One of the cool features of the Apple Watch that I never use is the Remote app, which lets you control your Apple TV 4K. And the reason I never use it is because it’s missing key functionality, so you’d expect to be able to adjust the volume with a swipe or the Digital Crown, for example. Nope: you need the Remote tool on your iPhone to do that (or the current But with watchOS 11, Apple has given the humble app an upgrade that will make you actually want to use it with your Apple TV.
The changes mean that Remote finally feels like a real remote control, rather than a bunch of shortcuts. And given the Apple TV remote’s tendency to disappear whenever you want to use it, it’s likely to bring a bit more harmony to homes like mine.
What’s New in the watchOS 11 Remote App
Apple has posted a guide to the revised Remote app on its website, explaining how to pair your Apple Watch with your Apple TV and then use it to control what’s happening. Key features include:
- Adjust the volume with the Digital Crown
- Summon Siri by pressing and holding the Digital Crown
- The More Options button lets you mute or unmute the sound
- Turn subtitles on or off using the More Options button
- Turn Apple TV on or off using the More Options button
I’ve been using the developer betas of watchOS 11 for a while now, and while it’s not a flashy, life-changing update, there are a lot of improvements like this in the new operating system, and I continue to find small tweaks that I really like. For example, yesterday, when I was listening to podcasts in the car, the updated Smart Stack feature not only gave me a boring screen with basic controls, but something much more visually appealing. There are also a number of significant new health and fitness upgrades.
watchOS 11 is available now for the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, and all Apple Watch Ultra models. You can read our review of the new Apple Watch Series 10 if you’re looking to upgrade.