Alex Ruben
How To Remap the YouTube App Button on Your Google TV Streamer 4K Remote
If you’ve ever wished that pressing the YouTube button on your remote could open something other than YouTube — maybe Netflix or Amazon Prime — you’re not alone. Sometimes, the default buttons on Google TV remotes are kind of limited or just don’t do what you want. Luckily, there’s a way to remap that button so it launches any app you prefer. It’s not super straightforward, and yeah, sometimes it takes a bit of messing around, but once it’s set up, it’s a game-changer for quicker access to your favorites.
This whole thing works with Chromecast with Google TV and other Android TV devices running Android TV OS 14 or 15. Expect some trial and error. Not sure why it works sometimes, but on one setup it caught everything perfectly; on another, I had to reboot or relaunch the app. Still, it beats holding the remote in frustration, right?
How to Remap the YouTube Button on Your Google TV
Install the Button Mapper App
First off, you need a way to tell your Google TV what to do with that button. Button Mapper is a handy app for this. You can grab it directly from the Google Play Store on your device:
- Go to Apps on your Google TV home screen.
- Search for “Button Mapper” in the app store — probably just type it into the search bar.
- Download and install it. It’s usually free, though some features might lock behind a paywall.
Once it’s installed, it’s time to get actual control over that button.
Open Button Mapper & Add the YouTube Button
This part’s kind of weird, but you gotta run the app first:
- Launch Button Mapper from your apps list.
- Tap on Add Buttons. It’ll prompt you to press the button you want to remap.
Press the YouTube button on your remote (the one you want to change). The app should recognize it, though sometimes it takes a second or two to register. If it doesn’t, try pressing it again or restarting the app.
Configure the Button to Open Your Chosen App
Now that the button’s registered, here’s where the magic happens:
- Select the YouTube button from the list inside Button Mapper.
- Tap on Customize or Single Tap (depending on the app version).
- In the action options, choose Applications — this is usually a dropdown or list of apps you have installed.
- Pick the app you want to open instead of YouTube (say, Amazon Prime Video).
It’s kinda satisfying when you finally get to choose exactly what opens. Just a heads up: sometimes, the button might still open YouTube unless you fully save and test it.
Save & Test Your Setup
Once you’ve set it up:
- Hit Save or confirm your changes inside Button Mapper.
- Close the app and return to the home screen of Google TV.
- Press the YouTube button and see if it launches your chosen app.
If it doesn’t work right away, try a quick reboot or relaunch Button Mapper. On some devices, the remapping isn’t perfect the first time — a restart sometimes helps clear out any hiccups.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
Google TV isn’t always super cooperative with remapping, especially if it’s a system-level button. You might have to give the device a quick reboot after setup or tweak permissions for Button Mapper in your app settings. Also, make sure your device is running the latest system update; older firmware can cause weird bugs or cause the app not to recognize the remote properly.
And because these remapping apps can be kinda hit or miss on certain models, don’t get discouraged if it takes a couple of tries or restarts. Sometimes, you need to just turn it off and on again, or even clear the app cache.
Wrap-up
This process isn’t perfect, and on some setups, it definitely feels a bit clunky, but once you get it working, it’s so worth it. Heavy remote button presses become a thing of the past, and you can jump straight into your favorite content without fiddling. Just remember: always keep your device updated and experiment with the settings if things get weird.
Summary
- Install Button Mapper.
- Add the YouTube button and register it.
- Set a new app to open on single tap.
- Test it out and reboot if necessary.
Conclusion
Touching the YouTube button and having it launch your preferred app instead is both a little satisfying and practical. It’s not perfect — sometimes a restart or a little fiddling is needed — but once it’s dialed in, it just makes your streaming setup that much smoother. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a few clicks and a bit of frustration. Good luck messing around!