A useful perk has been included in the latest Android update for Google TV that should make it easier to find missing remotes. Android Authority reports that the beta release for Android 14 for TV — announced during last week’s Google I/O conference — contains references to a new “find my remote” feature.
One text string found within the update reads as follows:
There is a button on your Google TV that you can push to play a sound on your remote for 30 seconds. This only works with supported Google TV remote controls. To stop the sound, press any button on your remote.
AFTVNews found the same message is displayed on the Onn Google TV 4K Pro streaming box that Walmart released earlier this month with support for the new find my remote feature. It also shows a toggle to enable or disable it, and a button to test the sound.
The remote-finding feature can be triggered by pressing a button on the front of the Onn streaming box, according to AFTVNews, which then causes the bundled remote to beep and flash a small LED light if it’s within 30 feet of the streaming box.
Seeing support for find my remote in Android 14 suggests it isn’t a Walmart exclusive and will be coming to other Google TV devices. Obviously, older Google TV remotes that lack a built-in speaker won’t be able to support the feature even when connected to Google TV devices updated to Android 14.
We have asked Google to clarify when the Android 14 for TV update will be generally available and what devices will be supported.