How to use your iPhone as a TV remote control

Close-up of a person sitting in bed holding a smartphone with a remote control on the screen while the TV is on in the background.

Photograph: Grace Carey through Getty Pictures – Illustration: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Each time a Roku, Fireplace TV, or common TV distant will get misplaced between the sofa cushions or tossed someplace by a toddler, I search for the producer’s single TV management app. However, if in case you have a appropriate good TV, resembling a Rocco or Fireplace TVor Apple TV 4KYou possibly can do away with additional apps and easily use your iPhone as a brand new distant management.

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Earlier than you begin, be sure that your TV is turned on and linked to the identical community as your iPhone.

When utilizing your iPhone as a distant management, be aware that not all TVs could have all controls. Relying in your TV, you could not be capable to flip it on or off, or entry the amount.

How you can use your iPhone as a TV distant management

We have now a 2.4GHz community in our dwelling for all of our good gadgets, together with all good TVs and streaming gadgets like Roku TVs and Fireplace TV sticks. After we wish to use AirPlay or management TVs via our cellphone, it solely takes a number of seconds to modify networks.

iPhone with network settings on screen.

Be sure your iPhone is linked to the identical community because the good TV you wish to management.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Yow will discover your iPhone’s Management Middle by swiping down from the highest proper of the display.

iPhone Control Center.

Entry Management Middle by swiping down from the highest proper of the display.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The distant management button could also be in your Management Middle, if you cannot discover it, simply faucet the AirPlay icon (the circles with the triangle on the backside) on the prime proper.

AirPlay icon and remote button on iPhone.

Choose the AirPlay icon or the distant management button.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Accessible TVs can be in the identical community as you and can be appropriate with AirPlay. Choose the TV you wish to management.

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When you click on on the AirPlay icon, your display will seem like the primary picture beneath. Choose the TV you wish to management.

While you press the distant management button from the management heart, it is going to go on to the distant management choices, just like the second picture beneath. Choose the TV you wish to management.

iPhone remote control icon.

As soon as you have chosen the TV you wish to management, you possibly can click on on the small distant on the left to entry the TV’s controls.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

TV selection options on iPhone.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Your iPhone is now additionally a distant management on your TV or streaming gadget.

iPhone remote control feature.

That is what the iPhone distant management appears to be like like.

Photograph: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

I have been making an attempt to make Distant Boats a factor ever since Everybody loves Raymond’s ring The place Frank will get one, and I do not perceive why nobody in my home would wish to make that occur.

additionally: This hidden iPhone function may help you go to sleep sooner

However utilizing our iPhones as a distant management made distant boating nearly pointless. Whereas the iPhone distant has restricted choices, I can lastly cease monitoring down all of the totally different little remotes from our streaming gadgets that appear to be the right dimension and form for slipping between the couch cushions.

Directions

Can I exploit my iPhone as a distant management for a non-smart TV?

You possibly can in the event you add Apple TV 4K. In any other case, you’ll have to obtain a separate app to make use of your iPhone as a distant management, resembling a common distant app or a file Fireplace TV or Roku TV. Though newer Fireplace TV good TVs assist AirPlay, the Fireplace TV Sticks and Dice aren’t appropriate with AirPlay.

Why cannot I see the distant management button in Management Middle?

When you do not see the Distant Management choice in Management Middle and wish to add it, you possibly can go to settings, Then choose Management Middle, Then add the shortcuts you wish to add, together with the Distant Management choice.

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