How to control your Apple TV from your Android lock screen

With True Remote Premium, you can pause and play your Apple TV from your Android phone’s lock screen and notification shade without opening the app. In True Remote, open Settings, tap Background controls and allow notifications. The notification steps for Google Pixel, Samsung and Xiaomi phones are below.

Updated 16 October 2026. For True Remote 1.1.0 on Android 10 or later, with Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

Google Pixel Samsung Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO Other phones Keeping it on

Turn on background controls

Connect True Remote to your Apple TV (the connection guide shows how) and upgrade to Premium.
Open True Remote’s Settings and tap Background controls.
Tap Enable notifications. When Android asks, tap Allow.
Leave the app. A TV playback controls notification with play/pause appears on your lock screen and in the notification shade.

To stop it, tap Disconnect in the notification. Android 12 and earlier phones don’t ask for this permission; the notification just appears.

Allow notifications for True Remote

If you tapped Don’t allow, or the controls don’t show on your lock screen, the steps depend on your phone. Pick yours below.

Google Pixel

Open Settings, then Apps, and tap True Remote for Apple TV.
Tap Notifications and switch on All True Remote notifications.
To show the controls on the lock screen, open Settings, Notifications, Notifications on lock screen, and choose an option that shows notifications.

Samsung Galaxy

Open Settings, then Apps, and tap True Remote for Apple TV.
Tap Notifications and switch on Allow notifications.
To show the controls on the lock screen, open Settings, Lock screen, Notifications and switch it on.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

Open Settings, then Apps, then Manage apps, and tap True Remote for Apple TV.
Tap Notifications and switch on Show notifications.
On the same page, switch on Lock screen so the controls show when the phone is locked.

OnePlus, Motorola, Oppo, Realme, Vivo and other phones

Phone makers rename these menus, but this route works on almost every Android phone:

Touch and hold the True Remote icon on your home screen or in your app list, then tap App info (sometimes shown as an i icon).
Tap Notifications.
Switch notifications on, and make sure they are allowed on the lock screen.

Can’t find it? Use the search at the top of Settings and type “True Remote”.

Keeping the controls available

Some phones, especially Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme and Vivo, have battery settings that limit background apps. To keep the controls available, open Settings, Apps, True Remote for Apple TV, Battery, and choose Unrestricted (or No restrictions).

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, also switch on Autostart for True Remote under Settings, Apps, Manage apps.

Questions

Can I control Apple TV from my Android lock screen?

Yes, with True Remote Premium. Turn on Background controls in True Remote’s Settings and allow notifications. A playback controls notification with play/pause then appears on the lock screen and in the notification shade.

Is lock screen control free?

No. Lock screen and notification controls are part of True Remote Premium. The free version has the full on-screen remote with arrows, OK, Back, Home, play/pause, volume, mute, power and press and hold.

Why does True Remote ask to send notifications?

The lock screen controls are a notification, so Android needs your permission to show it. You can switch it off at any time in Android settings or by tapping Disconnect in the notification.

Where is the Apple TV control in my notification shade?

Swipe down from the top of the screen. The True Remote notification is called TV playback controls and has the play/pause button. If you don’t see it, allow notifications for True Remote using the steps for your phone on this page.

Something not working as it should?

Open True Remote’s Settings and tap Report a bug. Tell us what happened and we’ll fix it.

Get True Remote

Premium is optional. We’re proud to price it below most Apple TV remote apps, with a free trial for new customers, and we aim for a smooth experience from the first tap.