Alex Ruben
How To Customize and Add Shortcut Remote Button for Opening the Apple TV App on Google TV Streamer 4K
If you’ve ever tried to quickly jump into the Apple TV app using the remote and it was a hassle, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the default shortcut buttons just aren’t as handy as you’d like, especially if you’re a die-hard Apple TV user. Luckily, there’s a way to make that little shortcut button launch the Apple TV app instantly, saving a few clicks and some frustration. It’s kind of weird how these remotes have limited customization options out of the box, but with a little poking around, it’s doable—no fancy tools needed. Once you get this set up, it’s smooth sailing to access your favorite streaming service in seconds.
How to Fix the Shortcut Button to Open Apple TV on Google TV
Access the Shortcut Customization Menu
First, find that shortcut button on your Voice Search Remote. Usually, it’s on the side or just above the navigation pad—look for something with a microphone or voice icon. Press and hold that button until a small menu pops up. On some setups, it might be a quick press, but holding it usually triggers the customization menu. This is where you can change what the button does, so it helps to be patient while holding. If no menu shows up, make sure your device’s firmware is up to date because sometimes these features are hidden behind updates.
Pro tip: on some Android TV setups, you might need to go to Settings > Remote & Accessories > Customize Shortcut if the hold doesn’t bring it up directly from the remote.
Select the ‘Favorite App’ Option
Once the menu appears, look for an option called Favorite App. Select it—usually with the OK button or whatever your remote uses to confirm selections. This step tells the system you want to assign an app to that shortcut. It’s kind of optional, but if you want that Apple TV launch quick, this is the key step. If the menu isn’t obvious, it might replace the shortcut with default options, so go ahead and find the list of apps below.
Pick the Apple TV App from the List
This is where it gets a little annoying—sometimes, the list isn’t comprehensive, or the Apple TV app isn’t installed yet. Make sure it’s installed via the Google Play Store, or it won’t show up here. Scroll through the list of installed apps and select Apple TV. If it’s not there, install it first. Some devices might require a reboot after installing new apps before they appear in this menu, so don’t skip that step.
And yeah, on some setups, the app might not be immediately visible, or you might have to refresh the list by restarting the remote or your device—frustrating, I know. But once selected, that app is the shortcut target.
Confirm and Test the Setup
After choosing Apple TV, press the OK button or whatever confirms your choice. The remote should remember this setting. Now, test it out by pressing that same shortcut button—if all went well, the Apple TV app opens right away. Not sure why, but sometimes in early setups, it takes a second or two to fire up, and on some machines, it might even need a quick device restart to register the change.
And if it doesn’t work immediately, give the device a quick reboot, then try again. It’s a bit of trial and error sometimes, but you’ll get there.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting
- Double-check your Google TV device is running the latest Android TV OS version—sometimes these customization features are only available in the newest updates.
- If the Apple TV app isn’t showing in the list, verify it’s installed and working properly. Make sure you can launch it normally from the app drawer.
- Try restarting your device after setup—it clears out any weird cache or temporary glitch that might block the new shortcut.
- If your remote has a dedicated app or settings menu (like on some Chromecast models), explore those options for more customization routes.
- Remember, on some setups, this customization might not be possible if certain features are disabled or locked down by the device manufacturer—think Sony, Philips, or other OEMs.
Wrap-up
Getting your Google TV remote to launch Apple TV instantly isn’t exactly straightforward out of the box, but once you figure out the submenu and selection process, it makes life a lot easier. It’s kind of a pain the first time around, especially because of inconsistent menu layouts across different devices, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll save a few seconds every time you want to watch your favorite shows, and honestly, that’s kind of a big deal when you just want to binge.
Summary
- Press and hold the shortcut button to bring up the customization menu.
- Select Favorite App.
- Pick Apple TV from the app list (make sure it’s installed).
- Confirm your choice and test if it launches properly.
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone and makes Apple TV just a quick button press away. Because, well, sometimes technology needs to be a bit smarter about how we use it.