New Member
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5 Messages
Feature Request: Add Numeric Channel Entry and Full Remote Support to the DIRECTV Apple TV App
Please add support for direct numeric channel entry in the DIRECTV app for Apple TV.
The Apple TV is a powerful and frequently updated streaming device, and the DIRECTV app works very well on it. However, one of the biggest things missing compared with DIRECTV satellite, Gemini, or Osprey hardware is the ability to use a traditional television remote with number buttons.
Ideally, the Apple TV DIRECTV app should support:
Entering channel numbers directly, such as 206 for ESPN
Channel Up and Channel Down commands
Previous/Last Channel
Guide
Info
Record
Support for compatible third-party or learned IR remotes with numeric buttons
If technically possible, compatibility with the DIRECTV Gemini/Osprey remote
Apple TV already supports third-party and learned remotes, so allowing the DIRECTV app to recognize these additional commands would provide a much more traditional cable/satellite TV experience without requiring customers to use separate DIRECTV streaming hardware.
This would be especially useful for customers who prefer Apple TV because of its performance, long-term software support, and integration with other streaming apps, but still want the familiar DIRECTV channel-surfing experience.
Adding this functionality would make the Apple TV version of DIRECTV feel much closer to the full DIRECTV receiver experience and could reduce the need for customers to choose between Apple TV and DIRECTV hardware.
DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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256.3K Messages
15 days ago
Thank you for this detailed feature request, @deadfwd. We understand how a traditional remote layout would bridge the gap between the Apple TV app and our dedicated receiver hardware.
The DIRECTV app on Apple TV is built around Apple’s tvOS interface guidelines, which center around the simplified touch/click remote design. Because tvOS natively lacks an official numerical entry layout, the app's streaming architecture relies entirely on visual guide navigation rather than traditional numeric commands.
We love your point about how this would improve the channel-surfing experience for users who prefer the performance of the Apple TV hardware. While this functionality is not currently available due to those operating system structures, our product development teams actively monitor these feature requests to help shape future application updates. Kenneth, DIRECTV Community Team
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JAL123
Mentor
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232 Messages
12 days ago
I would really like to see the OP’s suggestion implemented. The Apple TV is otherwise perfect with Directv.
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deadfwd
New Member
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5 Messages
4 days ago
@DIRECTVhelp
I ran the response by ChatGPT because I was confused how this could not be possible. It looks doable, but it would require a lift from your end to code in the functionality.
A few ways you could handle this.
It could even be a premium feature. For example, lease a custom remote for Apple TV. In any case, no third party could ever do this because the app would have to support it.
It would be great to put this in front of development to get their thoughts and possibly a roadmap to making DirecTV Streaming the premier experience.
... From ChatGPT ...
Mostly true in terms of the current DIRECTV app behavior, but the explanation from DIRECTV is a little misleading.
The important distinction is that Apple/tvOS is not fundamentally preventing DIRECTV from supporting better channel controls. Apple explicitly provides tvOS APIs for live-TV apps to respond to dedicated Guide, Page Up, Page Down, and channel-changing buttons on compatible third-party remotes. Apple even tells developers how to implement those controls. Apple Developer
There’s an especially interesting detail: Apple’s current tvOS remote API includes a
oneTwoThreeremote-button event, described as the channel-tuning button. So tvOS absolutely has concepts intended for traditional television remotes beyond the Siri Remote’s simple button layout. Apple DeveloperWhat appears to be true is that the DIRECTV Apple TV app itself does not implement direct channel-number entry. DIRECTV has consistently said that entering a number to jump to a channel requires its Gemini/DIRECTV hardware rather than Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, etc.
(edited)
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skeeterintexas
ACE - Expert
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28.3K Messages
4 days ago
In simpler terms: They limit features so you have to use their equipment (Gemini) in order to access every feature available.
If you got all features on a Roku or Apple TV free what would be the motivation for using (and paying for) the Gemini? 😵💫😵💫😵💫
It’s all about the Benjamins. 💰💰💰
(edited)
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deadfwd
New Member
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5 Messages
4 days ago
True, but nothing stopping them from releasing a remote and charging $10 a month for that?
Its even easier to produce and support over their box.
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skeeterintexas
ACE - Expert
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28.3K Messages
4 days ago
I had Uverse for many years before I switched to DirecTV streaming. Talk about app limitations. You couldn’t even access all channels on the UV app but it was older than Methuselah.
When I switched part of the promo was a Gemini free for 24 months. They want to get you hooked. I have the app on 2 (lesser used) TVs. There’s no doubt that the Gemini makes things easier.
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