Button Layout

This picture below shows a Google Remote Handset that is available in three pastel colours that match the body of your HDMI dongle. When purchasing you specify your choice of Snow [white] or Sunrise [pale red] or Sky [pale blue]

Direction Pad and Select Button

The large outer circular button of the Direction Pad works as expected by pressing Top, Bottom, Left or Right to move Up, Down, Backwards or Forwards.

The inner Select Button is used to confirm your choice of whatever option is shown on screen.

Tip: If you press and hold the Select Button it will give you quick access to Settings, Notifications etc.

YouTube

If you subscribe to YouTube TV this is really handy for gaining quick access. If you long-press the button you will be shown a selection of Youtube sites that can be configured as your default so that whatever you select will be the site launched in future with just one click of the button.

N.B. The button is 'soft' so if you don't require it to access to these packaged YouTube sites it can assign it a different action.

Tip: For YouTube TV

The Live tab in YouTubeTV is essentially a guide of what is currently on.

The feature will apparently integrate with third-party services at some point, and if you’re already a YouTube TV subscriber it’s a huge improvement over YTTV’s native guide.

Why? Because it actually gives a quick synopsis of each show or movie as you highlight it. No wondering what a movie is about or if you’ve already seen a particular episode of a show.

Netflix

If you subscribe to Netflix [different levels in Plans and Pricing are given below] then you can use the dedicated button access your Netflix Account.

N.B. The button is 'soft' so if you don't require it for accessing Netflix it can have a different action assigned.

What you can stream from Netflix in the UK

Click here to see a 3rd Party App in the Play Store called "NetFlix Guide 2020 - Streaming Movies and Series" for more information on what content is available.

Click here to visit an independent site called "Whats New On Netflix United Kingdom" that has all the current listings for you.

Details of the Netflix App, T&C's, Privacy and UK Pricing

Click here to see the latest information available in the Play Store for the Netflix App on Android.

Click here for complete Terms and Conditions

Click here for Privacy Statement

Click here to see the current Plans and Pricing available in the UK.

N.B. The previous 30 day free trial of Netflix has been withdrawn in the UK [and several other locations] as Netflix are adopting new marketing tactics.

Click here to see a web based offer that is available to UK residents to watch a limited amount of regular content before committing to purchasing.

5 Handset Shortcuts for getting more out of your remote's buttons

(1) Click here to see how to "Remap the streaming service buttons on your Google TV remote"

(2) Click here to see another video by Robby Payne at ChromeUnboxed called "The 5 Best Chromecast Remote Shortcuts" that demonstrates how to trigger handy shortcuts with your handset.

If you follow the links he's provided under the video you can get more detailed descriptions of what he has covered.

Shortened versions of these descriptions are listed below as memory joggers ....

Quick access to settings

From anywhere in the UI {home, in an app, watching a show} simply hold down the home button for just a second or two and your settings/account menu will pop up. From here you can access your account and settings page. It sounds like a small thing, but it is a real time saver.

Live TV guide and channel jump

To get back to your live guide quickly when watching content just hit the back button. From there, you can look around at other live programming to watch or simply look at your library as well. You can also jump to the last thing you were watching by pressing down on the directional pad on the remote twice [from the live view of whatever you are currently watching] and you will see the last few items you’ve used and be able to select what you want.

YouTube button remapping

Having the popular YouTube and Netflix services just a button away [press the respective YouTube and Netflix button] is fine and can save time. In the case of regular YouTube users they can choose which YouTube service they’d like attached to that hard button. To make YouTube button action changes simply hold down the button for a second and you’ll see a pop-UI that allows you to choose the action you want to assign to the button. For regular YouTube TV users you can assign the button to launch YouTube TV.

YouTube thumbs-up, end screens and subscriptions

When you finish a great video and need to smash that thumbs-up button [as you would on your phone] you can do it right from your remote. All you need to do to take advantage of all the standard end of video interactions is press up a couple times on the direction pad on the remote and you’ll access some additional functions. Click the three-dot menu to like the video, subscribe to the channel, or continue pressing up to select any of the end cards for more content.

Application removal shortcut

Did you know that you can quickly remove applications without digging into menus to save time and effort. Simply highlight the app you want to delete, long-press the centre button on the remote, and a menu will appear. Select view details and you’ll be taken to a screen where you can select the uninstall option.

Input

This button can be configured, with a compatible TV, to set up an easy method of changing source for the TV's HDMI input channel.

A list of popular makes and models is provided [these determine which infra-red control codes are used by the remote] but if your TV is not on the list you can try selecting some of the standard ones - you may get lucky !

TV Controls

Watch this video

Click here for a ChromeUnboxed article "HOW TO CONTROL YOUR TV WITH THE NEW CHROMECAST REMOTE" that shows you how to link up features of the remote handset to control certain aspects of your TV's features.

Settings

Open Settings by selecting your account profile picture (top right), then choose Display and sound, and enable HDMI-CEC so your TV turns on and off at the same time as the Chromecast dongle.

Your TV will need to support the feature, and you’ll also need to turn it on in your TV’s settings, but most sets now come with HDMI-CEC support and have it enabled by default. You might see it called something different, though—Samsung calls it Anynet+ for example, and Sony calls it Bravia Sync—but make sure to check your TV’s instructions if you’re not sure.

From the same settings panel, choose Remotes & accessories, then Set up remote buttons. That way, your Chromecast remote will also be able to control the volume level on your TV and switch TV inputs if needed.

Meet the Chromecast Voice Remote

Click here to see the Google support page that gives the official take on the above features.

Additional Remote Handsets

Lost or broken Google Handset

Click here to read a ReviewGeek article "What to Do If You Lose the Remote for Your Chromecast with Google TV" that gives examples of what to do when you are stuck.

Spare Google Handset

Click here to read a 9to5google article about the availability of Google replacement handsets [that came along in mid November 2020 after the main launch] that obviously give the best compatibility.

Using 3rd Party Handsets

If you already have another infra-red remote handset it may be possible to use it with the Chromecast dongle.

For example some of the videos show that the Amazon Fire TV Remote is easily connected and provides most of the functionality [the voice operated Google Assistant does not work however] but it does add the convenience of pause and fast forward / rewind buttons that are not a feature of the supplied Google Remote Handset.

3rd Party Handsets by WeChip

Click here to see another site with details of other remote handsets that are compatible with the Chromecast with Google TV device.

How to pair the above devices

Click here to see one of the many video clips available on Youtube that show how to add a second Google Remote Handset, and example of a few non-Google products.

If you don't see what you are looking for it might be worth searching Youtube with details of your particular handset.

It would appear that most of the 3rd Party devices do pair with bluetooth o.k. but they have varying degrees of success [as the video points out] as not all features work across all of the devices shown.

Smartphone App for Android & iOS

You can also download (1) the Android TV Remote Control App from the Google Play Store or (2) the Android TV App from the Apple App Store.

Click here to read a short article by Chrome Unboxed called "HOW TO CONTROL YOUR CHROMECAST WITH GOOGLE TV IF YOU’VE LOST YOUR REMOTE" that you might find quite handy.

Apart from having nearly full functionality the App also allows you to toggle on / off an on-screen touch pad for you to use instead of the conventional navigation buttons.

There is also an on-screen keyboard that is really handy for entering text rather than using the slower process of selecting characters one at a time using the remote.

Customising Features Of The Remote

The Chromecast with Google TV is the first Chromecast device to come with its own remote control so you should learn how to use it.

Display and Sound

Open the Settings panel by selecting your account profile picture (top right), then choose Display and sound, and enable HDMI-CEC so your TV [or other compatible devices] turns on and off at the same time as the Chromecast dongle.

N.B. Your TV will need to support the feature, and you’ll also need to turn it on in your TV’s settings, but most sets now come with HDMI-CEC support and have it enabled by default. You might see it called something different, though—Samsung calls it Anynet+ for example, and Sony calls it Bravia Sync—but make sure to check your TV’s instructions if you’re not sure.

Remotes and Accessories

From the same Settings panel, choose Remotes & accessories, then Set up remote buttons.

You can also program the devices that the volume controls work with, whether its an IR blaster compatible speaker or another HDMI-CEC device.

Your Chromecast remote should now be able to control the volume level on your TV and switch TV inputs if needed.

Customising Youtube and Netflix Buttons

Click here to see part of a video clip that explains how to remap the YouTube and Netflix Buttons on the remote handset to do other actions if you do not use these services.

Reset The Remote

Click here to learn how to reset / pair your remote if there has been a problem.

Restart Using The Remote

Click here to learn how to restart the device - sometimes handy if things are not going the way they should.