Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV and Fire Stick remote app: what setup it needs
TV Remotely can control Fire TV sticks, cubes and Fire TV Edition televisions that run Fire OS. Amazon does not offer third-party apps a consumer remote-control connection, so the app uses ADB debugging, a developer setting you turn on yourself. That makes Fire TV setup different from the one-tap approval on Samsung or LG.
Fire TV support has not yet been confirmed on every device, so test the controls you need before relying on them.
Which Fire TV devices work?
| Device | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick, Stick 4K, Cube (Fire OS) | Supported once ADB debugging is on and you approve the app. |
| Fire TV Edition and Fire TV smart TVs (Fire OS) | Same setup as a stick. TV volume may depend on the set’s own settings. |
| Amazon devices running Vega OS | Not supported. Vega OS has no ADB debugging, so no third-party remote app can connect this way. |
| TVs with Roku, Google TV or VIDAA | Not Fire TV. Use the Roku, Google TV or Hisense guide. |
To check what your device runs, open Settings → My Fire TV → About. If you cannot find Developer options or ADB debugging anywhere, the device may run Vega OS.
Set up a phone remote for Fire TV
- Turn on ADB debugging under Settings → My Fire TV → Developer options. The ADB debugging guide shows how to reveal Developer options if it is hidden.
- Connect your phone to the same home network as the Fire TV.
- Open TV Remotely and select the Fire TV. Allow local network access if your phone asks.
- Approve the prompt on the TV. It asks whether to allow debugging from this device. You need a working control to select Allow.
- Test Home, the arrows, playback and volume one at a time.
If the Fire TV does not appear, use the TV-not-found checklist or connect by IP address. The IP address is under Settings → My Fire TV → About → Network.
What can TV Remotely do on a Fire TV?
Navigation, Home, Back, playback controls, volume, power and launching installed apps. Typing from your phone is not available on Fire TV, so use the on-screen keyboard for searches and passwords. See phone keyboard support for the platforms that accept text.
Lost your Fire Stick remote?
ADB debugging is off by default, and turning it on needs a working control on the Fire TV. If the remote is already gone and debugging was never enabled, TV Remotely cannot connect yet.
Amazon’s own Fire TV app works without developer settings and may help you reach the menu. Otherwise, pair a replacement or another compatible remote using Amazon’s instructions. Then enable ADB debugging if you want TV Remotely as a backup. Read lost TV remote for the general options.
TV Remotely or Amazon’s Fire TV app?
Amazon’s Fire TV app needs no developer settings and supports Amazon features such as voice search through your Amazon account. TV Remotely is an independent remote that gives you one layout for a Fire TV and the other TVs in your home. If you would rather not turn on ADB debugging, use Amazon’s app.
Is turning on ADB debugging safe?
ADB debugging lets an approved device on your network control the Fire TV and install apps on it. Only approve devices you recognise, keep it on a trusted home network, never forward the ADB port (5555) on your router, and turn the setting off again if you stop using a phone remote. The ADB guide covers this in more detail.
Amazon, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. TV Remotely is not affiliated with Amazon.