node-appletv

A node module for interacting with an Apple TV (4th-generation or later) over the Media Remote Protocol.

Overview

node-appletv is a node.js implementation of the Media Remote Protocol which shipped with the 4th-generation Apple TV. This is the protocol that the Apple TV remote app uses, so this should enable the creation of an Apple TV remote app for various platforms. It can also be used in a homebridge plugin to connect Apple TV events to HomeKit and vice versa. node-appletv can be used as a standalone command line application, or as a module in your own node app. Keep reading for installation and usage instructions.

Documentation

Developer documentation for node-appletv can be found here.

Usage

As a standalone cli

# Install
$ npm install -g node-appletv

# Display built-in help
$ appletv --help

The appletv cli supports several commands, such as:

pair: Scans for Apple TVs on the local network and initiates the pairing process

command <command>: Execute a command on an Apple TV (play, pause, menu, etc.)

state: Logs state changes from an Apple TV (now playing info)

queue: Requests the current playback queue from an Apple TV

messages: Logs all raw messages from an Apple TV

help <command>: Get help for a specific command

As a node module

$ npm install --save node-appletv

node-appletv makes heavy use of Promises. All functions, except for the observe functions, return Promises.

Examples

Scan for Apple TVs and pair

import { scan } from 'node-appletv';

return scan()
    .then(devices => {
    	// devices is an array of AppleTV objects
    	let device = devices[0];
    	return device.openConnection()
    		.then(device => {
    			return device.pair();
    		})
    		.then(callback => {
    			// the pin is provided onscreen from the Apple TV
    			return callback(pin);
    		});
    })
    .then(device => {
    	// you're paired!
    	let credentials = device.credentials.toString();
    	console.log(credentials);
    })
    .catch(error => {
    	console.log(error);
    });

Connect to a paired Apple TV

import { scan, parseCredentials, NowPlayingInfo } from 'node-appletv';

// see example above for how to get the credentials string
let credentials = parseCredentials(credentialsString);

return scan(uniqueIdentifier)
    .then(devices => {
    	let device = devices[0];
    	return device.openConnection(credentials);
    })
    .then(device => {
    	// you're connected!
    	// press menu
    	return device.sendKeyCommand(AppleTV.Key.Menu);
    })
    .then(device => {
    	console.log("Sent a menu command!");
    	
    	// monitor now playing info
    	device.on('nowPlaying', (info: NowPlayingInfo) => {
    		console.log(info.toString());
    	});
    })
    .catch(error => {
    	console.log(error);
    });

The uniqueIdentifier is advertised by each Apple TV via Bonjour. Use an app like Bonjour Browser to find it. The identifier is also the first value in the string value of the Credentials object.

See homebridge-theater-mode for a more practical use of this module.

TODO

• [ ] Add wake command
• [ ] Save credentials for paired Apple TVs

Development

node-appletv is written in Typescript. Edit files in the src directory and then run npm link to clean, build, and create the symlinks to use the library and cli.

Acknowledgments

node-appletv would not have been possible without the work of these people:

• Jean Regisser who reversed the protobuf spec of the MediaRemoteTV protocol
• Pierre Ståhl who implemented the protocol in Python
• Khaos Tian for reversing the HomeKit protocol which also uses SRP encryption
• Zach Bean for implementing the HAP client spec

Meta

You can find me on Twitter @edc1591

Distributed under the MIT license. See LICENSE for more information.