Your iPhone can control your Apple TV without a separate remote
You can use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to control your Apple TV by opening the Control Center and selecting your TV from the AirPlay menu, or by using the Apple TV app. The phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV. This works with Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and earlier models running tvOS 7.1 or later.
The Control Center method is fastest for basic tasks like play, pause, and volume. The Apple TV app gives you more control, including the ability to search, navigate menus, and type text using your phone's keyboard instead of the remote's touch surface.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV for either control method to work.
- Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer iPhones) is the quickest way to play, pause, and adjust volume.
- The Apple TV app lets you navigate menus, search, and type using your phone's keyboard, which is faster than the remote's touch surface.
- If your iPhone does not show your Apple TV in Control Center, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.
Set up your iPhone to control Apple TV through Control Center
Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Control Center, then tap the plus sign next to "Apple TV Remote" to add it to your Control Center. This takes about 30 seconds and only needs to be done once.
After you add it, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center. You will see an Apple TV icon. Tap it, and your iPhone will search for Apple TVs on your network. Select the one you want to control from the list.
Once connected, you will see a virtual remote on your screen with buttons for menu, play/pause, volume, and a clickpad in the center. This is the same layout as your physical remote.
Use the Apple TV app for full control and text entry
The Apple TV app is built into iOS and gives you more control than Control Center alone. Open the app and tap the Remote icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a rectangle with a circle in the center). The app will show a list of Apple TVs on your network.
Tap the Apple TV you want to control. The remote interface appears with the same buttons as the Control Center version, but the Apple TV app also includes a keyboard at the bottom. This keyboard lets you type search terms, passwords, or any text without using the remote's touch surface, which is much faster.
The Apple TV app also shows you what is currently playing on your TV and lets you browse shows and movies to send to your Apple TV without picking up the physical remote.
Troubleshoot when your iPhone will not connect to Apple TV
The most common reason your iPhone does not show your Apple TV is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name (SSID) as your Apple TV. Your Apple TV's network name appears in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV itself.
If both devices are on the same network and your iPhone still does not find your Apple TV, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. Wait two minutes for the Apple TV to fully boot, then try Control Center again.
If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network with the same name, your iPhone and Apple TV may connect to different bands. Some older Apple TV models work only on 2.4 GHz. Check your router settings or contact your internet provider to see which band each device is using, or temporarily rename one band so you can connect both devices to the same one.
Use Siri on your iPhone to control Apple TV
You can also control your Apple TV by speaking to Siri on your iPhone. Say "Hey Siri" followed by a command like "Play on Apple TV" or "Pause the Apple TV." Siri will send the command to whichever Apple TV is closest to your iPhone.
This works for basic commands like play, pause, volume up, volume down, and switching inputs. For more complex tasks like searching for a specific show, use the Apple TV app instead, because Siri may not understand the exact title you are looking for.
Pair your iPhone as a HomeKit remote for faster access
If you use HomeKit to control your home devices, you can set your iPhone as a HomeKit hub so you can control your Apple TV from anywhere, not just when you are on the same Wi-Fi network. This requires an Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later) or a HomePod mini as a HomeKit hub.
To set this up, open the Home app on your iPhone, tap the house icon in the top-left corner, then tap Home Settings. Scroll down to Hubs and Bridges and make sure your Apple TV or HomePod mini is listed as your hub. Once it is set up, you can control your Apple TV remotely even when you are away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my iPhone as a remote if my Apple TV is on a different Wi-Fi network?
No. Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for Control Center or the Apple TV app to work. If you have a HomeKit hub set up (Apple TV 4K 2nd gen or later, or HomePod mini), you can control your Apple TV remotely from anywhere, but both devices still need to be on your home network.
What if I do not have the Apple TV app installed?
The Apple TV app comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 12.3 or later. If you somehow deleted it, you can read it free from the App Store by searching for "Apple TV". You do not need to purchase anything to use it as a remote.
Can I control my Apple TV with an older iPhone or iPad?
Yes, as long as your device is running iOS 7.1 or later (or iPadOS 7.1 or later for iPad). Most iPhones and iPads from 2012 onward support this. Check Settings > General > About to see your iOS version, and go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version.
Why does my iPhone remote keep disconnecting from Apple TV?
This usually happens if your Wi-Fi signal is weak or if your phone switches between Wi-Fi networks. Move closer to your router, or check that your iPhone has not automatically switched to a mobile hotspot or a different network. You can also try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnecting to it.
Can I use my iPhone remote to control multiple Apple TVs at once?
No. You can only control one Apple TV at a time with your iPhone. If you have multiple Apple TVs, you can switch between them by opening Control Center or the Apple TV app and selecting a different TV from the list. The switch takes a few seconds.