If you can't find the distant for your Android TV oregon Google TV, don't similar utilizing its dependable power feature, are sick of utilizing the directional pad to type, oregon can't get it to enactment astatine all, usage your smartphone instead. Using your iPhone oregon Android telephone arsenic a virtual distant power tin beryllium much convenient, easier to use, and much adjuvant than the archetypal remote, truthful it's decidedly worthy trying out.
Google launched Google TV successful 2010 arsenic its archetypal changeable astatine a astute TV platform. When it failed to instrumentality disconnected for assorted reasons, Google pivoted to Android TV successful 2014, which has enjoyed much occurrence crossed astute TVs and set-top boxes.
Now, the Google TV marque has caller beingness arsenic a revamped interface for Android TV. It besides serves arsenic the caller sanction for Google Play Movies & TV, the app that served arsenic the subordinate for movies and TV shows purchased done Google Play but present mirrors the functionality of the astute TV interface. This is the app that volition crook your iPhone oregon Android telephone into a virtual distant control.
Step 1: Install the Google TV App
The rebrand of Google Play Movies and TV to Google TV resulted successful bundling the distant power functionality into the media app. Install oregon update it astatine the links below. Note that the erstwhile standalone app, Android TV Remote Service, is inactive listed connected Google Play but is nary longer compatible with immoderate devices.
- Install oregon update Google TV: Google Play Store (free) | Apple App Store (free)
Step 2: Set Up the Basics
If opening the app for the archetypal time, you'll request to tally done a fewer set-up steps. If you're connected iPhone oregon utilizing Android 13, you'll request to determine whether you privation to person notifications from the app. Then, you'll request to nexus your Google account. Once you've done that, pat "Continue" to proceed.
Next, you'll person the enactment to prime which streaming services you privation the app to aggregate. You tin skip this for later, but the app serves arsenic a hub for browsing contented and launching them successful the due app, truthful you mightiness arsenic good prime your subscriptions now.
Finally, you'll beryllium asked to assistance the app support to hunt for a adjacent TV by tapping "Allow" successful the dialog box. This volition beryllium important successful utilizing the app arsenic a distant control.
Step 3: Link Your Android TV oregon Google TV
You'll find a dialog container explaining the caller distant control. Tap "Got it" to disregard this, past pat the "TV Remote" fastener successful immoderate of the tabs. If you don't spot it, pat your illustration picture, take "Google TV settings," and guarantee "Use telephone arsenic remote" is enabled.
Now, you'll request to nexus it to your Android TV oregon Google TV device. Once the app has discovered your television, pat its sanction to prime it. Finally, participate the codification that appears connected your TV and pat "Pair."
Now, you're each acceptable to usage your smartphone arsenic a distant control. Also, Android devices get an other spot of convenience, arsenic a shortcut for the distant power tin beryllium accessed done the Quick Settings pane.
Keep Your Connection Secure Without a Monthly Bill. Get a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited for each your devices with a one-time acquisition from the caller Gadget Hacks Shop, and ticker Hulu oregon Netflix without determination restrictions, summation information erstwhile browsing connected nationalist networks, and more.
Other worthwhile deals to cheque out:
Cover photograph and screenshots by Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks