Apple doesn't make it easy for Android users to integrate into its ecosystem, and the Apple TV streaming box is no exception. But despite Apple's tight ecosystem, some people have turned their Android phones into reliable remote controls for their Apple TV.
- How to use iPhone as a remote control with Home Sharing
There is no official Apple TV remote control app for Android
One of the reasons people don't love Apple TV as much as they would like is because it's not compatible with Android devices. Apple doesn't provide an official Apple TV remote app for Android. The only official way to control Apple TV is with the Siri Remote or an iPhone.
Fortunately, third-party developers have stepped in to fill the void, and some of them work surprisingly well. Of course, you won't get the tight integration you get on iOS, but for basic navigation, playback, and volume control, some of these apps are good enough.
How to Control Apple TV with an Android Device
As with most app categories, there are a ton of apps on the Google Play Store that let you control your Apple TV. After trying most of them, and although it took us a while to find the one that felt close to perfect, we've finally found the best option.
The app used is called Remote for Apple TV . It's completely free (albeit with some ads) and offers both click and trackpad controls without locking basic features behind a paywall—something most other Apple TV remote apps for Android don't do.
Once you install the app, it will automatically connect to your Apple TV over Wi-Fi . This is a one-time pairing process – you just need to grant access to your TV once and the app will remember your device for future use. The interface is clean and easy to understand, with 3 tabs at the bottom.
The main Remote tab gives you the basics: D-pad or swipe controls, dedicated play/pause buttons, Home and Back buttons, and even a keyboard for easier text input, making typing in the search bar a lot easier. Below the media controls, you'll find your three favorite apps to quickly launch them on your Apple TV.
The Apps tab lists everything installed on your Apple TV, allowing you to open apps directly from your phone. The Settings tab lets you customize your experience with options like vibration feedback, touch sounds, and language.
Similar to Apple's remote control app, the app can even wake up your Apple TV without pressing any physical buttons on your TV remote. This means that even if your remote isn't nearby, you can still wake up and control your Apple TV using just the app. Here's how you can run the Remote for Apple TV app on your Android phone:
- Install and open the Remote for Apple TV app on your Android phone.
- Tap Not connected at the top of the screen.
- Select your Apple TV device from the list.
- Enter the pairing code displayed on the Apple TV screen.
That's it! Your phone is now ready to act as a fully functional remote. Just make sure both your phone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise the pairing will fail. Also, it may take a while for the app to connect. If it fails, tap Not connected again to try pairing again.
Use IR Blaster on phone (if available)
Alternatively, if you don't want to use third-party apps due to ads or unintuitive user interfaces, you can try using the IR Blaster on your phone (if you have one) to control your Apple TV.
Smartphones from brands like OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Vivo all have built-in IR blasters and come with native apps that can control devices like the Apple TV. However, feature phones like those from Google or Samsung don't have IR blasters, so you'll need to use a third-party app.
You can check if your phone has an IR Blaster by looking at the top edge of the phone for an additional small sensor, or by visiting the manufacturer's official specifications page.
I used the IR Blaster and the built-in IR Remote app on the Oppo Find N5 to control the Apple TV, and it worked surprisingly well. While it doesn't offer features like keyboard input or quick app launches, the best part is that it works without a Wi-Fi connection, so even if you're offline, it still works.
Overall, while there's no official way to control your Apple TV with an Android phone, there are still plenty of ways you can manage it with an Android device. And while these unofficial methods work pretty well, it's still worth hoping that Apple will come up with an official solution soon—especially since the company already offers a few apps and services on Android.