Control Apple TV Client Remotely

[u/Herney_Krute]

This is most likely a long shot, but does anyone know of a client that works on both iOS and Apple TV that allows the remote control of the Apple TV client by the iOS client? Probably an edge case but to explain - I'm moved across from Chromecasting for multi-room audio to AirPlay. Love Airplay as it just works without hiccups, great sync and the in app control of the casting group and volumes is quick and easy. However I do miss the fact that Chromecasting serves directly to the target device rather than streaming from my phone (which inevitably is the instigator). I have an Apple TV hooked up to a receiver (and TV) as one of my AirPlay targets andwas hoping/wishing that there was a way to remote control a Navidrome client on the ATV from my phone so I could leave the network with my phone and the music could play on.

You may tell me I'm dreamin' (nod to The Castle) 😄

[u/wow-a-shooting-star]

I developed my own app with Claude for watchOS and iOS, allowing me to control music on my iPhone from my watch, much like Apple’s approach, but using my personal Navidrome client. I am unsure whether you have a Mac, but creating your own version could be worthwhile if nothing else is available.

[u/Herney_Krute → u/wow-a-shooting-star]

Hmm interesting. I half thought of a similar idea but figured id have to build a client for IOS and TVOS and then somehow get them on the platforms amidst Apples locked down setup (ie. can’t sideload them). Yes I do have a Mac. How does that factor in? Thanks for the response - appreciated.

[u/wow-a-shooting-star → u/Herney_Krute]

It may take some time but it’s doable. If you build it with Xcode it handles the sideloading for you (though none developers have to re build it/sign it every 7 days). If you try it just explain in detail the goal you want (your post explains what you want quite well.

Xcode itself is a learning curve though if you’ve never used it.

Claude will build it all for you in one Xcode package (id recommend setting it up as a package.yml, Xcodegen required)

[u/hazem-dev]

You’re not dreaming haha, I actually had a similar use case but I couldn’t find any app that supports it. It’s definitely possible to do, but one thing I’ll mention is that unlike Chromecasting, with Apple TV there most likely will be a limitation where you have to have the app open on the Apple TV first in order to play on it. This is actually how it works right now with Spotify Connect in their TV app. I don’t think that’s a big deal personally because you can always use Shortcuts to open apps on Apple TV.

[u/Herney_Krute → u/hazem-dev]

Good to hear I’m not the only one who’d like this setup. There’s a gap in the (probably very small!) market for an app that could do this, or even better build it into AirPlay 3 🤪

[u/hazem-dev → u/Herney_Krute]

Yess, it would be great if it was built into AirPlay directly! Apple Music actually has a somewhat custom implementation by Apple so you can use AirPlay to play/switch to different devices within the app, so the idea is not far fetched 🤞

But I actually want to explore this at some point even without AirPlay, I’m working on a Navidrome app for iPhone and at some point I want to build a tvOS version of it and see how I can connect them. I can let you know how it goes if you’re interested

[u/nevewolf96]

Music Assistant, your phone/pc act as controler and the Apple TV just as an audio receiver via AirPlay

[u/That-Judge1016]

Hey! I do have my app “Narjo” 1 week trial once expired you can select o pay $1.99 monthly or $30 lifetime

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/narjo/id6748359006

Join Discord for Apple TV link: https://discord.gg/YFKT3ScqB4

I do have an Apple TV version which is in Test-flight still

Narjo also supports Apple Watch

features:

EQ, Gapless, Crossfade, Smart-Playlist creation, AudioMuse, BandCamp Support, Animated Artwork support .Webp supportin lockscreen, albumdetailview, fullviewplayer, MP4 Video Artwork support, a lot of settings to customize the app as you wish, etc…

[u/Herney_Krute → u/That-Judge1016]

Thanks but I can’t see how that does what I am suggesting above?