Apple Updates iTunes Remote App With Two-Factor Authentication for Home Sharing - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Updates iTunes Remote App With Two-Factor Authentication for Home Sharing

by

itunesremoteApple today updated its iTunes Remote app, which is designed to allow users to control their iTunes libraries from anywhere in the home.

The new update adds support for Apple's Two-Factor Authentication system, adding an extra layer of security when signing in for Home Sharing purposes. Using Home Sharing will now require a verified device or a verified phone number that can receive a Two-Factor Authentication code, preventing an unauthorized user from accessing a home library with just a password.

For those unfamiliar with Two-Factor Authentication, it is an opt-in system that's designed to increase the security of Apple ID accounts. It asks users to provide a verified code when signing in to new devices, when using iCloud, and when using services like iMessage and FaceTime.

Apple's iTunes Remote app was last updated in September of 2016, adding iOS 10 compatibility and minor performance and stability improvements. The app lets users browse their iTunes libraries and send music to AirPlay speakers.

The iTunes Remote app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

LordQ Avatar
127 months ago
I wonder how these updates for forgotten apps happen: "I'm bored, guess I'll see how I can improve this old app" whereas "Pro" apps for "Pro devices" like Numbers for the iPad Pro can't do things like Pivot Tables.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
incline design group Avatar
127 months ago
this Remote app is one of Apples apps with the most potential—but unfortunately one of it's biggest disappointments.
and the fact that they are releasing other AppleTV app(s) instead of building that functionality into one "entertainment remote" is also a tremendous bummer.

- the ForceTouch pop up is laughably inadequate considering it's their own tech on their own hardware—with a specific use case that is so overwhelmingly appropriate (periodic, quick, user-initiated micro-interactions)
- the fact that it doesn't control AppleMusic is a tremendous lack of attention to their own products
- the Devices layout looks like they haven't updated the UI since 2006
- I got excited when ControlCenter was released in iOS thinking the Music panel would actually be the Remote, or at least be selectable/have the option of having a Remote panel in Control Center (but it's not).
- and (my biggest gripe) the fact that the User Interaction between the Remote App, the AppleTV remote, and the AppleTV are different (i.e.: pulling down for more info on the AppleTV, the lack of on-screen ability to skip forward or back, etc) just shows that there is no one at Apple who is using this stuff on a daily basis and running the project.

le-sigh. Apple used to continually delight and surprise us with their incredible attention to our smallest interactions with their software and hardware... but it seems like they lost that focus after teaching a generation of us what good design and interface is and how they should seamlessly work together.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xavier Avatar
127 months ago
And still no ability to control Apple Music through Remote?

Sigh.
I know, I would love to be able to do this.

At present, if you are in list of songs already on Apple Music on say your computer, you can Apple Remote to it and change to next and pervious songs but that is it. I really which you could search Apple Music, browse, and play songs from the remote app.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LordQ Avatar
127 months ago
I'd be very surprised if the same team is working on both the Apple Remote App and Numbers.
True, iWork hasn't been touched since Oct. 2016 so at least the Remote team is working.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anthonymoody Avatar
127 months ago
And still no ability to control Apple Music through Remote?

Sigh.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hauntvictim Avatar
127 months ago
They really need to come up with a better system than this two factor authentication. I have it enabled solely because unlock mac with Apple Watch requires it (why? Hell if I know seeing how the Apple Watch is locked with a passcode anyway if it's ever removed from your wrist) and it makes logging into anything Apple a chore.
And, 95% of the time for me it either a) does not work (where I have to ask it to send me a Text message) or b) It takes a while before it shows up on the other device so I can approve it (usually about 2 minutes).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

November 20 to Mark the End of an Era at Apple

Wednesday November 11, 2026 7:51 am PST by
Apple has announced that the long-running Apple Support Community discussion forums for user-to-user tech support will be permanently closing on Friday, November 20. The forums have existed in some form for nearly 30 years, so it is the end of an era. Effective immediately, the Apple Support Community forums are in a read-only state, with new posts no longer being accepted. The final message ...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Two More New Products This Friday

Monday November 9, 2026 4:22 am PST by
The Apple launches keep coming! The company is set to release two new products on Friday, November 13: the all-new Apple HomeView and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, both of which have been available to pre-order since mid-October. Apple HomeView: Apple's new smart home display, powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI, for entertainment and managing the home. Available in tabletop and...
johny srouji

Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

Thursday November 12, 2026 4:29 am PST by
Apple's chief hardware officer Johny Srouji is being considered as a potential successor to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as the chipmaker's board prepares to remove its co-founder, according to Semafor. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the publication identified Srouji as one of the people under consideration for Nvidia's top job. It is unclear if Srouji has yet been approached or...
Latest Stories
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
2 hours ago
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
3 hours ago
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
3 hours ago
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
6 hours ago
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
6 hours ago
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
6 hours ago
Apple Releases Emotional 2026 Holiday Ad Featuring MacBook Neo
Apple Releases Emotional 2026 Holiday Ad Featuring MacBook Neo
7 hours ago
Apple's Official iPhone 18 Pro Cases and Watch Bands Get Big Discounts on Amazon
Apple's Official iPhone 18 Pro Cases and Watch Bands Get Big Discounts on Amazon
7 hours ago
Nintendo to End 'Sign in With Apple' Support in January
Nintendo to End 'Sign in With Apple' Support in January
7 hours ago
Walmart Black Friday Sale Begins With Early Deals on TVs, Laptops, and More
Walmart Black Friday Sale Begins With Early Deals on TVs, Laptops, and More
7 hours ago
Apple Says HomeView Software Update Coming Next Month With Siri Fix
Apple Says HomeView Software Update Coming Next Month With Siri Fix
8 hours ago
Review: Is Apple's All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299?
Review: Is Apple's All-New HomeView Smart Home Hub Worth $299?
9 hours ago
Apple Home Collection: Select Accessories Available to Order This Friday
Apple Home Collection: Select Accessories Available to Order This Friday
9 hours ago
'Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble' to Leave App Store This Month
'Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble' to Leave App Store This Month
10 hours ago
Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
10 hours ago
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
Apple Support Community Deserved a Proper Goodbye
18 hours ago
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
Apple on Fatal Vehicle Crash Near Apple Park: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'
1 day ago
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features
1 day ago
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
Google Says Gemini App Rolling Out on Apple CarPlay Starting Today
1 day ago
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
Is It Worth Buying a Ceramic Apple Watch?
1 day ago
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
Samsung Early Black Friday Event Brings Major Sales to Frame TVs and More
1 day ago
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery Test Involving 32 Smartphones
1 day ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits Record Low $69.99 Price Ahead of Black Friday
1 day ago
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
Rumored Apple Smart Glasses Mentioned in Supplier's Earnings Briefing
1 day ago
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
Make Apple Watch Listen for Sounds Like the Doorbell
2 days ago
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
Apple Chip Supplier TSMC Approves $1 Billion AI Investment
2 days ago
'Apple Support Community' Permanently Closing on November 20
'Apple Support Community' Permanently Closing on November 20
2 days ago
Apple's Holiday Gift Guide Highlights iPhone Duo and More
Apple's Holiday Gift Guide Highlights iPhone Duo and More
2 days ago
Three Workers Die at Tata iPhone Parts Plant in India
Three Workers Die at Tata iPhone Parts Plant in India
2 days ago
iCloud Mail, Calendar, Contacts and More Experiencing Outage [Updated]
iCloud Mail, Calendar, Contacts and More Experiencing Outage [Updated]
2 days ago