Losing or breaking your Amazon Fire TV remote can bring your streaming to a grinding halt. While it's a common predicament, you have several excellent options for a Fire TV remote replacement, ranging from official Amazon remotes to handy smartphone apps and even universal controllers.
This guide will walk you through your choices and how to get your Fire TV back under control.
Why You Might Need a Replacement Remote
Lost Remote: It happens to the best of us. The remote might be lost in the couch cushions, fallen behind furniture, or simply vanished.
Broken Remote: Buttons stopped working, it's physically damaged, or the battery compartment is faulty.
Upgrade: You might want a newer remote with more features, like TV controls (power, volume) or the remote finder function (on the Alexa Voice Remote Pro).
Extra Remote: For convenience, some users prefer to have a second remote, especially in a multi-user household.
Official Amazon Fire TV Remote Replacements
Amazon offers several versions of its official remote, which are generally the most seamless replacement option.
Alexa Voice Remote (3rd Gen with TV Controls):
This is the standard replacement remote that comes with most newer Fire TV Stick models (like the Fire TV Stick 4K, 4K Max, and 3rd Gen HD Sticks).
Features: Voice control (via Alexa button), dedicated power, volume, and mute buttons for your TV, and app shortcut buttons (e.g., Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu).
Compatibility: Widely compatible with most Fire TV devices, including Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen and later), Fire TV Cube, Fire TV (3rd Gen Pendant), and Fire TV Edition smart TVs.
Always check the product description for specific compatibility. Where to Buy: Directly from Amazon.com, Best Buy, and other electronics retailers.
Alexa Voice Remote Pro:
A premium upgrade for any compatible Fire TV device.
Features: All the features of the 3rd Gen Alexa Voice Remote, plus:
Remote Finder: Say "Alexa, find my remote" (if you have a compatible Echo device or a Fire TV with hands-free Alexa, like Fire TV Cube or Omni TV) or use the Fire TV app to make the remote chime.
Customizable Buttons: Two programmable buttons for quick access to your favorite app, Alexa command, or smart home routine.
Backlit Buttons: Buttons illuminate automatically in low light.
Headphone Button: Quickly pair Bluetooth headphones to your Fire TV device.
Compatibility: Designed to work with most Fire TV devices.
Where to Buy: Exclusively from Amazon.com.
How to Pair a New Official Fire TV Remote
Once you have your new remote, follow these steps to pair it with your Fire TV:
Ensure Power: Make sure your Fire TV device is powered on and connected to your TV.
Insert Batteries: Put fresh batteries into your new remote.
Use an Existing Remote (if possible) or the Fire TV App:
If you still have a working remote, navigate to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes > Add New Remote.
If you don't have a working remote, you'll need to use the Amazon Fire TV App (see section below) on your smartphone or tablet to navigate your Fire TV for this step.
Pair the New Remote: Once on the "Add New Remote" screen, press and hold the Home button on your new remote for about 10 seconds.
Confirmation: Your Fire TV device will search for discoverable remotes. Once found, you should see a message on your TV confirming the new remote has been paired.
Tip: If you're having trouble pairing, try unplugging your Fire TV device from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. As soon as you see the Fire TV logo, press and hold the Home button on your new remote for 10-20 seconds. This can sometimes force a connection.
Alternative Fire TV Remote Solutions
If buying a new official remote isn't immediately feasible or you're looking for other options, consider these alternatives:
Amazon Fire TV Mobile App (Free & Essential)
Availability: Downloadable for free on iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store).
Features: Acts as a virtual remote with directional controls, playback buttons, a keyboard for easy text entry (a huge time-saver!), quick access to your installed apps, and voice search (using your phone's microphone).
How it Works: Both your smartphone/tablet and your Fire TV device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Setup: Open the app, select your Fire TV device from the list, and enter the 4-digit code displayed on your TV screen to pair.
Pros: Free, convenient, includes a keyboard, can be used as a temporary solution while waiting for a new physical remote.
Cons: Drains phone battery, requires your phone, relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Universal Remotes
Some universal remotes can be programmed to control Fire TV devices.
However, this is less common for full functionality (especially voice control) compared to traditional IR-based TV control. Compatibility: Look for universal remotes that specifically advertise Bluetooth compatibility with Fire TV or come with a cradle to house your existing Fire TV remote (like some Philips models) for combined control. Standard IR universal remotes typically won't work for navigating the Fire TV interface itself, only for controlling TV power/volume via IR.
Pros: Consolidate multiple remotes, potentially control other devices.
Cons: Often lack voice control, may not offer full Fire TV navigation, can be complex to set up.
Third-Party Bluetooth Remotes/Keyboards/Game Controllers
Since Fire TV devices support Bluetooth, you can pair compatible Bluetooth accessories.
Bluetooth Keyboards/Mice: Great for text entry and basic navigation.
Bluetooth Game Controllers: Many popular controllers (like Xbox or PlayStation controllers) can be paired for gaming and can often be used for basic navigation of the Fire TV interface.
Third-Party Bluetooth Remotes: There are third-party remotes available on Amazon or other retailers that connect via Bluetooth and are advertised as compatible with Fire TV. Read reviews carefully to ensure full functionality.
How to Pair: Go to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices > Add Bluetooth Devices. Put your accessory into pairing mode, and select it when it appears on the list.
Pros: Adds functionality, can be multi-purpose.
Cons: May not offer voice control, less integrated than official remotes.
Considerations When Choosing a Replacement
Compatibility: Always verify that the replacement remote is compatible with your specific Fire TV device model and generation. Amazon product pages usually list this clearly.
Features: Do you need voice control? TV power/volume buttons? Backlighting? A remote finder? Decide which features are essential for your streaming habits.
Cost: Official Amazon remotes typically cost between $20-$35 USD, while third-party options can be cheaper. The mobile app is free.
Ease of Use: Official remotes offer the most seamless and integrated experience.
No matter why you need a new remote, there are plenty of options to get your Fire TV back under your complete control and ensure your streaming experience remains uninterrupted.
