If you’re one of the 150+ million Fire TV owners, you need to learn how to setup Fire TV without remote. Yes, Fire TV sticks come with small, sleek, and handy remotes. But, these sleek remotes are highly prone to getting lost, misplaced, or even damaged. That’s why Amazon recommends users learn how to control their fire sticks without remote. So, what do you use instead? Here’s everything you need to know:
Do you have a particular question about easiest ways to setup Fire TV without remote? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
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How to Set Up Amazon Fire Stick Without Remote?
To kickstart the Amazon fire stick set up without remote process, unbox your Fire TV Stick package. Inside there, you’ll find the Stick itself, a power cord, a wall adapter, and an HDMI extender. All Fire TV Stick packages also contain remote controllers and batteries. But, for this guide, we’ll pretend you’re doing this whole thing remote-free.
- Insert the USB micro-cable into the power-adapter
- Make sure the other end of the power cord meets the Stick
- Plug the Fire Stick into the TV’s HDMI port
Change your TV’s input to whichever HDMI port the Stick is plugged into. Make sure that your TV is connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as well. Now, let’s move on to the next phase of the plan.
Amazon Fire Stick Initial Setup Without Remote
Download and install Amazon’s Fire TV app on your iOS or Android phone. Once installed and set up, this app will serve as your virtual remote control. Launch the app; you’ll see a list of multiple TV brands and devices. Select your TV brand and sign in to the app using your Amazon account. As soon as you sign in, you’ll notice a 4-digit code pop-up on your screen.
Pair the app with your Fire Stick by entering this code into your app. Now, your smartphone and TV are in-sync. Select your language, save your Wi-Fi password, opt in/out of parental controls, and then start browsing through all the entertainment apps via your phone (i.e., your virtual remote).
How to Connect Firestick to TV Without Remote?
You cannot configure or turn on Firestick without remote. In other words, if you don’t have a remote for your TV and the TV is turned off, you can’t configure your Fire Stick in any shape or form with your phone. This includes not being able to properly connect and set up your Fire Stick with your TV. You can use the app as a virtual remote only after the Fire Stick is set up.
So, if you’ve lost or misplaced your TV remote and the remote that came in your Amazon Fire TV package, consider buying a third-party remote. There are many cheap universal remotes in the market that can control TVs from all major brands. Fire TV owners are advised to specifically buy remotes that are certified HDMI-CEC standard.
HDMI-CEC, i.e., HDMI Consumer Electronics Control is a universal standard for consumer electronic devices that feature HDMI capabilities. All Fire TVs and most new-age TVs from major brands are certified HDMI-CEC standard devices. However, not all TV brands call their TVs “certified HDMI-CEC.” Instead, they have different names for this feature.
Here’s a list of TV brands and the different names they use to communicate the fact that their TVs are compatible with HDMI-CEC-certified remotes:
- AOC: HDMI-CEC feature is called E-link
- LG: SIMPLINK
- Mitsubishi: Net Command for HDMI
- Sony: BRAVIA Sync
- Pioneer: Kuro Link
- Philips: EasyLink
- Panasonic: HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync, or VIERA Link
- Onkyo: RIHD
- Toshiba: CE-Link or Regza Link
- Sharp: Aquos Link
- Samsung: Anynet+
- Runco International: RuncoLink
Other common TV brands like Hitachi and Vizio call their TVs “HDMI-CEC” or simply “CEC.” If you own a newer generation television from any of these brands, use a third-party HDMI-CEC certified remote to setup Fire TV without remote. Check out this video if you want to know more about the HDMI-CEC standard:
How to Connect Amazon Fire Stick to Wi-Fi Without Remote?
To connect Firestick to Wi-Fi without remote you need to use the virtual remote. To use the Fire TV app on your phone as a virtual remote, both your Fire Stick & your phone need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. In case your Fire Stick connects to another network by default, you won’t be able to use the app as a virtual remote.
Thankfully, there’s a way to hack our way out of this conundrum. To employ this hack, you’ll need two smartphones:
- On one smartphone, set up a wireless hotspot
- Use the same password & SSID that your Fire Stick is connected to by default
- On the second smartphone, download & install the Fire TV app
- Connect the second smartphone to the hotspot on the first smartphone
- Now, the second smartphone and your Fire Stick are on the same network
- Pair your Fire Stick to the TV
Use the second smartphone as the virtual remote to control your Fire Stick. Go to Settings > Network > List of all Available Wi-Fi Networks. Switch over to your home’s Wi-Fi network. Congratulations, you’ve connected your Amazon Fire Stick to Wi-Fi without a remote.
How to Work Firestick Without Remote?
Using the Fire TV app as a virtual remote is super easy. Just use the directional buttons to browse through the device’s interface. Or go to App Remote Settings to disable the “Directional Pad” option and enable the touchpad. You can also add vibrations/haptic feedback to your virtual remote.
Under the navigational buttons or the touchpad, you’ll also get a series of smaller buttons that you can use to rewind, play, pause, & fast-forward the content you’re streaming. Just like the actual Fire TV remote, the virtual app remote also features a voice function. Here’s a helpful video on how to work your Fire Stick via your virtual remote:
How to Turn on Firestick Without Remote?
Use a third-party remote. Although Amazon’s virtual remote is a decent temporary fix, you shouldn’t risk overusing your phone while watching TV. Amazon is a direct seller of third-generation Fire Stick remotes. Get a 3rd-gen remote and pair it with your Fire TV by taking the following steps:
- Unplug the power supply to your Fire Stick
- After 30 seconds, reconnect your Fire Stick
- Turn on your TV
- On the new remote, Press the Select and Home button simultaneously
Hold them down until a notification saying that the remote is connected appears on the screen. Buying a new remote is not the most popular solution. But, in the long run, it’s the best that you can do for your phone and for your TV.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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