Most sponsored app buttons on Google TV remotes cannot be reassigned in Google’s own settings. The documented exceptions are the customizable star button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote and a separate option for making the YouTube button open a preferred YouTube app. If your remote has fixed Netflix, Prime Video or another service key, a third-party remapper may help, but compatibility depends on the exact television or streamer, remote firmware and app permissions.
Start by identifying the hardware you own. A Google TV television, Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer can use different remotes and expose different controls. The instructions below separate Google’s supported features from developer claims made by remapping apps, so you know what is reliable and what requires testing.
What “remapping” means on a Google TV remote
Remapping changes the action sent when you press a physical key. A button printed with a streaming-service logo normally sends a command that launches that service. A remapper intercepts the command and substitutes another action, such as opening an installed app, a launcher or a system settings page.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Google’s support documentation does not describe a universal editor for every branded key. It documents particular controls on particular hardware instead. That distinction matters: a setting available on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote is not evidence that the same setting exists on a television remote or an older Chromecast remote.
- Native feature: configured in Google TV’s own menus, with no accessibility app required.
- Third-party feature: supplied by an app that watches button presses through Android’s accessibility service. The app developer, not Google, determines which buttons and devices it supports.
- Physical limitation: some keys are handled by the remote or television firmware before an app can see them. Those keys may remain fixed even after a remapper is installed.
Which buttons Google lets you change
| Button or control | Documented native action | Hardware and scope |
|---|---|---|
| Star/customizable button | Open a favorite TV app, open the Google Home panel, or switch to a configured device input | Google TV Streamer Voice Remote; menu wording can vary by locale |
| YouTube button | Open a preferred YouTube app | Google’s remote overview describes this as a narrow YouTube option |
| Dedicated branded service keys | No general Google setting is documented for arbitrary reassignment | Varies by television, streamer, remote model and firmware |
| Navigation, volume, power and voice keys | Remain core controls; third-party apps may not be able to intercept them reliably | Do not change these unless you have a tested way to undo the change |
Google’s documentation describes the star and YouTube options separately. Treat them as two limited features, not as a promise that every sponsored key can be edited.
Identify your exact Google TV hardware first
Before changing anything, look at the device that receives the remote signal and the remote itself. The phrase “Google TV remote” covers several generations of hardware. A Google TV television may use a manufacturer-specific remote; a Chromecast with Google TV uses its own voice remote; the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote has a dedicated customizable star button.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Support TV Models】RC813 remote Only for TCL Google Smart TV 65QM850G 75QM850G 85QM850G 98QM850G 98QM851G 85QM851G 75QM851G 65QM851G 115QM891G 98QM751G 85QM751G 75QM751G 65QM751G 55QM751G 98S550G 43S551G 50S551G 55S551G 65S551G 75S551G 85S551G 75S571G 65S571G 55S571G 43S571G 55S470G 43S470G 50S470G 58S470G 65S470G 70S470G 75S470G 85S470G 43S450G 50S450G 55S450G 58S450G 65S450G 75S450G 85S450G 50S45G 32S370G 40S370G 43S370G 32S250G 55Q750G, 65Q750G 75Q750G 85Q750G 55Q670G 65Q670G 75Q670G 85Q670G 85Q650G 75Q650G 65Q650G 55Q650G 43Q651G 50Q651G 55Q651G 65Q651G 75Q651G 85Q651G 98Q651G 85Q681G 75Q681G 65Q681G 55Q681G 55Q550G 50Q550G 65Q550G 50Q570G 55Q570G 65Q570G 75Q570G etc.
- 【No Pairing Required】Replacement remote control compatible with TCL RC813 remote, no programming and no pairing needed, just put 2*AAA batteries in and it will work immediately. (Note: Batteries and manual are not included) (Not for TCL Roku TVs) (Not for TCL Fire TVs)
- 【Stable & High-Quality】 Strongest signal by Infrared technology further transmission for multi-angle induction. Precisely control far from 12 meters/40 feet.Fastest response not over 0.2 second to your TV, It supports over 120,000 clicks approved test
- 【6 Popular Shortcut Keys】One key quickly access to popular streaming channels --- NFLX, p-video, YouTube, Channel, Dis and Apple TV. Save you searching time and enjoy a good leisure time faster
- We test it before delivery to make sure it's working. If you are caught in some problems when using our products, welcome to contact us at any time. We are committed to providing you with a satisfactory solution promptly.
Check the remote layout
- Look for a star or customisable button. On the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, pressing it opens the shortcut selection screen.
- Look for the YouTube key and note whether it is a single-purpose branded key or a button whose label has changed after a software update.
- Record the model printed inside the battery compartment or in the television’s remote settings. Do not assume that two remotes with similar layouts expose the same commands.
Check the receiving device
Open the device’s system information or About screen and note whether it is a Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV or a television running Google TV. Also note the software version. A remapping app’s Play Store listing may support one category while failing on another, and an update can change how a button press is delivered.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Set up the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote star button
This is the cleanest, officially documented way to replace a shortcut. It applies to the customizable star button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, not automatically to branded Netflix, Prime Video or other service keys.
Assign the button for the first time
- Press the star/customizable button on the remote.
- When the shortcut choices appear, select the action you want: a favorite TV app, the Google Home panel or device inputs.
- For an app shortcut, choose the installed app and confirm creation of the shortcut.
- For device inputs, follow the on-screen setup, select the desired input and confirm. The button should then switch to that input when pressed.
The available choices and wording are supplied by Google TV. If an app does not appear in the picker, install it through Google TV first; the star-button menu is not a general command editor.
Rank #2
- 【Compatibility】Replacement for white Google-Chromecast-Remote, for Snow Chromecast with Google TV HD/4K & Google TV Streamer 4K.
- 【Voice Search】Pressing the voice button on the remote, not only can you use voice search to find your favourite entertainment, but you can also use voice to control the volume, switch inputs, play music, and get answers on-screen
- 【EASY TO PAIR】Pair your new remote in just two steps: ①. Press the pairing button on your device; ②. Press and hold the Back and Home buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the LED on your new remote starts flashing
- 【BATTERIES COMPATIBLE】Insert 2 * AAA batteries. (Package not included batteries)
- 【FEATURES】32ft Range, 0.2s Response, 120K+ Clicks Tested. Features Anti-Slip Dot Design & Multi-Angle Control for Stable Operation.
Edit an existing star shortcut
Press and hold the customizable button for one to two seconds, then choose a different action. Google also provides a menu route: All Settings → Remotes & Accessories → Set up remote buttons → Customizable button. Localized software may use slightly different labels.
After saving, press the button once from the home screen and from inside another app. Confirm that it opens the selected app, panel or input. If it does not, return to the same menu and verify that the change was saved; do not install a remapper simply because another screen has a different label.
What this feature does not do
The star shortcut is a single configurable control. It does not unlock an editor for every fixed service key, and it does not convert the printed logo on another button. If your goal is to make a Netflix key launch a music app, for example, the native star-button instructions do not accomplish that; you would need to investigate whether a compatible third-party app can see that key.
Rank #3
- 【Compatibility】Voice replacement for white Google-Chromecast-Remote, for Chromecast with Google TV Remote, for Google TV HD/4K Streaming Stick, for Google TV Streamer (4K). Only for Snow Chromecast Google!!
- 【Incompatible Devices】NOT Compatible with Google Chromecast lst Gen, NOT for Google Chromecast 2nd Gen, NOT for Google Chromecast 3rd Gen, NOT for Chromecast Ultra, NOT for Chromecast Audio
- 【Easy to Pair】Pair your new remote ①Press the pairing button on your device; ②Press and hold the"Back" and "Home" buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the LED on your new remote starts flashing
- 【Voice Control】Pressing the voice button on the remote, you can use voice to search for specific shows, or by mood, genre, actress, and more. Talk to Google and say, "What should I watch?" And use the remote to control the volume switch inputs, play music, and get answers on-screen
- 【Preferred Features】The replacement remote for Google Chromecast TV has 2 shortcut buttons for popular streaming channels,and needs to install new 2*AAA batteries to use(batteries are NOT included in package)
Change the YouTube button when the option is available
Google’s overview of the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote says the YouTube button can open a preferred YouTube app. This is narrower than choosing any app. It should not be generalized to Netflix, Prime Video or other sponsored buttons.
- Open the remote or Google TV settings screen that presents the YouTube preference. The exact entry name can vary with software and region.
- Choose the preferred YouTube app from the choices offered by the device.
- Save the selection and press the YouTube button once to test it.
If your device does not show a YouTube preference, the option may not be implemented for that remote or software version. Do not substitute the star-button menu: that menu controls the customizable star key, not the YouTube key.
Use a third-party remapper for other keys
When Google TV does not expose a native option, a remapping app is the only practical software workaround. Two listings commonly encountered on Google Play are Button Mapper TV Quick Actions and FOBB: TV Remote Button Mapper. Their listings are developer descriptions, not Google guarantees, and neither establishes compatibility with every television, streamer or remote.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsButton Mapper TV Quick Actions
The developer listing says the app can map supported remote buttons to installed apps, launchers or system settings. It says the app uses Android’s accessibility service to detect button presses and describes support for Android TV and Google TV. “Supported” is device-specific: a button may be visible to the app on one model and invisible on another.
Rank #4
- Voice search function:Press the for Google Assistant button on the remote to use your audible to find your favorite content, control volume, switch inputs, play music, and get answers, quickly search thousands of popular channels, and play entertainment by voice.
- Sensing Distance: Excellent response between the new G9N9N remote control and the TV with an optimal distance of 5 meters. Maximum length is 10 meters.
- High quality:The G9N9N Replacement telecontrol Control is made of high quality ABS with no odor, lightweight and ergonomic design makes it very comfortable with soft and very responsive buttons. Combining the functionality and performance of the original remote control, with all the basic buttons and functions you can easily control your for Google Chromecast 4K Snow with a stable signal and comfortable grip.
- Easy pairing:Press the Chromecast button to turn on pairing mode and notify you via the TV screen. Next press and hold the BACK and HOME buttons at the same time until the light on the remote starts blinking, release the buttons when the light comes on and the remote pairing is complete.
- Applicable models:G9N9N Replacement telecontrol for Chromecast (for Google TV), Chromecast for Google TV, for GA01409-US, GA01920-US, GA01923-US, GA01919-US, GA02463-Us, GA02464-US requires Chromecast (for Google TV).
- On the Google TV device, open the Play Store and search for the exact app name, Button Mapper TV Quick Actions.
- Install it only if the listing appears for your device. If the store says the app is incompatible, do not sideload a random package to bypass that warning.
- Read the current listing, including its accessibility disclosure, supported-device notes and any price shown at installation time. Features and pricing can change.
- Open the app and follow its prompt to enable the accessibility service. Android will display the permission screen; select the app and turn its service on only if you understand that it can observe button presses.
- Use the app’s button-detection control to press the key you want to test. If the app identifies the key, choose an action such as an installed app, launcher or system setting.
- Save the mapping, then test it from the home screen and from inside another app. Keep the original remote or a way to reach Settings available while testing.
If the app cannot detect the key during its setup, that key is probably handled below the layer the accessibility service can observe. Repeating the setup will not make an unsupported command appear.
FOBB: TV Remote Button Mapper
The FOBB listing describes free disabling of unwanted buttons and paid remapping to custom apps, and names Chromecast with Google TV among its device categories. The listing does not prove that every Chromecast remote, Google TV television or software release works. Check the current Play Store entry on your exact device, review the requested permissions and confirm which functions are free before enabling a mapping.
Why older walkthroughs can mislead
An older Chromecast with Google TV walkthrough describes Button Mapper and warns against changing important navigation and volume keys. Its menus may no longer match current Android TV, Google TV or app versions. Use such guides only for general context; follow the controls shown by the current app and your device’s own accessibility settings.
Best Value
- 【COMPATIBILITY】 Voice Remote Replacement for Google TV Streamer 4K Remote, for Chromecast with Google TV Remote(4K/HD).
- 【VOICE INTERACTION】Control your entertainment hands-free with Google Chromecast Remote—powered by voice interaction. Just speak to search shows, adjust volume, or launch apps instantly.
- 【QUICK PAIR】Quick 2-Step Pairing①Press the button on the back of your Google device ②Hold "Back" + "Home" on the remote for 10 seconds until the LED flashes.
- 【SHORTCUT KEYS】Upgrade your streaming experience with replacement remote featuring dedicated YouTube and Netflx buttons.
- 【RAPID RESPONSE】26 feet long-distance remote control, 0.2 seconds fast response, 50,000 times presses for durability, requires 2 * AAA batteries. (Batteries not included in package)
Native settings versus a remapping app
| Consideration | Google’s native controls | Third-party remapper |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons covered | Documented star shortcut; separate YouTube preference where offered | Only buttons the app and device expose |
| Actions | Favorite TV app, Google Home, device input, or preferred YouTube app | Developer listing may include apps, launchers and system settings |
| Permissions | No accessibility service needed | Accessibility access is required by apps that watch button presses |
| Compatibility | Tied to the specified Google remote and software | Must be checked for the exact television or streamer and remote |
| Cost | Included with the supported Google TV feature | Depends on the current app; FOBB lists custom-app remapping as paid, while Button Mapper’s current terms should be checked in Google Play |
| Reliability of essential keys | Core controls remain under Google’s normal handling | Changing navigation, volume, power or voice can make the remote difficult to operate |
There is no evidence of a universal winner across Google TV hardware. Native controls are preferable when they cover your goal. Use a remapper only when the exact key is detected and you have a straightforward rollback path.
Troubleshoot a button that will not remap
The star button still opens the old action
- Press and hold it for one to two seconds and check the saved choice.
- Open All Settings → Remotes & Accessories → Set up remote buttons → Customizable button and edit it there.
- Confirm that you are holding the customizable star button, not a similarly placed branded key.
The YouTube preference is missing
- Confirm that the remote actually has a YouTube button and that the device is running the software associated with that remote.
- Look for the preference in the device’s current remote settings rather than in the star-button editor.
- If no preference is offered, treat the button as unsupported by native settings on that device.
The remapper cannot see a sponsored key
- Verify that the app’s accessibility service is enabled and that the app still appears as installed in the Play Store.
- Run the app’s detection test again from its own setup screen.
- Try a harmless key first, such as a dedicated app key, before changing any core control.
- If detection never registers, the firmware may consume the command before accessibility software can receive it. Choose another key or stop rather than forcing a sideload.
The mapping works once and then stops
Check whether the accessibility service was disabled, whether the device restarted, or whether a system update changed the permission state. Re-open the app and Android’s accessibility settings, then test the key again. If the app reports that the service is active but the key is no longer detected, compatibility may have changed; remove the mapping instead of leaving a half-working shortcut on a critical button.
Navigation, volume or voice stopped working
Use the remapper’s reset or delete action to remove the custom rule. If you cannot reach its menus, disable the app’s accessibility service in Android’s accessibility settings, restart the device and pair or reconnect the original remote if necessary. Do not assign essential controls until an app explicitly identifies those controls and provides a tested undo method.
Permissions, privacy and rollback precautions
An accessibility service can observe button events so it can react to them. That permission is why a remapper can work, and it is also why you should read the app’s current disclosure before enabling it. Install from the device’s Play Store listing when available, check the developer name and reviews for your hardware category, and avoid packages that ask you to bypass compatibility warnings.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Make one change at a time. Write down the original button behavior, test the new action from several screens and keep the remote’s standard navigation available. If the app offers separate single-press, double-press or long-press actions, begin with a single press so you can distinguish a mapping failure from a timing conflict.
To roll back, delete or disable the mapping inside the remapper, turn off its accessibility service, and restart Google TV. For the star button, return to the native customizable-button menu and select a supported action. For a YouTube preference, choose the previous option in the same device setting. A factory reset should be a last resort, because the documented procedures provide simpler ways to undo these changes.
Quick Recap
Choose the right approach for your goal
- You want one convenient shortcut: If you have the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, assign the star button to your favorite TV app, Google Home or an input.
- You want a different YouTube app: Look for Google’s YouTube preference and use it if your device offers the option.
- You want to replace a fixed branded key: Check the exact device and remote in Google Play, then test a remapper’s button-detection screen before granting a permanent mapping.
- You need guaranteed operation of navigation, volume, power or voice: Leave those keys unchanged unless the app demonstrably supports them and provides an immediate reset.
- The device or app is incompatible: Keep the native layout. Google does not document a universal sponsored-button editor, and an unsupported workaround can cost you reliable remote control.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
