The apple TV remote app on my apple watch was paired and functional before the last Watch OS update to 8.1. Now it is unpaired and I can no longer pair it with Apple TV. It doesn't appear under remote apps and devices on the TV. I have apple TV 4 and the software is up-to-date. They are both connected to the same wifi network. I have restarted both devices. My iphone is still connected to the remote app.
Apple Watch, watchOS 3
Experienced the same issue initially. Received a new Apple Watch (series 7) yesterday and tried to set up the Remote app on the watch to control Apple TV (4th generation). I tried many sproposed olutions (pair/re-pair watch and iphone; delete Remote app from Watch, then re-install; ensure latest software is installed on everything... did not work).
After some tinkering, I got it to work as follows: I realized that my iPhone was NOT paired with my Apple TV.
Of course, make sure everything (Watch, iPhone, Apple TV) is all on the same wifi network.
Also make sure the Remote app is installed on the Watch first. Keep the app open while performing the steps below.
On the Apple TV - Go to Settings - Remotes and Devices - Remote App and Devices.
Bring your iPhone close to the Apple TV console. When you see a message on your iOS device that says Pair Apple TV, tap Pair. You will see a code appear on your TV screen - enter that code onto your iPhone.
Your iPhone (which should have been connected to your Apple Watch from the start) is now paired with your Apple TV.
For me, once the iPhone was paired with the Apple TV, it automatically triggered the Remote app on the Apple Watch to work!
Hope this helps.
Experienced the same issue initially. Received a new Apple Watch (series 7) yesterday and tried to set up the Remote app on the watch to control Apple TV (4th generation). I tried many sproposed olutions (pair/re-pair watch and iphone; delete Remote app from Watch, then re-install; ensure latest software is installed on everything... did not work).
After some tinkering, I got it to work as follows: I realized that my iPhone was NOT paired with my Apple TV.
Of course, make sure everything (Watch, iPhone, Apple TV) is all on the same wifi network.
Also make sure the Remote app is installed on the Watch first. Keep the app open while performing the steps below.
On the Apple TV - Go to Settings - Remotes and Devices - Remote App and Devices.
Bring your iPhone close to the Apple TV console. When you see a message on your iOS device that says Pair Apple TV, tap Pair. You will see a code appear on your TV screen - enter that code onto your iPhone.
Your iPhone (which should have been connected to your Apple Watch from the start) is now paired with your Apple TV.
For me, once the iPhone was paired with the Apple TV, it automatically triggered the Remote app on the Apple Watch to work!
Hope this helps.
For me the remote app doesn’t work just as you described. But the now playing mode will show what’s on the Apple TV and you can access the remote through that. So I know the watch can connect to the Apple TV. Just not through the remote app. I have an Apple Watch Series 5 on the latest update.
Having the same exact issue with Apple Watch Series 7. I was never able to pair it with my Apple TV, but when I have what’s playing on the Apple TV on the now playing pane of my watch, I can access the remote function.
Hi spiritedcharm, We appreciate you reaching out to us. We understand that you are experiencing issues using the Remote app of your Apple Watch with your Apple TV.
Are you using the same steps in the article below to set up the Remote app? Control Apple TV with Apple Watch - Apple Support
If yes, we recommend that you unpair your iPhone and Apple Watch, then pair them back again.
Below are some articles to guide you through the process.
Unpair and erase your Apple Watch
Take care!
spiritedcharm,
Thank you for keeping us posted. We recommend that you reach out to us here so we can take a closer look into the issue: Get Support
Take care!
I have the same issue... There is a bug with their software. Don't waste your time and just airplay from your iPhone to the AppleTV.
Thank you for the quick response. Yes, I am following the steps listed to set up the remote. I select Add Device in the remote app and when I open Remote App and Devices on apple TV, it lists my iphone, but not the watch. I have both on the same wifi network and I'm standing within three feet of the apple TV. The code appears on the watch, but not on the TV. It was working just a couple of days ago. I believe it stopped working when I updated to Watch 8.1.
I unpaired the watch from my phone and repaired it as you suggested, but it is still not pairing with the apple TV.
There is another user in the macrumors forum who is having the same issue
Unfortunately, no. I spent a long time on the phone with support, but they couldn't resolve it. The weird thing is the remote app works just fine on my husband's apple watch 6. It just won't work on my watch 7
Jumping in here so as to add to this fact that this is a common issue; this is happening to me and the missus watch unall (7Series..unsure if that's relevant), we've since lost access to Apple TV with the same fail aspects as listed above.
Having the same issue with my series 7 watch too. Watch remote app shows me a 4 digit code, but the Apple TV says to hold my device close to the Apple TV in order to pair, no place for me to input the watch code and nothing happening :(
I have the same issue as everyone else. Apple Watch 5 and Apple TV 4K, the watch is not listed in remotes and devices and there is no "add device" option available. Can't seem to connect these two no matter what, and it is a bloody shame. Fix this asap, we pay so much for our devices we deserve the functionality to work!
I am having this very issue. The watch doesn't seem to appear on my apple tv, when I go to watching now on the watch, it shows what's playing on the Apple tv but it's greyed out and won't accept no touches on the screen of the watch.
Hi! Same here - Apple Watch 7. Cannot pair my watch and Apple TV. Cannot confirm fitness app connection with my watch. Spent 30 mins with apple support on phone with no result. All other symptoms are exactly the same as described earlier by others. Didn’t expect so glitchy behavior from apple devices :(
I have this issue with my series 7.
The funny thing is that i have 2 apple tv 4K and i can connect to only one of them.
All items are on latest firmware btw.
My Iphone 12 pro is connected to the apple tv i cannot connect to with the watch.
Having the same issue Watch 7 and AppleTV GEN4, watch will pair to exercise app and that’s it. Can’t see it in Remotes, Bluetooth or Zwift. When I go to Remote it gives me a code and that code goes no where. Weird because like everyone says it worked a month ago?
Unable to pair watch with apple tv
