You can control your Apple TV with your Apple Watch

The Apple TV’s Siri Remote is the easiest way to control the media player, but it’s not the only option available to users when the remote isn’t in sight. The Apple Watch on your wrist is a good alternative, as many people already wear the smartwatch while watching TV. The wearable supports key controls that most users want, including switching apps, playing shows, and managing volume. The downside is that the Apple Watch has a smaller screen than an iPhone, so it’s not as convenient to use as a remote for extended periods of time.

The Apple Watch isn’t the only Apple device that can control the Apple TV. The iPhone and iPad also offer remote control support for the Apple TV, as long as they’re nearby and not charging in a separate room. The Apple TV also supports third-party remotes, which can be useful if you regularly lose the official remote or it’s broken. But none of these alternatives can compete with the convenience of having remote control capabilities built into the Apple Watch on your wrist. Additionally, the Apple Watch Remote app only requires watchOS 6.0, an operating system introduced in September 2019. This means you don’t need a brand new Apple Watch to control the Apple TV. Older models running watchOS 6.0 or higher should still work.

Note that Apple refers to the Apple TV device as “Apple TV 4K” in the support document describing the Apple Watch remote feature. Apple currently only sells Apple TV 4K models (and those are the only ones supported by Apple Watch). This may be why Apple lists the full product name rather than referring to the broader product name, Apple TV, which includes the streaming service accessible without an Apple device.

To control Apple TV with a compatible Apple Watch, you’ll first need to make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re doing this at home, it’s likely that the Apple TV and Apple Watch (and the iPhone the wearable is connected to) are on the same network. To start the pairing process, you’ll need to find the Remote app on the Apple Watch and tap the Apple TV model in the list. A “+” sign will allow you to find the media player if it is not already listed. Then enter the password that appears on your Apple Watch. An icon will appear on the laptop once it is paired with Apple TV.

Once the Apple Watch is paired with the Apple TV, you can control the media player using two apps on the watch: the Remote app and the Now Playing app (Tech IRL shows them in action). You can turn on Apple TV if it’s off, directly from these apps. You can also disable the media player if necessary. Both apps will also allow you to navigate the Apple TV menu and select the movies and TV shows you want to play. The Apple Watch can be used to pause playback when you need to take breaks and adjust the volume.

Interestingly, you can also rotate the Digital Crown to increase or decrease the volume, a useful Apple Watch trick that works when streaming music to your iPhone and controlling playback with the wearable. The Digital Crown on the Apple Watch can also be used to call up Siri on the Apple TV. Press and hold the button to talk to Siri.