Youtube app launcher not working (netflix, disney-plus, prime-video do work)

[mhgoedings]

Describe the bug

I have configured my Sony Bravia TV with following settings:

type: custom:firemote-card
entity: media_player.android_tv_192_168_178_172
device_family: chromecast
device_type: chromecast-hd
compatibility_mode: default
android_tv_remote_entity: remote.woonkamer
defaultRemoteStyle_override: AF6
app_launch_1: youtube
app_launch_4: prime-video

All buttons are working (vol, channel, settings etc) ... except for the app_launch of youtube. I have tried to make youtube app_launch_2 but this does solve the issue

To Reproduce

Use the same config and simply press youtube launcher

Expected Behavior

simply launch the youtube app

Which Type of Device Do You Own?

Sony Bravia TV

Troubleshooting Steps Completed

No response

Additional context

No response

[PRProd]

Greetings @mhgoedings!

The Sony Bravia TV is not officially supported, but I think we can still get this to work properly for you. I suspect that your TV is using a version of the YouTube app that is different from the one that native Chromecast devices use, which is why it won't launch when it is sent the Chromecast command. We will need to find out what command your TV needs.

First, open the YouTube app on your TV and leave it open. Then, please follow the instructions listed here and reply with your results. Those results will let me know how to help you.

[mhgoedings]

Hi PRProd, thanks for your reply. I am travelling at the moment but for sure will give this a try and reply with the results.

[mhgoedings]

Hi PRProd, here are the results:

mSurface=Surface(name=com.google.android.youtube.tv/com.google.android.apps.youtube.tv.activity.MainActivity)/@0xbad10f6
mSurface=Surface(name=com.android.systemui.ImageWallpaper)/@0xc99db92

[PRProd]

huh.... that's puzzling. Something else must be unique with your TV then.

Can you do one more thing for me? Can you go back into the Developer Tools -> States menu and tell me what your TV shows for these items when your YouTube app is active?

[mhgoedings]

Sure no problem. When looking this up, I noticed that I have multiple mediaplayer entities for the TV and two of them relate to the info you are requesting.

The first one is called "media_player.android_tv_192_168_178_172" and has the adb_response attribute with the value as I provided earlier.

Nr 2 is called "media_player.woonkamer_2". It has no adb_response attribute but does show the youtube app, however with following attributes:
volume_level: 0.08
is_volume_muted: false
app_id: com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx
app_name: com.google.android.apps.tv.dreamx
assumed_state: true
device_class: tv
friendly_name: Woonkamer
supported_features: 22457

Hope this is clear, if not just let me know I will gladly get more info. Thanks so much for your help!

[PRProd]

Ooh! That gives me an idea!

I wonder if the android tv remote entity you have selected is incorrect for your setup. Try this - let's remove the remote entity you have by either the UI or through the YAML and see what happens

or

type: custom:firemote-card
entity: media_player.android_tv_192_168_178_172
device_family: chromecast
device_type: chromecast-hd
compatibility_mode: default
defaultRemoteStyle_override: AF6
app_launch_1: youtube
app_launch_4: prime-video

After saving, try the YouTube app button again to see if it works.

[mhgoedings]

Nope, tried both versions however they do not help.

[PRProd]

Thanks for trying that!

Turn your TV on but do not switch to the YouTube app. Anything other than that is ok (home screen, different app, etc.) and let's try this instead:

1. Click on Developer Tools
2. Click the Services tab
3. In the Service dropdown, select Android Debug Bridge: ADB command
4. Select your media_player.android_tv_192_168_178_172 device as the target
5. Type or copy/paste the command below into the Command section, and click the CALL SERVICE button

adb shell am start -n com.google.android.youtube.tv/com.google.android.apps.youtube.tv.activity.ShellActivity

The expected outcome is that the YouTube app will launch on your TV. Please let me know what happens.

[mhgoedings]

Hi PRProd, yes this works!! YouTube app starts.
Thanks for your patience and looking forward to your next instruction :-)
Regards, Michel

[PRProd]

Thanks for your partnership @mhgoedings!

Firemote version v3.0.6 has just been published, and it should fix the issue that you reported.

Enjoy!

[mhgoedings]

Works like a charm! Well done!