Control Apple TV with iOS or iPadOS Control Centre
You can use Apple TV controls in Control Centre 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.
Open Apple TV controls in iOS or iPadOS Control Centre
On your iOS or iPadOS device, swipe to open Control Centre, then tap the remote icon .
Add Apple TV controls to iOS Control Centre manually
If you have a device with iOS 11 or later you can activate Apple TV controls in Settings on the device.
On the iOS or iPadOS device, go to Settings > Control Centre, then tap Customise Controls.
Tap the Add button next to Apple TV Remote in the More Controls list to add it to Control Centre.
Navigate and select apps, content and lists
On the Apple TV Remote 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.
Onscreen, a highlighted app or content item expands slightly.
Navigate lists: Swipe up or down a few times in the Touch area to scroll quickly. If there’s an index next to the list, swipe right, then highlight a letter to jump ahead.
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.
If you’ve highlighted an item that has additional options, they appear in a pop-up menu.
Use the app keyboard
When the onscreen keyboard appears on Apple TV, an iOS or iPadOS keyboard becomes available in the Apple TV Remote.
Enter text in the iOS or iPadOS keyboard.
Onscreen text 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, do any of the following:
Return to the previous screen: Tap the button.
Return to the Home screen: Touch and hold the button.
Return to the Apple TV app: Tap the Home button once to go to Up Next in the Apple TV App.
To change the Home button behaviour, see Set the Home button destination on Apple TV.
View open apps
On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap the Home button twice.
Open tvOS Control Centre
On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the Home button .
Activate Siri
On the Apple TV Remote on your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the Siri button .