Apple Announces New Remote App for tvOS and Apple TV - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Announces New Remote App for tvOS and Apple TV

Today at its WWDC keynote, Apple unveiled the updated Remote app for the fourth-generation Apple TV and tvOS. The new app mirrors the functionality of the Siri Remote.

f1465839071
Noting that its customers wanted an updated version of the Remote app, Apple SVP Eddy Cue said the new app allows users to use their iPhones to play games. The app also allows users to use Siri to command their Apple TV as well as input text via their iPhone's keyboard.

Like previous Remote apps, the new Remote app will also allow users to control the content on the Apple TV, fast forwarding, pausing, playing and rewinding whatever they're watching.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

tvOS 27 Feature

Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers

Monday June 22, 2026 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the second beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta following the WWDC keynote. The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required. tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a...
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

Monday June 29, 2026 10:08 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software comes two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on what's in the...
Apple TV 2025 Thumb 2 Sans Text

iOS 27 Lets You Update Your Apple TV Using Your iPhone

Tuesday June 23, 2026 9:09 am PDT by
If the idea of digging out your Siri Remote to install a tvOS update on your Apple TV sounds like too much effort, Apple's upcoming iOS 27 software will have a new feature you'll surely welcome. Based on the latest iOS 27 beta 2, you can push Apple TV software updates straight from your iPhone, and you don't even need to turn the Apple TV on first. Apple's set-top box now appears in the...

Top Rated Comments

132 months ago
Two questions:

1) Will they update the horrible limited interface for iTunes on the remote? For example, allow us to access Apple Radio and Apple Music.

2) When will it be released? Now or this fall alongside tvOS?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SBlue1 Avatar
132 months ago
Lets also drop the requirement for games to be able to support the remote. This cripples better and more complex games. Let those games use controllers instead of the remote.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iReality85 Avatar
132 months ago
Definitely will be using this. I have fairly large hands and the physical remote is a bit awkward for me to handle (too small). That or I'll pick the thing up in the dark and won't notice it's upside down lol. And the keyboard will be a big plus too.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
132 months ago
I think this one warrants a "finally." The disparity between the new remote and the virtual one was very apparent—especially at launch when they didn't even work together at all, lol.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
132 months ago
This is great. I have a Harmony Smart Remote and would miss the Siri functionality. This would solve that issue for times I need to use it as my phone is always on me.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)