Apple has made a small but welcome change in iOS 27, allowing users to add the Apple TV Remote back to their iPhone’s Home Screen.
Previously, the virtual Apple TV remote was primarily accessed through Control Center. With iOS 27, users can swipe down on the Home Screen, search for “Remote,” then tap and hold the app icon to place it directly on their Home Screen. It can also be found in the App Library.
The change effectively brings back functionality that was lost when Apple discontinued its standalone Apple TV Remote app in 2020. While the dedicated App Store app never returned, iOS 27 now makes the built-in remote much easier to access with a single tap from the Home Screen.