How to Assign a Custom Shortcut on your Google TV Streamer’s Voice Remote

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Google TV Streamer is finally available, and it packs improved hardware, making it perfect for 4K streaming. It can double up as a smart hub and offers quadruple storage space compared to Google’s previous 4K streaming device (Chromecast with Google TV).

It has a new voice-enabled remote whose design and button positioning differ from the Chromecast with Google TV’s remote. But the biggest highlight of the new remote is a programmable (Star) button. You can create a custom shortcut for the programmable button to launch apps or frequently used settings quickly.

This guide will teach you to map a custom shortcut to the remote’s programmable button.

Advantages of a Customizable Button

Was there even a need to add a programmable button in the Voice remote? Yes. We compared the old remote design on the Chromecast with Google TV with the new one, and the difference is praiseworthy. The old remote had volume controls on the side part and giant buttons, which wasted space.

Google TV Streamer New Voice Remote

Adding a programmable button lets you decide its purpose. Not everyone needs to change the input frequently, so Google lets you choose between an app, input source, or smart device for the button.

Assigning a Custom Shortcut to the New Google TV Streamer’s Voice Remote

We previously shared a detailed guide on setting up Google TV Streamer, which includes connections, remote pairing, and initial setup. After completing remote pairing, you can assign a custom shortcut to the programmable (Star) button.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press the star button on the Voice remote to open the customization window.

Assign a Custom Shortcut to new Google TV Streamer Voice Remote

Step 2: You’ll see three options on the screen. Here’s what they mean:

Assign a Custom Shortcut to new Google TV Streamer Voice Remote
  • Google Home: Maps the button to the Google Home shortcut. It will help you control any connected smart device, like lights or cameras.
  • Favorite App: This option will let you pick an app from the list of installed apps. Since YouTube and Netflix already have dedicated buttons, you can choose another streaming service, such as Hulu.
  • Device Input: Switching inputs on a TV could be a problem because it doesn’t have a dedicated input button. So, you can map the device input shortcut to the button.

Step 3: Depending on what option you choose, follow the on-screen instructions to apply the custom shortcut to the button.

Your custom shortcut button is ready to launch your favorite app, control your smart device, or change the TV input.

How to Change the Custom Shortcut on Voice Remote

Setting up the custom shortcut for the first time is easy. You only need to press the button, and the customization screen will open. But if you want to change the shortcut (remap), you cannot do it by pressing the Star button once. Instead, you must press it for some time to open the customization screen.

There’s also an alternative way to change the shortcut using the Settings. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to the home screen and choose the Settings icon.

Step 2: Select the All Settings option. Navigate to Remotes & Accessories > Set up remote buttons option.

Assign a Custom Shortcut to new Google TV Streamer Voice Remote

Step 3: Select the Customizable button option.

Step 4: Pick any of the three options described in the previous section to map a new shortcut.

Does the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote work with old Chromecast devices?

Yes. The new Google TV Streamer Voice Remote works with all the Chromecast devices that were released in 2020 or later. So, it will only work on the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) and Chromecast with Google TV (HD) devices.

Remember that not all features of the new Voice Remote work with older Chromecast devices. You cannot use the Find My Remote feature to locate the misplaced remote.

Wrapping Up

Mapping a custom shortcut to the Voice remote’s programmable button is a straightforward process. We also like the idea of the Find My Remote feature. But Google hasn’t listed the remote separately on sale yet and is mum on its pricing.

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AUTHOR.

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Abhishek Mishra

Abhishek fell in love with computers and consumer electronics a decade back. He has extensively covered popular operating systems, apps, and web services for the last five years at trusted publications including WindowsLatest, MakeUseOf, and Fossbytes. At YTECHB, he pens elaborate guides, emerging tech topics, and listicles.

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