HELP – my phone is stuck on the remote app (appletv)

This has happened to me this afternoon. I was able to get out of it by Force ReStarting the IPhone as follows:

Try and Force Restart your iPhone EXACTLY as shown below and see whether that resolves the issue:

• Press and quickly release Volume UP button
• Press and quickly release Volume DOWN button
• Press and Hold the SIDE button until an Apple logo appears and then release the Side button (Can take up to 20 seconds. (DO NOT release Side Button when invited to Slide Power OFF). 

Axel F.

You may be performing the Force ReStart incorrectly. There are no buttons pushed simultaneously in this process. Please review the process again as shown below:

Try and Force Restart your iPhone EXACTLY as shown below and see whether that resolves the issue:

• Press and quickly release Volume UP button
• Press and quickly release Volume DOWN button
• Press and Hold the SIDE button until an Apple logo appears and then release the Side button (Can take up to 20 seconds. (DO NOT release Side Button when invited to Slide Power OFF). 

Axel F.

Thanks Axel! This happened to me too and the Force Restart process is exactly what was needed. That was weird!

same thing happened to my daughters iPhone 12 just now, we’ve tried the force restart several times, also made an embarrassing emergency call, but it doesn’t work, it’s stuck on the remote screen. Guess we have to wait until the batttery drains. A good exercise for my daughter to be without her phone😅

Attempting to force a power off using either volume button + power button sets off a very LOUD SIREN, that’s rather shocking and jarring. Is this a new personal alarm? “Rape whistle”? I can’t get the phone to power off or restart and the Apple TV Remote persists. My only recourse is to box it until the battery dies.

iPhone 11

iOS 15

Completely baffled 🤦🏻‍♂️

You are welcome.

You are right that CarPlay (and other apps in the background) continue to work while the screen remains frozen on the remote.

Axel F.

Many thanks Axel. This just frustrated the heck out of me and I work at a support desk. Definitely saving this web link.

You are welcome.

Axel F.

Had this too, held it down through the 2 alarms and it called 911....

Perfect AF

Thanks

Glad it worked out for you, Martie!

Axel F.

Glad it worked out for you. Try and update your iPhone to iOS version 15.0.2 if you have not already. It may resolve the issue from happening again.

Axel F.

Thank you! Same thing. Your solution worked.