Amazon Fire TV: 18 easy tips and tricks for hardcore streamers
Your Amazon Fire TV stick is more than a gateway to your favorite streaming apps. It allows you to watch local TV channels, install useful add-ons, connect toBluetooth headphones for private listening, and more. We explain everything your Fire TV can do and the essential settings to change after setup to get you started. Thelatest Fire TV streaming devicesrun the same Android-based OS (Fire OS), so it’s possible to follow this guide for any generation of Fire TV stick, Fire TV Cube, or other Amazon Fire TV device.
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1Change the Fire TV name to identify your devices
When you buy and set up a Fire TV device, Amazon auto-assigns a name based on your account’s name. It can be difficult to identify if you have several Fire TV devices under the same Amazon account.
2Pin your most-used apps to the home screen for easy access
The Amazon Appstore is the gateway to useful apps and add-ons, but losing your most-used apps is easy. Pin your most-used apps to the home screen for easy access.
You can pin up to six apps and games on the Fire TV home screen.
3Control your Fire TV with your voice
Similar toGoogle Assistanton Android TV and Chromecast, Fire TV comes with the Amazon Alexa assistant. Press and hold themicbutton on the Fire TV remote control to activate Alexa.
you’re able to control several Fire TV features with Alexa. It can play content from Prime Video and other supported apps, navigate through apps, search for content, and pause and play content. The usual Alexa requests, such as “Show me the weather” or “Open to-do list,” are also available. Check the Alexa features on Fire TV from theAmazon Help & Customer Service page.
If you have an Amazon Echo device in the same room, you may need to clarify your request with “on Fire TV” at the end to avoid confusion.
Install the Alexa app on your Android or iOS device to explore more Alexa features, includingautomated routinesthat can chain multiple actions (for example, turn on your Fire TV and dim the lights with one voice command).
4Deactivate automatic audio and video playback on the home screen
By default, the Featured Content page on the Fire TV home screen automatically starts playing the latest movies and TV shows from partner apps, which be irritating. You can easily turn off video and audio autoplay.
The next time you see the Fire TV home, it only shows the TV shows and movie recommendation banners.
5Enable parental controls to restrict content and purchases
You can restrict access to videos, purchasing, and exploitative content using the Fire TV’s parental control tools.
Your TV now locks purchases and app launches behind the five-digit PIN. It also adds restrictions for content rated Teen and above on Prime Video.
6Stop Amazon tracking your activity by changing privacy settings
Amazon collects your personal data from Fire TV for marketing and product improvement. The Appstore also tracks the frequency and duration of use of downloaded apps. If you are uncomfortable with constant tracking, turn off the behavior from the Privacy menu.
You can also delete your voice recordings from theManage Your Content and Devicesmenu. However, this may negatively affect your Alexa experience on the Fire TV.
7Connect Bluetooth headphones to listen to shows privately
If you don’t want to disturb others while streaming late-night Netflix shows or movies, connect your Bluetooth headphones to the Fire TV. This only outputs sound to your headphones.
You can also connect a gaming controller via Bluetooth to play games on your Fire TV.
8Turn off navigation sounds for less noise
If the default navigation sound on your Fire TV is annoying, turn it off.
9Use the virtual remote app to control your Fire TV with your phone
If you misplace the Fire TV remote or run out of batteries at home, use the Fire TV remote appon your iPhoneor Android handset to control your device. You must connect your phone and Fire TV to the same Wi-Fi network to use the virtual Fire TV remote.
10Restart your Fire TV using the remote
If your Fire TV becomes unresponsive, reboot it with the Fire TV remote. To do so, hold theSelectandPlay/Pausebuttons for about five seconds.
If your Fire TV continually restarts automatically, try these steps torestore it to working order. You can also repair your remote by holding the home button for ten seconds.
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