The Apple TV Remote baked into Control Center on iPhone and iPad has been redesigned for iOS and iPadOS 15.
Its new interface better resembles the new Siri Remote that ships with the latest Apple TV 4K, introduced back in April, and offers greater functionality over the old design.
Control Center’s built-in Apple TV Remote allows you — or anyone else on your network — to easily control Apple TV from iPhone or iPad. It’s particularly handy when you’ve misplaced your pricey Siri Remote.
In iOS and iPadOS 14, the Apple TV Remote mirrored the previous Siri Remote’s functionality. But the latest Remote does even more, so Apple TV Remote inside Control Center is being updated to reflect that.
Apple TV Remote updated in iOS 15
In addition to the playback controls, the new virtual Remote adds mute and power switches, a back button, and channel up and down buttons. It also allows you to summon Siri by holding your device’s power button.
It’s a small update for iOS and iPadOS 15, but it’s one that should make the Apple TV Remote a lot more useful. You shouldn’t be tempted to update your devices now to get your hands on it early, however.
The new Remote, like a lot of things in iOS and iPadOS 15, is littered with bugs and unstable right now. It’s best to avoid the first beta releases until the updates roll out to all or more stable public betas are available.