Why do my other devices say "No response from Primary Controller" after I made my Apple TV the Primary?
In short
An Apple TV acts as Primary Controller only while Roomie TV is on screen. If you leave the app, for example to watch something on that same Apple TV, or the Apple TV goes to sleep, it stops answering and your iPhone or iPad shows the banner. Use a dedicated Apple TV that stays in Roomie TV, ideally locked with Single App Mode, or make an always-on iPad or Mac the Primary instead.
What the banner means
Your other controllers route commands through the Primary, and when it can't be reached they warn that commands may be lost. Seeing the banner right after switching also confirms that your iPhone or iPad now treats the Apple TV as Primary, which means the handoff itself worked.
Why the Apple TV stops responding
When Roomie TV moves to the background, it signs off as Primary. Roomie TV keeps the Apple TV awake while it's on screen. But leaving the app, opening another app on that box, or HDMI-CEC putting the Apple TV to sleep when the TV turns off all take the Primary offline until Roomie TV is opened again.
The dependable setup: a dedicated Apple TV in Single App Mode
The most reliable Primary is an Ethernet-connected Apple TV 4K running only Roomie TV in Single App Mode, set up with Apple Configurator on a Mac. The support page lists the exact model requirements and steps. Single App Mode relaunches Roomie TV after a power loss and keeps the box from being pulled into other apps. Set the Apple TV's sleep setting to Never. Single App Mode also blocks automatic updates, so updating Roomie TV or tvOS means leaving Single App Mode in Apple Configurator first.
Where did Instant Home Sharing go?
The Instant Home Sharing switch appears only in Settings on the Primary Controller. Once the Apple TV becomes Primary, the switch moves with it, so look for it in Roomie TV's settings.
Distilled from real support conversations, with details generalized. Every setup differs — if this doesn't resolve it, contact support with diagnostics.
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