Google Home App Adds D-Pad Option to Its Built-In Remote Control Functionality

For years, Google has had a dedicated smartphone application, with which its users can control the Android TV devices on their local networks. This client has always come in very handy to those who quickly locate their physical remote. The company, it seems, has now found a new, more natural, and intuitive destination for its remote access functionality and made it available through other apps, more specifically, Google Home.

What’s changed for Google Home?

Using Google Home as a remote control for Android TV devices has been possible for the owners of smart homes for many weeks now. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of the latest Google Home v2.47.1.0 in early December that swipe controls were finally replaced with the more conventional and tactile directional keypad. Despite the much-awaited introduction of D-pad navigation, those more comfortable with using the swipe gesture pad to maneuver around the app can keep this default functionality active. 

How to use it?

The set-up process for turning your Google Home app into a digital remote Android TV (or Google TV) device is a simple one:

  1. Select “Open remote” in the lower-left corner of the device page.
  2. Enter the six-symbol pairing code that appears on your TV screen.

If you also would like to switch from the “trackpad” interface to the D-pad keyboard, you will have to activate the directional keypad layout option physically after installing the latest Google Home update from the Play Store.

Does it make more sense to use the Google Home app as your primary smart device control destination? Are you as impressed by the new D-pad functionality as we are? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and feel free to share this post with your friends!