Want to master your smart TV? Here are 5 Google TV features you probably don’t use but definitely should

Google TV Gemini upgrades — (Image credit: Google)

Google TV is one of the most popular streaming platforms available today. Not only are there several Google TV-based streaming devices to pick and choose from, many of the best TVs you can buy come with Google’s software suite baked right in, too.

Google TV is known for its robust app support and its relatively easy-to-use interface. That said, it doesn't put many of its handiest features right up front for all to see.

Whether you’ve specifically chosen Google TV or you’re using it out of convenience, there are a handful of lesser-known settings and features that you ought to be aware of if you’re interested in making the most out of your streaming experience.

1. Enable apps-only mode for a streamlined home screen

Google App-only mode page — (Image credit: Future)

Like all streaming platforms, Google TV is constantly bombarding the user with recommendations for what to watch. If you’d rather have a home screen free of the visual clutter that comes with this content, you might be interested in Google TV’s apps-only mode.

As the name implies, apps-only mode strips away nearly everything from your home screen except your chosen apps. It’s not difficult to access, either.

From the profile selection screen, select Manage accounts. From here, select the profile you’d like to edit.

Scroll down to the Apps only mode toggle and enable it. Afterwards, there will still be a large banner ad on the Google TV home screen, but the rest of the content on the screen will be your chosen collection of apps.

2. Personalize your home screen

A TCL QM8L TV on a desk — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you’d rather not strip away all of Google TV’s recommended content, why not tailor the platform’s suggestions to your preferences?

Navigate to the Manage accounts page from the profile selection screen, then scroll down and select Your services. This allows you to pick and choose which streaming services are included in your recommendations.

With only your chosen services piping-in suggestions on what to watch, your Google TV home screen is less cluttered with unwanted content. It's a nice middle ground for folks who'd rather not do away with recommendations entirely.

3. Unlock Ambient mode to showcase artwork and photos

Need a break from streaming? Google TV comes with a nifty feature that turns your TV into a gallery of artwork or personal photos.

Access the General settings menu and scroll down to System. From the System submenu, select Ambient mode.

From here, you'll have the option of choosing Start now or Ambient mode Settings. Within settings, you can pick and choose from several sources which images are shown. This includes curated works of art as well as your own personal photos.

4. Ping your lost Google TV remote

Google TV Streamer in front of TV — (Image credit: Future)

If you own a Google TV streamer with a dedicated remote control, you've got access to a handy feature that'll help you find it when it inevitably falls between the couch cushions.

From the Settings menu, scroll down and select Remotes & Accessories. This will open a menu of connected accessories, including the Google TV voice remote.

Select Find my remote. Your Google TV streamer's remote control should emit a loud noise.

5. Enable basic mode to simulate the ‘dumb TV’ experience

A TV on a media console displaying the Google TV home screen when the software is in Basic Mode. There are no apps or advertisements on the screen, just various, selectable inputs. — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you encounter Google TV by way of a smart TV and you'd rather exchange it for a non-smart experience, consider Google TV's basic mode. This will eliminate everything from apps to advertisements, leaving only the devices you've connected to your TV.

To access this mode, you'll need to run Google TV's initial setup process. This means performing a factory reset. Be forewarned: Performing a factory reset will erase all of your personal data, including apps, login information and any changes you've made to the TV's settings.

To do this, open the Settings menu, select the All Settings option, scroll down to the System submenu and select About. From here, you will be prompted to either accept or cancel your decision.

During the Google TV setup (and after you've selected your preferred language and region), you will be given two options: Set up Google TV and Set up basic TV. Choose the latter.

In basic mode, Google TV will be limited to live TV and any external devices. This includes streaming boxes or streaming sticks, gaming consoles, cable boxes and indoor antennas. It's certainly not for everyone, but if you're looking for a stripped-down TV experience, basic mode is worth checking out.

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Michael Desjardin is a Senior Editor for TVs at Tom's Guide. He's been testing and tinkering with TVs professionally for over a decade, previously for Reviewed and USA Today. Michael graduated from Emerson College where he studied media production and screenwriting. He loves cooking, zoning out to ambient music, and getting way too invested in the Red Sox. He considers himself living proof that TV doesn't necessarily rot your brain.