If you do that, you will immediately lose your iPhone, as the curse is transferable.
Physical buttons > touchscreens when you don’t need a screen.
Cannot up vote this enough.
They don't even have an Android app? wtf.
There are dozens of apps on Android which can act as a remote for an AppleTV.
You can also use any bog standard universal remote control, if you have an old one of those kicking around somewhere. (I use a cheap old Logitech Harmony remote, for example)
You can even use your TV’s remote. It should forward the button commands via HDMI. (Try left, right, up, down, etc)