Thursday, June 11, 2026
Daily TipsTV

How to control your Apple TV set-top box with an iPhone or iPad

Did you know you can control an Apple TV set-top box with an iPhone or iPad? You can!

Simply add the Apple TV Remote to your device’s Control Center. Once connected, you can use your device’s screen to navigate, type, adjust volume, and even use Siri.

Setting up the Remote

To set up the feature, ensure both your Apple TV and your iPhone/iPad are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, add the remote to your Control Center: 

  1. Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen. (On devices with a physical home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.) 
  2. Add the Remote:
    • Tap the Add Controls button (the “+” or “+ Add a Control” icon) at the bottom.
    • Tap Add a Control.
    • Scroll down or use the search bar to find Remote, and tap to add it. 
  3. Connect to Apple TV: Tap the Remote icon you just added, select your Apple TV from the list, and follow the on-screen prompts to enter the four-digit passcode that appears on your TV screen. [1]

Features of the Remote

Once connected, your iPhone or iPad will act just like the physical Siri Remote, allowing you to: 

  • Swipe to Navigate: Swipe up, down, left, or right on the large central touchpad area to browse through your apps and menus. Control Volume: Use the physical volume up and down buttons on the side of your iPhone or iPad.
  • Type Easily: Whenever you need to search for a show or enter a password, a keyboard will automatically appear on your iOS device, making typing much faster than on-screen navigation.
  • Use Siri: Tap and hold the Siri icon (or say “Hey Siri” if your device supports it) to launch apps or search for movies using your voice. 
  • Find a Lost Remote: If you have a newer Siri Remote, you can even use your phone to help track it down. 
Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.

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