If you regularly use your iPhone to control your Apple TV, iOS 27 makes accessing the virtual remote much easier. You can now put the Apple TV Remote directly on your iPhone Home Screen instead of opening Control Center every time.
Apple previously offered a standalone Apple TV Remote app, but removed it from the App Store in 2020 and integrated the remote into Control Center. With iOS 27, the Remote once again behaves more like a regular app that can live on your Home Screen.
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How to Add Apple TV Remote to the Home Screen
The easiest method takes only a few seconds:
- Swipe down from the middle of your iPhone Home Screen to open Spotlight.
- Type Remote in the search field.
- Find the Remote app in the results.
- Touch and hold the Remote icon.
- Drag it onto your Home Screen.
- Place it wherever you want and tap Done.
You can also find the Remote in your App Library, touch and hold its icon, and drag it onto the Home Screen. That’s it. You now have one-tap access to your Apple TV Remote.
How to Connect the Remote to Apple TV
If you’ve never used your iPhone as an Apple TV remote before, some initial setup may be required.
Open the Remote and select your Apple TV from the device list.
If prompted, follow the onscreen instructions and enter the displayed four-digit passcode. Your iPhone and Apple TV should also be connected to the same Wi-Fi network during setup.
Once connected, your iPhone provides familiar controls for navigation, playback and other Apple TV functions.
You Can Still Use Control Center
Adding the Remote to your Home Screen doesn’t remove it from Control Center.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone and tap the Apple TV Remote control.
If it isn’t there, open Control Center, choose Add a Control, search for Remote, and add it.
This gives you two quick ways to reach the same remote.
iOS 27 Makes the Remote More Useful
Home Screen access isn’t the only Apple TV Remote improvement in iOS 27.
Apple has also been working on a refreshed Remote interface with features including an app launcher, letting you jump directly into Apple TV apps, and access to Top Shelf content from supported apps.
That makes the iPhone increasingly useful as a replacement when your physical Siri Remote is across the room—or hiding somewhere between the couch cushions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an Apple TV Remote app?
On iOS 27, the Remote is integrated into the system and can be accessed from the Home Screen, App Library or Control Center.
Can I add the Apple TV Remote to my iPad Home Screen?
Yes. The same Home Screen functionality is available with iPadOS 27.
Why can’t my iPhone connect to my Apple TV?
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, update iOS and tvOS, and restart both devices if necessary.
Verdict
Adding the Apple TV Remote to your iOS 27 Home Screen is simple: swipe down, search for “Remote,” touch and hold the icon, and drag it onto your Home Screen.
It’s a small iOS 27 change, but if you frequently use your iPhone instead of the physical Siri Remote, it eliminates an unnecessary trip through Control Center and gives you much faster access to your Apple TV.
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