Fire TV Remote App is Amazon’s own remote application for controlling your Firestick device. It is available for download on your smartphone’s store, and all you have to do is search. It works exactly like the normal Firestick remote control, albeit with a few extra features.
“It’s probably under the couch”, that’s the usual response you’d get if you ever lost ANY remote including Fire TV Stick remote. If you’ve already looked everywhere and still can’t find the lost Firestick remote, don’t worry not all hope is lost. There are still some ways that can help you use the Fire TV Stick even without the physical remote. I have made a list of all the possible situations where you can use your Fire TV Stick even after losing the FireStick remote. Let’s get started.
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Understanding the Problem
Fire TV Stick works on a Wi-Fi connection and when you set up the device for the first time, you use the remote to navigate the interface to save the WiFi credentials on the device. However, when you lose your remote, the Fire TV Stick would still power on and connect to Wi-Fi. But due to the lack of a remote, you can’t do anything.
This situation worsens if you move away from the range of your default WiFi which can happen if you take the FireStick someplace with you and forget the remote at home or lose it altogether. I tried to fix this problem and listed 5 ways to use your FireStick without the Fire TV Stick remote.
How to Navigate and Control the FireStick without the Remote
1. When the Firestick remote is lost within the house
For those who don’t know, you can use your smartphone to navigate and control the FireStick. If you’re connected to the same network your firestick is connected to, you can just log in to the app and start using your phone as a fully functional remote.
First, install the Fire TV app from the Play Store or the App Store. After installing the app, launch it from the app drawer. Now, if you’re on the same network, your firestick should pop up automatically on the app without even needing to log in. After you tap on the Fire TV Stick on your phone, it’ll prompt you to enter a 4 digit PIN on the app.
The code will be displayed on the TV, enter the code to connect the Fire TV remote app to your FireStick.
Now, Everything is set up, your app would look something like the image below. This is the digital remote for the FireStick and you can swipe on the empty area to simulate arrow keys and tap the empty space to Press OK. You can go to Settings, use Alexa, type URLs with the smartphone keyboard, etc, with the remote app.
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The app is a decent alternative to the traditional remote and you can use it whenever you can’t find your remote or are too lazy to get up and fetch it.
Read: FireStick 4K mirroring not working? Here’s how to fix it
2. When you lose the Firestick remote away from home
Connecting the smartphone app with the Fire TV Stick was easy because it was connected to your Home Wi-Fi. However, if you’re away from home and forgot the remote then it would take some more work to get it working.
You would need two smartphones; one to act as the remote for the FireStick and we’ll need the other smartphone which can create a WiFi hotspot. Unfortunately, iPhone’s hotspot name cannot be changed, so I’d suggest you either use a Mac computer, a Windows computer, or an Android smartphone with a working internet connection.
Just like we did before, install the Fire TV app on your smartphone, log in with your Amazon credentials, and keep it aside. This next part is crucial to make the whole process work. We’re going to create a Wi-Fi hotspot with the same credentials as your home Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi name and password are both case-sensitive so create a hotspot keeping that in mind.
Create a new hotspot with the same name and password that your firestick was previously connected to. After you do this, connect the Fire TV Stick to the TV and power it on. It should automatically connect to the Wifi hotspot you just created. Connect the other smartphone to the same Wifi network.
That’s it, your Fire TV Stick should automatically pop up on the Fire TV remote via the hotspot you just created. However, you can change the WiFi now if you’re planning on using the FireStick at the new place.
Go to Settings on the Fire TV Stick > scroll to Network > select the Wifi Network > enter the password.
3. Use the previous-gen Firestick remote
Amazon Fire TV Stick is backward compatible which means you can just grab an old Fire TV Stick’s remote and use it as your default. The previous-gen remote lacks a few buttons, namely volume, mute, and power buttons. So if you’re going to use the previous-gen remote on the 4K Firestick then you’ll miss out on those buttons. Other than that, it would work the same.
There are plenty of hidden key combinations that you can press on the Firestick remote including resetting the remote. To pair the previous-gen remote with the newer FireStick, just press and hold the Home, back, and left arrow key buttons at the same time for ten seconds, and then restart your FireStick. The new (technically older) remote will pair automatically after you reboot.
4. Use your TV’s remote to control FireStick
Most Smart TV’s come equipped with HDMI-CEC or Consumer Electronics Control. It essentially is an interface that lets you control electronics devices connected to your TV via HDMI using the TV’s remote. It is an incredibly useful feature for times when you don’t want to use multiple remotes or lose one.
Most TVs have the feature turned ON by default but just to be safe, we’ll check before proceeding. Now, every TV manufacturer brands this feature differently so you may have to find out what it’s called. For example, LG calls it SimpLink, Philips calls it EasyLink, Hitachi calls it HDMI-CEC, Sony calls it Bravia Sync, etc. Look for the HDMI CEC option in the TV settings and turn it on. Now, you can just use the arrow keys on the TV to navigate the Firestick. However, every TV manufacturer tweaks the technology and implements it in their own way so the experience may vary and some features may not work.
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5. Use a Keyboard or a mouse with the FireStick
The above methods are sufficient to offer full functionality when you lose the remote but if you want to browse the internet on a sideloaded Firestick apps such as a web browser, the FireStick remote doesn’t come even close to the features of a full-sized keyboard. You can connect an external mouse or a keyboard using a micro USB splitter from Amazon.
Closing Words
These were some ways that you can try when you lose your Fire TV Stick remote. The official app is the go-to solution when you lose the remote within the house premises. But it doesn’t work if you’re away from your home. You can easily change the Wi-Fi by following the above methods and make the device work even without the remote. Well, if none of the above methods work for you then the only option left is to buy a replacement from Amazon for $29.
What do you think about these methods, if you have any tricks let me know in the comments below?
Also Read: How to Use Firestick with Monitors without HDMI Port?
Amazon Fire TV Stick is a nifty one-stop solution to access most streaming services via a single interface. All devices including streaming sticks (old or new) are prone to various issues. It is quite possible that the Amazon Fire TV Stick is giving you nightmares and that’s why you are here. Don't worry. You are not alone.
Like any other device, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is sensitive to malfunctions such as black screen, stuck at one app, random apps opening or occasional hangs. These issues usually go away with a factory reset.
But how does one reset the Fire TV Stick? That’s what we will tell you here. Whether you have the Alexa Voice Remote remote or not, you can reset it using the following methods.
Let’s get started.
What Happens When You Factory Reset Your Echo
Performing a factory reset of your Fire TV Stick will deregister your Amazon account from it and make it look like a newly purchased one. You will have to start afresh that includes pairing your remote, connecting to your Wi-Fi, adding Amazon credentials, downloading apps, and similar things.
Now that you know what the happens after you perform a factory reset, here are five ways to do it.
Factory Reset Fire TV Stick Using Remote
If you have access to the Stick’s remote, you can reset it in the following ways.
1. From Settings on TV
For that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Power on your TV and connect your Fire TV Stick to it.
Step 2: Once the Fire TV Stick is up and running, use the navigation buttons on your remote to navigate to Settings at the top. Select it.
Step 3: Again using the navigation buttons, scroll to the right and select My Fire TV.
Step 4: Scroll down and select Reset to Factory Defaults.
Note: If your Fire TV Stick has a pin code, you will be prompted to enter it here. Enter the correct pin to proceed.Step 5: A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm your decision of resetting the Stick. Select Reset.
The system will then start the reset process, and that will take around 5-8 minutes. You will then have to set up the Stick.
Online Amazon Fire Stick Remote
Note: Do not turn off your TV or remove Fire TV Stick while it’s resetting.Also on Guiding Tech
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Read More2. Using Remote Buttons
Sometimes the Settings screen isn’t accessible due to a frozen system or black screen. In such situations, you can use your Stick’s remote to reset it to factory settings.
Note: The remote must be paired to your Fire TV Stick for this method. If you are using a new remote, restart Fire TV Stick and pair the remote by holding the home button for at least 20 seconds.To reset it, press and hold the right and back buttons of your remote at the same time for at least 10 seconds or more. This will initiate the reset process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Pro Tip:
You can also soft reset or restart your Fire TV Stick using the remote buttons. Press and hold the play and select the button to do that.3. Use Another Remote
If your friend or a family member has the same Fire TV Stick as yours, you can borrow their remote and pair it with your Fire TV Stick. Once paired, use it to navigate and reset your Fire TV Stick as you did in the first method.
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#How-to/Guides
Click here to see our How-to/Guides articles pageFactory Reset Fire TV Stick Without Remote
If you have lost your remote or it’s not working, you can use these methods to reset your Fire TV Stick.
4. Using the Fire TV App
Amazon has Fire TV apps for both Android and iOS devices that let you control the Fire TV Stick’s navigation on your TV.
Amazon Fire Stick Remote App Mac 10
Download Fire TV App on AndroidDownload Fire TV App on iOSAll you need to do is download the app on your Android or iPhone, and connect to the same Wi-Fi network as of Fire TV Stick and it will show up in the app. Tap on it. A four-digit code will appear on the TV screen. Enter that into the app and then use the app to control the Stick's navigation. Then go to Settings > System > Reset to Factory Reset as you did in the first method.
5. Use Your TV Remote
With HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) technology, you can use your TV’s remote to control your Fire TV Stick. For that, you need to enable the CEC setting in your TV. The setting name and location may vary from TV to TV.
Worst Case Scenario: Reset Fire TV Stick Without Wi-Fi and Remote
In the above methods, either you need access to a remote, or you should be on the same Wi-Fi to use the app. But what if you have forgotten your remote at home, your TV doesn’t support CEC, and you have a different Wi-Fi connection for your app?
In such dreadful circumstances, you need to fool the Fire TV Stick into believing that you are on the old Wi-Fi network. For that, either change your router’s name and password to the last Wi-Fi network the Fire TV Sick was using or create a hotspot connection from your mobile with the same name and password as your previous Wi-Fi.
This will connect your Fire TV Stick and your phone to the same Wi-Fi. You can then use the Fire TV app on your phone to navigate the controls and finally reset the Fire TV Stick.
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We hope you were able to reset your Fire TV Stick using the above methods. Once you reset it, you will have to pair your remote again to start using the Fire TV Stick.
Sometimes, the pairing doesn't go smoothly. For that, first, try replacing the battery on your remote and then hold the home button for at least 30 seconds to pair it. It takes a lot of time, but you'll pair them successfully in one or two attempts. Best of luck!
Next up: Wondering what to watch on Amazon Prime? Check out these 7 classic shows on Prime Video that you must watch.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next7 Classic Series on Amazon Prime That You Can Watch AgainAlso See#amazon fire tv #streaming
Did You Know
The 1st generation Amazon Fire TV was unveiled on April 2, 2014.