Alex Ruben
How To Capture a Screenshot Using the Remote Button on Google TV Streamer 4K
Taking screenshots on your Google TV Streamer 4K, Chromecast with Google TV, or any Android TV device can feel a bit tricky sometimes. Of course, there’s no dedicated screenshot button on these remotes, which kind of sucks if you want to share something quick. But honestly, with a little bit of tinkering—installing an app and remapping a button—it’s doable. This setup can make capturing your screen a breeze, especially when you want to save or share content without fussing with cords or weird workarounds.
Once you get everything set up, pressing that remapped button should instantly save a screenshot to your device, making your life a lot easier. And yeah, it’s not an official feature, so sometimes it’s a bit flaky or needs a quick reboot. Still, it’s better than nothing, and you’ll end up with a handy way to grab screen captures directly from your remote. Let’s dive into the steps that actually work and how to troubleshoot if things go sideways.
How to Take Screenshots on Google TV Streamer 4K Using Remote
Method 1: Install Button Mapper and Reconfigure Your Remote
This method is the most straightforward if you’re comfortable installing third-party apps. By using Button Mapper, you can assign a screenshot action to a button on your remote that normally doesn’t do much. It’s kind of weird, but works after a bit of configuring, and sometimes requires toggling permissions or rebooting.
- Go to Settings > Apps on your Google TV, then search for and install Button Mapper.
- Open Button Mapper, then tap on Add Buttons. Now, press the remote button you want to assign for screenshots—say, the Microphone or another less-used button.
- Confirm the button selection, then configure its action.
Why it helps
This step opens up custom control over your remote, letting you set up quick screenshot triggers, which otherwise aren’t natively supported. It’s pretty handy, especially since Android TV doesn’t have a built-in screenshot shortcut like phones do.
When to use
If you find yourself constantly trying to grab what’s on your TV screen, especially when streaming or gaming, this workaround is a lifesaver.
Result
Once set, pressing the remapped button should instantly trigger a screenshot, which gets saved internally. Expect a brief notification confirming it was saved. Fair warning—sometimes it takes a reboot or retying permissions if it doesn’t work right away.
Method 2: Use Developer Options or ADB for Screenshots (Advanced)
In case Button Mapper is too flaky or you don’t want third-party apps, another way is to use ADB commands. This is more techy, but it’s surprisingly reliable. You’ll need a computer with ADB installed, and your Google TV should have debugging enabled.
- On your Google TV, go to Settings > Device Preferences > About.
- Scroll to Build number and tap it multiple times until developer mode unlocks.
- Back out to Developer options and enable Android Debugging.
- Connect your computer to the same Wi-Fi network, open a command prompt or terminal, and verify connection with
adb connect. - Run the command:
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png. Then transfer the image withadb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png.
Yeah, it’s kind of clunky, but on one setup it worked like a charm, on another it needed several tries. Plus, you can combine this with remapped remote buttons for quick access—kind of a hack, but effective.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Noticing your screenshots aren’t showing up? Double-check storage permissions for apps like Button Mapper or ensure proper permissions are granted in Settings > Apps >
- If your remote button doesn’t trigger anything, reboot the device. Sometimes, Android TV needs a quick refresh to register remappings.
- Updating your Google TV to the latest firmware helps stability, especially with third-party apps.
- For USB remote remotes, some can be remapped via their own software or custom profiles, but it’s hit or miss.
Wrap-up
Getting screenshots on a Google TV Streamer 4K isn’t officially supported natively, but with these methods, it’s pretty doable. Remapping a button with Button Mapper or using ADB commands can turn your remote into a handy screenshot tool. Not always perfect, but a big productivity boost when you need it. Just keep in mind that future updates might mess with this setup, so stay ready to tweak things if needed.
Summary
- Install Button Mapper for remapping
- Configure a remote button to trigger the screenshot action
- Test it out by pressing the button and checking your Pictures/Screenshots folder
- If needed, use ADB commands for more control
- Reboot or check permissions if things don’t work initially