Alex Ruben
How To Customize and Add Shortcut Remote Button to Open SonyLIV App on Google TV Streamer 4K
If you’re tired of navigating through menus just to open SonyLIV on your Google TV Streamer 4K, you’re not alone. Sometimes the remote’s shortcuts don’t quite do what you want, or the built-in options are limited. The good news is that you can customize one of those buttons to launch SonyLIV directly — saves a lot of hassle, especially when you just want to grab some quick bingeing. This process is pretty straightforward, but watch out for the little quirks in the menus or options; sometimes things don’t go as planned on the first try.
How to Fix or Set Up a Shortcut Button for SonyLIV on Google TV Streamer 4K
Locate the customizable button on your remote
Most Google TV remotes have a dedicated button that can be remapped or customized. Usually, it’s in the center or a side button — look for one that’s not already assigned to something critical. If you’re not sure, check your remote’s manual or experiment with long-pressing different buttons to see if a menu pops up. Because of course, not all remotes are the same and some might have a completely different approach.
Press and hold the button to bring up customization options
Once you’ve identified the candidate button, press and hold it until a small overlay or menu appears on your screen. This should bring up options for assigning a new function to that button. Sometimes, a little notification will tell you it’s ready to be changed. If nothing happens, try pressing it longer or check if your remote has a recent firmware update, because outdated firmware can cause these features to act wonky.
Select ‘Favorite App’ from the menu
In the popup menu, you’ll probably see options like “Open App,” “Favorite App,” or “Shortcut.” Choose Favorite App. This is usually the option that lets you assign any installed application to that button. Basically, this puts the button into a mode where it waits for you to pick an app for quick launch. On some setups, it might be called “Assign App” or “Remap Button” — it varies.
Pick SonyLIV from the list of installed apps
After selecting Favorite App, a list of all your installed apps will appear. Scroll through — it helps if you’ve organized your apps or made sure SonyLIV is installed properly. If it doesn’t show up, double-check if it’s actually installed and up-to-date in Settings > Apps. Sometimes, a reboot helps sync app lists if they’re not showing immediately. Because, yeah, Android TV can be unpredictable sometimes.
Confirm and create the shortcut
Once SonyLIV shows up, select it to assign it to that button. You might have to press a button labeled Create Shortcut, or just confirm your choice, depending on the menu. This final step saves your new setup. Some users report that on one setup it works flawlessly immediately, others have needed a quick restart of the device to get it to stick. Not sure why it works, but hey, it’s Android TV — always a little unpredictable.
Test out the button
Now, press that remapped button. If everything was set up correctly, SonyLIV should launch instantly. If not, go back through the steps — maybe you need to redo the selection or ensure the app is properly installed. Sometimes, on certain firmware or app versions, the shortcut might behave weirdly or require a quick device restart. Keep troubleshooting until it sticks.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Make sure your Google TV OS is up to date — Android TV 14 or 15 are recommended for best features.
- If SonyLIV is missing from the list, verify it’s installed properly. If it’s a new install, give it a couple of minutes or restart the device to refresh the app list.
- In some cases, disabling and re-enabling the app in Settings > Apps can help.
- On some remotes, the process to remap buttons might differ or only be available through specific apps or settings menus. If the native options don’t work, you might check out external remapping apps like Button Mapper — but the experience can vary.
Wrap-up
Getting your remote customized to launch SonyLIV directly isn’t too crazy, but it’s kind of weird how some steps don’t always work on the first try. Quick restart or making sure your apps are current can fix a lot of headaches. Once it’s set, having that shortcut feels like a big step toward a more streamlined TV experience. Just fascinating how these little remote tricks can turn a chore into a breeze.
Summary
- Find a remappable button on your remote.
- Press and hold to bring up the menu.
- Select “Favorite App” or similar.
- Pick SonyLIV from your apps list.
- Save and test the shortcut.
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, this little tweak saves some time and makes SonyLIV just a click away. Because honestly, messing with remaps on Android TV can be a pain sometimes, but it’s worth it in the end if it works. Good luck, and may your streaming be smooth!