If you love the Apple TV Remote app that lets you control your Apple TV from an iPhone or iPad, there’s good and bad news. The bad news is that Apple has removed the app from the App Store, so it can no longer be downloaded. It also removed all traces of the app, which generally means additional updates will not be provided, so if you currently have the app, it’s only a matter of time before it is phased out on your phone.
The good news is that Apple has not left you in the dust. The likely reason behind its decision to get rid of Apple TV Remote is that it added a Remote feature already built into the Control Center in iOS 12. This feature is simple to enable, as long as you have a device with iOS 11 or later.
If you have an Apple TV, you don’t need the Apple TV Remote — you can simply control it via Siri Remote, without the need to download an app. That saves you an additional step. To add this feature, go to Settings > Control Center > then tap Customize Controls. Tap the Add button next to Apple TV Remote in the More Controls list. Now you’ve added the feature and can use it to find what you want to watch on your Apple TV.
In case you’re wondering, the iTunes Remote app is still available in the App Store, but it functions differently from the Apple TV Remote. With this app you can play songs and videos on an Apple TV or Mac, whereas the Apple TV Remote could not access other devices.