TV remote features are now available in Google TV mobile app to let owners control their Android TV and Google TV devices. The app will expand to 14 more countries.
Update: The Android TV device must also run version 5.0 of 'Android TV Remote Service'. The update will automatically be pushed to your device eventually but you can install it manually to speed up the process, as described here.
TV remote app
The original Android TV remote app was abandoned years ago so it is good news that Google is finally bringing TV navigation controls, keyboard, home, back, volume, and mute features to its other app.

- "Starting today, you can find something great to watch on your Google TV even when the couch has eaten your remote. We’ve built remote-control features directly into your Android phone so you can power on your TV, navigate through your recommendations or even start up your favorite show right from your phone. And you can use your phone’s keyboard to quickly type complicated passwords, movie names or search terms. Try it on your Google TV or other Android TV OS devices by adding the remote tile to quick settings on your Android phone, or by visiting the Google TV app — coming to 14 more countries over the next few weeks," the company announced.


 Use your phone's keyboard to input text on your Android / Google TV

The updated app is available for Android smartphones and can be downloaded here.

The app can control both Android TV devices like older Sony TVs and Nvidia Shield as well as Google TV devices like the new Chromecast and 2021 Sony TVs.

 Also read: Review: Chromecast with Google TV

The updated Google TV app will also expand beyond the US to 14 more countries over the next few weeks. These are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.



- Source: Google via 9to5Google