You’re sitting on the couch. Your MacBook is balanced on your lap, and the Apple TV remote is... somewhere. Probably in the abyss between the cushions or currently being chewed on by the dog. You’d think that since both devices are made by the same company and cost a small fortune, they’d talk to each other perfectly.
But if you look for a "Remote" app in your Applications folder, you won't find one. It’s frustrating. Why does the iPhone get a dedicated Control Center widget while the Mac feels left out in the cold?
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Honestly, controlling Apple TV from MacBook isn't as straightforward as it should be, but it’s totally possible if you know where the buttons are hidden. Apple doesn't make it a single-click affair, but you can actually do everything from typing passwords to managing playback without ever standing up to find that slippery Siri Remote.
The AirPlay Control Myth
Most people think AirPlay is just for beaming your screen. It's not.
If you have a video playing on your Apple TV, your Mac already knows about it. Look at your Menu Bar. See that little icon that looks like a stack of switches (Control Center)? Click it.
If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, you’ll see a "Now Playing" section. This is your secret weapon. You can play, pause, or skip tracks right from there. It’s basic, sure. But for most of us just trying to pause a show while we take a call, it’s all we need.
Wait. There's a catch. This only works if the content was initiated in a way the Mac recognizes—usually through the Apple TV app or Music. If you're deep in some obscure third-party app on the TV, your Mac might act like nothing is happening.
Using the Apple TV App as a Command Center
The actual Apple TV app on your Mac isn't just for watching Severance. It’s a bridge.
- Open the Apple TV app on your MacBook.
- Navigate to the Library or Store.
- Look for the AirPlay icon (the triangle poking into a rectangle).
When you select your Apple TV from this menu, you aren't just "mirroring." You’re handing off the steering wheel. Once connected, your Mac's media keys—the actual F7, F8, and F9 keys—usually start controlling the playback on the big screen.
It feels a bit "hacky," but it works.
The Password Savior: Keyboard Input
We’ve all been there. You’re trying to log into a new app on the Apple TV. Using the remote to click-clack through an on-screen keyboard is a special kind of hell.
If your MacBook is open and near the Apple TV, and both are on the same iCloud account, a notification should pop up on your Mac. It says "Apple TV Keyboard Input." Click it, and you can type your 20-character password on your laptop's physical keyboard.
If that notification doesn't show up? Check your Notifications settings in System Settings. Sometimes "Continuity" features get toggled off during an OS update, and suddenly your devices stop being friends.
Why Universal Control Won't Work (And What Does)
You might have heard of Universal Control. It's that magic feature where you move your Mac mouse to the edge of the screen and it pops onto an iPad.
Does it work for Apple TV? No.
Apple TV runs tvOS, which doesn't have a "pointer" in the traditional sense. You can't just slide your cursor onto your 65-inch OLED.
However, there is a weird, techy workaround called Apple Configurator. This is mostly for IT nerds in offices, but if you download it from the Mac App Store, you can "pair" an Apple TV. It gives you a much deeper level of control, including the ability to restart the device or install profiles. It’s overkill for changing the volume, but it’s the only way to "see" the Apple TV as a managed device on your Mac.
Third-Party Shortcuts: The "Remote Buddy" Route
If the native options feel too flimsy, you've got to look at the indie dev scene. There’s an app called Remote Buddy.
It’s been around forever. Basically, it lets you use your Mac to control almost anything, including the Apple TV. It’s not free, but it bridges the gap that Apple left wide open. It turns your MacBook trackpad into a giant version of the Siri Remote's touch surface.
Another option is CiderTV. It’s a bit hit-or-miss depending on your macOS version, but when it works, it gives you a dedicated remote window on your desktop.
Troubleshooting the "No Connection" Blues
If you can't see your Apple TV at all, 99% of the time it’s a Home Sharing issue.
- On the Apple TV: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Home Sharing. Turn it on.
- On the Mac: Go to System Settings > General > Sharing. Enable Media Sharing and check the "Home Sharing" box.
Make sure the Apple ID is identical. Even a slight variation (like using an alias) can break the handshake.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you want to start controlling Apple TV from MacBook without losing your mind, do this:
- Pin the "Now Playing" module to your Menu Bar so it's always visible.
- Verify your iCloud accounts match on both the Mac (System Settings) and the Apple TV (Users and Accounts).
- Keep the Apple TV app open on your Mac in the background; it keeps the connection "warm" for AirPlay controls.
- Test the keyboard notification by going to a search bar on your Apple TV; if it doesn't appear on your Mac, toggle Bluetooth off and on for both devices to reset the Continuity handshake.
The dream of a perfect, native "Remote" app for macOS hasn't happened yet, but between the Control Center and the Apple TV app, you have enough power to leave that remote lost in the couch.