How to use your phone as Apple TV remote
One of the reasons you’ll find Apple a famous brand among users is that it provides the ability to sync all Apple devices together. From your iPhone to the iPad, smartwatch, Macbook, iPod, and Apple TV, the interconnectedness enhances the overall user experience and creates ease in maintaining and accessing data.
So, when it comes to the Apple TV, the company gives you more or less the same advantage, i.e., controlling the TV from your iPhone or iPad. Yes! You are not dependent on the remote control that comes with the TV, but use your phone as Apple TV remote.
Let’s see how you can manage the setup and control of the TV from your iPhone. Also, the same steps will work for the iPad.
Apple TV remote setup:
The process of setting up the remote in the iPhone is pretty straightforward. You may find the option of Apple TV remote in the control center of your mobile. However, you don’t need to worry if it isn’t there. It can be added manually.
Step 1: Open the Control Center by swiping the screen downwards from the upwards. Those using the iOS older than the iOS 12 would need to swipe from the bottom.
Step 2: Click on the Apple TV remote option. If you need to add it, then go to the settings app to open the Control center and scroll down to the “More Controls.” You can tap on the sign to get a shortcut to the control center.
Step 3: Now, you can tap on the remote symbol in the control center.
Step 4: A list would open up. You may select the Apple TV or the Smart TV option. Now, follow the instructions displayed on the screen to enter a passcode and complete the setup.
How to use the Controls?
The controls on the phone work the same as on the remote control which comes with the Apple TV. From the phone, you can control the live channels by opening the channel guide. Its bulleted list icon is available in the center on the top.
To change the channel, you press the up and down buttons like any other remote. Also, there’s the touch area that allows you to choose apps and select the content of your choice by moving up/down or right/left.
Moreover, if you want to type something on the onscreen keyboard, it can be done by entering the keyboard available on the phone’s remote app. For volume, you might have to use the remote control that came with the Apple TV because the volume key in the app of the iPhone or iPad would work with compatible devices.
Additional controls like skipping backward or forward by a 10-second time-lapse can be accessed during video playback. You can use Siri to activate voice control. The same button will work for turning this feature on. You can learn more about the controls on Apple’s website.
FAQs:
What to do if the setting up fails?
To ensure that the setup becomes successful, you must check if the operating system of your iPhone and iPad is updated. Also, the Apple TV and device you want to use as the remote control should be connected to the same wifi network. If it still doesn’t work, restart the Apple TV and your device. If, after trying everything, the setup fails, you must reach out to Apple support for further help.
How to select the device of your choice if more than one Apple TV is connected to the app?
It’s easy to choose one device over the other when more Apple TVs are connected to the remote app. You click at the top of the screen to get a menu where you choose the Apple TV you want to control from the list.
What devices are compatible with the iPhone remote app’s volume key?
The remote app’s volume key would only function when the Apple TV is configured with Airplay 2 compatible speakers like the Homepod Mini, Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A6, Sonos One, etc. If the Airplay 2 compatible speakers aren’t available, you’d have to use the remote control that comes with the Apple TV to control the volume.
Final Thoughts:
Being able to use your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad as an alternative remote control for handling Apple TV is an excellent advantage. Setting it up doesn’t take more than 5 minutes, and thanks to it, you can get an enhanced user experience without dealing with extra remote control, but by using the device, you’re comfortable with and always keep around.