Google TV App Lets iPhone Serve as a Remote for TVs With Android TV OS - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google TV App Lets iPhone Serve as a Remote for TVs With Android TV OS

by

Google today announced the launch of a Google TV app that's designed for iOS devices, with the aim of helping iPhone and iPad owners to create watchlists, get content recommendations, rate movies, and more. iOS users previously had access to the Play Movies and TV app, and those who had that installed will see it update automatically to the revamped Google TV app.

google tv ios app
iPhone and ‌iPad‌ users who have a Google TV or another Android TV OS device can use their iOS device as a remote control. Just click on the remote button in the app and then connect to the TV to control the TV with the phone and access Google Assistant. The feature allows users to take advantage of the phone's keyboard for typing in passwords and search terms.

With Google TV, users can input information on the streaming services they subscribe to and get recommendations for shows and movies to watch based on interests and past viewing habits. Shows can be saved to a Watchlist that is able to sync across devices signed into a Google account.

TV shows and movies can be liked or disliked, and using these features affects the recommendation algorithm. A Highlights tab provides a daily news feed of reviews, news, and more about TV shows and movies that will interest each user.

The app supports all movies and shows purchased or rented with a Google account, so the content can be watched on an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ while on the go.

The Google TV app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Google

Popular Stories

google gemini

Google Launches Gemini Import Tool for Switching From ChatGPT, Claude, and Other AI Apps

Thursday March 26, 2026 3:58 pm PDT by
Google is adding a new memory import feature to Gemini, making it easier for customers to switch to Gemini AI from another AI service. Users can import memories, context, and chat history from other AI apps. Importing memory will provide Gemini with an understanding of a user's preferences, relationships, and personal context. Google says that Gemini will understand the same key facts that...
Read Full Article • 21 comments
google translate headphones ios 2x

Google Translate iOS App Gets Real-Time Headphone Translation

Thursday March 26, 2026 4:47 pm PDT by
Google Translate's Live Translate with headphones feature is now available on iPhone, giving iOS users a way to translate speech in real-time through any pair of wireless headphones. Launched on Android late last year in beta, the feature now supports more than 70 languages, and setup is minimal – open the Google Translate app with Bluetooth headphones connected to your iPhone, tap Live...
Read Full Article • 33 comments
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

Apple Brings On Google Shopping VP to Lead AI Marketing Push

Friday March 27, 2026 11:01 am PDT by
Apple has hired former Google VP Lilian Rincon as its vice president of product marketing for artificial intelligence, reports Axios. Before joining Apple, Rincon was vice president of product for Google Shopping. At Apple, Rincon will be in charge of product marketing and product management for all of Apple's AI platforms, reporting to Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak. Rincon led the...
Read Full Article • 47 comments

Top Rated Comments

TouchedByAl Avatar
TouchedByAl
51 months ago
Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AirunJae Avatar
AirunJae
51 months ago

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.
Get an Elago case for the AppleTV remote off of Amazon and put an AirTag in its compartment. We have a toddler so that's what I did 😆
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morgenland Avatar
Morgenland
51 months ago

That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.
As long as your kids aren't throwing iPhones out the window, Apple's Remote App can help.;)

Attachment Image
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
jonnysods
51 months ago

I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.
That's fair. I have a decent firewall that I could put the TV on a whitelist so I only get basic things, but I think it would break Roku or Google. If I get an Apple TV and have 2 remotes, I may as well throw them out the window because my kids will lose them in 2 minutes ;)

But I think your idea is best.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AirunJae Avatar
AirunJae
51 months ago

Bought a chromecast on a whim when it came out in 2020. I already had an Apple TV but the reviews gushed about its interface and recommendations. I thought I would give it a shot. The recommendations were good (I know, google) and the interface looked nice but boy it aged fast. The device kept getting slower and Bluetooth never quite worked especially with AirPods. I disconnected it and one of my in laws is using it. Part of me says this feature should’ve been here much sooner but this is Google..
Yeah, when we got rid of cable and went to streaming, I initially gave the GoogleTV a shot. It was super annoying with how quickly it would have to reload apps, which pushed me to pony up and just pay the money for the AppleTV. Still use the Chromecast as a streamer for the bedroom tv, and it's fine for that as we don't use it nearly as much as the living room.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AirunJae Avatar
AirunJae
51 months ago

It's one of the reasons I haven't gotten a new Sony TV, because of Android. I'd rather a Roku version or something.
I would assume Roku is similar with data gathering. Pretty much every Smart TV is terrible with regards on this, it's how they make their margins because my understanding is that the margins aren't great on TVs. You can get the Sony, just don't connect it to WiFi and only connect it via ethernet when you need to do a software update. Use an AppleTV for your access to apps and content.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments