This API server receives commands and send signals to the specified Android TV box as a remote control.

Although it is known to be much faster than Android Debug Bridge method (ADB), not all TV boxes are compatible.

Step 1: Create Python 3 virtual environment (venv), install all required packages, and activate (venv).

It's a good practice to run as separate, new user.

sudo adduser androidtvcontroller

Store all files in /home/androidtvcontroller/.

Step 2: Generate certificate.

python3 certificate_generator.py

Step 3: Deploy the server

Take a look at configs/server.json. if isDeployed is false, the app will run in debug mode at 127.0.0.1. Unless there's something wrong, you should just ignore it. You may need to update boxIp value also.

Create /etc/systemd/system/androidtvcontroller.service with Nano or any other text editor:

[Unit]
Description=Android TV Controller
After=network.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/bin/bash /home/androidtvcontroller/startup.sh
WorkingDirectory=/home/androidtvcontroller
StandardOutput=inherit
StandardError=inherit
User=androidtvcontroller

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Now, enable and run the service!

sudo systemctl enable androidtvcontroller
sudo systemctl start androidtvcontroller

That will run the API server. Here are all the paths:

• /signal [GET]: Receive command to signal the box.
  • Example: /signal?key=h : Return to Android TV Home.
• /startpairing [GET]: Start the pairing procedure. The PIN code will appear on TV.
• /pairing [GET]: Finish pairing. The server needs to receive the PIN code.
  • Example: /pairing?secret=25T3

NOTE: There's no way to create certificate via API request for now. Thus, you must deploy the *.pem files created at step 2 along with the Python codes.

Step 4: Combine with other apps (optional)

Home Assistant: Use shell Command in configuration.yaml.

shell_command:
    box_home: curl --location --request GET 'https://0.0.0.0:5011/signal?key=h'
    box_back: curl --location --request GET 'https://0.0.0.0:5011/signal?key=b'
    box_startpairing: curl --location --request GET 'https://0.0.0.0:5011/startpairing'
    box_pairing: curl --location --request GET https://0.0.0.0:5011/pairing?secret={{states('input_text.box_secret')}}
    ...

The project uses work from farshid616's Android-TV-Remote-Controller-Python.