Control Your Smart TV with Home Assistant Using Android TV Remote
Smart TVs have become the central hub of entertainment in many homes. Whether it is streaming movies, controlling media playback, or launching apps, the television is often one of the most frequently used devices in the house. But what if your TV could become a fully integrated part of your smart home?
That is exactly what the Android TV Remote integration for Home Assistant makes possible.
The Android TV Remote integration allows Home Assistant to connect directly to Android TV and Google TV devices, giving you control over media playback, power state, installed apps, and automation possibilities. Best of all, setup is surprisingly simple, and once connected, your TV becomes just another powerful smart home entity that can participate in automations.
In this guide, we will look at how easy it is to set up, what components it creates, what you can control, and a practical automation example you can start using right away.
What Is the Android TV Remote Integration?
The Android TV Remote integration is an official Home Assistant integration designed to communicate with Android TV and Google TV devices over your local network.
This includes devices such as:
- NVIDIA Shield
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Sony Android TVs
- Nokia Android TVs
- Philips Android TVs
- Xiaomi TV boxes
- Google TV Streamer
- Other Android TV-based devices
Unlike older integrations that relied heavily on ADB (Android Debug Bridge), this integration uses the newer Android TV Remote protocol, which is more reliable and easier to configure.
The integration gives Home Assistant access to your TV’s status and control functions, enabling your television to work seamlessly with the rest of your smart home.
Why Integrate Your TV with Home Assistant?
There are several reasons why integrating your Android TV is useful.
1. Centralised Control
You can control your TV directly from the Home Assistant dashboard:
- Turn the TV on or off
- Launch specific apps
- Pause and resume media
- Adjust volume
- Send remote key commands
This means you no longer need to rely solely on the physical remote.
2. Better Automations
The real power comes from automation.
For example:
- Dim your lights automatically when Netflix starts
- Pause playback when the doorbell rings
- Turn everything off when no one is home
- Display camera feeds when motion is detected
3. Presence and Activity Detection
Because Home Assistant can detect what app is currently running, your TV can act as an indicator of household activity.
If YouTube or Netflix is active, Home Assistant knows someone is likely using the entertainment area.
How Easy Is It to Set Up?
One of the best things about this integration is how straightforward the setup process is.
Step 1: Ensure Your Device Is on the Network
Your Android TV device must be connected to the same local network as Home Assistant.
A wired Ethernet connection is recommended for maximum reliability, but Wi-Fi works well too.
Step 2: Enable Remote Access on the TV
On most Android TV devices:
Settings → Device Preferences → Remote & Accessories
Enable remote control permissions if required.
Some devices may call this:
- Network remote control
- IP control
- External device access
Step 3: Add the Integration in Home Assistant
In Home Assistant:
Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration
Search for:
Android TV Remote
Follow the instructions on screen to complete the setup.
Step 4: Pair the Device
A pairing code will appear on your TV screen.
Enter this code into Home Assistant.
That is it.
Within a minute, your TV is fully integrated.
Compared to older ADB-based methods, this process is significantly easier and requires no manual configuration files.
What Components Does It Create?
Once added, Home Assistant creates several useful entities.
Media Player Entity
The main entity is the media player.
Example:
media_player.living_room_tvThis entity gives access to:
- Power state
- Playback controls
- Volume control
- Current app information
- Media status
This is the primary component you will use in automations.
Remote Entity
Some devices also expose a remote control entity.
Example:
remote.living_room_tvThis allows sending individual key commands such as:
- HOME
- BACK
- DPAD_UP
- DPAD_DOWN
- ENTER
- VOLUME_UP
This is useful for advanced navigation automations.
Diagnostic Sensors
Depending on the device, Home Assistant may expose:
- Current app
- Device availability
- Playback state
These sensors help build more intelligent automations.
Useful Things You Can Do
Once integrated, there are many practical use cases.
Launch Apps Automatically
You can open apps like:
- Netflix
- YouTube
- Plex
- Spotify
Perfect for one-tap dashboard shortcuts.
Turn On the TV as Part of a Scene
A “Movie Night” scene could:
- Turn on the TV
- Launch Netflix
- Dim lights to 15%
- Set room temperature to 21 °C
- Close smart blinds
This creates a complete experience with one button press.
Use TV Activity in Automations
If playback starts after sunset:
- Dim ambient lights
- Reduce hallway brightness
- Silence notification speakers
If playback stops:
- Restore normal lighting
Example Automation: Movie Mode
Here is a practical automation that automatically activates movie mode when Netflix starts.
This example:
- Detects when Netflix launches
- Dims living room lights
- Sets room temperature to 21 °C
- Reduces unnecessary power usage
automation:
- alias: "Movie Mode with Android TV"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
attribute: app_id
to: "com.netflix.ninja"
action:
- service: light.turn_on
target:
entity_id: light.living_room
data:
brightness_pct: 15
- service: climate.set_temperature
target:
entity_id: climate.living_room
data:
temperature: 21
- service: switch.turn_off
target:
entity_id: switch.coffee_machineWhen Netflix starts, the room transforms automatically into cinema mode.
This is a great example of how the Android TV integration connects entertainment with broader home automation.
Energy-Saving Automation Example
The integration can also help reduce energy consumption.
If the TV has been idle for 30 minutes, Home Assistant can switch off connected devices.
automation:
- alias: "Turn Off AV Equipment"
trigger:
- platform: state
entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
to: "idle"
for:
minutes: 30
action:
- service: switch.turn_off
target:
entity_id:
- switch.soundbar
- switch.subwooferIf your sound system uses around 0.08 kWh per day while idle, automating shutdown can save noticeable energy over a year.
Limitations to Be Aware Of
Although excellent, the integration does have a few limitations.
Device Compatibility
Not all Android TV implementations behave identically.
Manufacturers sometimes customise Android TV, which can affect:
- App reporting
- Wake-on-LAN behaviour
- Remote responsiveness
Wake Functionality
Some devices may not wake properly over the network.
If this happens, a smart plug or HDMI-CEC workaround may help.
App IDs Can Differ
If you want automations based on apps, you may need to identify the exact app ID for your device.
Developer tools in Home Assistant make this easy to inspect.
Final Thoughts
The Android TV Remote integration is one of those Home Assistant integrations that delivers immediate value with very little effort.
Setup is simple, pairing takes only a minute, and the automation possibilities are extensive.
Whether you want:
- Better dashboard control
- Smart lighting reactions
- Energy-saving automations
- A fully automated movie night experience
this integration makes your television an active part of your smart home ecosystem.
If you have an Android TV or Google TV device, this is definitely an integration worth adding.
It is quick to install, highly practical, and opens the door to some genuinely useful smart home automations.
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