How do I enable rich notifications for tvOS text entry from iPhone lock screen

I read an article today citing an iOS 10 tip that allows me to enable rich notifications for tvOS text entry from my iPhone's lock screen. They say,

The feature is enabled by default and can be configured in the iOS Settings app under Notifications > Apple TV Remote Keyboard. From here, users can opt to allow notifications, show alerts in notifications center, enable sounds, activate lock screen access and select their desired alert style.

My Apple TV 4 is updated to the latest tvOS. I also have the new Apple TV Remote installed on my iPhone running iOS 10.0.2, but on my iPhone in Settings→Notifications, there is no Apple TV Remote. What am I doing wrong?

Apple TV 4-OTHER, iOS 10.0.2, null

Posted on Oct 6, 2016 5:10 PM

37 replies

Steel Dragon Author

Level 1

95 points

Nov 22, 2016 4:58 PM in response to Diana.McCall

Wow, ok, it really does say sign into iCloud on all devices in order to receive the text notification. Hopefully this requirement changes in the future. It doesn't make sense that I should have to use iCloud on my Apple TV in order to use this feature. On my iPhone and iPad, I have security (Touch ID or passcode) to make sure nobody can enter my iOS devices and see my iCloud info. On an Apple TV, there is no security of this type, and whatever iCloud info is available on the Apple TV is viewable to anyone. I know its only photos, I think, but thats still personal. It should be an Apple ID and not iCloud that is needed. Again, hopefully this changes in the future.

Nov 22, 2016 5:20 PM in response to Steel Dragon

Right. But I guess they'd need a different method to find the nearby i-device belonging to the ATV owner. BTW, you can always use the keyboard in the Remote app. That's my only use for the Remote app. When I move to a search field and Siri can't handle it (try Macau or Nurburgring), I grab the iPad, open Remote, and the keyboard is waiting for input.

You could let Apple know your concern here https://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html. They may not even realize it's a potential issue.

Nov 22, 2016 6:26 PM in response to Diana.McCall

Just for info, this didn't work for me when it first came out, but it does now, with iOS 10.1.1 and tvOS 10.0.1. Apple TV and iPad logged into same iCloud account, Bluetooth on, enter a search field, and the notification appears. The item in Settings > Notifications is not created until this process has been completed. And I believe this has nothing to do with the Remote app; it is actually a feature of iOS. The Apple description of it doesn't mention the Remote app at all.

Steel Dragon Author

Level 1

95 points

Nov 24, 2016 1:33 PM in response to Diana.McCall

I went ahead and logged into iCloud on my Apple TV, and I am now getting the text input notification. It was also able to turn off iCloud Photo Library, iCloud Photo Sharing, and Photo Stream, which is nice.

Dec 21, 2016 11:04 PM in response to tydell

Thank you so much! I forget I have an iCloud and Gmail connected.

Dec 21, 2016 11:21 PM in response to lerickson232

After I got my usernames matched up and restarted my Apple TV I didn't have the option. When I turned on my ATV4 and tested it by searching in movies, the notification popped up. After it popped up, I went back into settings and Apple TV Keyboard was there.

Dec 22, 2016 11:36 AM in response to lerickson232

That's right. The setting does not appear until you first use the feature. It defaults to enabled.

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How do I enable rich notifications for tvOS text entry from iPhone lock screen