Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf you have the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, its star-marked customizable button can launch a chosen TV app. Press the star button, select the app, and choose Create shortcut. To replace it later, press and hold the same button for 1–2 seconds and pick another shortcut.
This feature is specific to the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote. It is not a documented remapping function for every remote sold with a Google TV device. The exact choices you see can also depend on your device, country or region, and Google TV software version.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which Google TV remote supports an app shortcut?
Google documents the favorite-app shortcut for the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, the remote supplied for Google TV Streamer (4K). Look for the button marked with a star. Google calls it the customizable button.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The button can be assigned to a favorite TV app, Google Home, or device inputs. Google describes the function this way: “The customizable button allows users the option to create a shortcut to a favorite TV app, change inputs, or open the home panel with just a click.” See Google’s Google TV Streamer Voice Remote overview.
#1 Best Overall
- 【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)
If your remote does not have the star-marked button, do not assume that the same procedure will work. Google’s instructions are tied to this remote model; other Google TV remotes may have different fixed buttons and controls. Simply running Google TV software does not mean a remote has the same physical buttons or shortcut menu.
Check the hardware before changing settings
Turn the remote over or inspect its button layout before starting. The relevant control is a star symbol, not a generic button that happens to be near the navigation keys. If you have several remotes in the room, make sure the one you are configuring is the remote paired with the Google TV Streamer. The documented setup is for that remote and streamer combination.
Set the star button to open an app
- Identify the remote. Confirm that you are using the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote and locate its star-marked customizable button.
- Press the star button. The shortcut setup screen should appear.
- Choose the favorite-TV-app option. If Google TV asks which kind of shortcut you want, select the option for a favorite TV app.
- Select the app. Choose the app you want to launch from the list shown on screen.
- Create the shortcut. Select Create shortcut and wait for the confirmation message.
After setup, a normal press of the star button opens the selected app. You do not need to open the Apps row or search for the app each time. The shortcut is a direct hardware action, so the television should respond from the Google TV interface without requiring you to navigate through the home screen first.
If the first press opens a setup screen rather than an app, that is expected: the button has not yet been assigned. Complete the category and app selections, then use the button again after the confirmation appears.
What the setup screen can assign
Google lists three shortcut categories for the customizable button:
- Google Home
- A favorite TV app
- Device inputs
Choose the favorite-TV-app category when your goal is direct app launching. The other categories perform different actions and should not be confused with app shortcuts. A Google Home assignment opens the Google Home function, while an input assignment is intended for changing connected device inputs rather than launching an installed streaming app.
The category choice matters because the button has one active shortcut assignment at a time. Selecting Google Home or device inputs instead of a favorite TV app will not create an app launcher, even though those choices use the same star-marked control.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Change or remove the assigned shortcut
To change what the star button does, press and hold it for 1–2 seconds. Select a new shortcut from the choices shown, such as Google Home, another favorite TV app, or device inputs. The new selection replaces the previous assignment.
This hold is different from the normal press used after setup. A normal press performs the current action; the short press-and-hold opens the controls for choosing a replacement. If you want to switch from one app to another, hold the star button, select the favorite-TV-app option if prompted, and choose the new app.
Google’s documented flow describes choosing a different shortcut rather than maintaining several apps on the same button. The star button therefore acts as a single configurable shortcut, not a multi-app menu that remembers several arbitrary launch targets.
When the existing shortcut is for device inputs, Google also documents a settings route:
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.
- Open All Settings on Google TV.
- Select Remotes & Accessories.
- Choose Set up remote buttons.
- Select Customizable button.
- Choose the new shortcut.
The press-and-hold method is the quickest way to edit the button. The settings path is useful when you are specifically managing an input shortcut or want to work through the full settings menu. Both routes concern the star-marked customizable button; they do not turn other fixed remote buttons into general app launchers.
Can you remove the shortcut completely?
Google’s documented choices are Google Home, a favorite TV app, and device inputs. The instructions explain how to replace the current assignment, but they do not document a separate “unassign” or blank state. If you no longer want an app shortcut, choose another supported shortcut rather than assuming the button can be disabled.
If your app does not appear in the list
Google does not promise that every installed app will be offered by the shortcut picker. If the app is missing, first check whether it is available for your Google TV device and region.
- From the Google TV home screen, open search.
- Enter the app’s name.
- If the app appears, select it and choose the install option.
- After installation, open the star-button shortcut setup again and check the available app list.
Google’s Google TV app-installation help explains how to search for and install apps. Installing an app does not guarantee that it will become selectable as a physical-button shortcut; Google does not publish an exhaustive compatibility list for the picker.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →There are two separate checks here. First, Google TV must be able to find and install the app. Second, the installed app must be exposed as an eligible favorite-TV-app choice for the customizable button. Passing the first check does not prove that the app will pass the second.
Why an installed app may still be unavailable
- The app may not support the device or the current Google TV software.
- The app may not be distributed in your country or region.
- The shortcut picker may support only apps that Google exposes as favorite-TV-app choices.
- The app may need to finish installing or updating before it appears.
Google notes that some features, services, and apps are not supported globally. Availability can therefore differ by device, region, and software version. If search cannot find the app, or the picker still omits it after installation, the star button cannot be confirmed as a supported launcher for that app.
Do not treat the Apps row as a compatibility guarantee. An app can be visible and usable from Google TV while still being absent from the customizable-button list. The support instructions provide a search-and-install route, not a promise that every app will become selectable.
Do not confuse the star button with the YouTube button
The Google TV Streamer Voice Remote also has a dedicated YouTube-branded button. That button is handled differently: press and hold it until the installed YouTube apps appear, then select the YouTube app you prefer.
This is a choice among YouTube apps, not general button remapping. Google’s documentation does not say that the YouTube button can be changed to launch an arbitrary streaming, music, game, or utility app. Use the star-marked customizable button for a general favorite-TV-app shortcut.
The two controls also use different setup expectations. The star button presents the customizable-button categories and can point to a favorite TV app. The YouTube-branded button is limited to choosing among installed YouTube apps. Holding the YouTube button will not expose the general favorite-app list.
| Button or method | What it can do | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Star-marked customizable button | Launch a favorite TV app, open Google Home, or display device inputs | You want a general shortcut to one supported TV app |
| YouTube-branded button | Choose among installed YouTube apps | You want to select which YouTube app the dedicated button opens |
Google’s remote overview describes these button functions. It does not establish arbitrary remapping for every physical button or every Google TV remote. A branded button should therefore be treated according to its documented service, not as an unused programmable key.
Rank #3
- 【Compatibility】Voice replacement for pink 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!!
- 【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 pakage)
- 【Excellent After-Sales Service】If you have any questions about your order, please contact us directly
What “add/remove buttons” can mean on Google TV
Some Google TV support questions use wording such as “How to add/remove buttons.” That can refer to the quick-access buttons on the Google TV home panel, not to the physical buttons on your remote.
Assigning the star button changes a hardware shortcut. Editing home-panel quick access changes an on-screen interface. They are separate controls and follow different menus. If you are trying to alter icons displayed on the television rather than a button on the remote, the star-button procedure is not the relevant setting.
A Google TV Community discussion uses this same “add/remove buttons” wording, but its answer is from a community Product Expert rather than official product documentation. For the physical app shortcut, follow Google’s documented customizable-button instructions instead: Google TV Community discussion.
This distinction also explains why changing the home-panel layout will not alter what the star button launches. The home panel is an on-screen destination; the customizable button is a remote assignment. Before troubleshooting, decide whether the desired change is visible on the television’s interface or printed on the remote itself.
Troubleshooting checklist
The star press does nothing
- Verify that the remote is the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, not another Google TV remote.
- Check that you are pressing the star-marked button, not the YouTube-branded button.
- Try a normal press first; use a 1–2 second hold only when changing the shortcut.
- If the remote is not controlling the streamer reliably, resolve its pairing or battery issue before configuring shortcuts.
The documented setup assumes the supported remote is connected to Google TV Streamer. The instructions do not provide a universal shortcut method for unrelated remotes. If the button still produces no setup screen on the supported hardware, verify that the remote is controlling the streamer before concluding that the app feature is unavailable.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The app is installed but missing from the picker
- Search for the app from Google TV and confirm that it is listed as available for the device.
- Finish any pending installation or update, then reopen shortcut setup.
- Check whether the app is offered in your region.
- Do not infer that an app is compatible with the star shortcut merely because it appears in the Apps list.
Google provides installation guidance but no complete list of apps guaranteed to appear in the shortcut picker. The correct result may therefore be that the app cannot be assigned. Repeating the installation alone cannot establish compatibility when Google does not expose the app in the picker.
The button opens the wrong destination
Press and hold the star button for 1–2 seconds and select the intended shortcut again. If the button was configured for device inputs, use All Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Set up remote buttons > Customizable button to manage it.
Remember that the current assignment is replaced by the new choice. If you select Google Home or an input, the next normal press will perform that action instead of opening the previously selected app.
You have a different remote
Check the button labels and the documentation for that remote and device. The star-button feature is documented for Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, so another remote may not expose a favorite-app shortcut at all. Avoid treating the presence of Google TV software as proof that every remote has identical hardware controls.
You expected an arbitrary button to be programmable
The available documentation establishes the star-marked customizable button as the general favorite-TV-app control. It does not establish a procedure for remapping the navigation, volume, power, branded-service, or other fixed buttons. Use the documented control rather than third-party claims that every button can be reassigned.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Device, region, and software limitations
App shortcuts depend on more than the button itself. Google states that feature, service, and app availability can vary by device, region, and software version. A shortcut that is available on Google TV Streamer may not be offered on another Google TV product, and an app available in one country may be absent in another.
Rank #4
- 【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)
The support pages describe the procedure and supported shortcut categories, but they do not publish a universal compatibility matrix. When a choice is absent from the picker, report the result accurately: the app is not currently offered as a selectable shortcut on that device and software combination. Do not promise that a factory reset, reinstall, or unrelated remote app will make it available.
These limitations are especially important when comparing two households. One Google TV Streamer may show a particular app in the favorite-app list while another Google TV device, region, or software release does not. The documented behavior is therefore conditional, not a guarantee that every Google TV installation has the same shortcut inventory.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick reference
| Goal | Action | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Assign an app for the first time | Press star → choose favorite TV app → select app → Create shortcut | The star button launches the selected app |
| Replace the assigned app | Press and hold star for 1–2 seconds → select another shortcut | The new shortcut replaces the old one |
| Manage an input shortcut | All Settings → Remotes & Accessories → Set up remote buttons → Customizable button | Input or other shortcut assignment can be changed |
| Choose a YouTube app | Press and hold the YouTube button → select an installed YouTube app | The dedicated button uses the selected YouTube app |
| Find a missing app | Search for it on Google TV and install it if available | It may become selectable, but Google does not guarantee this |
Use the first row for a new favorite-app assignment, the second or third when changing an existing setup, and the last row only as a discovery step. Installing an app is not the same as assigning it.
What you can and cannot do
- Can: assign the star-marked button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote to a supported favorite TV app.
- Can: change that assignment later with a 1–2 second press and hold.
- Can: use the same button for Google Home or device inputs instead of an app.
- Can: choose among installed YouTube apps with the YouTube-branded button.
- Cannot be confirmed: arbitrary remapping of every button on every Google TV remote.
- Cannot be guaranteed: that every installed or regionally available app will appear in the star-button picker.
- Cannot be assumed: that editing quick-access icons on the home panel changes a physical remote button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any Google TV remote launch a specific app with one button?
Google documents this feature for the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote’s star-marked customizable button. Other Google TV remotes may not have the same control or shortcut menu.
How do I assign the app the first time?
Press the star button, choose the favorite-TV-app shortcut type if prompted, select the app, and choose Create shortcut.
How do I change the app assigned to the star button?
Press and hold the star button for 1–2 seconds, then choose another favorite TV app or another supported shortcut.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Can I assign Netflix, Disney+, or any other installed app?
Only if the app appears in the customizable-button picker. Google does not guarantee that every installed app is eligible, so installation alone is not proof of support.
What if the app is not listed?
Search for it on Google TV and install it if it is available for the device. Then reopen shortcut setup. If it remains absent, Google has not confirmed it as a selectable shortcut for that device, region, and software version.
Can the YouTube button open another streaming app?
Google documents the YouTube-branded button for choosing among installed YouTube apps. It is not documented as a general-purpose launcher for arbitrary apps.
Can I disable the star-button shortcut instead of replacing it?
Google documents assignments to Google Home, a favorite TV app, or device inputs, but does not document a separate blank or disabled state. To change the behavior, select another supported shortcut.
Are remote shortcuts the same as home-panel quick-access buttons?
No. The star-button assignment changes a physical remote control, while home-panel quick access changes on-screen controls. They use different interfaces.
The Bottom Line
On the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, press the star-marked button, choose a favorite TV app, select the app, and choose Create shortcut. Hold the star button for 1–2 seconds to replace the assignment. If an app is missing, Google does not guarantee that installing it will make it eligible, and the YouTube button remains a separate, YouTube-only choice.
Quick Recap
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.
