The Ultimate Apple TV Remote app for Mac Review: Features, Benefits, Tips, and Tricks
Apple TV Remote app for Mac: How to Control Your Apple TV from Your Mac
If you have an Apple TV and a Mac, you might be wondering how you can control your Apple TV from your Mac without using a physical remote. Well, there is a simple and convenient solution for that: the Apple TV Remote app for Mac.
Apple Tv Remote App For Mac
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac is a free app that lets you control your Apple TV from your Mac using your keyboard, trackpad, or mouse. You can access your Apple TV library, browse and play content, adjust the volume, use Siri, and more. It's like having a virtual remote on your Mac screen.
In this article, we will show you how to download and install the Apple TV Remote app for Mac, how to pair it with your Apple TV, how to use it to control your Apple TV, and some tips and tricks to make the most of it. Let's get started!
Introduction
What is the Apple TV Remote app for Mac and why you might want to use it
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac is an app that allows you to control your Apple TV from your Mac. It works with any Apple TV model that supports tvOS (4th generation or later) and any Mac that runs macOS Catalina or later.
There are many reasons why you might want to use the Apple TV Remote app for Mac instead of a physical remote. For example:
You have lost or misplaced your physical remote.
You want to use your keyboard or trackpad to control your Apple TV.
You want to search for content using Siri or typing.
You want to switch between multiple Apple TVs or Home Sharing libraries.
You want to customize your remote settings and preferences.
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac is easy to use and offers many features that make controlling your Apple TV a breeze. You can also use it alongside other apps on your Mac without interrupting your workflow.
How to download and install the Apple TV Remote app for Mac
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac is available as a free download from the App Store. To download and install it on your Mac, follow these steps:
Open the App Store on your Mac and search for "Apple TV Remote".
Click on the "Get" button next to the app icon.
Enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
Wait for the app to download and install on your Mac.
Launch the app from your Applications folder or Dock.
How to pair the Apple TV Remote app for Mac with your Apple TV
Before you can use the Apple TV Remote app for Mac to control your Apple TV, you need to pair it with your Apple TV. To do that, follow these steps:
Make sure your Mac and your Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
On your Mac, open the Apple TV Remote app and click on the "Add" button at the top left corner.
On your Apple TV, go to "Settings" > "Remotes and Devices" > "Remote App and Devices".
Select your Mac from the list of devices that appear on your Apple TV screen.
Enter the four-digit code that appears on your Mac screen on your Apple TV using your physical remote.
Wait for the pairing process to complete. You should see a confirmation message on both devices.
Congratulations! You have successfully paired the Apple TV Remote app for Mac with your Apple TV. You can now use the app to control your Apple TV from your Mac.
How to Use the Apple TV Remote app for Mac
How to access your Apple TV library and browse content
Once you have paired the app with your Apple TV, you can access your Apple TV library and browse content from your Mac. To do that, follow these steps:
On your Mac, open the Apple TV Remote app and select your Apple TV from the drop-down menu at the top left corner.
You should see a virtual remote on your Mac screen that resembles the physical remote. You can use it to navigate the Apple TV interface.
To access your Apple TV library, click on the "Library" button at the top right corner of the virtual remote. You should see a list of categories such as "Movies", "TV Shows", "Music", "Photos", and more.
To browse content, click on any category and use the arrow keys or trackpad to scroll through the available content. You can also use the search bar at the top to search for specific content by title, genre, actor, director, etc.
To select a content item, click on it or press the "Enter" key. You should see a preview screen with more information about the content item, such as synopsis, rating, cast, etc.
To play the content item, click on the "Play" button or press the spacebar. You can also add it to your watchlist, share it with others, or rate it using the buttons at the bottom of the preview screen.
How to play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and skip content
When you are playing a content item on your Apple TV using the app, you can use the virtual remote on your Mac screen to control it. To do that, follow these steps:
To pause or resume playback, click on the "Pause/Play" button or press the spacebar.
To rewind or fast-forward playback, click and hold on the "Rewind" or "Fast-Forward" buttons or press and hold the left or right arrow keys. You can also swipe left or right on your trackpad to scrub through the playback timeline.
To skip to the previous or next chapter or episode, click on the "Previous" or "Next" buttons or press the up or down arrow keys. You can also swipe up or down on your trackpad to jump to a different chapter or episode.
To show or hide subtitles or captions, click on the "Subtitles/Captions" button or press the "S" key. You can also change the language and style of subtitles or captions using the menu that appears.
To show or hide additional information about the content item, such as title, duration, progress, etc., click on the "Info" button or press the "I" key. You can also see the ratings, genres, and other details of the content item using the menu that appears.
How to control the volume and switch audio output devices
When you are playing a content item on your Apple TV using the app, you can use the virtual remote on your Mac screen to control the volume and switch audio output devices. To do that, follow these steps:
To adjust the volume, click and drag on the "Volume" slider or press the "+" or "-" keys. You can also use the volume buttons on your keyboard or trackpad to increase or decrease the volume.
To mute or unmute the sound, click on the "Mute" button or press the "M" key. You can also use the mute button on your keyboard or trackpad to toggle the sound on or off.
To switch audio output devices, click on the "Audio Output" button or press the "A" key. You should see a list of available devices, such as your Mac speakers, headphones, AirPods, HomePods, etc.
To select an audio output device, click on it or press the "Enter" key. You should hear a confirmation sound from the selected device.
How to use Siri and search for content
One of the best features of the Apple TV Remote app for Mac is that you can use Siri to control your Apple TV and search for content using your voice. To do that, follow these steps:
On your Mac, open the Apple TV Remote app and select your Apple TV from the drop-down menu at the top left corner.
To activate Siri, click on the "Siri" button at the top right corner of the virtual remote or press and hold the "Command" key. You should see a blue microphone icon and hear a beep sound.
Speak your command or query clearly and release the button or key when you are done. For example, you can say things like "Play The Crown", "Show me comedies", "What's the weather like in New York?", etc.
Wait for Siri to process your request and show you the results on your Apple TV screen. You can use the virtual remote to navigate and select the results.
You can also use the search bar at the top of the virtual remote to type your query using your keyboard. You can search for content by title, genre, actor, director, etc. You can also use filters and suggestions to refine your search results.
How to access the Home screen, Control Center, and Settings
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac also lets you access some of the most important features of your Apple TV, such as the Home screen, Control Center, and Settings. To do that, follow these steps:
To access the Home screen, click on the "Home" button or press the "H" key. You should see the Home screen of your Apple TV with all your apps and channels.
To access the Control Center, click on the "Control Center" button or press the "C" key. You should see the Control Center menu on your Apple TV screen with options such as "Users", "Sleep", "AirPlay", "Now Playing", etc.
To access the Settings, click on the "Settings" button or press the "T" key. You should see the Settings menu on your Apple TV screen with options such as "General", "Network", "Accounts", "Accessibility", etc.
You can use the virtual remote to navigate and select the options in the Home screen, Control Center, and Settings. You can also use Siri or search to access specific features or settings.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Apple TV Remote app for Mac
How to use keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac supports various keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures that can make controlling your Apple TV easier and faster. Here are some of the most useful ones:
Keyboard ShortcutTrackpad GestureAction
SpacebarTapPause/Play
Left/Right arrow keysSwipe left/rightRewind/Fast-Forward
Up/Down arrow keysSwipe up/downSkip to previous/next chapter or episode
SN/AShow/Hide subtitles or captions
IN/AShow/Hide additional information
+Pinch outIncrease volume
-Pinch inDecrease volume
MN/AMute/Unmute sound
AN/ASwitch audio output devices
HN/AGo to Home screen
CN/AOpen Control Center menu
TN/AOpen Settings menu
You can also use the "Escape" key or the "Back" button to go back to the previous screen or menu. You can also use the "Command" key or the "Siri" button to activate Siri and use your voice to control your Apple TV.
How to customize the app settings and preferences
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac allows you to customize some of the app settings and preferences to suit your needs and preferences. To do that, follow these steps:
On your Mac, open the Apple TV Remote app and click on the "Apple TV Remote" menu at the top left corner of your screen.
Select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. You should see a window with various options and tabs.
Under the "General" tab, you can choose whether to launch the app at login, show the app in the menu bar, or show notifications from the app.
Under the "Devices" tab, you can see a list of paired Apple TVs and manage them. You can rename, unpair, or forget a device by clicking on the gear icon next to it.
Under the "Advanced" tab, you can enable or disable keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures, and Siri. You can also change the keyboard layout and language for typing and searching.
Under the "Help" tab, you can access the user guide, feedback, and support for the app. You can also check for updates and report a problem.
When you are done customizing your settings and preferences, click on the "Done" button or close the window.
How to use the app with multiple Apple TVs or Home Sharing
If you have more than one Apple TV or use Home Sharing to share your iTunes library with other devices, you can use the Apple TV Remote app for Mac to switch between them and control them. To do that, follow these steps:
On your Mac, open the Apple TV Remote app and click on the drop-down menu at the top left corner of your screen.
You should see a list of paired Apple TVs and Home Sharing libraries. To switch to a different Apple TV, select it from the list. To switch to a different Home Sharing library, select it from the list and enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
You should see a confirmation message on your Mac screen and your Apple TV screen. You can now use the app to control the selected Apple TV or Home Sharing library.
How to troubleshoot common issues and errors
Sometimes, you might encounter some issues or errors when using the Apple TV Remote app for Mac. Here are some of the most common ones and how to fix them:
If you can't pair the app with your Apple TV, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, have Bluetooth turned on, and are updated to the latest software version. You can also try restarting both devices and repeating the pairing process.
If you can't control your Apple TV with the app, make sure both devices are on and within range of each other. You can also try unpairing and re-pairing them or checking your network connection.
If you can't use Siri or search with the app, make sure Siri is enabled on both devices and that you have an internet connection. You can also try changing your keyboard layout and language or checking your microphone settings.
If you experience any other issues or errors with the app, you can check the app's user guide, feedback, and support options under the "Help" tab in the app preferences. You can also report a problem or check for updates using the same tab.
Conclusion
The Apple TV Remote app for Mac is a great way to control your Apple TV from your Mac without using a physical remote. You can access your Apple TV library, browse and play content, adjust the volume, use Siri, and more. You can also customize the app settings and preferences, use keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures, and switch between multiple Apple TVs or Home Sharing libraries. The app is easy to use and offers many features that make controlling your Apple TV a breeze.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download and install the Apple TV Remote app for Mac, how to pair it with your Apple TV, how to use it to control your Apple TV, and some tips and tricks to make the most of it. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
FAQs
What are the system requirements for using the Apple TV Remote app for Mac?
To use the Apple TV Remote app for Mac, you need a Mac that runs macOS Catalina or later and an Apple TV that supports tvOS (4th generation or later). You also need a Wi-Fi network connection and an Apple ID.
Can I use the app with older versions of Apple TV or iTunes?
No, the app only works with Apple TV models that support tvOS (4th generation or later) and iTunes 12.8 or later. If you have an older version of Apple TV or iTunes, you can use the Remote app for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch instead.
Can I use the app with other devices like iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch?
No, the app is only compatible with Mac computers. If you want to control your Apple TV from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can use the Remote app for iOS devices. If you want to control your Apple TV from your Apple Watch, you can use the Remote app for watchOS devices.
How can I update or uninstall the app?
To update the app, you can check for updates under the "Help" tab in the app preferences or visit the App Store on your Mac and look for updates. To uninstall the app, you can drag it to the Trash from your Applications folder or Dock.
Where can I find more information or support for the app?
You can find more information or support for the app by visiting the official website of the app at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210414. You can also contact Apple Support at https://support.apple.com/contact. dcd2dc6462