Control Your Apple TV Using Your iPhone as a Remote

Use the Control Center Remote on Your iPhone

The fastest way to control Apple TV from your iPhone is through Control Center, which puts a remote right on your lock screen or home screen. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (or up from the bottom on older models), then tap the Apple TV icon. Your iPhone becomes a touchpad remote when ready — no separate app needed, no pairing required if your devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

The Control Center remote shows a clickable touchpad at the top, a menu button, a home button, and playback controls. Swipe your finger across the touchpad to move through menus, tap to select, and use the dedicated buttons for common tasks. This method works with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and earlier models running tvOS 11.3 or later.

Key Takeaways

Control Center on your iPhone includes a built-in Apple TV remote that works over Wi-Fi without any setup beyond being on the same network.
The Apple TV Remote app from the App Store offers the same controls as Control Center but in a dedicated app you can customize and keep open.
Your iPhone's microphone can send voice commands to Apple TV if you hold down the microphone button on either the Control Center or app remote.
If your iPhone and Apple TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network, you can pair them using Bluetooth by holding the iPhone near the Apple TV during setup.
Siri on your iPhone can control Apple TV by voice — just say "Hey Siri" followed by a command like "play Severance on Apple TV."

read the Apple TV Remote App for More Control

If you want a dedicated remote app instead of using Control Center, read Apple TV Remote from the App Store. It is free and offers the same touchpad, menu, and playback buttons as Control Center, but it stays open on your screen and does not require you to open Control Center each time.

The app also lets you customize the layout — you can add shortcuts to your favorite apps, rearrange buttons, and create a remote that matches how you actually use your Apple TV. Once downloaded, open the app, select your Apple TV from the list, and confirm the pairing code that appears on your TV screen. After that, the app remembers your Apple TV and connects automatically when both devices are on the same network.

Send Voice Commands from Your iPhone

Both the Control Center remote and the Apple TV Remote app have a microphone button. Hold it down, speak a command, and your iPhone sends it to Apple TV. You can say things like "play The Bear," "go to Settings," "pause," or "turn up the volume." Your iPhone's microphone is often clearer than speaking to your TV across the room, especially in a noisy environment.

Voice commands work best when your Apple TV is set to English and Siri is turned on in Apple TV settings. If a command does not work, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your iPhone's microphone is not muted in Control Center.

Pair Your iPhone Using Bluetooth if Wi-Fi Is Not Available

If your iPhone and Apple TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network, you can pair them using Bluetooth instead. During Apple TV setup, hold your iPhone near the Apple TV. A pairing prompt appears on your TV screen. Confirm the code on your iPhone, and the two devices pair over Bluetooth. After pairing, your iPhone can control Apple TV even without Wi-Fi, though some features like voice commands may not work.

Bluetooth pairing is useful if you have a guest network separate from your main Wi-Fi, or if you are using Apple TV in a location where Wi-Fi is unreliable. To unpair, go to Apple TV Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Bluetooth Remotes, find your iPhone, and select Remove.

Use Siri to Control Apple TV by Voice

You do not need to hold down a button if you have Siri enabled on your iPhone. Say "Hey Siri" followed by a command directed at Apple TV. For example: "Hey Siri, play Severance on Apple TV" or "Hey Siri, pause Apple TV." Siri sends the command to your Apple TV over Wi-Fi.

For Siri voice control to work, make sure Siri is turned on in iPhone Settings > Siri & Search, and your Apple TV has Siri enabled in tvOS Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Siri. Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same iCloud account.

Troubleshoot Connection Problems

If your iPhone remote does not connect to Apple TV, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the network name. Then go to Apple TV Settings > Network and confirm it shows the same network. If the networks do not match, connect your Apple TV to the correct Wi-Fi.

If the connection still does not work, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and volume button, then sliding to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Once both devices are running again, open Control Center or the Apple TV Remote app and try connecting.

If you see a pairing code on your Apple TV screen when you open the remote, tap the code on your iPhone to confirm. If no code appears and the remote still will not connect, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, restart, and reconnect to the network. Then try the remote again.

Switch Between Multiple Apple TVs

If you have more than one Apple TV in your home, Control Center and the Apple TV Remote app both show a list of available devices. Open the remote, and you will see each Apple TV listed by name or room. Tap the one you want to control, and your iPhone switches to that device. The app remembers which Apple TV you used last and connects to it first the next time you open it.

You can rename your Apple TVs in tvOS Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Apple TV Name to make them easier to identify — for example, "Living Room" or "Bedroom." This is especially helpful if you have multiple Apple TVs of the same model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read an app to control Apple TV from my iPhone?

No. Control Center includes a built-in remote that works without downloading anything. If you prefer a dedicated app, Apple TV Remote is free from the App Store, but it is not required.

Can I control Apple TV if my iPhone is on a different Wi-Fi network?

Not over Wi-Fi. You can pair your iPhone and Apple TV using Bluetooth during setup, which allows control without Wi-Fi, but some features like voice commands will not work. The easiest solution is to connect both devices to the same network.

What if my iPhone remote keeps disconnecting?

Restart both your iPhone and Apple TV. Unplug the Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Restart your iPhone by holding the side and volume buttons, then sliding to power off. Once both are running, try the remote again. If the problem continues, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnect.

Can I use voice commands if I do not have Siri turned on?

Yes. The microphone button on the Control Center remote or Apple TV Remote app sends voice commands even if Siri is off. However, Siri voice control — saying "Hey Siri" without pressing a button — requires Siri to be enabled on both your iPhone and Apple TV.

Is there a physical remote I can use instead of my iPhone?

Yes. Apple sells the Siri Remote separately, and older Apple TV models came with their own remotes. You can use a physical remote and your iPhone at the same time — they both control the same Apple TV. The iPhone remote is useful as a backup or when the physical remote is out of reach.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.