Apple TV users running macOS finally have a native remote control option with Itsytv, a free menu bar app created by developer Nick Ustinov. While Apple offers remote apps for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Mac users previously had no official solution. Itsytv fills this gap by providing end-to-end encrypted control of Apple TVs directly from the Mac menu bar.

Built with Swift and SwiftUI, the app offers native macOS performance without Electron or web views. Users can browse installed Apple TV apps in a grid with App Store icons, launch apps with one click, and navigate using keyboard shortcuts including arrow keys and the space bar. The app also enables text input from the Mac keyboard, eliminating the need to peck letters on the TV screen during searches or password entry. A now playing feature displays album artwork, title, artist, and a live progress bar in the menu bar.

The app supports multiple Apple TVs on the same network, allowing instant switching between devices. Pairing credentials are stored securely in Keychain, ensuring data protection. Ustinov, who also created the HomeKit control app Itsyhome, offers this Apple TV solution entirely free. Users interested in supporting development can purchase Itsyhome Pro. The app represents a practical solution to a long-standing gap in Apple's ecosystem, giving Mac users the same remote control convenience available on other Apple devices.