How to Setup & Use iPhone as iTunes Remote (PC & Mac)

Did you know that you could use your iPhone as a remote to control your iTunes library? If you regularly use iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac for listening to music or playing back content purchased from the iTunes Store, this feature will prove to be extremely useful.

Let’s say you’re away from the keyboard and you’re busy doing something else in the next room. You could use your iPhone to switch between songs in your library and continue listening without even having to move. Although this article focuses primarily on the iPhone, you could also use your iPad or iPod Touch to remotely control your iTunes library.

Are you interested in learning how this works, so you can set it up on your iOS device? Then you’re in the right place, because we’ll be discussing how you can set up and use your iPhone or iPad as an iTunes Remote on both the PC & Mac.

How to Setup & Use iPhone as iTunes Remote

In order to successfully connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, you need to make sure that both of the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You’ll also need to download and install the iTunes Remote app from the App Store. Once you’re ready, simply follow the steps below to set up and start using your iOS device as a remote control.

1. Open the “Remote” app from the home screen of your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It will be indicated by the icon shown below.
   
   
2. Tap on “Settings” at the top-right corner of the screen.
   
   
3. Now, press “Add an iTunes Library” as shown in the screenshot below.
   
   
4. The app will now display a 4-digit code that you need to manually enter in the iTunes desktop client.
   
   
5. When you open iTunes on your computer, you’ll notice a tiny remote app icon right next to the music category, as shown below. Click on it to continue with the setup.
   
   
6. Now, simply type in the 4-digit code and click on done.
   
   
7. iTunes will now indicate that your device has successfully connected and paired with iTunes.
   
   
8. To start using the Remote app, tap on your iTunes Library within the app, which is usually indicated the username that you have on your computer.
   
   
9. Now, you’ll be able to navigate through the menus just like you normally would on iTunes, and control what’s being played back on your computer.
   
   

If you followed along you’re now set up to start using your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch as an iTunes Remote with a Mac or Windows PC.

In addition to being able to control music and video content that’s stored in your iTunes library, you will also be able to edit and create new playlists which will automatically be updated in the desktop client immediately.

Since this is a wireless feature, you might be concerned about any sort of latency issues. However in our testing, the latency was very minimal and wasn’t really noticeable in most cases. That being said, the latency might heavily depend on the Wi-Fi range, so make sure you’re not too far away from the router.

This may be more useful on Windows PC and older Mac system software at this point since the latest versions of MacOS have deprecated iTunes, but the Music app still allows for similar capabilities on Mac.

Speaking of remote control, are you trying to remotely install apps on your iPhone using iTunes? Well, you don’t need iTunes Remote for that, as that’s a completely different capability. You simply need to make sure that you’re logged into the same Apple ID on both your device and iTunes and have the proper setting configured to have that feature work.

Did you manage to successfully connect your iPhone to iTunes and start using it as a remote to control your library? What do you think about this handy wireless functionality? Do you plan on using this feature in the long run? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section down below.