons were also used to move up, down, left, and right within menus. The Play/Pause button was moved out of the center of the directional buttons and put beside the Menu button (under the directional buttons). The new remote was released along with the 27 inch aluminum iMacs and multi-touch Magic Mouse. In October 2009, the remote was redesigned as a thinner and longer aluminum version. A separate Menu button was positioned below. A circular Play/Pause/Select button sat in the center of a larger four-button circle of (clockwise): Volume Up, Next/Fast-forward, Volume Down and Previous/Rewind.

Its shape and layout resembled the first-generation iPod Shuffle. The original Apple Remote was designed with six buttons and made of white plastic.

Apple remote desktop serial number