Control Google TV With iPhone: Full Guide

This guide shows you how to use your iPhone as a remote and keyboard for a Google TV or Android TV device. You’ll learn the official app method, plus how to cast content and type text without the physical remote. You need a Google TV (or Android TV) device and an iPhone on the same Wi-Fi network.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 14 or later (the Google TV app supports older versions, but current versions work best)
A Google TV or Android TV device (Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Bravia, TCL, Hisense, Nvidia Shield, etc.)
Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network
The Google TV app installed from the App Store (free)

Step-by-Step

Install the Google TV app. Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for “Google TV,” and download the official app by Google LLC. Do not confuse it with the older “Google Home” app, which handles device setup but not day-to-day remote control.
Connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi as your TV. Open Settings > Wi-Fi and confirm you’re on the same network as the Google TV device. If they’re on different networks (like a guest network or a mesh router with separate bands), the app won’t find the TV.
Open the Google TV app and sign in. Launch the app and sign in with the same Google account you use on the TV. If you don’t sign in, you can still use the remote feature, but casting and some features may be limited.
Tap the remote icon. In the top-right corner of the app’s home screen, you’ll see a small remote control icon (a rectangle with a circle). Tap it. The app will scan for nearby devices.
Select your TV from the list. When your Google TV appears, tap its name. A four-digit code will appear on your TV screen. Enter that code into the app on your iPhone. This pairs the phone with the TV.
Use the on-screen remote. After pairing, a virtual remote appears. It has a D-pad (directional pad), a select button in the center, back, home, and mute buttons. Tap the D-pad to move the cursor on your TV, and tap the center button to select. This works just like the physical remote.
Use the keyboard for text entry. When you need to type (searching YouTube, entering a Wi-Fi password, etc.), the app automatically shows a keyboard on your iPhone. Type on your phone, and the text appears on the TV. This is much faster than using the on-screen keyboard with the D-pad.
Cast content from your iPhone. To send a video or music to the TV, open a supported app on your iPhone (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, etc.) and tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi-like symbol in the corner). Select your Google TV from the list. The content plays on the TV while your phone acts as a controller.
Use voice search (optional). The Google TV app has a microphone icon. Tap it and speak your search query. The TV will search for what you said. This works on most Google TV devices, even if the physical remote lacks a mic.
Control the TV’s power and volume (if supported). Some Google TV devices support HDMI-CEC, which lets the app control power and volume. Look for a power button or volume slider in the app’s remote screen. If you don’t see them, your TV may not support CEC, or it’s disabled in the TV’s settings.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong app. The “Google Home” app is for setting up devices and managing smart home gadgets. The “Google TV” app is the one with the remote. Using Home won’t give you the full remote experience.
Phone and TV on different Wi-Fi bands. If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, your phone might be on one and the TV on the other. They won’t see each other. Connect both to the same band, or enable “band steering” on your router if available.
Not entering the pairing code. The four-digit code is required for the first connection. If you skip it, the remote won’t appear. If you miss the code (it disappears after a minute), just tap the remote icon again to generate a new one.
Expecting the app to control the TV’s physical power. The app can only send signals the TV understands. If your TV doesn’t support HDMI-CEC, the app can’t turn it off. Use the physical remote for power in that case.
Forgetting to update the app. An outdated Google TV app may have bugs or missing features. Check the App Store for updates regularly.

Tips

Keep the app in your dock. If you use this often, long-press the app icon and choose “Add to Dock” so it’s always one tap away.
Use the app as a backup remote. Even if you have the physical remote, keep the app installed. When the physical remote’s batteries die, your phone is a ready replacement.
Enable “Quick Settings” on your TV. On Google TV, go to Settings > System > About > Android TV OS build and tap it seven times to enable developer options. Then go to Settings > System > Developer options and enable “Quick settings” for faster app switching. This is optional but improves the experience.
Pair multiple phones. Each family member can install the app and pair their own iPhone. The TV remembers multiple devices, so everyone can control it.
Use the app for private listening (if supported). Some Google TV devices allow audio to play through your iPhone’s headphones. Look for a headphone icon in the app’s remote screen. This is great for watching TV without disturbing others.

Troubleshooting

The app can’t find my TV. First, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart both the app (swipe it away and reopen) and the TV (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in). If that fails, check if your router has “AP isolation” or “client isolation” enabled — this blocks device-to-device communication and must be turned off.

The pairing code doesn’t appear on the TV. Some TV models require you to be on the TV’s home screen. Navigate to the home screen using the physical remote, then tap the remote icon in the app again. If the code still doesn’t show, restart the TV.

The remote works but is laggy. This is usually a Wi-Fi issue. Move your router closer to the TV, or reduce interference from other devices. Closing other apps on your iPhone can also help.

Voice search doesn’t work. Make sure your TV has a microphone and that it’s not muted in the TV’s settings. Also, check that the Google TV app has microphone permission on your iPhone: Settings > Privacy > Microphone > Google TV.

The app says “Device not supported.” This happens with very old Android TV devices. Check if your device is listed as compatible on Google’s support page. If not, you can still cast content from apps like YouTube, but the full remote feature won’t work.

I can’t control volume. Volume control requires HDMI-CEC. On your TV, go to Settings > Channels & Inputs > External Inputs > HDMI Control and enable it. On Google TV, go to Settings > System > HDMI CEC and make sure it’s on. If your TV doesn’t support CEC, you’ll need to use the physical remote for volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iPhone as a remote without the Google TV app? No, the official Google TV app is the primary method. Some third-party apps exist, but they’re less reliable and often require the same setup.

Does the Google TV app work with Android TV devices? Yes. The app works with both Google TV and Android TV devices. Older Android TV devices may have limited features, but the basic remote and casting work.

Can I control multiple TVs with one iPhone? Yes. The app remembers multiple paired devices. Tap the remote icon, then tap the device name at the top to switch between TVs.

Does the app work over cellular data? No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The app uses local network communication, not the internet.

Can I use my iPhone to play games on Google TV? No, the Google TV app doesn’t support game controllers. For gaming, you’d need a Bluetooth gamepad paired directly to the TV.

Is the Google TV app free? Yes, it’s completely free. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →