Use Amazon Fire TV Stick without remote control - how it works

If you no longer have the original remote control for your Amazon Fire TV Stick, there are various ways of using the device without a remote control. In this practical tip we will show you the alternatives.

Amazon Fire TV Stick: Use the phone as a remote control

Amazon has released an official app that turns your smartphone into a remote control for your FireTV Stick. The "Amazon Fire TV Remote Control" app offers the following functions:

• Keyboard: If you are looking for something with the original remote control, it can take a long time using the navigation key . The app provides you with a keyboard with which you can simply enter the terms and thus get your search result faster.
• Voice search: The newer remote controls for Fire TVs are equipped with an Alexa voice search and thus have a microphone integrated. The app allows the same function by pulling down the microphone symbol on your display.
• Quick access: In the app overview you can see a list of all installed and purchased apps that you can start with a tap.
• Attention : The app is not suitable for setting up the Fire TV Stick for the first time, since your Fire TV must be connected to the same WiFi or logged into Amazon with the same account as the app. The setup is therefore only possible with the conventional remote control.
• Conclusion: The app is a good remote control that is quickly connected to your Fire TV Stick and thus takes over and extends the functions of the original remote control. The app can be set up quickly via WiFi or by logging in with your Amazon login data.

Navigate with a keyboard

Alternatively, you can easily operate your Fire TV Stick with a USB keyboard. Choose a wireless USB keyboard for even more convenience.

• Simple operation: With a correct keyboard you can usually work faster than with the supplied remote control. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the menus, for example to use the keyboard to search for titles.
• Touchpad: If you have a keyboard with an integrated touchpad, it can help you with certain apps. You can use a mouse in various browsers for the Fire TV or in the Kodi app to navigate and thus work faster.
• Connection : To be able to connect a USB keyboard, you either need an older Fire TV device like the second generation, or you use an OTG adapter to connect a USB stick.
• Conclusion: A keyboard is a good addition and can be used as an alternative to the remote control. The device can also be set up in this way.

How to operate your Fire TV with PS3 controller can be read in another article.