https://github.com/usrivastava92/gtv-desktop-remote
macOS menu bar remote for Google TV and Android TV devices with local discovery, one-time pairing, keyboard controls, and text input.
https://github.com/usrivastava92/gtv-desktop-remote
android-tv android-tv-remote desktop-app electron google-tv google-tv-remote keyboard-shortcuts local-network macos macos-app menu-bar-app pairing react remote-control tv-remote typescript vite
Last synced: 26 days ago
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macOS menu bar remote for Google TV and Android TV devices with local discovery, one-time pairing, keyboard controls, and text input.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/usrivastava92/gtv-desktop-remote
- Owner: usrivastava92
- Created: 2026-04-16T10:00:43.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-05-08T22:08:28.000Z (about 1 month ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-05-09T00:17:34.009Z (about 1 month ago)
- Topics: android-tv, android-tv-remote, desktop-app, electron, google-tv, google-tv-remote, keyboard-shortcuts, local-network, macos, macos-app, menu-bar-app, pairing, react, remote-control, tv-remote, typescript, vite
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage: https://github.com/usrivastava92/gtv-desktop-remote/releases/latest
- Size: 2.34 MB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 11
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
GTV Desktop Remote
A macOS desktop remote for Google TV and Android TV devices.
Discover, pair once, and control your TV from your Mac — with keyboard support.
---
## Overview
GTV Desktop Remote lets you control any Google TV or Android TV device from your Mac. It runs as a menubar app — always one keystroke away — and uses the same encrypted pairing protocol as the official Android TV Remote app.
- **Network scan** — discovers compatible devices on your local network automatically
- **One-time pairing** — enter a 6-digit code once; credentials are saved securely
- **Full remote control** — navigation, select, home, back, play/pause, volume, power
- **Keyboard control** — drive your TV from the keyboard without touching the mouse
- **Text input** — send text directly to apps that support Android TV text entry
- **IP-change resilient** — device identity is tracked by MAC address, not IP, so re-pairing is never needed when your TV's IP changes
- **Global shortcut** — `CmdOrCtrl+Shift+G` shows or hides the remote from anywhere
---
## Screenshots
Remote controls
Device management
---
## Installation
Download the latest `.dmg` from the [Releases](https://github.com/usrivastava92/gtv-desktop-remote/releases/latest) page, open it, and drag the app to your Applications folder.
Or install with Homebrew:
```bash
brew install --cask usrivastava92/tap/gtv-desktop-remote
```
> **Requirement:** macOS. Your TV must have Android TV Remote Service enabled and be on the same local network as your Mac.
---
## Getting Started
1. Launch the app — it appears in your menu bar.
2. The app scans your network for compatible devices.
3. Select your TV from the device list.
4. If not yet paired, click **Start Pairing** and enter the 6-character code shown on your TV.
5. Once paired, click **Connect** — you're ready to use the remote.
The app remembers paired devices, so future connections are instant.
---
## Keyboard Shortcuts
When the remote is focused and connected, your keyboard controls the TV directly:
| Key | Action |
| ---------------------- | ------------ |
| `↑` `↓` `←` `→` | Navigate |
| `Enter` | Select / OK |
| `Escape` / `Backspace` | Back |
| `H` | Home |
| `Space` / `K` | Play / Pause |
| `+` / `=` | Volume Up |
| `-` / `_` | Volume Down |
| `P` | Power |
> `Cmd`, `Ctrl`, and `Option` combinations are ignored so they don't interfere with normal macOS shortcuts.
**Global shortcut:** `CmdOrCtrl+Shift+G` — show or hide the remote from any app.
---
## Troubleshooting
**TV not appearing in the scan?**
- Confirm the TV and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Confirm Android TV Remote Service is enabled on the TV.
- Try re-running the network scan.
**Pairing not completing?**
- Start a fresh pairing session and enter the latest code shown on the TV screen.
- If the device was previously saved, remove it and pair again.
---
## For Developers
Development setup, packaging, debug telemetry, and local build workflows are documented in [DEVELOPMENT.md](DEVELOPMENT.md).