One of the more frustrating things about trying to build out a smart home is that there isn’t just a single way to make everything work together. Apple is working with other companies to try and expand the Matter platform, but that is still not expected to arrive until late 2022 or sometime in 2023. Until then, we have to rely on the different device makers to implement features that provide seamless integration.
With Google TV (and Android TV), Google has largely left all of the “fun” to Android owners. Being able to use your phone as a remote control is something that iPhone users can enjoy, provided that they own an Apple TV. However, TV sets using the Google TV interface are much more common, and even if you end up with a Chromecast with Google TV, you’ll finally be able to use your iPhone as a remote.
For the past few years, trying to control or operate a Google TV or Chromecast from an iPhone hasn’t been easy. It’s been a frustrating endeavor, to say the least, but thanks to the new Google TV app, those problems can be tossed aside.
Previously known as Google Play Movies and TV, the revamped Google TV app finally lets you control Google TV with your iPhone. Once you download the app, all you need to do is sign in to the same Google account as the one on your TV, and follow the steps below:
Turn on your TV.
Open the Google TV app on your iPhone.
In the bottom right corner, tap the TV Remote button.
If prompted, select the TV that you want to control.
Enter the Pair Code that appears on your TV.
Tap the Pair button on your iPhone.
Once the pairing is complete (which only takes a few seconds), your iPhone will be transformed into a digital remote control. About two-thirds of the screen is taken up by a trackpad, that allows you to swipe up, down, left, and right in order to navigate your TV’s interface.
Below the trackpad, you’ll find buttons for Back, Home, and Google Assistant. There are also volume control buttons at the very bottom of the screen, which should work with any Google TV that you’re using. In the top right corner, there’s a Keyboard button that allows you to type out words when performing searches. And the Power button to the right of that simply turns your Google TV on or off. Finally, if you want to exit the TV Remote interface, just tap the X icon in the top left corner and you’ll be taken back to the main Google TV app.
Best Google TVs
Even if you already own and enjoy an Apple TV, it never hurts to add a bit of diversification to your smart home. If you’re in the market for a new TV and are wondering where to turn, we’ve rounded up a couple of the best Google TVs that you might want to consider.
The Hisense U8G Quantum isn’t the most-expensive TV out there, nor is it the absolute best of the best. That title is more reserved for the likes of the LG C2 and other options that aren’t using the Google TV interface. But with the U8G Quantum, you’ll enjoy one of the best Google TV experiences for under $1,000.
This model is available in either 55-inches or 65-inches while sporting up to 1500 nits of peak brightness, along with Dolby Vision IQ and Atmos support. Hisense packed HDMI 2.1 ports into the back, which along with the native 120Hz refresh rate, make this a perfect pick for owners of the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
It’s never a great feeling when you find an awesome TV only to find out that you can’t actually get it because it’s too big. Thankfully, that’s not a problem with the Sony X80K, as this TV is available in sizes ranging from 43-inches all the way up to 85-inches.
What might sway you to the X80K over one of the other Google TV options is the fact that Sony includes AirPlay 2 support. This is something we’ve been seeing more and more of in recent years, but Sony’s TVs are some of the best. And those PS5 owners out there will have a better experience thanks to Sony including “exclusive features” that “improve gaming picture quality”.
There’s a lot that goes into trying to figure out what the best TV is for your needs. And that includes things like the type of display panel being used. With the TCL 6-Series, you’ll enjoy a QLED panel that is not only bright and vibrant but is also just stunning to look at.
Thanks to the Mini-LED technology, this series of TVs provides up to 240 localized zones, helping to provide incredible detail and depth. There’s also hands-free voice control, for those times when you can’t find the remote, or don’t want to grab your iPhone off the charger. And as for picture quality, the 6-Series supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
Google TV app on my iphone scans after I hit tv remote icon but nothing found. ♂️