How can I use my iPhone as Apple TV remote

To use your iPhone as a remote for your Apple TV, first add it to your Control Center.

To do this, navigate to Settings>Control Center - Here add Apple TV Remote to the Control Center

Now when you swipe down from the top right of your phone (for iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (for iPhone 8 and previous) to access the Control Center, you will have a remote icon.

Tap here to use your phone as a remote.

Let’s start with the important question: What is your model Apple TV? Identify your Apple TV model - Apple Support

The software remote is compatible with Apple TV (3rd generation or later), if their software is up-to-date:

- iPhone: iOS 11 or later

- Apple TV (3rd generation): Apple TV Software 7.5 or later

- Apple TV (4th generation or later): tvOS 11 or later for sure; unknown for earlier versions tvOS.

That excludes the 1st and 2nd generation.

Set up the Apple TV Remote on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

All devices have to be on the same network first.

Setup on the 3rd generation is different for pairing, and may still need a functional remote to set it up, compared to later generations.

Welcome to the Apple community.

In all honesty, the easiest way would be to either purchase a new remote control or borrow one while you set up your phone as a remote.