Control

Apple TV

with iOS or iPadOS Control Center

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.

Note: 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 iOS 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.

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

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

Open

Apple TV

Remote controls in iOS or iPadOS Control Center

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

Navigate and select apps, content, and lists

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.

View additional menu options

• 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.

Use the app keyboard

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.

Adjust the volume

• Press the volume buttons on your iOS or iPadOS device.

  Note: This works only with supported audio/video receivers. For information about setting up Apple TV to control your TV or receiver, see Control your TV and volume with the Siri Remote.

Return to the previous screen or Home Screen

• On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap the Back button to go to the previous screen; tap and hold the Back button to go to the Home Screen.

Return to the TV app

• On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap the TV button to go to Up Next in the Apple TV app. Tap the TV button again to go to the Home Screen.

  To change the TV button behavior, see Set the TV button destination on Apple TV.

View open apps

• On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap the TV button twice.

  See Switch quickly between Apple TV apps.

Open tvOS Control Center

• On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the TV button .

  See Use tvOS Control Center on Apple TV.

Use Siri

• With the Apple TV Remote open on your iOS or iPadOS device, press and hold the Siri button on your device.

  See Talk to your Apple TV.

Use additional controls with live TV apps

• On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, do any of the following:

  • Access the TV guide: Tap the Guide button.

  • Change the channel or page up or down in guides or menus: Tap the Up or Down button.