Android users can now use their Google Home app as a remote control for Android TV, Google TV, and other devices.
Google recently announced it would be allowing all phones and tablets running Android 4.3 or higher to be used as remote controls for Google TV. Google had initially announced the upcoming release of an Android mobile remote support for Google TV at the Google I/O conference back in May, but the feature has just appeared in the app.
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The new, built-in remote feature that will allow users to control Android TV, Google TV, and other devices like the Nvidia Shield right from their mobile devices was spotted by 9to5Google and can be activated simply by tapping the “Open remote” option at the bottom left corner of their Google Home app.
When the feature is active, users can swipe across a large touchpad interface and replicate the design structure of a typical Google TV remote control, placing “back,” “home,” and “Google Assistant” shortcut buttons on the digital screen.
The digital remote also conveniently offers a keyboard when prompted to enter login credentials or title searches and an on/off button when using the device as a remote control.
Google is releasing the Google Home remote feature only on Android devices for now, but the company is also planning on launching it on iOS soon, which is something that could have even more relevance considering that Google already allows a similar feature on the Google TV app on Android, as well as a remote tile in quick settings.
On iOS, the app currently doesn’t offer any remote control feature.