How to use two remotes for one ceiling fan
Most modern ceiling fan remotes are proprietary and lack a pairing mode for a second controller, making it nearly impossible to add a second unit. This leaves homeowners unable to control a single fan from multiple locations, such as opposite sides of a large room or both the top and bottom of a stairway.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Hiding the single remote in a central location
- 2Wiring the fan to a third-party DC motor controller that speaks RF
- 3Using a smart home bridge like Bond Bridge for phone control
- 4Hard mounting the remote cradle to a wall switch plate next to the power switch
- 5searching carefully for regular line voltage switched fans with standard bulbs
- 6using universal fan light wall control receivers
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Hitting a switch is easier than keeping track of a bunch of remotes.”source ↗
“3 remotes for each room is insane”source ↗
“Remotes all seem nonstandard with no ability for > 1 remote. Also, replacing broken remotes seems really difficult.”source ↗
“most DC fan remotes are proprietary garbage with no pairing mode for a second remote.”source ↗
“As for multiple remotes, good luck.”source ↗