Apparently, the new Android/Google TV remote app is actually REGION LOCKED

by juzmafia

..and Google's decision to release Android TV Remote Service v5.0 which caused the old Android TV remote app to stop working was not thoughtful.


In my previous post I've mentioned that the new remote app was not region locked but i was wrong.

As we know that Google TV app is only available in very limited countries but what i didn't expect is that even Google Play Movies & TV app is only available in selected countries( ~117 countries ).

Due to that, Android/Google TV users that are not in supported country won't able to use the new remote app. Even though they can sideload/enable the app on their mobile but at some point it will be disabled automatically especially after reboot unlike the old remote app that can be used without any region restrictions.

Another group that are also affected is iPhone/iPad users. According to Google, the new remote feature will be available via Google Home app but unfortunately till today it is still not available.
###Workaround So for those who are affected by Android TV Remote Service v5.0 update or prefer the old remote app, you can downgrade the app to v4.7 on your Android/Google TV device:

  1. Go to Playstore settings and set Auto-updates to Don't auto-updates apps .
  2. Find Android TV Remote Service on Playstore or at settings>apps>see all apps>show system apps and uninstall updates.
  3. Download and install Android TV Remote Service v4.7 .

Now you can continue to use the old Android TV Remote app.
Do note, this workaround will only work if the pre-installed version of Android TV Remote Service is lower than v5.0 or until Google 'allows' it.


For those who has your phone rooted and prefer the new remote app, can try the following workaround shared by XDA's Editor-in-Chief, Mishaal Rahman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1441552412716802049

FDisk80

Google be googling. The only reason it's somehow working for me is because Google Play Movies & TV app came preinstalled with OnePlus 8T. But if you open it, it just says it's not supported in my country. Quick tile still works but stops working every damn time because the Google Play Movies & TV app disables itself due to it not being supported.

If Google moves the remote to Home app only for the IOS and leave Android out (and it looks like they will) I will be extra pissed.

pichoscosama

Why why do those stupid Google Developers acting like this? How can they not think the people who are not in supported countries? Why don't they put this feature on Google home before they update the service in the Google TV?

NorthReading

Thanks for your work'

sethoscope

Anyone know if you can create a shortcut on the home screen for the remote? Would be easier than hunting in the quick tiles.

Deadpool-fan-466

My country (Bangladesh) isn't included in the list of countries where play movies & TV app is available, and yet I'm able to use the new remote.

And yes, the app still gets disabled automatically from time to time. I have to re-enable it each time to use the remote.

I've explained all of these in my post .

neO_x3

My country is in the list (Israel) and i cant remote my android tv streamer via my android phone... How can i fix that?

AnybodyEffective8349

Thanks it worked

Lopsided_Doubt4547

Thanks to OP!

HackStateUniv

Fuck Google i despise them like the illuminati wait they are the illuminati bunch a weirdos always doing too much, there number one principle as a business, or shadow government is fixing shit that aint broken consistently and removing features we need and like, basically whatever you like Google will depracate it soon just to be spiteful, or see we got a open source fork thats is better and more popular and change the api for the entire www fuck everything up, they always gotta be innovative first for everything new isnt always better, i bet the house on it they take note of all fan favorites and fuck em up or buy em fuck em up then get rid of all together

Camma14

The APK won't install for me

[deleted]

Looks like it's even more restricted.... Google movies and tv app is supported in my country, however there is no option for remote. Android tv remote service app is not available in play store, and when I sideloaded apk file it also didn't work (I get "app not installed" error). I have an Android one phone with stock android 10, so I doubt it's due to software version.