When the next major software update arrives for your iPhone, it will bring a few quiet improvements to how you control your living room screen. The virtual Apple TV remote app built into your phone is getting a fresh layout with the release of iOS 27. Code sleuths digging through the release candidate version found two hidden additions designed to make navigation much faster. These changes give users a better way to interact with their favorite shows without needing a physical clicker.
The update adds a quick app launcher and content carousel
The first big change is a new button located in the top right corner of the screen. This button uses an icon with four small squares. When you tap it, a menu pops out that looks very similar to your television home screen. This lets you quickly find and open any installed app straight from your phone, skipping the need to scroll through menus on the big screen.
The second addition changes how the virtual trackpad works. If you drag your finger down from the top of the trackpad area, the app reveals a new section for your watch list. This carousel displays shows you have already started and items saved for later. You can easily pick up where you left off or find new content to watch right from this menu.
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For now, both of these interface updates are locked behind software flags. They were discovered by developers testing the latest release candidate from Apple. Since they are hidden, they might be connected to unannounced hardware. Recent rumors suggest a new streaming box and an upgraded physical remote are on the way, which could explain the timing of these software tweaks.
If you want to prepare for these additions, you can check out what else is coming in this roundup of features to try out. Additionally, the upcoming operating system lets you place the virtual remote directly on your iPhone home screen again. It is no longer trapped inside the Control Center, making it much easier to access whenever you sit down to watch a movie.
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