If you’ve lost your Apple TV remote or just don’t want to use it, here’s how you can use your iPhone as an Apple TV remote for the new 4th generation Apple TV.
The new Apple TV is a big improvement over the previous model, which is expected since Apple hasn’t touched the Apple TV since 2012 before releasing the fourth generation model.
One of the biggest changes is a new remote, which includes a built-in trackpad, Siri button, volume button, and an internal battery that charges via a Lightning connection.
However, it should come as no surprise that the remote can be lost just as easily as the old remote, which means there will still be times where you can’t find that remote and search among the sofa cushions.
If you’ve lost your Apple TV remote or you’re just not a fan of the new design, here’s how to use your iPhone as an Apple TV remote on the new 4th-generation Apple TV.
Download the remote app
The first thing you want to do is download the remote app from the app store. This is a free app from Apple and a search for “remote” should come up as the first result.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, open it, and then tap . A four-digit code will appear on the next screen. Make sure your iPhone is on the same network as your Apple TV. Otherwise, it won’t work.
From here, access the app on your Apple TV and navigate to .
With the Remote app open on your iPhone, your iPhone should appear below. Select it, and then enter the four-digit code that appears on your iPhone.
After that, your iPhone will be paired with your Apple TV and ready to use.
The Remote app features a large touchpad area for swiping and menu navigation, and a simple tap selects an item.
The app also has a Menu button and a Play/Pause button, but no volume buttons like on the Apple TV remote, so that’s something to note.
Using the Remote app can be a good temporary solution if you’ve lost your remote and can’t find it now, or if you just don’t like using the Apple TV remote, the iPhone Remote app is a decent alternative.
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