couch-tv GitHub, 563 stars

Set it up from your phone

Before you start

  • You get Couch TV on the TV, and your phone as its remote.
  • You need the TV remote and your phone, on the same Wi-Fi. No computer.
  • Fully works on Android TV 10 and newer. On Google TV and Fire TV, Home still opens the TV’s own home this way. For that, use AI or the Setup app.
  • Samsung, LG and other TVs can’t use this way. Use AI.

  1. Step 1. On the TV, install Downloader from the Play Store

    The Play Store search results on a TV, with the orange Downloader by AFTVnews picked
    More help

    Search for Downloader and pick the orange one, by AFTVnews. It's free. In our test it took 22 seconds.

  2. Step 2. Open Downloader, type this code, press Load

    8180170The Downloader code

    Downloader on a TV with the code typed in and the Load button
    More help

    Some versions of Downloader say Go instead of Load.

    Or type the short link instead: couchtv.sites.underseage.studio/get

  3. Step 3. Allow Downloader, then press Install

    The TV's install unknown apps list with Downloader switched to Allowed
    More help

    The TV asks to let Downloader install apps. Allow it, then press Install. Couch TV installed in about 8 seconds in our test.

    If Back takes you to the Play Store instead of the installer, open Downloader and type the code again.

  4. Step 4. Open Couch TV. Type its phone code on your phone

    The Couch TV app on a TV showing the address and the phone code, and a phone typing that code
    More help

    Open Couch TV from the TV's apps. On your phone, open the address it shows (it looks like http://192.0.2.10:5400) and type the 6 digit code.

    The phone page asking for the 6 digit code shown on the TV

    A code lasts 3 minutes. Tap Show a code on the TV for a new one. Add the page to your phone's home screen: that's your remote.

    Your phone can now open apps and put on a show by name. Steps 5 and 6 add the arrows, typing and "what's playing".

  5. Step 5. Settings, System, About: press Build seven times

    For the full phone remote
    The TV's About screen saying You are now a developer
    More help

    Android TV 9 to 11: Settings, Device Preferences, About. Keep pressing Build (or Android TV OS build) until it says you are a developer.

  6. Step 6. Turn on Wireless debugging and pair it on your phone

    For the full phone remote
    Developer options on the TV, with Revoke USB debugging authorizations marked: never press OK on this one

    Never press OK on Revoke USB debugging authorizations.

    More help
    1. Settings, System, Developer options, Wireless debugging: switch it on and tick Always allow on this network.
    2. Choose Pair device with pairing code and leave that screen open.
    3. On your phone, open the same address with /setup on the end and type that code. It says connected (wireless debugging).
    The phone setup page with the pairing steps and a box for the pairing code

    Wireless debugging needs Android 11 or newer and the TV on Wi-Fi, not a cable. On an older TV, switch on Network debugging, press Connect ADB in Couch TV, tick Always allow and press Allow.

    Some TVs have neither (an Android TV 11 Toshiba in our test). There the phone opens apps but cannot press keys, and the full remote needs a computer at home: set it up with AI.

  7. Step 7. In Couch TV, press Use as home screen. Choose Couch TV

    The TV asking which app to use as home, with Couch TV picked
    More help

    On Android TV 10 or newer, Android asks: choose Couch TV and press Always (or Set as default). If Home still opens the TV's own home, press Home button watch and switch on Couch TV home watch.

    Google TV is different. Google's home keeps the Home button, so open Couch TV from your apps row, or let a computer take the Home button once (with AI or the Setup app). Never switch off or uninstall the TV's own home.

Fire TV stick

The same app runs on Fire OS, but taking the Home button back needs three one off grants from a computer, and Amazon's home flashes up first. Vega OS sticks can't install apps, so they get the Beta with a computer at home.

Fire TV Stick steps

The phone page won't load

Phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi. If the router gives the TV a new address, open Couch TV to see it. An iPhone asks for Local Network access once: allow it.

Changed your mind later? Remove it in a minute. Nothing on the TV is deleted.