Problem
While working on an application for Android TV devices I realized the buttons on the remotes varies between devices. For example; some remotes include a “mute” button while others don’t. The Android Studio d-pad simulator for the emulator also doesn’t include this button (and in some cases the buttons register as UNKNOWN). How am I supposed to verify my application works correctly for all buttons?

Solution
You can simulate remote control actions even if you don’t have a physical remote. You need to have the device successfully connected via ADB to continue. While your device is connected you can send simulated remote control input using the following command:

$ adb shell input keyevent [keycode]

Alternatively you can shell into the device using adb shell and enter shorter commands: input keyevent [keycode].

KeyCodes
[keycode] represents the button you’re trying to simulate. The KeyCodes are defined in android.view.KeyEvent.java. See the KeyEvent.java documentation for the full list of available inputs.

Examples
Here’s a few examples of common inputs I used for Android TV:

# KEYCODE_DPAD_UP
$ adb shell input keyevent 19
 
# KEYCODE_DPAD_DOWN
$ adb shell input keyevent 20
 
# KEYCODE_DPAD_LEFT
$ adb shell input keyevent 21
 
# KEYCODE_DPAD_RIGHT
$ adb shell input keyevent 22
 
# KEYCODE_MEDIA_PLAY_PAUSE
$ adb shell input keyevent 85
 
# KEYCODE_MEDIA_FAST_FORWARD
$ adb shell input keyevent 90
 
# KEYCODE_MEDIA_REWIND
$ adb shell input keyevent 89
 
# KEYCODE_MUTE
$ adb shell input keyevent 91