Use the Alexa app to control your Firestick from your phone
Your phone can replace your physical Firestick remote once you install the Alexa app and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your Firestick device. The app gives you a virtual remote with all the same buttons—directional controls, play/pause, volume, and home—plus a keyboard for typing searches and passwords. This works on both Android and iPhone.
The setup takes about five minutes. You do not need to buy anything or change any settings on your Firestick itself. The app communicates with your device over your home Wi-Fi, so your phone and Firestick must be on the same network for the remote to work.
Key Takeaways
- read the Alexa app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone), then sign in with your Amazon account.
- Make sure your phone and Firestick are connected to the same Wi-Fi network before opening the remote.
- Open the Alexa app, tap the remote icon at the bottom of the screen, and select your Firestick device from the list.
- The phone remote includes a keyboard for typing, which is faster than using the directional pad to enter text.
- If the remote does not appear, restart both your phone and Firestick, then check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
read and install the Alexa app on your phone
Open the Google Play Store on an Android phone or the Apple App Store on an iPhone. Search for "Alexa" and tap the official Amazon app—the one with the blue circle and white Alexa symbol. Tap Install (Android) or Get (iPhone), then sign in with your Amazon account when prompted.
The app is free and takes less than a minute to read on most connections. Once installation finishes, open the app and make sure you are signed into the same Amazon account you used to set up your Firestick.
Connect your phone and Firestick to the same Wi-Fi network
The phone remote only works when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note which network it is connected to. Then go to your Firestick's Settings menu (press the home button on your physical remote, scroll right to Settings, then select Network), and confirm it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
If your Firestick is on a different network, select the correct one from the available networks list and enter the password. Wait for the connection to complete—this usually takes 30 seconds to a minute—before moving to the next step.
Open the remote in the Alexa app
Open the Alexa app on your phone. At the bottom of the screen, you will see four icons: Home, Routines, Devices, and More. Tap the Devices icon (it looks like a small rectangle with a dot). A list of your Amazon devices will appear. Find your Firestick in the list and tap it.
A virtual remote will appear on your screen. The layout matches a standard Firestick remote: directional arrows at the top, a center select button, play/pause controls, volume buttons, and a home button. Tap any button to control your Firestick. The response is usually when ready, though it may take a second or two on slower Wi-Fi connections.
Use the keyboard feature to enter text faster
When you need to type—to search for a show, enter a password, or fill in a login—tap the keyboard icon on the virtual remote (usually at the bottom). A text input box will appear on your phone screen. Type what you need using your phone's keyboard, and the text will appear on your TV. This is much faster than using the directional pad to spell out each letter.
After you finish typing, tap the send or submit button on your phone's keyboard, or tap the select button on the virtual remote to confirm your entry. The text will be sent to your Firestick and appear on your TV screen.
Troubleshoot when the remote does not appear or respond
If you open the Devices section and your Firestick does not show up, restart both devices. On your phone, close the Alexa app completely (swipe it away from the recent apps list), wait 10 seconds, and reopen it. On your Firestick, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once both devices have restarted, open the Alexa app again and check the Devices list.
If the Firestick appears but the remote buttons do not respond, check your Wi-Fi connection. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are still connected to the same network as your Firestick. If you have switched networks or your Wi-Fi dropped, reconnect to the correct network and try the remote again. If the problem persists, sign out of the Alexa app (go to More, then select your account), wait a minute, and sign back in.
Use voice commands as an alternative to the remote
The Alexa app also lets you control your Firestick by voice. Tap the microphone icon on the virtual remote and speak your command—"play The Office," "go to Netflix," "turn up the volume," or "go home." Your phone will send the voice command to your Firestick, which will execute it just as if you had spoken to an Alexa device in the room.
Voice commands work over Wi-Fi the same way the button remote does, so your phone and Firestick must still be on the same network. Voice commands are useful when your hands are full or when you want to search for something without typing it out letter by letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the phone remote if my Firestick is on a different Wi-Fi network?
No. The phone remote communicates over your home Wi-Fi, so both devices must be on the same network. If your Firestick is on a guest network or a different Wi-Fi band, move it to the same network as your phone first.
Does the phone remote work if I am away from home?
No. The remote only works when your phone and Firestick are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are outside your home, the connection will not work. You will need your physical remote or a Firestick remote you can purchase separately.
What if I have multiple Firestick devices?
The Alexa app can control all of them. When you tap the Devices section, you will see a list of every Firestick in your home. Tap the one you want to control, and the remote will switch to that device. You can switch between devices as many times as you need.
Is there a cost to use the phone as a remote?
No. The Alexa app is free, and using it as a remote does not cost anything. You only need an Amazon account and a Wi-Fi connection.
Can I use the phone remote if my Firestick is offline?
No. Your Firestick must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi for the phone remote to work. If your Firestick is unplugged or offline, the remote buttons will not respond.