topic Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone in Streaming

New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

Grace — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 20:06:14 GMT

Starting today, you can find something great to watch on your Google TV even when the couch has eaten your remote. We’ve built remote-control features directly into your Android phone so you can power on your TV, navigate through your recommendations or even start up your favorite show right from your phone. And you can use your phone’s keyboard to quickly type complicated passwords, movie names or search terms. Try it on your Google TV or other Android TV OS devices by adding the remote tile to quick settings on your Android phone, or by visiting the Google TV app.

Having issues? Let us know!

While the rollout begins today, it will take several weeks for all eligible devices to gain access to the virtual remote.

If you’re having trouble getting the virtual remote to work properly, make sure that you have the most recent versions of the following apps:

On your Google TV device (check via Settings > Apps > See all apps > System apps):

Android Remote Service version 5.0. or higher
Gboard version 11.0 or higher

On your Android phone:

Google TV version 4.27.8.93 or higher (note: if you don’t have the Google TV app on your phone, check the Google Play Movies & TV app instead)

If you’re still experiencing issues with the virtual remote, please drop a comment below so our team can take a look!

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

MrVacca — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 20:55:51 GMT

Just another reason why I’m HYPED for the Pixel 6 Pro to release!! 🤩

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

Ashepherdson — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 00:41:43 GMT

I skipped the pixel 5 waiting for the 6 .. currently on a 4XL wife has the 5.. can't wait for 6 pro!!

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

userworx — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 13:00:19 GMT

Google TV app is only available on Android phones in select countries. Google Play Movies & TV app missing too. 😞

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

dlaplant — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 22:36:24 GMT

I have the latest Google TV app and the TV Remote quick link tile on my Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus phone. When I check the system app on my Chromecast with Google TV, it says "Android TV Remote Service version 4.7.377245813. I try to use this new tool on my phone to remote control my Chromecast with Google TV but it doesn't find my Chromecast device even though they are both Bluetooth paired and on the same WiFi network. Is this because the Chromecast doesn't have Android Remote Service version 5.0? When will it get version 5.0?

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

LordgodEric — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 12:17:39 GMT

Like dlaplant I have the same issue with android tv remote service @ 4.73.... with no option to update it. I can open the google tv app and add the remote to the quick settings but will not be able to find my Chromecast with google tv. I have tried restarting the Chromecast but it did not help. Please let us know how to fix this.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JillG — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:48:38 GMT

Hi diaplant and LordgodEric,

I'm looking into the rollout status of the Android Remote Services 5.0 and will post back...

(I don't have it yet either)

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

dlaplant — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:09:02 GMT

Hi JillG & LordgodEric,

https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/09/27/hands-on-how-to-android-tv-new-remote/

I found the above article to be quite informative. In the section "How to get the new remote working", it says you can download the Android Remote Service v 5.0 APK and sideload it. Is that a safe and wise thing to do?

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JillG — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:26:22 GMT

I personally prefer to wait for the updates to roll out rather than sideload but plenty of people sideload apps. Official support would not recommend sideloading as it is circumventing their official update processes such as any bug resolutions or other issues.

Hoping for this update before I lose the remote in the pillows again.😮

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

dlaplant — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:45:00 GMT

Just on a whim, I went to the Google Play Store on the Chromecast to see if there were any app updates. Sure enough, there was a Sept 14 update for Android TV remote service v 5. I ran it and now I've got the remote working from my phone. I'm liking it so far, but it's missing several buttons - Volume, Mute, YouTube, Netflix, and Input.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JillG — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:50:14 GMT

Interesting...I will check mine later and see about the buttons.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JillG — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:59:01 GMT

So the answer is that the update is still rolling out because mine finally received it.

The remote is pretty basic and controls are limited. Hopefully, there will be more buttons added.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

dlaplant — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:06:09 GMT

JillG,

Did you get volume control buttons? If not, the Android Police article I referenced above explains why and what you may be able to do to get them. Beyond that issue, I'm not sure why they didn't include the two application buttons.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JillG — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:02:33 GMT

I don't have volume/mute buttons and honestly am bummed! I have a Samsung TV like the Android Police author.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

Sbieda — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 01:58:49 GMT

Does the Android phone remote with Google TV work in Canada?

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JudeF — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:17:32 GMT

My app is updated to 4.28 on my phone and the icon is now showing Google TV in the Google Play Store but when I open the app it opens to the previous Google Play Movies app. I'm located in Canada so wondering what is wrong?

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

JM-876 — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 02:29:07 GMT

same. I am in Jamaica and I have no access to the Google TV app

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

W1T3C — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:00:41 GMT

Guys - I got it
Check If You have leatest version of Google Play Movies app, next check do You have installed "android tv remote service" in play store. If yes - magic button "TV remote" which You all search is in your phone "quick settings" !! (swipe from very top of screen down). Optionaly depend of Your launcher you can have some hiden toogles in quick settings.
If You want to set volume via app - go to chtomecast settings > volume control > set to chromecast volume.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

Brausmith — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 22:52:42 GMT

8 weeks later, and still waiting for my CCwGTV to get the required service app updates. Certainly longer than a few weeks.

Re: New on Google TV: Control your TV with your phone

Adorable — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 16:48:51 GMT

Thank you, Grace!