AppleTV - control audio playback via smartphone / tablet

[napfkuchen]

Until recently, I regularly used Spotify Connect to listen to music via the AVR and control playback via a tablet/smartphone.
Now I have bought an AppleTV 4K so that I can also use spatial audio. On my Android devices there does not seem to a similar option in the apple music app. Does this possibly work with an iPad? (Note: I don't want to use airplay because it doesn't support Dolby Atmos)

 

[alvigg]

Apple is funny about what can play hi-res/Spatial Audio. Pretty sure you can't do what you want except through the Spotify app (assuming there is one). I can't play hi-res on mine with an iPhone and AppleTV and Apple Music.

 

[napfkuchen]

The "playback-part" is not what concerns me. Dolby Atmos works perfectly fine on my AppleTV connected to the AVR. I just want to know if it is possible to "remote-control" the playback (skip to the next track, edit the playlist etc.) via an iPad when music is played on my AppleTV 4K.

 

[voodooless]

Yes, any iOS device can automatically act as a remote for the AppleTV. It works similar to the included remote.

 

[olieb]

Until recently, I regularly used Spotify Connect to listen to music via the AVR and control playback via a tablet/smartphone.
Now I have bought an AppleTV 4K so that I can also use spatial audio. On my Android devices there does not seem to a similar option in the apple music app. Does this possibly work with an iPad? (Note: I don't want to use airplay because it doesn't support Dolby Atmos)

I do not exactly know wha you want to do. Use Spotify or Apple Music?
In any case iPhone and iPad have a Remote for AppleTV built in (in Control Center). But sadly the screen of AppleTV is not shown on the device, so you need a screen attached to the AppleTV to use that function.
EDIT: Though, if you use Apple Music you can control the Music app on the AppleTV from an iPad, thereby playing Atmos streams. It is a bit tedious to use though.
EDIT II: I was wrong, that works only in the Apple Music app on my Mac and on iOS devices.

You might see that it is a bit intransparent and confusing to use. @DeLub is right and I got it the first time too. Apple Music app on the iPad can control Apple Music App on the AppleTV. Weirdly, Apple puts this in the Airplay function of the iPad App als DeLub pointed out.

 

[DeLub]

Also you’re able to control the Apple TV from an iOS device. This option is part of the AirPlay menu, but is not using AirPlay. I use this to play atmos music without having to look at the tv screen. It is not as user friendly as Spotify connect though

 

[napfkuchen]

Thanks for all the quick replies, that's very helpful. I switched from Spotify to Apple Music recently and already noticed that the Spotify apps for android and windows-pc are much faster. But at least that will do the job slightly better than controlling everything with the apple remote.

 

[rirelien]

Confirming that you can control the AppleTV from an iOS device or an IPadOS device — I do this all the time, for the same use case, so I can play Atmos streams.

To do this:

1. Open Control Centre.
2. Tap the media controls at top right. You’ll see the list of local devices and Airplay targets here — but DON’T select your AppleTV here. Instead:
3. Tap ‘Control Other Speakers and TVs’ underneath this panel.
4. Now you are in remote mode. You can select albums, videos etc from the Music app on your device and they will play directly on the device you’re controlling, without routing through your local device.

This even works for viewing lyrics etc in realtime.

I use a projector and don’t have a TV, and the above effectively lets me control the AppleTV without a display.

 

[napfkuchen]

... and the above effectively lets me control the AppleTV without a display.

That's exactly what I was hoping to achieve, so thanks for the detailed how-to!