My iPhone no longer controls the volume of my Apple TV. It used to work great and then one day (maybe after an iOS update?) it just stopped. The light on my Apple TV doesnt even blink when I press the side buttons anymore. Everything else works great. It’s plugged into an arc port. Settings on the tv are unchanged/correct. But I’m at a loss. Any ideas?
The side buttons on iPhone work to control the speakers with the Apple TV box (4th generation or later), when using the software remote on iPhone (Apple TV Remote Control Center widget must be active/in front).
This may not work for the TV, instead it works with receivers (and possibly soundbars) that support volume control over HDMI-CEC. Verify that CEC is activated for all devices in the HDMI chain.
What is your audio setup?
Set up the Apple TV Remote on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Control your TV or receiver with your Apple TV Remote - Apple Support
The side buttons on iPhone work to control the speakers with the Apple TV box (4th generation or later), when using the software remote on iPhone (Apple TV Remote Control Center widget must be active/in front).
This may not work for the TV, instead it works with receivers (and possibly soundbars) that support volume control over HDMI-CEC. Verify that CEC is activated for all devices in the HDMI chain.
What is your audio setup?
Set up the Apple TV Remote on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Control your TV or receiver with your Apple TV Remote - Apple Support
I can confirm that my iPhone remote, accessed via the Control Center on (currently-current) iOS 15.3.1, is still cheerfully controlling the volume of my HDMI-connected soundbar via HDMI-CEC.
Please verify that your Apple TV's still configured correctly: Settings > Remotes and Devices > HOME THEATER CONTROL: Control TVs and Receivers = On. Below that, as @Urquhart1244 suggested, confirm that the Volume setting reads "Auto via HDMI (Receiver)".
Note that this last value will change if the TV's output setting is changed from HDMI ARC to Internal Speakers (or other changes in the connected equipment).
Volume control through the software remote requires that the receiver or soundbar supports volume control over CEC (not all do), and that the Volume Control setting on Apple TV is set to “Auto via HDMI (Receiver)” .
Hey thank you for the reply. So both my tv and sound bar are hdmi-Cec enabled and work fine with the Apple remote. They are chained together using the arc ports. The phone app/widget is what I’m having issues with. When I press any buttons while using the iPhone remote app/widget the light on the Apple TV blinks noting that is has recieved a signal BUT NOT when I press the volume buttons.. so I’m wondering if it’s a phone issue. It used to work great, but at some point there was an update that caused it to no longer function. Anyone else having this issue?
It’s so stupid. They for sure changed something in the software. It would be very on brand
Yes exact same issue. My wife and I were able to control the volume of our Apple TV through HomePod using our iPhones while the remote all was active and on the screen for about a year. Then all of a sudden, we’re no longer able to do so. We can’t mute or adjust volume. Would love some actual #applesupport to help. Maybe we should post on Twitter to get a response?
All SW versions and settings are the same. Difference is that we’re using an apple HomePod not a HDMI connected soundbar. bgmeek your solution is not applicable in this situation. Likely a HomePod to Remote App issue, not an Apple TV to Remote App issue
@applesupport?
@dell19, I beg your pardon but I had replied to @Don_Shwah, who posted the initial question in this thread about his HDMI soundbar setup.
dell19 wrote:
[...]
Difference is that we’re using an apple HomePod not a HDMI connected soundbar. bgmeek your solution is not applicable in this situation. Likely a HomePod to Remote App issue, not an Apple TV to Remote App issue.
I'm sorry to hear you're having a similar volume control issue, but as you say, it's a different issue. You may want to start a new thread with the specifics of your setup. FWIW, when you're using HomePods as the ATV4K's audio output, it depends on how you've set it up (default ATV audio or temporary AirPlay connection).
@applesupport?
[Edited by Moderator]
iPhone no longer controlling volume on Apple Tv
