Alex Ruben
How To Create a Dedicated Shortcut Button on Your Remote to Access TV Settings on Google TV Streamer 4K
Getting a quick shortcut for your TV Settings on the Google TV Streamer 4K remote is actually pretty doable, but it’s not always straightforward. Basically, if you want to skip digging through menus every time, setting up a custom button can save a ton of hassle. The catch is, not all remote buttons are configurable by default, especially the ones that are more hardwired for specific functions. So, you’ll likely need an app like Button Mapper to remap stuff. It works across a bunch of devices—Chromecast with Google TV, Android TVs, and even some smart TVs—so the approach should be pretty versatile. Just a heads-up: on some setups, this might take a few tries or a reboot to really stick, especially if permissions aren’t granted right away.
How to Fix the Shortcut Button on Google TV Remote
Install the Button Mapper App
First, you’ve gotta get Button Mapper installed from the Play Store. It’s kinda weird because sometimes Google TV’s Play Store isn’t as friendly for sideloads or certain device reskins, but as long as you can access it, go for it.
- On your Google TV, open Apps, then head over to Google Play Store.
- Search for Button Mapper. On some setups, you might need to enable unknown sources or sideload it manually from APK if it’s not available—because, of course, Android TV can make it a little more complicated.
- Hit Install. Easy enough.
Open the Button Mapper App
Once installed, launch it right from the app drawer or home screen. When it opens, you might see some permission prompts—make sure to grant accessibility permissions; otherwise, it won’t be able to remap buttons properly. Also, some TV versions require you to go into Settings > Security & Restrictions > Accessibility and enable Button Mapper there. Yay, Android security layers. Once it’s set, it should be ready for configuration.
Add a Button to Map
This part is kind of trial-and-error, so don’t get frustrated.
- Tap Add Buttons.
- Press the remote button you want to customize. This could be a less-used button like Micro 313 or something else. Watch for the prompt to recognize your input.
- If it doesn’t recognize right away, try pressing again or double-check if the remote is properly paired—sometimes Bluetooth or IR remotes get flaky.
Configure the Button for Quick Access to Settings
Now, you’ve got the button added, but it’s just sitting there.
- Select the button you added, then toggle Enable Customization.
- In the Actions menu, pick System Actions or sometimes you get the option for Custom Actions.
- Choose Open App or Shortcut. If you want to directly open Settings, you might need to use a custom intent. For that, you can paste in an Android intent like
android.settings.SETTINGSor use the method explained below.
Set Up the Action for the Shortcut Button
If you want it to open Settings directly, you might need to use a specific command.
- Choose Launch App.
- Scroll or search for Settings or input the specific intent if needed. To get the exact intent, you might need ADB commands or use an app like Winhance.
- If you’re familiar with ADB, you can push a command like:
adb shell am start -a android.settings.SETTINGSto launch the settings screen directly or create a custom shortcut via Tasker or similar app.
Test Your New Button
Once everything’s set, back out to the home screen and press that button. If all goes well, the Settings menu should pop up instantly. If not, double-check permissions, or try reconnecting the remote and restarting the app—sometimes you need a fresh start for the config to stick.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting
It’s kind of a pain, but if remapping doesn’t work right away, try restarting your TV or even removing the app and reinstalling. Permissions are often the culprit—especially accessibility ones. Also, some remote buttons come with pre-defined functions that are hard to override — for example, power or volume buttons typically don’t play nice with remapping.
If your remote has a dedicated voice or specific hardware buttons, they may be locked in by the manufacturer firmware. Basically, this isn’t a magic fix, but it’s pretty close if you’re willing to tinker.
Wrap-up
Setting up a dedicated shortcut button on Google TV streamers isn’t completely seamless, but with Button Mapper and a bit of patience, it’s doable. Expect some trial and error, especially with remapping tricky buttons or getting permissions sorted, but once you get it working, it’s a game changer for quick access. Just remember: on some setups, it might need a reboot or a permissions tweak to fully stick.
Summary
- Install Button Mapper from the Play Store or sideload if needed.
- Open the app, grant accessibility permissions.
- Add and recognize your preferred remote button.
- Configure it to launch Settings or a custom intent.
- Test and tweak if it’s not working right away.
Final thoughts
This workaround isn’t perfect, and some remote buttons are stubborn, but it’s a decent way to speed up your day-to-day control. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut down remote chaos. Good luck, and hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.