Google TV has been around for the better part of a decade. Launched as Android TV in 2014, the smart television operating system Google developed as a solution fortop streaming boxes and TVsto provide app integration and facilitate streaming.
Google TV is a facelift of the original Android TV ecosystem. It adds functionality. It also has closer ties to the Android ecosystem, an expanded focus on search, and support for gaming. Here are some of the coolest things you may do with Google TV, including tricks you may not have known were possible.
How to use Google TV
How to use Google’s version of Plex
1Turn your phone into a virtual Google TV remote
Remotes can be difficult to keep track of and can get lost in the stash of remotes in your entertainment setup. Instead of searching for your remote, you may create a virtual remote control on your phone.
The Google TV app includes a virtual remote that emulates a physical remote and is easier to use. It also allows you to access Google Assistant on your television, which is a nice touch for launching the app on an iPhone. You don’t need the original remote to get started. Here’s how to set it up:
2Install apps on your TV directly from your phone
Google TV and Android phones are among the best examples of the ecosystem advantage, something Apple is usually praised for. The pair improves your TV experience in many ways, and you don’t need to install apps on the big screen the conventional way. You can use your Android phone to install apps on your Chromecast device or any TV running Google’s new UI as long as both devices are logged in to the same Google account. Here’s the easy way to install apps on your Chromecast with Google TV using your phone:
What’s the difference between Google TV and Android TV?
The lowdown on Google’s two TV platforms
3Become a power Chromecast user with Button Mapper
Google TV is nothing but a fancy-looking launcher running over Android TV. This means you get all the customization features that Android is known for. Button Mapper assigns multiple functions to the remote controller’s buttons, making them more useful.
For instance, you’re able to program the home button to open the Play Store with a double press, along with its usual function of taking you to the home screen. This comes in handy often, considering Google TV doesn’t have an easy way to access the Play Store. This doesn’t mess with your existing playback controls on the remote. Before proceeding to the steps below, install theButton Mapperapp on your TV.
Button Mapper uses the device’s accessibility services to activate its features, so this is a two-part process. First, give the app accessibility permissions.
This allows Button Mapper to remap the buttons on the remote controller. Next, program what you want Button Mapper to do.
After this, double click the home button to open the Play Store from any screen on Google TV. Similarly, you can set your TV to take a screenshot (like we did for this tutorial) using theActionscategory when you long press the home button.
With the free app, you can only customize the home button, but paying a fee unlocks more in-app features.
4Set up a Google Watchlist and never miss your favorite shows
Google Watchlist is a great example of the cross-platform integration (and incorporation of the Android ecosystem) that makes Google TV appealing. It’s an easier and more efficient process than looking for movies and TV to watch in a browser. Watchlist lets you create a curated wishlist of TV and movies you want to check out on a PC or your phone. Here’s how:
These methods add the movie or TV show to your synced watchlist. You can find it under theLibrarysection of your TV or in theYour Stufftab of the Google TV app on your phone.
5Create Google TV profiles for everyone in your house
Google TV lets everyone in your family have an individual profile, so no one messes up your recommendations. This allows each profile to have its own watchlist and content suggestions tailored to their viewing pattern. You can create new profiles for each family member or set up a kids' profile with a few easy steps.
6Use Google TV’s app-only mode to streamline the UI
App-only mode peels away the clutter of suggested media and leaves you with a clean view featuring your installed apps. Here’s how to activate it on Google TV:
7Enable HDMI-CEC
The Chromecast withGoogle TV supports HDMI-CEC, allowing you to use only the Chromecast’s remote with compatible TV sets. With the option activated, you’re able to do basic stuff on your TV set, like turning on the Chromecast, which also turns on your smart TV. This is helpful, especially when casting your favorite Netflix series or Google Photos collection to your Chromecast, which automatically turns on the TV.
Make Google TV the core of your media empire
Google has launched some questionable initiatives that added unnecessary complexity to the online experience (for example, Google+), but Google TV is a home run. It doesn’t add another app or program you need to manage. Instead, it collates several apps and functions under a single, easy-to-use umbrella. If you have a smart home, add it to the Google Home app and control it with your voice viaNest speakers.
For more useful Google tips and tricks, check out our breakdown on how to manage your collection of snaps and videos inGoogle Photos.
