Wondering how to setup Firestick without remote? Well, there are a few workarounds that would allow users to set up their Firestick with no remote, only their smartphones!
In order to set up a Firestick without the remote, we need to download the Fire TV app on our mobile and connect to the same WiFi as the Firestick.
In case the Firestick hasn’t been set up before, enable the HDMI-CEC option on your TV to use the television remote!
Let’s answer the most important question first!
Can You Setup a Firestick Without a Remote?
Yes, it is entirely possible to set up a Firestick without a remote.
There are a few general methods to achieve this goal but the main requirement is for the Firestick to be connected to the WiFi as your smartphone.
Well, for some users this is the breaking point.
The Solution? – HDMI-CEC
- Control your Firestick via your television remote!
This is only possible by enabling the HDMI-CEC feature, allowing you to interact with the Firestick, using your TV remote. Said simply, you don’t need the Firestick (Alexa) remote.
How to Enable HDMI-CEC?
The HDMI-CEC feature is typically located in Settings > System of your TV.
When this feature is set to “ON”, you should go to the TV Sources, and tap on “HDMI-CEC Firestick”.
Info: When ready, you should be able to scroll through the menus of your Firestick to connect the device to the same WiFi as your smartphone.
Then proceed with the steps below!
How to Setup Firestick Without Remote – Easy Steps!
Alert: The mobile device and Firestick must be connected to the same WiFi.
1. Download the Amazon Fire TV App!
The very first and most important step is to download the Amazon Fire TV App on our mobile device, available in both Google Play Store and the (iOS) App Store.
Info: The Amazon Fire TV app would work on any smart device such as a tablet, iPod, Apple computer, and more.
2. Sign in to the Amazon Fire TV App
When the Amazon Fire TV app is installed on your device, you’re ready to sign in, using the credentials associated with the Amazon account.
It’s recommended to sign in with the same Amazon account as you’re logged into on the Firestick.
When you’ve inputted the credentials, tap on the Sign in button to proceed with discovering and setting up your Firestick without a remote.
3. Set Up a New Device!
When you’re signed into your account, tap on the “Set Up New Device” button at the bottom of the main page of the app.
Then the application would start searching for a Firestick or FireTV connected to your local network and shortly enough your device should be discovered.
Be patient even if the process takes longer than expected, if your Firestick is connected to the same WiFi, this would work.
Tip: If you don’t recognize the name of your Firestick, change the device’s name in the Alexa application.
4. Enter the Firestick’s PIN
After searching for the Firestick and selecting the device in the Amazon Fire TV app, you should see a big PIN code on the Firestick’s TV screen.
Then you need to input that very code into the prompt in the Amazon Fire TV app, in order to gain access to the Firestick’s functionality.
5. Setup your Firestick Without a Remote
Now when you’re finally connected to the Firestick you would be able to use the digital remote to navigate through the device’s settings.
To open the digital remote, go to the main page of the Fire TV app and tap on your connected Firestick on the bottom, and test operating the device!
Note: The digital remote would work as long as both your mobile device and Firestick are connected to the same WiFi.
Firestick Initial Setup Without Remote?
Well, when our Firestick hasn’t been set up previously and it’s brand new out of the box, it could be quite challenging to control without a remote.
This is due to the main requirement that both your Fire TV app device and Firestick have to be connected to the same WiFi network.
However, there is an easy workaround for this, which involves your main smartphone as well as another, secondary smartphone or tablet.
This process also requires your main smartphone to share cellular WiFi (mobile data hotspot) in order to connect the Firestick to the same WiFi.
No Remote? – No Problem!
- Share mobile data hotspot from your main smartphone.
- Connect a secondary smart device to the hotspot.
- Install the Fire TV app on your secondary device.
- Open the app and sign into your Amazon profile.
- Connect your Firestick to the TV and into the power.
- Use the digital remote to control your Firestick.
- Go into Settings > Network and connect to any WiFi.
Tip: In case you’ve changed routers and the Firestick is stuck in a loop attempting to connect to the old WiFi, simply set the SSID and password of the hotspot the same as your old WiFi.
More Ways to Use Firestick Without Remote!
The previous part of this guide explained how to connect Firestick to WiFi without a remote so you can use the FireTV app to operate the device.
When you’re ready, you should know that there are even more ways to control the Firestick without a remote so let’s unwrap them!
Use the Alexa App or Amazon Echo:
In order to utilize vocal commands and control your Firesick without a remote, feel free to download the Alexa app and pair your FireTV or Echo device.
Then you’ll be able to use the Alexa on your phone or the Echo speaker to control your Firestick via vocal commands such as:
- “Alexa, open Netflix on my FireTV”
- “Alexa, play (title) on YouTube”
- “Alex, open Amazon Silk and search for (…)”
- “Alexa, play Stranger Things episode 3 on Netflix”
Use OTG Cable and Connect a Mouse!
In case you can’t connect your Firestick to WiFi, hence the Fire TV app does not work, you should know that you can connect a USB mouse to your Firestick.
Well, not directly, but if you’ve got an OTG Cable you can achieve this kind of setup easily.
The OTG Cable plugs into the power port of your Firestick (MicroUSB), then the cable has two ends – a female USB port and a microUSB extension for the power adapter.
Hence, this way you will acquire a USB port to connect your USB mouse and control your Firestick without a remote.
Tip: You can also connect a wireless, combined keyboard + touchpad to be able to also type fast and control Firestick without a remote!
Use a Remote Access to Set up Firestick!
For those of you with a desktop computer or a laptop available, there is a simple way to control your Firestick remotely.
First, we’re going to need to download the “Downloader” app from the Amazon content store, in order to be able to download and install .apk, hence any Android app.
Important: You need to enable “Apps from Unknown Sources” on your Firestick!
- Go into your Firestick Settings > My Fire TV
- Navigate to the About Page and enter the tab.
- Highlight your Fire TV or stick, and press OK 7 x times.
- This will enable the Developer’s Options on your Firestick.
- Then go back and enter the Developer’s Options tab.
- Enable the “Apps from Unknown Sources” option.
- Open the Amazon content store and download “Downloader”.
- In the downloader, insert the following link:
Tap on the Download APK Button and the AnyDesk (remote access app) will be installed on your Firestick.
Then install the mobile app or desktop Anydesk software in order to connect to the Firestick via the provided IP Address and control the device remotely from anywhere.
Info: The best thing about using a remote access app is that your Firestick does not have to be connected to the same WiFi as your smartphone.
Hence, you can control your Firestick via your mobile or computer from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
Quick Recap:
We have now learned how to setup Firestick without remote even when the device was not set up previously, thus not connected to WiFi.
When not connected to WiFi, we can either use the TV remote by enabling the HDMI-CEC or using an OTG cable to connect a USB mouse.
Read Next: Do I Need a VPN for Firestick? Complete Guide!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.