What the Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue Buttons on Your TV Remote Are For

Almost all TV remote controls have red, green, yellow, and blue buttons. However, most people are unaware of what these four colored buttons do.

You've probably noticed that almost every remote, regardless of brand, has these four colored buttons, always arranged in the same order: red, green, yellow, and blue. Unlike the buttons for volume control, changing channels, or accessing streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, it's likely that you've never used them. And for good reason—like most people, you probably don't know what they do.

Whether they're located at the bottom, top, or middle of the remote, these mysterious buttons aren't just there for decoration. While they might seem like an aesthetic touch or a random feature, they actually have specific functions, and you may need to use them at some point.

Originally, these buttons were inherited from the teletext era, where they were used to navigate between pages of a program. They've retained some functionality related to text input, such as when entering a Wi-Fi password to connect your TV to the internet. Most often (though this can vary by manufacturer), the red button switches between uppercase and lowercase letters, the green button deletes the last letter, the yellow button changes the input language, and the blue button toggles between letters, numbers, and symbols. But that's not all—they have other uses when you're watching TV, too. Most of the time, your TV will display the color and its corresponding function at the bottom of the screen.

• Red Button: Often tied to interactive features or direct access to online services. Depending on the channel and context, it can provide information about the current broadcast, from program details to extra content like weather updates, sports results, or even live polls.

• Green Button: Typically linked to electronic program guides (EPGs). Pressing this button lets you quickly see upcoming or currently airing shows.

• Yellow Button: Usually provides access to additional options or contextual features. For example, during a sports broadcast, pressing the yellow button might bring up detailed statistics for the game.

• Blue Button: Often used for messaging services or social features. On connected TVs, this button can open communication channels, allowing you to share TV moments with friends or join online discussions about the show you're watching.