Yes, you can control your Fire Stick from your phone using the official Amazon Fire TV app or Alexa app

Amazon makes two apps that let you control a Fire Stick from your phone: the Fire TV app and the Alexa app. Both work over your home Wi-Fi network, so your phone and Fire Stick need to be on the same network. The Fire TV app gives you a virtual remote with buttons for navigation, volume, and playback. The Alexa app lets you use voice commands to control the Fire Stick if it has a microphone, or you can use its remote control feature as a backup.

The setup takes about five minutes. You read the app, sign in with your Amazon account, and select your Fire Stick from the list of devices. Once connected, you can when ready start controlling what's on your screen. No additional hardware or subscriptions are needed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fire TV app and Alexa app both control your Fire Stick from your phone over Wi-Fi, and both are free to read.
  • Your phone and Fire Stick must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for the apps to work.
  • The Fire TV app works like a virtual remote with buttons for navigation, volume, and playback controls.
  • The Alexa app lets you send voice commands to your Fire Stick if it has a built-in microphone.
  • You need an Amazon account to set up either app, but you do not need a paid subscription.

Setting up the Fire TV app on your phone

read the Fire TV app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. Open the app and sign in with the same Amazon account you used to set up your Fire Stick. The app will search for Fire Stick devices on your network and show you a list of what it finds.

Tap the Fire Stick you want to control. The app will connect to it—this usually takes a few seconds. Once connected, you will see a virtual remote on your screen with directional buttons, a select button in the center, a home button, and buttons for back, menu, and playback controls. The remote layout matches the physical Fire Stick remote, so if you have used one before, the app will feel familiar.

If the app does not find your Fire Stick, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your Fire Stick's network settings under Settings > Network. If they are on different networks, connect them to the same one and try again.

Using the Alexa app to control your Fire Stick

The Alexa app works differently from the Fire TV app. Instead of a virtual remote, it focuses on voice commands. If your Fire Stick has a built-in microphone (most newer models do), you can speak commands like "play The Office" or "go to Netflix" and the Alexa app will send them to your Fire Stick.

read the Alexa app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in with your Amazon account. Tap the Devices icon at the bottom right, then select your Fire Stick from the list. Tap the microphone icon and speak your command. The app will send it to your Fire Stick over Wi-Fi.

The Alexa app also has a remote control feature. Tap the remote icon to see a virtual remote similar to the one in the Fire TV app. This is useful if voice commands are not working or if you prefer button controls. The remote feature in the Alexa app is less detailed than the Fire TV app's remote, so many people use the Fire TV app for navigation and the Alexa app mainly for voice commands.

What to do if your phone and Fire Stick are on different networks

The Fire TV app and Alexa app only work when your phone and Fire Stick are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home or on a different network, the apps will not connect. This is a security feature—Amazon does not allow remote control over the internet for Fire Stick devices.

If you need to control your Fire Stick from outside your home, your only option is to use a physical remote. Some people buy a second Fire Stick remote and keep it in a bag, or they use a universal remote that supports Fire Stick. Neither of these options requires Wi-Fi or an internet connection.

Common problems and how to fix them

If the app connects but the buttons do not respond, try closing the app completely and opening it again. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Fire TV app up to close it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the Fire TV app, and tap Force Stop. Then reopen the app.

If the app keeps disconnecting, restart your Wi-Fi router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then open the app again. If disconnections continue, move your phone closer to the router or Fire Stick to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal.

If voice commands in the Alexa app are not working, check that your Fire Stick's microphone is turned on. Go to Settings > Alexa Preferences > Microphone and make sure it is enabled. Also make sure the Alexa app has permission to use your phone's microphone. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and turn on the Alexa app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Microphone and allow the Alexa app.

Choosing between the Fire TV app and the Alexa app

If you mainly use buttons to navigate—scrolling through menus, selecting shows, adjusting volume—use the Fire TV app. It has all the buttons you need and the layout is straightforward. The Fire TV app is the better choice for most people who want a straightforward virtual remote.

Use the Alexa app if you prefer voice commands or if you want to control multiple smart home devices from one place. The Alexa app can control your Fire Stick, smart lights, thermostats, and other Alexa devices all in one interface. However, the remote control feature in the Alexa app is less detailed than the Fire TV app, so you may find yourself switching between apps depending on what you are trying to do.

Many people install both apps. They use the Fire TV app for everyday remote control and the Alexa app when they want to use voice commands or control other smart home devices at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I control my Fire Stick from my phone when I am away from home?

No. The Fire TV app and Alexa app only work when your phone and Fire Stick are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are on a different network or away from home, the apps will not connect. You would need to use a physical remote or ask someone at home to control it for you.

Do I need to pay for the Fire TV app or Alexa app?

No. Both apps are free to read and use. You do need an Amazon account to sign in, but you do not need a paid Prime membership or any subscription to control your Fire Stick with these apps.

What if my Fire Stick does not have a microphone?

Older Fire Stick models without a built-in microphone cannot receive voice commands from the Alexa app. You can still use the Fire TV app's virtual remote to control them with buttons. If you want voice control, you would need to buy a Fire Stick remote with a microphone or upgrade to a newer Fire Stick model that has one built in.

Can I use a third-party remote app instead of the Fire TV app?

Some third-party remote apps exist in the app stores, but Amazon does not officially support them. The Fire TV app and Alexa app are the official options and are may provide to work with all Fire Stick models. Third-party apps may not work reliably or may stop working if Amazon changes how Fire Stick communicates with phones.

Why does the Fire TV app keep losing connection to my Fire Stick?

This usually happens when your Wi-Fi signal is weak or unstable. Try moving your phone closer to the router or Fire Stick, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, check that your Fire Stick's Wi-Fi is set to the same network as your phone. You can see this in Settings > Network on your Fire Stick.