Use your phone as the remote for your Chromecast or Google TV Streamer

You can use the Google Home app or Google TV app on your phone to control your Google streaming device.

What you need

• Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer
• Mobile device
  • Android phone
    • Google TV mobile version 4.27.8.93 or later
    • Note: Outside of the US, the app is called 'Google Play Movies & TV'
• iPhone with iOS 14.0 or later
• The latest version of the Google Home app or Google TV app

Set up your virtual remote

From the Google Home app

1. Power on your TV and Google TV or Android TV device.
2. On your mobile device, open the Google Home app.
3. Tap the device that you want to control.
   1. On Android, this will turn your virtual remote control on or off.
   2. On iOS devices, tap Open remote to use your virtual remote control.

From the Google TV app

1. On your Android phone, open the Google TV app .
2. Near the bottom right, tap Remote .
3. At the top, tap Scanning for devices.
4. Choose your device.
5. To complete pairing, follow the instructions on your phone and TV.
6. After pairing, you can use your phone or your remote.

Tip: On your Android phone, for quick access to the TV remote from any screen, add it to your Quick Settings.

To fix problems with the Google TV virtual remote, refer to Cast, connect and control your TV with the Google TV app.

Basic controls

You can use your phone just as you would your normal remote control.

• Type on your TV with your phone's keyboard
• Navigate around your TV apps with phone swipes
• Control media playback, such as pause, play and rewind
• Access your settings, bookmarks and inputs, use your branded buttons and watch TV

Related articles:

• Cast YouTube TV using Chromecast or Google TV Streamer
• Cast your Android screen from the Google Home app
• Cast from Chrome to your TV