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User profile for user: ozRob
ozRob Author
User level: Level 1
44 points

iPhone remote app for Apple TV gen 3

I have an Apple TV gen 3 which used to work fine with Apple's iPhone remote app on an iPhone 12 mini. I have some Apple remote devices but they've fallen into disuse and now have flat batteries since I used to use the phone app. It worked just as well or better than the devices and was easier to find.


Recently, the app started not working to the point of becoming useless. After restarting the app, Apple TV and iPhone, I figured I'd reinstall the app from the App Store. So I deleted the remote app on my iPhone and installed iTunes remote (which seems to be the new name for the remote app).


Anyway, I can't see how to connect to my Apple TV. I can play content from the Music app on my MacBook to the Apple TV using AirPlay, and can control the Music app on my MacBook from the iPhone.


I tried using the Home app, but it wants me to buy an Apple TV 4K. Sorry, my existing Apple TV works just fine.


How to I get the iTunes remote app to control the Apple TV? Or alternatively, how do I get the old Remote app back onto my iPhone (I really don't want to use my iPhone to control music on my MacBook)?

Apple TV (3rd generation)

Posted on Apr 1, 2024 1:33 AM

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
142,770 points

Posted on Apr 1, 2024 7:00 AM

I have some Apple remote devices but they've fallen into disuse and now have flat batteries since I used to use the phone app.

The old style Apple Remote (aluminum) A1294 has a replaceable battery. A very small effort to do.

How to replace the battery in your Apple Remote - Apple Support

The remote may need to be linked to the box again, after a battery exchange.


I figured I'd reinstall the [remote app on iPhone] from the App Store. So I deleted the remote app on my iPhone and installed iTunes remote (which seems to be the new name for the remote app).

The iTunes Remote app is not the replacement for the old Apple TV Remote app. The iTunes Remote app functions to operate the iTunes application or Apple Music application on a computer from a mobile device (which then may optionally AirPlay to an Apple TV box).


The replacement for the Apple TV Remote app is the Apple TV Remote widget in Control Center.

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


I tried using the Home app

That app is not for what you intend to do here. It is for configuration of HomeKit smart home accessories.


how do I get the old Remote app back onto my iPhone?

You can’t. The old Apple TV Remote app was discontinued in 2020 I think, and removed from the App Store. Use the Control Center widget instead.

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User profile for user: Urquhart1244
Urquhart1244
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
142,770 points

Apr 1, 2024 7:00 AM in response to ozRob

I have some Apple remote devices but they've fallen into disuse and now have flat batteries since I used to use the phone app.

The old style Apple Remote (aluminum) A1294 has a replaceable battery. A very small effort to do.

How to replace the battery in your Apple Remote - Apple Support

The remote may need to be linked to the box again, after a battery exchange.


I figured I'd reinstall the [remote app on iPhone] from the App Store. So I deleted the remote app on my iPhone and installed iTunes remote (which seems to be the new name for the remote app).

The iTunes Remote app is not the replacement for the old Apple TV Remote app. The iTunes Remote app functions to operate the iTunes application or Apple Music application on a computer from a mobile device (which then may optionally AirPlay to an Apple TV box).


The replacement for the Apple TV Remote app is the Apple TV Remote widget in Control Center.

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


I tried using the Home app

That app is not for what you intend to do here. It is for configuration of HomeKit smart home accessories.


how do I get the old Remote app back onto my iPhone?

You can’t. The old Apple TV Remote app was discontinued in 2020 I think, and removed from the App Store. Use the Control Center widget instead.

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User profile for user: ozRob
ozRob Author
User level: Level 1
44 points

Apr 1, 2024 7:39 AM in response to Urquhart1244

The old style Apple Remote (aluminum) A1294 has a replaceable battery.

My aluminium remote doesn't work any more, even with a new battery. I have three white plastic ones, I managed to get one of those working with a replacement battery. I want to use the iPhone because it's more convenient to use one device for everything than a separate remote for each device.


The remote may need to be linked to the box again, after a battery exchange.

Nope, worked straight up. :-)


The iTunes Remote app is not the replacement for the old Apple TV Remote app.

When searching the App Store, that's the only app that seemed even remotely appropriate (sorry about the pun). The Remote app used to drop back to an iTunes–like library with buttons at the bottom, one of which was devices that led to the Apple TV remote UI. I thought maybe since iTunes Remote it controls other Apple devices and uses the same icon as the old remote app, why not Apple TV?


I thought I just wasn't smart enough to find the right setting…


The replacement for the Apple TV Remote app is the Apple TV Remote widget in Control Center.

Thank you. A separate remote is necessary in order to navigate the Apple TV settings and connect the iPhone as a remote.


The old Apple TV Remote app was discontinued in 2020 I think, and removed from the App Store. Use the Control Center widget instead.

I suppose there was a message somewhere that told me about that after an iOS or Apple TV OS update.

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iPhone remote app for Apple TV gen 3

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