Google TV Streamer Setup Guide

The Google TV Streamer is Google's current streaming box. It replaced the Chromecast with Google TV, which Google has stopped selling, though existing Chromecasts keep working and still receive updates. The Streamer is a small box rather than a stick, with an Ethernet port, 32 GB of storage and 4 GB of memory, which makes it noticeably faster and roomier than the old Chromecast. This guide takes you from unboxing to a fully set-up device.

What you need

• The Google TV Streamer and its Voice Remote (both in the box).
• A TV with a free HDMI port.
• An HDMI cable. It is not in the box. Google recommends an "Ultra High Speed" HDMI 2.1 certified cable for full 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos.
• A phone or tablet with the Google Home app (Android or iPhone).
• A Google Account and your Wi-Fi password, or an Ethernet cable.

Step 1: Connect the cables

1. Connect the HDMI cable from the Streamer to your TV, and switch the TV to that input.
2. Plug the power cable into the Streamer and the adapter into a wall socket. Use the supplied adapter rather than a TV's USB port.
3. Optional but recommended: plug an Ethernet cable from your router into the Streamer. A wired connection gives the most reliable streaming. See why a cable beats Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Pair the remote

The remote usually pairs by itself when the Streamer starts. If the screen shows Start pairing instead, press and hold the Back and Home buttons together until the light on the remote starts to pulse.

Step 3: Set up with the Google Home app

1. Open the Google Home app on your phone. If you have not used it before, tap Get started and choose your Google Account.
2. Tap the Add button, then Device, and follow the prompts for your home.
3. Scan the QR code shown on the TV. If scanning does not work, use the setup code shown instead.
4. Confirm you want to set up the Google TV Streamer, then sign in and verify your Google Account.
5. Choose the room the TV is in and accept the terms.
6. Pick the streaming services you use. Google TV installs them and builds your home screen around them.

Let the Streamer install any software updates it finds before you start adding more apps.

Step 4: Settings worth changing

• Picture: under Settings › Display & Sound, leave the resolution on automatic unless the picture is wrong. Turn off "match content frame rate" only if you see a black flash every time a video starts.
• Apps only mode: if you find the recommendations distracting, Settings › Accounts & Sign In › [your account] › Apps only mode shows just your apps.
• Customisable button: the remote has a star button you can assign to an app or a smart-home action, under the Remotes & Accessories section of Settings.
• Find My Remote: press the button on the back of the Streamer to make a lost remote play a sound.

Installing apps from outside the Play Store

Like the old Chromecast, the Streamer runs Google TV on Android, so it can install APK files once developer mode is unlocked. Our Google TV sideloading guide walks through it, and the Android TV install guide covers Live NetTV specifically. With 32 GB of storage, space is rarely a problem.

Already own a Chromecast with Google TV?

There is no need to replace it while it works. Google still supports it with updates, and everything in our Google TV guides applies to it too. The main limits are its 8 GB of storage (about 4.5 GB usable) and no built-in Ethernet port. If you regularly run out of space or get buffering on Wi-Fi, those are the reasons to upgrade.

Frequently asked questions