Apple Remote App for iOS Now Works With New Apple TV Following tvOS 9.1 Update

appletvremoteappToday's tvOS 9.1 update for the fourth-generation Apple TV enables a feature that many have been missing - support for the Remote app on iOS devices and Apple Watch. Prior to today, the new Apple TV was not compatible with the Remote app that has long allowed iPhone and iPad users to control their second and third-generation Apple TVs with their iOS devices.

Apple likely skipped implementing Remote support for the new Apple TV initially because it includes a touch-based remote control that enables many of the same gestures, but users have expressed some disappointment that the app didn't work. The Remote app may mimic the touch-based interface of the physical Apple TV remote control, but it will be handy in a pinch should that remote become lost or misplaced.

Being able to use the Remote app will also remedy one of the most frustrating aspects of the new Apple TV -- text entry. Prior to today, it was necessary to use the swipe controls on the physical Apple TV remote with an on-screen keyboard to enter text. The Remote app will allow iPhone and iPad owners to use their devices to enter text much more quickly.

The Remote iOS app does not require updating to work with the fourth-generation Apple TV, but the set-top box does require tvOS 9.1 to be installed. Today's iOS 9.2 update is also not required and we have confirmed that the Remote app works with iOS devices running earlier versions of iOS 9.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tag: Remote
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...

Top Rated Comments

mdelvecchio Avatar
131 months ago
So i normally do not call for some one head on a spike. I however must say we need the head of who ever thought it was ok to ship the apple tv with out the remote app workings head on a spike. I sold mine with in a day of ownership due to the text entry mess. I am now refusing to buy one just out of spite.
what mess? you just used the touch swiper. it accelerates as you swipe so you can get pretty speedy with it. not a big deal at all, and i was done with it after 5 minutes of set up. then i moved on with my life and enjoyed the device.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdelvecchio Avatar
131 months ago
does these mean all the haters who pretended to return theirs will pretend to buy them back? nah, of course not.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
penajmz Avatar
131 months ago
Yes! Yes! Yes!

Should've been here from day one but I'm happy is here now.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sziehr Avatar
131 months ago
So i normally do not call for some one head on a spike. I however must say we need the head of who ever thought it was ok to ship the apple tv with out the remote app workings head on a spike. I sold mine with in a day of ownership due to the text entry mess. I am now refusing to buy one just out of spite.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
131 months ago
Yes yes yes! Such a shame this wasn't ready at launch.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
expectdelay Avatar
131 months ago
So i normally do not call for some one head on a spike. I however must say we need the head of who ever thought it was ok to ship the apple tv with out the remote app workings head on a spike. I sold mine with in a day of ownership due to the text entry mess. I am now refusing to buy one just out of spite.
That's a fairly childish response ...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)