The Apple TV remote is often viewed as a sleek, minimalist tool for basic navigation—but under the surface, it holds a surprising number of hidden features and customization options that can dramatically enhance how you control your Apple TV, sound system, and even other smart devices. With the launch of tvOS 17 and hardware refinements in the latest Apple TV 4K, the Siri Remote (and its iPhone counterpart) has become smarter, more powerful, and more integrated than ever.
Here’s a breakdown of the best Apple TV remote settings and features most users never explore:
Clickpad Customization: Click or Swipe, Your Way
Head to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Clickpad to choose between:
- Click and Touch: Use swipe gestures and click for hybrid control.
- Click Only: Disable swipes entirely and use traditional directional clicking.
This is especially helpful if you find the touchpad too sensitive or imprecise.
Bonus Tip: Adjust the tracking speed under the same menu to make scrolling faster or more controlled.
Change the TV Button’s Function
Don’t like that the TV button opens the Apple TV app by default?
- Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > TV Button.
- Choose between Apple TV app or returning to the Home Screen.
This tiny setting can reduce extra clicks when navigating your Apple TV.
Hidden Advanced Settings Menu
Yes, there’s a secret settings menu. Here’s how to find it:
- Go to Settings > System > Software Updates.
- Highlight Update Software (but don’t click it).
- Press the Play/Pause button on the Siri Remote four times.
This unlocks developer-level options like sleep timing, VPN configurations, and deeper diagnostics. These aren’t meant for casual users, but if you’re troubleshooting or experimenting, it’s gold.
Use Your iPhone as a Remote and Keyboard
Apple has quietly made the iPhone one of the best tools to control your Apple TV. With iOS 16 and up:
- Swipe down into Control Center.
- Tap Apple TV Remote.
- The iPhone volume buttons adjust sound via HDMI-CEC, controlling compatible TVs and receivers.
- Your iPhone keyboard will pop up automatically when typing is needed—no unlocking or app switching.
Real-World Perk: This also controls AirPods volume directly when they’re connected to Apple TV.
Lost Your Remote? Make It Ring
If you own a 2nd-gen Siri Remote or newer and are using tvOS 17 or later, you can now find your misplaced remote just like your AirPods:
- Open the Apple TV Remote on iPhone.
- Tap Find.
- The Siri Remote will emit a pinging sound to help you locate it under the couch.
Use Your Apple Watch as a Remote
With watchOS 11, the Apple Watch doubles as a full-fledged Apple TV remote:
- Turn the Digital Crown for volume control.
- Press and hold the Crown to activate Siri.
- Access playback controls, captions, input switching, and more via the three-dot menu.
Perfect for quick adjustments when your iPhone or Siri Remote isn’t nearby.
Accessibility: High Contrast Focus
For better visibility or users with visual impairments:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display > Focus Style.
- Enable High Contrast to highlight the selected content with a bright white border.
Makes menu navigation significantly easier to track on darker interfaces.
Output Audio to Another Apple TV or Device
Want to quickly switch audio from your Apple TV to your AirPods, HomePods, or another room’s Apple TV?
- Hold down the Play/Pause button on the Siri Remote during playback.
- A menu pops up to select available audio outputs, including Bluetooth accessories.
You can create instant whole-home audio setups on the fly.
Little-Known Gestures and Shortcuts
- Triple Tap the Clickpad: This used to toggle subtitles or closed captioning in older tvOS versions. While it may no longer work on tvOS 17, some gestures remain undocumented but functional.
- Directional Taps (not clicks): Tap up, down, left, or right to navigate without pressing the touchpad—useful for quieter browsing.
These hidden settings prove that Apple’s minimalist design doesn’t mean minimal control. From secret menus to powerful integrations with iPhone, Watch, and AirPods, the Apple TV remote is more capable than most give it credit for.
Key Takeaways
- The Apple TV remote offers voice control and hidden shortcuts for enhanced navigation
- iOS 16 users can control their Apple TV without opening Control Center
- The Siri Remote works with Apple TV HD, 4K, and AirPlay 2 smart TVs
Understanding the Apple TV Remote
The Apple TV remote combines physical buttons with touch controls to provide seamless media control and device navigation. Voice commands through Siri add another layer of control options.
Connecting to Devices
The Apple TV remote pairs automatically with new Apple TV units during setup. Users can also connect it manually through Settings > Remotes and Devices.
The remote works with multiple Apple devices. Users can control Apple TV through the Remote app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
The Control Center on iOS devices offers quick remote access without installing additional apps.
Navigation and Controls
The touch-enabled clickpad handles basic navigation with swipe gestures. A simple tap selects items, while pressing the edges enables precise directional control.
Essential Button Functions:
- Home button: Returns to main screen
- TV button: Opens Control Center
- Back button: Returns to previous screen
- Play/Pause: Controls media playback
The Siri button activates voice commands for searching content, controlling playback, and adjusting settings.
Media Playback Features
Quick press left or right on the clickpad to jump 10 seconds. Press and hold to rewind or fast forward continuously.
Advanced Playback Controls:
- Double-click center: Skip intro/credits
- Triple-click center: Toggle subtitles
- Click + volume buttons: Adjust audio sync
The remote enables precise video scrubbing by sliding a finger on the clickpad’s outer ring.
Customization and Accessibility
Users can adjust button sensitivity and trackpad behavior in Apple TV settings. The remote supports VoiceOver and Switch Control for enhanced accessibility.
- Button remapping
- Touch sensitivity adjustment
- Tracking speed controls
- Audio balance
Dark Mode support helps reduce eye strain during nighttime viewing. Users can enable Reduce Loud Sounds to maintain consistent volume levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Apple TV Remote contains numerous hidden features and controls that enhance the viewing experience. Many functions exist beyond the basic navigation buttons, from voice commands to custom shortcuts.
How can one utilize the hidden features of the Apple TV Remote?
The trackpad on the Apple TV Remote supports swipe gestures for quick app switching. Users can double-click the home button and swipe through open apps instantly.
Voice control through Siri enables hands-free operation. Press and hold the Siri button to search content, control playback, or adjust settings.
What are the latest updates to the Apple TV Remote’s functionality?
The TV button can be customized to go directly to the Home Screen instead of the Apple TV app. This setting change happens in the Remotes and Devices menu.
The remote now supports learning functions for non-Apple devices. Users can program basic commands like power and volume for compatible equipment.
How does one discover hidden applications on Apple TV?
Double-clicking the home button reveals all open applications. Users can swipe left or right on the touchpad to browse through active apps.
A quick downward swipe on the touchpad while watching content displays additional information and options.
Are there specific codes required for accessing advanced Apple TV Remote features?
The remote requires pairing with the Apple TV unit through a simple process. When prompted, users follow on-screen instructions to enter any required passcodes.
The pairing process starts automatically when bringing a new remote close to the Apple TV box.
Is there a way to view concealed photos on Apple TV?
Photos from connected iCloud accounts display in the Photos app. Users can access hidden album contents by signing in with their Apple ID.
Privacy settings control which photo albums appear on the Apple TV interface.
What functionalities does the Apple TV Remote app provide that are not immediately apparent?
The Remote app turns any iPhone into a full-featured Apple TV controller. It offers an on-screen keyboard for easier text input.
The app provides trackpad functionality identical to the physical remote, plus additional gesture controls.
