Looking for Apple TV settings while a show or app is open? Hold your remote’s Back or Menu button, then open the gear-shaped Settings app. Siri and the iPhone or iPad remote give you other ways to get there.
Return to the Home Screen first
When you’re inside an app, the Settings gear icon is back on the Home Screen.
On a silver Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote, press and hold Back (<) to reach the Home Screen.
Highlight Settings using the clickpad ring or by swiping.
Press the clickpad center to open it.
With the older black remote, press and hold Menu to reach the Home Screen. This method still works on Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K.
Swipe on its touch surface to highlight Settings.
Click the touch surface to open it.
Ask Siri to open Settings
Hold the Siri button on your remote.
Say “Open Settings.”
Release the button.
Use this option with Siri enabled on a Siri-capable Apple TV in a supported language and country or region.
Your iPhone or iPad can replace the remote
Apple TV Remote on an iPhone or iPad lets you navigate to the Apple TV’s Settings app. It supports Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K and requires pairing and network access.
Keep your iPhone or iPad and Apple TV on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the remote through Control Center; if the control is missing, add it using the setup steps below.
Navigate with the onscreen remote
This opens the full Settings app when your physical remote is out of reach.
Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Apple TV Remote.
Select your Apple TV.
When prompted, enter the four-digit pairing passcode on your iPhone or iPad.
Touch and hold Back to reach the Apple TV Home Screen.
Swipe in the remote’s touch area to highlight Settings.
Tap the touch area to open it.
If Apple TV Remote is missing from Control Center
Add the remote directly from Control Center on current iOS and iPadOS; the older setup route through the device’s Settings app applies only to iOS 17 and earlier.
- 1.Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
- 2.Tap Add Controls (+).
- 3.Tap Add a Control.
- 4.Search for Remote.
- 5.Tap Remote to add it.
Reach quick settings through Control Center
Control Center handles quick adjustments on Apple TV 4K; the Home Screen method opens the full Settings app.
Press and hold the TV button to open Control Center’s general settings tab.
For network settings, select Wi-Fi, or Ethernet when using a wired connection.
For sound output, select Audio.
Choose the speakers or headphones you want to use.
To set a sleep timer, select Sleep Timer.
Choose a duration.
Press Back or Menu to dismiss Control Center.
Looking for settings inside the Apple TV app
On a smart TV or another supported living-room device, open the Apple TV app. Open its sidebar, then select Settings. These preferences control the app, separate from an Apple TV box’s system settings.
On an Apple TV 4K box, open Settings > Apps > TV for the Apple TV app’s system-level preferences. Other apps’ settings are under Settings > Apps > [app name]. Some apps also provide their own Settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the TV button open the Apple TV app instead of the Home Screen?
Opening the Apple TV app is a default action for the TV button. On Apple TV 4K, choose Settings > Remotes and Devices > TV Button > Home Screen to change it. After that, press TV to reach the Home Screen, then select Settings.
Can I return to Settings without going through the Home Screen?
Yes, if Settings is already in the App Switcher. Double-press the TV/Control Center button. Swipe to Settings, then press the clickpad center or click the touch surface.
Is there a standalone Apple TV Remote app for iPhone or iPad?
Yes. Apple offers an official Apple TV Remote app for iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 and later. Open it from the Home Screen or App Library to control Apple TV 4K. When downloading it, confirm that the developer is Apple.
Can I open my Apple TV box’s Settings from a browser?
The Settings page at tv.apple.com controls account and service preferences. To change your Apple TV box’s system settings, open the Settings app on the Apple TV itself, or navigate there with Apple TV Remote on your iPhone or iPad.