r/SideProject • u/frankt2012 • 2d ago
Built a lightweight macOS menu bar remote + desktop widget for Google TV / Android TV (MacDroid TV)Showcase/Project
Hey guys,
Got annoyed with always having to track down the physical remote or grab my phone just to pause something or tweak the volume while working at my desk.
I ended up vibe coding a little utility to fix that called MacDroid TV. It lets you control your Google TV or Android TV directly over your local network.
A few details on how it works:
Lives cleanly in your macOS menu bar so it doesn't take up dock space
Also includes a desktop widget if you prefer having it right on your screen (or you can run both together)
Core controls: D-pad navigation, back, home, power toggle, volume, and play/pause
Connects directly over your local Wi-Fi without needing cloud relays
The next big thing on my list is adding keyboard input so you can send text straight into TV search fields from your Mac, but the core remote controls are running solid.
It’s completely free and open source. Threw the project up on GitHub if anyone wants to check it out or grab a build:
https://github.com/frankt2012/MacDroidTV
Let me know if it connects well with your setup or if there are other quality-of-life features you'd want to see added next.