Here's the Upcoming Apple TV 'Remote' App

by

At its recent Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple unveiled an all new "Remote" app for iOS devices, which has been entirely overhauled to make it easier than ever to control a fourth-generation Apple TV with an iPhone.

In the video below, we took a look at the Remote app to give MacRumors readers an early glimpse at what's in store. The new Remote app, which connects to an Apple TV via Bluetooth, mimics the exact layout of the Siri Remote for a navigation experience that's streamlined across different input methods.


When content like movies or music is playing, the Remote app includes a full "Now Playing" view for control purposes, along with a dedicated Menu button and a Siri button. As with the physical Apple TV Remote, navigation through the iOS app is done via touch gestures.

Entering text, like passwords and usernames, is much easier with the iOS Remote app because any text field automatically brings up a keyboard. Full Siri voice commands are supported, as is dictation. Because it includes the same gyroscope and accelerometer in the Siri Remote, an iPhone can be used as a dedicated game controller for playing games on the Apple TV.

The Apple TV Remote app is currently available to developers and can be downloaded through the Apple Developer website. It's not clear when the Apple TV Remote app will be released, but it may be released alongside tvOS 10 and iOS 10 this fall. The developer beta of the app only requires iOS 9.3.2 and tvOS 9.2.1, so there's a possibility it may launch ahead of the new operating systems.

For details on new Apple TV features coming in tvOS 10, make sure to check out our tvOS 10 roundup. Don't miss out on our previous videos, which have covered iOS 10, watchOS 3, and macOS Sierra:

- WWDC 2016 Overview in Seven Minutes
- iOS 10's Overhauled Lockscreen
- The New iOS 10 Photos App
- The New iOS 10 Messages App
- macOS Sierra - Siri
- iOS 10 Hidden Features
- watchOS 3 Overview
- iOS 10's Redesigned Apple Music Experience
- 3D Touch in iOS 10
- The New Home App for Controlling HomeKit Devices
- Everything New in tvOS 10

We've also got roundups for all of the upcoming operating systems, including watchOS 3, macOS Sierra, and iOS 10.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
Read Full Article • 131 comments
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
Read Full Article • 241 comments
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
Read Full Article
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
Read Full Article • 99 comments
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
Read Full Article • 26 comments
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
Read Full Article • 54 comments
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
Read Full Article • 89 comments
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
Read Full Article • 32 comments

Top Rated Comments

jclo Avatar
jclo
118 months ago
I know this article is principally about the app, but the Apple Remote is too symmetrical.

How do you find the right end in the dark?

Perhaps I could have phrased that better...
I press on the wrong end of the Apple Remote approximately 100 percent of the time when I'm trying to pause a show or fast forward or something. It's hard to tell, especially when you just reach over and grab the remote without really looking. Probably one of my biggest annoyances with the remote.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Frost Avatar
Benjamin Frost
118 months ago
I know this article is principally about the app, but the Apple Remote is too symmetrical.

How do you find the right end in the dark?

Perhaps I could have phrased that better...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T5BRICK Avatar
T5BRICK
118 months ago
How do you find the right end in the dark?
The concave Siri button goes on the left, the connected volume button goes on the right.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bone Ranger Avatar
Bone Ranger
118 months ago
No volume button. So you need 2 remotes.
Steve wouldn't like that. And thats no joke.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cougarcat Avatar
Cougarcat
118 months ago
I guess you could attempt to locate the lightning-port with one of your fingers and thus figure out which way you're holding the remote? But yeah, I agree, it's hard to find the right end sometimes.
I hate how they made the IR port have the exact same shape shape as the Lightning, so in the dark both ends look exactly the same.

Another reason why it's so confusing is that I feel like I'm using an iPhone when holding it, not a trackpad, and on an iPhone the glass part of course is what you touch.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
s15119 Avatar
s15119
118 months ago
Great new FREE app to help control the amazing new Apple TV.

And all we hear are the negative nanny's.

This has become a depressing place to visit.

hint: apple owes you NOTHING. If you don't like their products, move on, there is too much value to life to be so miserable over so little.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments