How to control an 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!

You can use Apple TV Remote controls in Control Center on an iOS or iPadOS device. If you have an iOS device with iOS 12 or later, or an iPadOS device with iPadOS 13 or later, these controls are automatically activated when the device connects with Apple TV, such as during setup or when entering text with the keyboard.

You can control Apple TV using the touch area and buttons.

Additional controls appear during playback. Tap the Skip Back button  to skip backward 10 seconds, or tap the Skip Forward button to skip forward 10 seconds.

Add Apple TV Controls to the iOS or iPadOS Control Center

If you don’t see the Apple TV Remote icon in Control Center on your iOS or iPadOS device, you can add it manually.

° On the iOS or iPadOS device, go to Settings > Control Center, then tap Customize Controls.

° Tap the Add button next to Apple TV Remote in the More Controls list to add it to Control Center.

On your iOS or iPadOS device, swipe to open Control Center, then tap the Apple TV Remote icon.

How to use the Remote app on your iPhone or iPad

With the Apple TV Remote controls open on your iOS or iPadOS device, do any of the following:

• Navigate apps and content: Swipe left, right, up, or down in the touch area.
  On your Apple TV screen, a highlighted app or content item expands slightly.
• Navigate lists: Swipe up or down a few times in the touch area to scroll quickly.
• Select an item: Swipe to highlight the item, then tap in the touch area.

With an item highlighted on the Apple TV screen, touch and hold the touch area in the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device. If you’ve highlighted an item that has additional options, they appear in a pop-up menu on your Apple TV screen.

When the onscreen keyboard appears on Apple TV, a keyboard becomes available in the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device. Enter text in the iOS or iPadOS keyboard. The text on your Apple TV screen updates as you type.

(This how-to is based on my experiences and info on Apple’s support pages — where the images sometimes come from.)