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.

Picture: Grace Carey by way of Getty Photographs – 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, in case you have a appropriate sensible TV, resembling a Rocco or Fireplace TVor Apple TV 4KYou’ll be able to do away with additional apps and easily use your iPhone as a brand new distant management.

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

When utilizing your iPhone as a distant management, observe that not all TVs can have all controls. Relying in your TV, chances are you’ll not be capable to flip it on or off, or entry the amount.

The best way to use your iPhone as a TV distant management

We’ve got a 2.4GHz community in our dwelling for all of our sensible gadgets, together with all sensible TVs and streaming gadgets like Roku TVs and Fireplace TV sticks. Once we wish to use AirPlay or management TVs by way of our cellphone, it solely takes a number of seconds to change networks.

iPhone with network settings on screen.

Make certain your iPhone is linked to the identical community because the sensible TV you wish to management.

Picture: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

You will discover your iPhone’s Management Heart by swiping down from the highest proper of the display screen.

iPhone Control Center.

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

Picture: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

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

AirPlay icon and remote button on iPhone.

Choose the AirPlay icon or the distant management button.

Picture: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

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

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

Once you press the distant management button from the management middle, it should 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’ve got chosen the TV you wish to management, you may click on on the small distant on the left to entry the TV’s controls.

Picture: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

TV selection options on iPhone.

Picture: 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 seems like.

Picture: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

I have been attempting 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.

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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 completely different little remotes from our streaming gadgets that appear to be the right measurement and form for slipping between the couch cushions.

Directions

Can I take advantage of my iPhone as a distant management for a non-smart TV?

You’ll be able to if you happen to 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 sensible TVs help AirPlay, the Fireplace TV Sticks and Dice should not appropriate with AirPlay.

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

If you happen to do not see the Distant Management possibility in Management Heart and wish to add it, you may go to settings, Then choose Management Heart, Then add the shortcuts you wish to add, together with the Distant Management possibility.

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