Itsytv says “No Apple TVs found.”

Itsytv needs local network access to discover Apple TV devices. If you declined the permission prompt, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Local network and enable Itsytv. Your iPhone and Apple TV must also be on the same Wi-Fi network.

My Apple TV doesn't show a PIN code when pairing.

Your Apple TV is probably restricting which devices can connect. Open Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home, set Allow access to Anyone on the same network, and make sure Require password is Off. Then check Settings → General → Restrictions and confirm AirPlay Settings and Remote App Pairing are both Allow. Keep them there — Itsytv needs them that way to maintain a connection.

The remote panel closes a few seconds after connecting.

Your AirPlay access is set to Only people sharing this home. Open Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home on your Apple TV and change Allow access to Anyone on the same network. Done.

Now playing information isn't showing.

Itsytv relies on AirPlay to receive now playing updates. Open Settings → AirPlay and Apple Home on your Apple TV and make sure AirPlay is set to On.

Now playing shows the wrong show or movie.

Apple TV occasionally reports now playing information from a previously used app instead of the current one — a known quirk of the Apple TV protocol itself. Restarting the streaming app on your Apple TV or switching playback usually clears it.

Netflix doesn't show now playing details.

Netflix recently updated their Apple TV player and no longer reports show information to the system. That means Itsytv can't display the title, artwork, or episode for what's playing in Netflix. This is a Netflix-side limitation. Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and most other streaming apps continue to work normally.

Volume buttons aren't working.

Volume control depends on your Apple TV configuration. If your TV uses HDMI-CEC for volume, the buttons will work. If your Apple TV is set to control volume over IR (infrared), commands from Itsytv won't reach the TV. Check Settings → Remotes and Devices → Volume Control on your Apple TV to see which mode is active. The mute button isn't supported by the protocol yet.

On Mac: I launched the app and nothing happened.

Itsytv on Mac is a menu bar app — a tiny TV icon in the top-right, not a Dock tile. On MacBooks with a notch, macOS silently hides menu bar icons that don't fit behind the notch. Hold ⌘ Cmd and drag unused icons off the menu bar; when Itsytv reappears, ⌘-drag it somewhere safe.

Itsytv · Guides

How to use your iPhone as an Apple TV remote

Updated 2 July 2026

Every iPhone can already control an Apple TV: open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner), tap the Apple TV Remote button, and pick your Apple TV. It is free and built into iOS. Dedicated remote apps exist because the built-in remote is deliberately minimal – no app launcher, no content details, and clumsy with several Apple TVs.

The built-in Control Center remote

Add the remote to Control Center. On iOS it usually appears automatically when an Apple TV is nearby. If not: Settings → Control Center, and add "Apple TV Remote" to the included controls.
Open and connect. Swipe down from the top-right corner, tap the remote icon, and choose your Apple TV from the list at the top. iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Use it. The large area in the middle is a touchpad (swipe to move, tap to select); below it are back, TV, play/pause, volume, and power. When a text field opens on the Apple TV, a notification lets you type with the iOS keyboard.

What the built-in remote doesn't do

No app launcher – you still navigate the tvOS home screen row by row to reach an app.
No now-playing information beyond basic transport controls – no artwork, cast, plot, or ratings.
Multi-Apple TV households get a picker but no fast switching, no per-device memory.
No layout choice – one fixed design, whether you are left- or right-handed.
Volume only works when the Apple TV controls volume over HDMI-CEC (true of any software remote – phones have no IR).

When a dedicated app is worth it

If you only ever pause and resume, the built-in remote is enough – keep it and spend nothing. A dedicated app earns its place when you use the Apple TV a lot: Itsytv adds a circular d-pad with tap and swipe modes, an app launcher with drag-to-reorder, a now-playing panel with artwork, cast, plot and ratings, instant switching between multiple Apple TVs, an ergonomic left- or right-handed layout, and optional Trakt integration for marking shows watched.

Itsytv is a one-time $4.99 purchase covering iPhone, iPad, and Mac – no subscription, no ads. It speaks the same native protocol the Siri Remote uses, and communication is end-to-end encrypted with credentials in Keychain.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free way to use my iPhone as an Apple TV remote?

Yes – the Apple TV Remote built into iOS Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner, tap the remote icon, and select your Apple TV. No download required.

Does the iPhone remote work without Wi-Fi?

No. Software remotes talk to the Apple TV over the local network, so both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi. Only the physical Siri Remote works without a network, since it uses Bluetooth directly.

Can my iPhone type on the Apple TV?

Yes. With the built-in remote, a notification appears when a text field opens and you type with the iOS keyboard. Itsytv goes further with an always-available keyboard for search fields and passwords.

What does a paid remote app add over the free one?

Itsytv adds an app launcher, a now-playing panel with artwork and details, fast multi-Apple TV switching, ergonomic left/right layouts, Trakt integration, and a Mac version. It costs $4.99 once – there is no subscription.

Related guides

Get Itsytv

Itsytv turns your iPhone, iPad, and Mac into a full Apple TV remote – circular d-pad, app launcher, now-playing panel, real keyboard, and multi-room switching. A one-time $4.99 purchase, no subscription. The Mac version is free and open source via Homebrew. Download on the App Store →