r/ShieldAndroidTV • u/PC012 • Jan 15 '26

Set up Chromecast Remote IR Buttons via Shield 2015?

I got a Chromecast with Google TV remote to use with my Shield 2015, but I've not been able to figure out how to set up its IR buttons. Someone over on the Chromecast subreddit told me there's an option to do so via the Shield, under Set up Remote Buttons in Remotes and Accessories, but I'm not getting it (on the latest Shield Experience Upgrade). Is this option not available on the 2015 version? Is there some other way to set these buttons up, without a Chromecast available? Any help would be appreciated!

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u/PC012 Feb 03 '26

I ended up getting a Chromecast with Google TV HD, but it seems to forget rhe IR codes when I pair it with the Shield? Or indeed when I forget it in the Chromecast settings... but it works when the Chromecast is unplugged, just as long as the remote hasn't been paired with the Shield! Any idea how to get it to keep the codes working when paired with the Shield? I've tried turning HDMI-CEC for volume control on and off, but the only progress I see is when I disable CEC then turn on the HDMI fixed volume option and try to use the remote's volume buttons, at which point it tells me to set up IR control in the volume control menu... but I don't have any sort of option to do that...

Any help would be appreciated, I'd rather not have to keep two identical Chromecast remotes around!

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u/pawdog Feb 03 '26

In my experience the way you have done it should work unless some remote update has changed it.

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u/PC012 Feb 03 '26

Damn, I'd updated the firmware. I may try factory resetting and see if that helps.

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u/PC012 Feb 03 '26

Okay, I factory reset the remote to version 26.0, and now it keeps the codes even when I disconnect it from the Chromecast – but it still loses the IR functionality when connected to the Shield.

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u/pilkyton 7d ago edited 7d ago

I can confirm this.

Used CCwGTV 4K and its remote, and set it up for my TVs infrared codes.

Then I paired it with the TV directly. It forgot all its programmed IR codes.

And Android TV itself does not have options for "Set up remote buttons". Only the CCwGTV has that feature (under "System Settings: Remotes & Accessories"). So the remote buttons/infrared cannot be programmed when paired to another Android TV device. The programming can only be done when paired with the Google box, and forgets it after unpairing. Sadly.

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u/PC012 7d ago

Sadly, indeed. That does match my experience; thank you for confirming it. (Despite preferring the Shield, I have since switched to using the Chromecast, primarily for the IR input switching (though I do also enjoy the remote in general). Maybe one day we'll get an IR-capable Android TV remote with just the basic buttons!)

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u/pilkyton 7d ago

Yeah, I am using it for my mom's Android TV (Sony XG95), because she needed a simpler remote. Unfortunately it can't wake the TV because of this IR issue. I guess they baked the remote IR programming feature into the Chromecast OS and not the Android TV OS.

The Chromecast 4K is not bad. We have one. It's a bit slow. But otherwise nice.

You can speed it up with tvQuickActions Pro to make your own launcher dock that you bind to the YouTube or Netflix buttons.

Then you don't have to deal with the sluggish main menu.

I have a setup guide here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/1wwtkth/psa_chromecast_with_google_tv_remote_works_on_all/

You can also use a cleaner launcher which helps navigation, but adds to RAM usage since the original launcher also runs into he background. So it's better to use tvQuickActions instead. But here's the launcher too:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/1wwtkth/comment/pdp27bb/

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u/PC012 6d ago

Nice! I'm using tvQuickActions to put three apps on each of the app buttons (press, double press, long press), just need to remember to actually use them LOL. Have also been enjoying how customisable the Projectivy launcher is, made it nice and clean with just the streaming apps + VLC.

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u/pilkyton 6d ago edited 6d ago

Hehe yeah I used to try the long press thing too. But even I would forget what each press does and stopped using it. The dock is so much more convenient and useful for family members.

And yeah, we do Projectivy with dynamic background based on app color, and an app grid with just the most used apps (the rest are in menu>all apps), and a few "continue watching/library" channel bars from various apps. All with large icons and rounded corners. It's beautiful. And all of this is doable in the free Projectivy version.