iPhone Not Connecting To Apple TV Remote App? (Fix!)

iPhone not connecting to Apple TV

iPhone not connecting to Apple TV


Is your iPhone not connecting to Apple TV? The Apple TV Remote app is stuck on ‘Connecting’ when you open it in the Control Center? Your iOS device can’t detect your media streaming hardware? This can be common in iOS 15!

iPhone Not Connecting To Apple TV

Apple TV remote not connecting issue
This issue has been reported by Trisha:

“iPhone Apple Tv remote app not working. Stuck on connecting. What can I do?”

I’ve also found similar reports on Reddit:

“Anybody having issues with iPhone refusing to connect to Apple TV or just straight up failing to recognize it’s there?”

While some of the complains come from users running iOS 15.2 beta versions on their devices, others confirm the same issue occurring on the public iOS 15.1.1 release.

How To Fix iPhone Not Connecting To Apple TV Remote

Here is what you can do to fix this issue:

1. Use Same WiFi Network

First of all, make sure that your iPhone is connected to the same WiFi network that the Apple TV is connected to:

  • On iPhone: Open Settings and tap on Wi-Fi. Check the name of the network that is currently used.
  • On Apple TV: Open Settings and go for Network. Does it show the same WiFi network as your iOS device?

2. Restart Wi-Fi On iPhone

(Updated, December 20)
how to restart WiFi in control center

I just had the Apple TV remote not connecting issue occurring on my home media player. It happened after I restart the Apple TV.

How to: I managed to fix it by disabling Wi-Fi in Control Center, waiting a couple of seconds and turning it back ON!

3. Re-Add Apple TV Remote To Control Center

how to add apple tv remote to control center

  • On your iPhone, open Settings and go for Control Center.
  • Remove Apple TV Remote from the Included Controls list.
  • Add it back from the More Controls section.

4. Restart Devices

Is the Apple TV remote not connecting after completing the above steps? Your next option is to reboot devices:

  • Start with the media streaming hardware. You have three options:
    how to restart Apple Tv from remote

    1. Press & hold Back button + TV button on the physical Siri Remote until the Apple TV status light blinks quickly.
    2. On your Apple TV, open Settings and browse for System -> Restart.
    3. Unplug Apple TV from power source. Wait for at least 5 seconds and reconnect it!

  • Next, grab your iPhone and try to connect to Apple TV again.
  • If Apple TV remote app is still stuck on ‘Connecting’, reboot your iOS device too. Use the force restart trick.

5. Add Apple TV To HomeKit

Derek G. informed us that he managed to fix Apple TV remote not connecting by adding the media player to HomeKit:

  • Open Setting on Apple TV and go to Accounts.
  • Make sure that your signed in with the same Apple ID used on your iPhone, that you want to use as Remote Control.
  • After you log into iCloud, Apple TV sets itself up automatically as home hub.

Have you managed to fix the iPhone Apple TV Remote app not connecting issue? Did any of the above tips work? Do you have a better solution? Use the comments section to share your feedback.

Related: Check out what’s new in tvOS 15.1!