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In this article, we will provide the best Firestick tips and tricks to be enjoyed by cord-cutters. The tricks mentioned here function on all kinds of Fire TV devices, such as Firestick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Stick 2nd Generation.
Firestick is known to be the best streaming device in the market. It is very affordable, incredibly user-friendly, and fast. The Firestick device operates with a wide array of streaming platforms such as Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and many more. Moreover, it allows you to download easily, install, and use different third-party apps.
However, there are different ways that you can enhance the overall experience of your Firestick with some useful and simple tips and tricks. That is what this article is gonna talk about.
We have been testing and using Fire TV devices for years now. Being a cord-cutter, these tips and tricks gathered in this article can help you make the most out of your Firestick device. We do hope that it will help you.
Best Firestick Tips and Tricks
Now here is the list that has the best tips and tricks for your Firestick device. Do note that these tips and tricks are safe, simple, easy to do.
Jailbreak FireStick
Jailbreaking your Firestick device will ensure that you can make the most out of it.
However, this is not the same as the traditional jailbreak process like how you would do with your phone. For a Firestick, it is simpler and the process is risk-free. All that is needed is to sideload third-party jailbreak applications. When you jailbreak a Firestick, you are enabling yourself to access endless TV shows, movies, news, sports, and many more.
It won’t require any technical knowledge just to jailbreak your Firestick. Any person can do it within just a few minutes.
Please refer to this guide:
Use Your Phone as a Remote Control for FireStick
If you have an iOS phone or an Android phone, then you can turn it to a remote control for your Firestick device. All you have to do is download the app “Amazon Fire TV” from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
The Amazon Fire TV remote app has the same control buttons as your remote, aside from the power and volume buttons for your TV. Instead of a navigation ring and the Select or OK button, the remote app has a touchpad. To navigate using the app you can swipe left or right and up or down. Touch anywhere on the touchpad to click or select.
If ever your Firestick remote is not functioning or you just want to replace it, then the Fire TV remote app can be beneficial. The app works with Fire TV Stick 4K, Firestick 2nd Generation, and also the Fire TV Cube.
Install Mouse Toggle to Navigate Certain Apps
There some APK’s that are not meant to be used for Firestick or TV. They are built for touch devices like smartphones. However, you can sideload them in your Fire TV or Firestick device. Although it is hard, even impossible, to navigate with these apps. No matter how much you try, your remote navigation won’t reach certain sections.
In cases like this, you can download and install a third-party app named “Mouse Toggle”. The Mouse Toggle app will display a mouse pointer in your Firestick. You can use it to navigate with your remote. This can be used to click and reach those sections where your Firestick remote can’t reach.
The Mouse Toggle is highly recommended as a must-have app. In fact, it is featured in the Best apps for Firestick list. Here is how you install it on your Firestick:
Install Mouse Toggle on Firestick.
Calibrate the TV Display to Fit the Videos
If you think that the video content is not correctly fitted to the size of your TV screen, there is always something that can fix it. Whether the video is overshooting the screen or it’s shrunk, calibration will assist you to fit the correct screen size. Fortunately, you won’t have to do it every time you stream something, you will just have to do it once.
Here is a guide that will calibrate the Firestick screen on your TV:
- Access the Settings of your FireStick, which is on the menu bar above.
- Click on the Display & Sounds section.
- Open the Display section.
- Now click on the Calibrate Display option.
- To adjust the display, press the up or down buttons to do so.
Use a VPN for a Safer and Better Streaming Experience
It is highly recommended to have a VPN, especially if you are a cord-cutter. First, it will keep you protected and secure. It masks your identity online while streaming and prevents any monitoring from hackers, governments, third parties, and internet service providers. A VPN is crucial when you stream free media content from apps such as Kodi and Cinema APK.
Secondly, having a VPN will help you circumnavigate geo-restricted content and access unlimited content from well-known streaming platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, and more.
More importantly, having a VPN will prevent speed throttling and let you enjoy streaming with no buffering.
If you want excellent internet protection while streaming, then you should try out Surfshark. There are platforms such as Popcorn Time and Kodi that get their content from torrent websites but have geo-restricted regulations. However, with Surfshark, you’ll be able to ignore these restrictions and stream anytime, anywhere without a single worry.
Install Surfshark on Firestick
Use Alexa for Voice Control and Voice Search
This can be one of the best Firestick Tips and Tricks that the cord-cutters will enjoy. You have probably heard that the Firestick now comes with a built-in, sweet-talking AI named Alexa. It can answer any question, like “how is the weather today?” or “Find me the best bakeries in New York”.
Moreover, it can much more than just answering your questions. Alexa has the ability to access streaming apps for you, it can even find a title. This would mean that you won’t always have to use your Firestick remote.
Take note, that Alexa functions only with official apps that are from the Amazon App Store. It won’t access any third-party apps.
Connect Bluetooth Headphones/Speakers to FireStick
Another trick is that you can connect a Bluetooth speaker or headphones to your Firestick device.
If you want to stream movies late at night and you don’t want to disturb others, then all you have to do is connect it with Bluetooth headphones.
On the other hand, if you want a more cinematic experience, then you can connect your Firestick device to a Bluetooth speaker. Here are steps that will assist you to do that:
- Switch on your Bluetooth speaker or headphone.
- Make sure to turn on the Bluetooth and wait for it to be in its “discoverable” mode.
- Access your Firestick’s Settings, which can be found on top of the home screen.
- Click on the option that says Controllers & Bluetooth Devices
- Then, click on the Other Bluetooth Devices section.
- After that click on Add Bluetooth Devices.
- Patiently wait for your Firestick to scan for any available Bluetooth devices.
- Then your Bluetooth device will be displayed on the screen. Click on your device then pair it with your Firestick device.
Reset Apps (clear data/clear cache)
Just like other cord-cutters, you might have faced that there are apps that start to behave unsystematically for no reason. This happens to apps from the Amazon store and third-party apps as well.
Oftentimes a suggestion will appear that you should uninstall and reinstall the app to fix the problem.
Truthfully, this technique for troubleshooting sometimes works.
However, before you start going through this long process of uninstalling and reinstalling problematic apps, you might want to reset the app, like clear up the cache. This may save you more time.
When resetting an app, you will restore it to its original factory default settings. Here is a guide on how to do it:
- Access your Firestick device’s Settings from its home screen, which is on the menu bar above the screen.
- Click on the Applications section.
- Open up the section that says Manage Installed Applications.
- Select the app that has an issue from the list of the apps that are displayed in the next window.
- Click on the cache if you want to delete the cache instead of resetting the app. Then
Click on the Clear data if you wish to reset the app, this will clear yh3 cache as well. - After that, click on Clear data again, if you picked Clear Data from the prior step.
YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITY IS BEING WATCHED
ReviewVPN cannot attest to the legality, security and privacy of the applications discussed on this site. It is highly recommended that you use a VPN service while streaming or using Kodi.
Currently, your IP 216.73.216.156 is visible to everyone and your Browser is being tracked by Advertisers & ISP Provider.
Here are the main reasons why you must use a VPN:
- Your activities are hidden from your ISP, the government, and from the apps you are using.
- You can access additional movies and TV streams.
- ISP attempts to throttle are thrwarted thus reducing buffering issues.
- Geographically restricted content like Netflix and Hulu can be unblocked.
A VPN works be replacing your ISP-assigned IP address and creating an encrypted tunnel. We recommend the no log service offered by IPVanish. It works well on a Firestick and offers the fastest possible speeds.
Cast/Mirror Videos onto FireStick
You can mirror or cast any content from your personal devices onto your Firestick. Mirroring or casting functions well with tablets, mobile phones, and computers.
For this to work, the platform you are using to play the content should support the cast or mirror feature. Additionally, your casting device and Firestick should be connected to the same WiFi server.
Case in point, the YouTube app supports mirroring or casting. If you are playing a video on YouTube on your phone or computer, then you can click on the cast option and select your Firestick device. The video will then begin to play on your TV screen.
That is all that you will need to do. Many cord-cutters enjoy this feature. You can play tons of videos on different platforms that you can’t get on your Firestick.
Get an IPTV Subscription
This is probably one of the best tricks for Firestick for a cord-cutter that is finding a way to stream cable TV channels for a cheaper price.
There are many tolerated IPTV services in the market that provide access to tons of satellite channels for a paid subscription. These services provide an affordable IPTV solution as compared to other various providers for cable services.
There is a list that contains the best IPTV service, providers. You can also use the provided links for their installation process.
It is worth noting that its authenticity for its service providers has not yet been verified. Judge better on your actions and only legal stream contents. Always have a VPN running to keep your anonymity and privacy.
Why Use Surfshark With Your Firestick
There are a lot of explanations on why you should have Surfshark installed on your Firestick device and why you should use it.
STAY PROTECTED WITH ONLINE PRIVACY
Surfshark will erase any of your digital fingerprints online, and protect you from any hackers while you are streaming using Morpheus, Terrarium, ShowBox, Popcorn Time, and many more. More importantly, it will boost your anonymity online.
Once you have a virtual private network, your real IP address will be masked by another IP address that is being shared and used by other users. So, this will easily increase your anonymity and be undetectable.
MAKE ANY INTERNET CONNECTION SECURE
Whenever you are using a public WiFi network, you are risking your personal data being viewed by hackers or your internet service provider. With the Surfshark encryption process, it will secure and encrypt all your data and any middlemen from viewing your personal data and activities online.
From its app development to its customer service support, everything in this VPN is being worked on from within. Now that the middlemen are removed, Surfshark can now guarantees that all your data is being encrypted and protected.
GET AROUND CENSORSHIP FILTERS
Universities, governments, and employers from different areas are using online censorship. Now, you will have the freedom to explore the internet as much as you want without worries about being censored.
Surfshark has a total of 3,200 VPN servers in 65 locations to choose from. This will make hiding your IP address better and encrypt your data at higher speeds.
STREAM & DOWNLOAD ANONYMOUSLY
If you want to have better internet protection, then you should install a VPN, preferably Surfshark. Platforms like Kodi and Popcorn Time gather their content from websites such as torrents, however, they may carry geo-restricted laws.
With Surfshark, it will secure your whole internet server by using its advanced encryption process. So, the kind of media platform won’t matter because, with Surfshark, you will always be protected when you access these platforms.
If you want to learn more about Surfshark and want to try it out, please read our Surfshark Review.
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How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick
If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.
You can download Surfshark directly from the Amazon App store. It will be easy for you to find Surfshark with your Firestick’s Find feature. Refer to our screenshots below.
1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.
2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.
3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.
4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.
5. Press the Download (You own it) button.
6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.
7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.
8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.
9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.
10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.
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Install Surfshark on Firestick
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FAQ
What is the Fire TV Stick Sleep Mode?
You probably saw above in the guides that you not actually switching your Fire TV Stick off. You are only putting your Fire TV Stick to sleep mode.
Whenever your device is in sleep mode, the TV screen will turn black, however, the device will continue to get software updates.
If you want to really switch off your Firestick device, then all you have to do is just unplug it.
Your Firestick device will immediately turn itself into sleep mode if there has not been any active usage for 20 minutes straight or 30 minutes if you are using 1st Generation devices.
For you to wake your Firestick device from its sleep mode, all you have to do is press any of the buttons on the remote or in the remote app.
Does the Amazon Fire Stick Need the Internet?
Yes, the Firestick will require you to use the internet, even if you want to watch media content from your local network using an app such as Plex.
The device’s home interface will not launch or load if it is not connected to the internet, which will leave you the inability to use the Plex app or the Firestick, itself.
Do You Need WiFi for the Amazon Fire Stick?
Yes, a WiFi or a wireless network is needed for your Amazon Firestick to function. The Firestick device does not have an ethernet port and there is no way for you to connect to external media. The only way for you to stream content with your Firestick is by connecting to a WiFi network. If you would rather want your device to be wired connections or connect to physical media, then you will have to use something like the Roku Ultra or the regular Fire TV.
What are the Amazon Fire Stick Requirements?
The Amazon Firestick only requires a few things such as a WiFi network, preferably an internet connection of at least 3Mbps, an HDMI port, and a power source or outlet nearby to give power to the Firestick.
You may use the Firestick on a TV that does not have an HDMI port if you use it with an HDMI converter, however, the resolution will be in low-quality and may have issues when it comes to playback because of the HDCP compliance.
Conclusion
Therefore, this is a list consisting of the best Firestick tips and tricks for any cord-cutter. If ever we discover a new trick, then we will be sure to add it immediately to this list. However, if you happen to find something great and it is not found on this list, then feel free to let us know via the comment section below, we will greatly appreciate it.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this write-up helps you in unlocking the Best Firestick Tricks and Tips. Thank you for reading!
