Google TV Phone Remote Not Connecting? Check These Steps

For the virtual remote to work, Google says your phone and your TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Start there if the Google TV app cannot find the TV.

1. Compare the networks#

On Google TV, open Settings, then Network & Internet, and check which network the TV is connected to.

On the Android phone, open Settings, then Network & internet, then Wi-Fi, and connect to the same network. The labels can vary between phone makers.

If you cannot move around the TV's menus, use its physical remote for this check. The phone cannot fix a connection problem before it has reached the TV.

2. Restart and pair again#

Google's troubleshooting page says to unplug the Google TV device's power cord, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in and set up the virtual remote again.

For a Chromecast with Google TV or a Google TV Streamer, pair with the Google TV app on your Android phone:

1. Tap Connect TV, near the bottom right.
2. Choose your device.
3. Enter the code that the TV shows.
4. Tap Pair.

Then try moving around the home screen. If the app will not let you pair, Google says the Android phone needs a recent version of the Google TV app (version 4.27.8.93 or later), so check for an update in the Play Store.

Navigation works, but the volume does not?#

That is a different symptom. Google's virtual remote page points to Settings > Remote & Accessories > Set up remote buttons > Volume control, and asks you to check that Auto (CEC) is selected. What is available depends on how your TV and sound system are set up.

Does this cover an iPhone?#

No. These steps are for Android. Google documents a separate route for iPhone and iPad through the Google Home app, so use that rather than assuming the Android controls are identical.