Skip to Content

Why Is My Apple TV Not Connecting to My iPhone?

As an Apple TV owner, I have been frustrated trying to get my iPhone to connect to it. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this issue, as well as other solutions I discovered in the process. In this blog post, I’ll explain why my Apple TV was not connecting to my iPhone, and how I eventually got it to work.

ProblemDescriptionSolution
Both Devices Aren’t on The Same NetworkFor your iPhone to connect to your Apple TV, both devices need to be on the same network (Wi-Fi or hotspot). If they are on different networks, they won’t sync.Ensure both devices are connected to the same network. If they are not, connect them to the same Wi-Fi or hotspot.
Devices Need a System UpdateOutdated software can cause glitches and prevent your iPhone from connecting to your Apple TV.Update both your iPhone and Apple TV to the latest firmware available by going to the Settings menu on each device and checking for updates.
Apple TV Remote App Needs to Be UpdatedThe Apple TV Remote app may have bugs or issues that are causing the problem.Update the Apple TV Remote app to the latest version available.
Restart the RouterThe Wi-Fi router might be causing connection issues between your iPhone and Apple TV.Turn off the router, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Reconnect your iPhone and Apple TV to the Wi-Fi network.
Re-Add Apple TV to Control CenterRemoving and re-adding the Apple TV to your iPhone’s control center may fix the issue.Open the control center on your iPhone, remove the Apple TV remote by tapping the (–) button next to it, then add it again by scrolling down to more controls and tapping the (+) button.
Factory Reset the Apple TV

Why Is My Apple TV Not Connecting to My iPhone?

There are several reasons you’re having trouble connecting your iPhone to your Apple TV. Here’s a list of the three common problems causing this issue.

Both Devices Aren’t on The Same Network

For your iPhone to successfully connect to your Apple TV, both devices need to be on the same network, like a Wi-Fi connection or hotspot.

That means if your iPhone is running on mobile data and the TV is running on your home Wi-Fi, they won’t be able to sync. Bear in mind that this also applies to all your other Apple devices.

Devices Need a System Update

iOS devices require frequent updates to their systems, and if they’re not carried out periodically, it can often cause glitches. So, naturally, if a device’s software is outdated, it might be what’s causing the problem.

So, open the Settings menu on both devices. Then, check to see if they’re running on the latest firmware available.

Apple TV Remote App Needs to Be Updated

It’s common for any application to have bugs or all sorts of issues. However, developers send out fixes to these issues through the new app updates.

So, besides updating the device software, you also have to make sure you have the latest version of the remote app.

Read more: Does LG Magic remote work with Apple TV?

How to Connect Apple TV to iPhone?

There are many ways to solve your linking problem. t Still, the following methods are straightforward, take seconds, but will save you plenty of time and effort.

Restart the Router

Though this might seem like an automated solution, it’s one of the most common fixes!

All you need to do is turn off the router and wait a few seconds. Then, turn it back on and connect the phone and TV to the Wi-Fi again.

Whether this step works or not, at least you’ll now be 100% certain that both devices are on the same network.

Re-Add Apple TV to Control Center

The solution might be as simple as re-adding the Apple TV to your iPhone’s control center. This is essentially reinstalling the Apple TV to your phone.

To do this, open the control center on your iPhone. After that, remove the Apple TV remote by tapping the (–) button next to it. Then, add it again by scrolling down to more controls and tapping the (+) button.

Factory Reset the Apple TV

If your Apple TV doesn’t connect to your phone, a simple solution would be to reset it. Fortunately, a factory reset won’t do much harm since your TV doesn’t store important data.

First, access the TV’s system menu. Next, click on reset > reset and update. Your Apple TV should now be in factory mode.

When you turn it on, the first thing you’ll see is the setup screen. Now, you can pair your iPhone to your Apple TV again. Hopefully, the Apple TV remote feature will appear on your phone. 

Add Apple TV to HomeKit

The HomeKit system offers a simple solution to all your problems. It works by allowing you to connect all your devices to one platform.

Needless to say, if you link both your iPhone and your Apple TV to HomeKit, they’ll automatically connect.

To do this, go to the settings menu on the TV. Then, sign in with your Apple ID. After that, open iCloud and make sure your Apple TV is connected to your iCloud.

However, you need to make sure the Apple ID is the same as the one on your phone. This is essential to ensure both devices link up to one HomeKit account.

Read more: Connect Apple TV to Xfinity Hotspot

Conclusion

Why is my Apple TV not connecting to my iPhone? There are many reasons for this issue, but luckily, this problem is easy to fix!

First, you need to have both devices connected to the same network. Second, make sure that both devices are running on the latest firmware available. If that doesn’t work, try restarting the router and re-adding your Apple TV to the control center. 

If none of these methods fix the issue, you can reset your Apple TV or reach out to Apple support.