How to Use a Remote Control for an Amazon Fire TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will show you how to use the remote control with your Fire TV. There are 5 different remotes that you can use:

Amazon Fire remote control lineup.
  1. Amazon Fire TV Remote included with:
  2. Fire TV Stick (1st Generation)
  3. Fire TV Stick Basic Edition
  4. Alexa Voice Remote (1st Generation) included with:
  5. Amazon Fire TV (1st Generation)
  6. Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Generation) included with:
  7. Amazon Fire TV (3rd Generation)
  8. Amazon Fire TV (2nd Generation)
  9. Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
  10. Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote
  11. Voice Remote with Amazon Alexa included with:
  12. Amazon Fire TV Edition TVs
  13. Amazon Fire TV Remote app available for:
  14. Fire devices
  15. Android devices
  16. iOS devices

2. Amazon Fire TV Remote

Remote control with buttons pointed out and labeled.
Directional Pad.

Directional Navigation - Use you remote's directional keypad (the "Navigation" ring around the Select button) to scroll right, left, up, and down.

Select button.

Select - Press this button to select the item or option currently highlighted on-screen.

Back button.

Back - Return to the previous screen or action.

Home button.

Home - Return to the Home screen.

Menu button.

Menu - Open more options, based on the item or function currently selected on-screen.

Rewind button.

Rewind - Rewind video and music playback (for supported content).

Play/Pause button.

Play/Pause - Play or pause video and music playback (for supported content).

Fast Forward button.

Fast Forward - Fast forward video and music playback (for supported content).

3. Alexa Voice Remote

Remote Control with buttons pointed out and labeled.
Voice button.

Voice - Press and hold the Voice button, then speak into the microphone at the top of the remote. Release the Voice button when you're done speaking.

Directional pad.

Directional Navigation - Use you remote's directional keypad (the "Navigation" ring around the Select button) to scroll right, left, up, and down.

Select button.

Select - Press this button to select the item or option currently highlighted on-screen.

Back button.

Back - Return to the previous screen or action.

Home button.

Home - Return to the Home screen.

Menu button.

Menu - Open more options, based on the item or function currently selected on-screen.

Rewind button.

Rewind - Rewind video and music playback (for supported content).

Play/Pause button.

Play/Pause - Play or pause video and music playback (for supported content).

Fast Forward button.

Fast Forward - Fast forward video and music playback (for supported content).

4. Voice Remote with Amazon Alexa

Remote Control with buttons pointed out and labeled.
Power button.

Power - Press to power the TV ON or switch to OFF/Standby mode.

Voice button.

Voice - Press and hold the Voice button, then speak into the microphone at the top of the remote. Release the Voice button when you're done speaking.

Back button.

Back - Return to the previous screen or action.

Home button.

Home - Return to the Home screen.

Menu button

Menu - Open more options, based on the item or function currently selected on-screen.

Directional pad.

Directional Navigation - Use you remote's directional keypad (the "Navigation" ring around the Select button) to scroll right, left, up, and down.

Select button.

Select - Press this button to select the item or option currently highlighted on-screen.

Rewind button.

Rewind - Rewind video and music playback (for supported content).

Play/Pause button.

Play/Pause - Play or pause video and music playback (for supported content).

Fast Forward button.

Fast Forward - Fast forward video and music playback (for supported content).

Volume controls.

Volume Control - Adjust your TV volume. To mute the volume, press one of the Volume +/- control buttons, then press the Menu button.

App launch buttons.

App Launch Buttons - quickly launch the Prime Video, Netflix, and Amazon Music apps.

5. Amazon Fire TV Remote app

To use your mobile device as a remote control for your Fire TV:

  1. Open the Amazon Fire TV Remote app on your mobile device.
FireTV mobile app icon

  1.  
  2. To show all the controls drag upward from the highlighted area in the picture below and reveal the playback controls.
Swipe area and direction shown on mobile app screen.


Playback controls showing in mobile app.


  1. The control functions are as follows:
Back button.
  1. Back - Return to the previous screen or action.
Home button.
  1. Home - Return to the Home screen.
Menu button.
  1. Menu - Open more options, based on the item or function currently selected on-screen.
Rewind button.
  1. Rewind - Rewind video and music playback (for supported content).
Play/Pause button.
  1. Play/Pause - Play or pause video and music playback (for supported content).
Fast Forward button.
  1. Fast Forward - Fast forward video and music playback (for supported content). 
  2. Swipe in any direction to navigate the TV screen.
Swipe nagivation method shown on mobile app screen.


  1. Tap anywhere on the mobile device's screen to select a highlighted item on the TV screen.
Tapping anywhere on swipe area to select.


  1. Tap on the microphone, pull it downward and hold it to use the voice feature. If you have a remote control without the voice feature, you can use this mobile app for that.
Swipe method shown on mobile app screen.


Mobile app showing voice detection.


  1. Open the keyboard from the top right corner to type on the TV screen.
Keyboard symbol pointed out on mobile app screen.