A Google TV remote that doesn't need the Google Home app open all the time
Hisense Google TVs are great. The remote situation is fine until you lose it. Google's own Home app does work, but it's slow to launch, asks you to update something every time, and the keyboard is buried. This app is just the remote — fast, focused, no Google account login.
Free download · Pro from $9.99/year · pricing varies by region
Now controlling
Hisense Google TV
The honest version
The Google Home app technically replaces the remote on Google TV, but if you've ever tried to quickly mute an ad during the Super Bowl, you'll know it takes about four taps and a loading spinner to get there. We use the same Google Cast Receiver protocol the Google Home app uses, but skip everything except the remote screen. Result: tap notification widget → mute. Done. No login, no Google account binding.
✓ What works
- Full D-pad, Home, Back, voice button, Google Assistant trigger
- Volume, mute, power (on Hisense models that support wake-on-LAN — most current ones do)
- Direct app launchers for Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV — anything you've installed from the Play Store
- Real keyboard for typing — sign in to Netflix in 4 seconds instead of 4 minutes
- Touchpad mode for cursor-style navigation when scrolling through long lists in the Play Store
! Set expectations
- ×First-time pairing requires you to enter a 4-digit PIN that appears on the TV screen — so you need either the original remote OR physical button access to the TV
- ×Google Assistant voice replies are spoken by the TV, not the phone — you need the TV to be audible
- ×Wake-on-LAN reliability varies by exact firmware version — keep your TV updated for best results
- ×Some apps installed via sideload may not appear in the direct-launch grid (Play Store apps are reliably listed)
Get up and running in 30 seconds
- 1
Make sure your TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi
Settings → Network & Internet → check the network name. Phone needs to be on that exact same SSID — not the 5GHz band of a different mesh point if the TV is on 2.4GHz.
- 2
On the TV, allow remote app pairing
Settings → Apps → See all apps → Show system apps → Android TV Remote Service → Force stop, then back out. This resets the pairing service if a previous app left it in a stuck state. Skip this on first pairing.
- 3
Open HiRemote and tap 'Hisense Google TV'
The app discovers your TV via mDNS in about 5 seconds. It appears under the device name you set during Android TV onboarding (e.g. 'Living Room TV').
- 4
Enter the 4-digit PIN shown on the TV
First pairing only — Google TV displays a one-time code on screen for security. Type it into the app. After this, your phone is paired indefinitely (until you factory reset the TV or revoke from Settings).
Free download · Pro from $9.99/year · pricing varies by region
Hisense Google TV questions, answered
Does this work with U-series and A-series Hisense Google TVs?+
Yes — every Hisense model that ships with Google TV / Android TV runs the same Android TV Remote pairing protocol and accepts this app. If your TV's home screen looks like Google TV (Google rows, Google Assistant button on the original remote), you're good.
Do I need a Google account?+
No. The TV needs one (it's a Google TV, you can't avoid that during setup), but the app doesn't ask for any account. We use the same Android TV Remote pairing protocol that Google's own Home app uses, locally over Wi-Fi.
Why does the TV ask for a PIN every time I pair?+
It shouldn't — it should only ask once. If it's asking on every connect, you've installed multiple remote apps that are fighting for the slot. Open Settings → Apps → System apps → Android TV Remote Service and clear data, then re-pair from HiRemote only.
Can I use the Google Assistant button?+
Yes. Tap the mic icon in the app — we send the long-press of the Google Assistant key. The TV picks up and responds normally. Voice input is captured by the TV's far-field mic (on premium U-series ULED models) or falls back to the on-screen voice prompt on models without a built-in mic.
What if my Google TV is on Wi-Fi but my phone is on cellular?+
Won't work. Google TV's pairing protocol is LAN-only — the TV must see your phone on its local network. This is a Google security restriction, not something we can override.
Does it support 'Google TV remote finder' (the find-your-remote feature)?+
Different feature — the original Google TV voice remote has an audible chirp when you press a button on the TV itself. The app can't replicate that hardware. But the app fully replaces the remote you're trying to find, so it's a moot point.