The Apple TV is in the premium TV segment, and it’s gaining popularity, becoming a market trend. Besides Apple, premium TVs are also available from Samsung, LG, Hitachi, and others. All televisions come with a TV remote to control their features, but it’s not always the most convenient option. Taking care of your TV remote is essential to ensure it doesn’t get lost in your couch or somewhere in your home.
There is a seamless method to have full control of your TV right in your pocket – controlling television features using your iPhone. But how do you do it, and which app should you download? You don’t need to install any third-party app from the App Store. You already have the Apple TV remote on your iPhone. All you need to do is open it and enjoy seamless control, with even more features than a physical TV remote.
This article will provide you with all the information you need to control your TV using only your iPhone and iPad.
Why Use an iPhone as an Apple TV Remote?
The first question that arises here is: why not? If you have all the features and even more at your fingertips, along with all the convenience, there will be no reason to chase after a physical TV remote. Apart from this, various primary and attractive reasons can also capture your attention and turn you towards using an iPhone as a TV remote. Let’s discuss them individually:
1. Loss of Your Physical Remote
You obviously get many more features in your Apple TV remote or the manufacturer’s designed remote. We’re talking about features like Siri voice support. But in case you lose your TV remote, you have a big problem. Your TV becomes entirely useless because you can’t access it. Similarly, there are cases when we forget our remote in the kitchen or some other corner of the home. All these problems have one simple solution: using your iPhone as a TV remote. It never puts you in a situation to create a mess and hunt for the physical remote.
2. Added Flexibility
We’re not against any TV remote; Apple TV has greatly enhanced its remote. They are up to the mark in their place. However, there are moments when users want a handier and more flexible way to access the television. For example, if you left your TV remote in the bedroom or kitchen the last time, you don’t have to go there because your mobile phone is in your pocket. This adds another alternative way of handling your television. So having one more option is never a bad choice for anyone.
3. Ease of Use
Some users who are not tech enthusiasts struggle when using the Apple TV remote; they find it has a more complex interface. Another noteworthy point is that Apple has upgraded its remote three times until now, and it will continue to improve. So instead of buying and adapting to new interfaces every time, you can have a basic and simple dashboard on the iPhone TV remote.
How to Use the iPhone as an Apple TV Remote?
Using a TV remote on an iPhone is quite simple and hassle-free. Connecting your iPhone to your Apple TV takes just 2 to 3 minutes at most. If you’re unsure about how to do it, this guide is here to help you. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be able to enjoy the convenience of using your iPhone as an Apple TV remote.
1. The First step is to Open Your Control Centre from the Upright Top corner by swiping it down. and you will see all the widgets in your Control center. If you have an older version of the IOS operating system, you need to swipe up from the bottom corner.
2. In All widgets look for the “Apple TV Remote” icon, To identify it easily, Apple has Given a symbol of Physical Remote for this Icon. If you can’t find your Apple Remote in all the widgets of the control center. No worries it is already a pre-installed App on your iPhone you just need to add this widget from settings and it’s way more than easy. You can follow below steps:
- Unlock your iPhone and Open your Settings Panel.
- Search for the Control Centre and Click on it.
- You will see the list of the widgets in the Included Control Group, First Look there if it’s not there Then Scroll down and Click on “More Controls” or Search in the group of more controls. Surely you will find your “Apple TV Remote” Control There.
- Lastly, Just Click on the Plus button symbol beside of Apple TV remote Icon, Simply It will add the widget to your Control Centre.
3. Now by following the above steps you have added Apple TV Remote in your Control Panel, just Click on it to launch your App.
4. As soon as you start it will show you the Available Apple TV in the network, Click on the Apple TV you want to access.
(Note: It is mandatory for both Apple TV and iPhone devices to be connected to the same network to Enjoy this Seamless AppleTV Remote functionality.)
5. After it you will get a 4 digit Passcode on your Apple TV Screen, Just Enter the same Code on your iPhone to authenticate and make a secure connection.
6. If you can’t see the Passcode on your TV, Just Go to the Settings menu and the Remotes and Devices option on your Apple TV.
Great news! You are connected to your Apple TV in a few steps only and Now enjoy these handy experiences from your iPhone only.
How to Fix the iPhone Not Working on the Apple TV Remote?
We all know that Apple is well-known for its Apple Interface, which is highly regarded and not commonly found in Android devices. However, like any other app, Apple’s products can sometimes encounter glitches and issues over time. Similarly, some users may face connectivity problems when trying to connect their Apple TV to their iPhone. They may encounter an error message “Apple TV Connecting Error,” or they might experience slow and delayed responses.
To address these issues, we have outlined some primary causes and their respective solutions below:
1. Update the Latest Software Version
This applies to both your Apple TV and iPhone. Older iOS versions on the iPhone that are used with the Apple TV remote can lead to lagging responses and connectivity issues. Updating to the latest iOS version ensures smoother connectivity. Additionally, compatibility issues between software versions can arise, so it’s advisable to update your Apple TV as well.
2. Checking the Wi-Fi Connectivity
Connecting your Apple TV and iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network is essential. This is a fundamental requirement for this feature to work correctly. If either device is on a different network, correcting this will likely resolve your connectivity problem.
3. Reboot or Restart Both the Devices
While it may seem counterintuitive, simply rebooting your devices can resolve
some significant problems. Sometimes, a reboot is all that’s needed to fix the issue.
4. Check for any Disturbances
Investigating any disturbances that might affect the connection between your Apple TV and iPhone is a good idea. For example, Bluetooth and hotspot network connections can interfere with the functionality of the Apple TV remote application.
5. Forgot the Device and Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network
There are chances that you are facing a Network issue because Of Wi-Fi connectivity So better to forget the Device and again Connect it. This fresh Connection can resolve this problem.
6. Contact Support Team
If you’re still experiencing the same issues after trying all of the above solutions, your last resort is to get in touch with the Apple Support Team. They can provide you with additional assistance and advanced, precise solutions for this problem.
How to Use an iPhone as Google TV or Android TV Remote?
Yes, you heard correctly. It is indeed possible to connect your iPhone to Google and Android TV. History tells us that Google introduced its first Android TV remote application in 2016. The beginning was promising, but as time passed, Google lost interest in this remote control application and eventually removed it from the App Store due to numerous connectivity and other issues.
However, that wasn’t the end of the story. Later, Google recognized the demand in the market and developed a fully stable and seamless access app that allows you to control your Android and Google TV right from your iPhone. Notably, this application is compatible with the iPhone and can be found on the App Store. When it comes to features, you’ll find a lot more controls than in the previous version.
You only need the Google TV app to achieve this handy remote control functionality on your iPhone and connect it to either a Google-designed TV or an Android TV. We have outlined the steps below to guide you in using this Google TV app:
- First, Open your App Store and Search for the Google TV app.
- Download and Install the application on your IOS device.
- Ensure that you log in with the same Google account or Gmail credentials you used on your Google or Android TV.
- Once you finish the signing-in process, You will See the Google TV Dashboard, Now, just Click on “TV remote” located in the bottom right corner.
- After Clicking on Remote, It will start searching available TV and show you the list, Select the one you want to connect. (Confirmed That both iPhone and TV are connected on the Same Wi-Fi network and working on the same Google account).
- Next, Authenticate the passcode showing on your TV.
Hooray! You are connected now and can benefit from more advanced features offered by Google TV such as switching between multiple Android TVs and using Conventional D-pad Control if you don’t like the new interface and many more extra features.
iPhone as TV Remote – FAQs
Ans: Yeah, the Apple remote app On your iPhone and iPad is only designed to do So. If you have an Apple TV, you can benefit from this functionality on your iPhone device in minimal steps and effort.
Ans: The Apple TV is specifically made to function exclusively with iPhone and iPad devices. If you attempt to use it with any other brand of TV, you won’t be able to control the TV using the Apple TV remote. In Short, it is not compatible with all TVs.
Ans: All you need to do is make some changes in the settings of your TV
*Open the settings and Go to the Connection, then Device Connection Settings.
*Enable The Auto Device Detection option.
*Also, Enable SIMPLINK and Turn on the Auto Power Sync option.
*Similarly, In the ATV4K option, Go to settings, Then Remote and Devices.
*Lastly, Just enable the Control TV and Devices button.
Ans: It is very simple just Go to the settings of your TV and Next go to the Remotes and Devices, Make sure it is enabled. If not, turn it on and Use your Apple TV remote to On or Off your TV.
Ans: On the Latest IOS Device, this is quite easy to connect. What you can do Is touch your IOS mobile phone to Apple TV, One pop-up will come on both devices. Now Enter the Apple ID and other Password credentials. You can also select whether you want to send data to Apple TV or not.
Conclusion
Let’s conclude our discussion. Throughout this conversation, we learned that using your iPhone as a virtual TV remote is convenient. This method can come to your rescue if you happen to misplace your physical remote. We are not suggesting that you completely replace your physical remote with a virtual Apple remote. Both options have their own set of smart features, advantages, and disadvantages.
However, using a virtual TV remote on your iPhone adds an extra layer of safety and flexibility to your Apple TV experience. While using the virtual TV remote on your iPhone, you may sometimes experience a lag or slower response. Nevertheless, these drawbacks are overshadowed by the benefits it offers.
In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive understanding of the Apple Virtual TV remote on your iPhone. We have also covered a step-by-step guide on how to connect both devices. Additionally, we have addressed common issues that users might encounter and provided solutions for them in this article. So, enjoy the convenience of controlling your Apple TV with your iPhone or iPad right in the palm of your hand.
