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What the Buttons on Your Google TV Remote Can Actually Do

YouTube and Netflix are app-launch buttons, but the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote’s star button can open Google Home, launch an app, or switch inputs.

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On a Google TV remote, the branded YouTube and Netflix buttons are app shortcuts, while the star button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote is the one designed for broader customization. YouTube can be set to open a preferred installed YouTube app; Google documents Netflix as a launch button, not a remappable one. The star button can open Google Home, launch a favorite TV app, or switch the display to a chosen input.

What the branded buttons do

Google describes the YouTube and Netflix keys as app-launch buttons. The YouTube key has a limited choice: it can open a preferred installed YouTube app. Google’s guide describes the Netflix key as launching Netflix and does not document changing its assignment. That is different from a general-purpose customizable button.

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Google’s documentation does not establish a way to remap arbitrary remote buttons. The broader shortcut options belong to the star-icon button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote.

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What the star button can do

Google says the customizable button can create a shortcut to a favorite TV app, change inputs, or open the Google Home panel. In Google’s words: “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.”

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Set up or change a star-button shortcut

Choose a shortcut

  1. Press the star-icon customizable button on the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote.
  2. Choose the shortcut type shown on screen. For Google Home, select Google Home, then Create shortcut. For an app, choose it from the displayed list and create the shortcut.
  3. For an input shortcut, select a display device or add one, then use the customizable button to cycle through its inputs. Select the input you want and confirm that the button worked. Make sure there is no physical barrier between the remote and display during setup.

Edit the shortcut

Hold the customizable button for one to two seconds, then choose a different shortcut type from the on-screen choices.

Which Google TV remote has the star button?

The streaming device and the remote are not interchangeable terms: a compatible Streamer remote can control supported devices, but owning an older device does not give its bundled remote the Streamer remote’s customizable button.

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Device or remote Customizable star button What to know
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Chromecast with Google TV (4K), with included remote No Its bundled remote is a different model without the customizable button.
Chromecast with Google TV (HD), with included remote No Its bundled remote is a different model without the customizable button.

Google says the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote can control a Google TV Streamer (4K) or Chromecast with Google TV, as well as a TV, soundbar, or receiver. Check which remote you actually have before looking for a star-button setting. Google says the Streamer works with a TV or display that has HDMI; its recommendation of a 4K TV is for the best experience, not a requirement for setting up a remote shortcut.

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If the Google Home shortcut is unavailable

Google notes that the Home panel may take time to sync after initial setup. If it still cannot be set up after an hour, Google recommends restarting the device.

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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.

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