A universal remote makes life easier; you are saved from the hassle of finding the right remote to control a particular device, and there is no mess either.
However, with the release of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, the credibility of universal remotes has received a shock since the clash between infrared light signals and Bluetooth technology makes it nearly impossible to control the Fire Stick with a universal remote.
Unless your universal remote is compatible with the Fire Stick, you have to switch from your universal remote to a specially designed Fire TV remote every time you want to stream content, install apps, or play games.
So, what’s the solution if your remote doesn’t Fire Stick and vice versa? Let’s explore how and why a universal remote is/isn’t compatible with a Fire Stick and what possible solutions are available to make the devices work together. We’ve also reviewed some of the top universal remotes that support Fire Stick and a buying guide at the end to assist your purchase!
Let’s dive in!
Is Universal Remote Compatible With Amazon Fire Stick?
Unlike a typical remote, the job of a universal remote goes far, sometimes to control all the electronic (audio or video) devices in your home regardless of their brand, and at times to control one or more devices of the same brand.
While Amazon Fire Stick is a media streaming device that you plug in your TV’s HDMI port and stream content (music, videos, movies, seasons, etc). You can also install Android apps or play video games on it.
The problem arises when your universal remote that can control various devices is incompatible with the Fire Stick, and you have to use the remote designed especially for the Fire TV. It sometimes creates confusion and makes it hard to switch to a new remote whenever you want to watch something.
However, the good thing is that some universal remotes are compatible with the Amazon Fire Stick. Depending on what type of remote you have, you can also make it compatible with your Fire Stick if earlier the two do not support each other.
Why Are All Universal Remotes Not Compatible With Amazon Fire Stick?
It’s because the universal remote controls most devices using infrared light signals, while the Amazon Fire TV Stick isn’t designed with built-in IR (infrared) technology.
The added remote uses Bluetooth technology to control the Fire Stick, and because of the incompatibility of the two technologies (Bluetooth & IR), the universal remote cannot work with Fire Stick. Similarly, the remote that comes with Fire TV cannot control any other device, making it challenging to switch remotes now and then.
What to do if Your Universal Remote Isn’t Compatible With Your Amazon Fire Stick?
Amazon Fire TV Stick comes with its own remote, and though using it gives you more control over streaming content, it also adds to the burden of using one more controller. There are two simple solutions for this:
- Make Your Universal Remote Compatible with Your Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Upgrade Your Amazon Fire TV Stick Into A Universal Remote
Either way, you’ll be saved from the hectic of reaching out to the wrong controller and pointing it to the wrong device. So, let’s dive in!
Solution 1: How to Make an Infrared Universal Remote Compatible With Amazon Fire Stick?
Of course, the market also has universal remotes that can control Fire Stick, yet they cost a fortune, and instead of investing in a new remote, you can always upgrade the one you already have. And this is all you need to make it happen:
- An IR universal remote
- An IR receiver
- A USB Y cable
Whether or not your current universal remote works with Amazon TV Fire Stick, consider half of the job done if you have an IR remote that can control various entertainment gadgets. The cable is used to build a connection between the Fire Stick and the receiver, which you can install according to the type of Fire Stick you have.
Generally, it takes the following steps:
- Look for the USB port located on the back of your Fire TV Stick. There is only one port available that is designed for the power adapter, yet connecting it with an IR receiver will offer both the power and connectivity features.
- Connect one side of the USB to the USB port in your Amazon Fire Stick.
- Connect the other side of the USB cable with the receiver and establish a strong connection.
- Pair the universal infrared remote with the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
The process is easy thanks to an external IR receiver, yet you may face some connectivity issues based on where your gadgets are located.
Since the connection is made by the remote using infrared light signals, you should double-check that the distance between the remote and the Fire TV Stick is safe and interruptions-free. Also, it would be excellent if your Fire Stick isn’t placed along with other electronic devices that may create a hindrance for the infrared light signals.
Solution 2: How to Turn Amazon Fire Stick into a Universal Remote?
Amazon Fire Stick is a heavy investment; you may not want to abandon the outstanding remote it comes with. However, since it is only the Fire Stick operatable by the remote, it can also create the hassle of using two (or multiple) remotes.
Instead of switching to a universal remote every time you operate any device other than the Fire Stick, wouldn’t it be easy if you simply can control all your devices with the Fire Stick remote?
To simplify, here is what you can control with Amazon Fire Stick Remote:
- Pause or Play
- Fast-forward & Rewind
- Volume up & down
- Mute
- Menu, Home, Back button
- Select & Navigation (D-pad)
- Alexa Voice Search
Bear in mind that these options work only with your Fire Stick. Now, let’s look at what you can control with Amazon Fire Stick Remote if you upgrade it into a universal remote:
- Turn ON/OFF components
- Adjust Volume on a soundbar
- Control multiple entertainment devices with input functions
- Operate various functions on respective devices
- Use Alexa Voice Search for all compatible devices and more!
Simply put, you can use all the Fire Stick Remote functions earlier operatable only on FireStick to all the compatible gadgets. It saves you from both buying a new universal remote and switching between controls. And a simple solution to upgrade your Fire Stick remote into a universal remote is to add an adapter.
You merely need to slip the adaptor into position rather than replace the remote. It lengthens the remote, making it more convenient to grip. The best thing is that you still have Alexa voice search, as well as all of the other features you’d expect from a universal remote.
Top Universal Remotes For Amazon Fire Stick
You can turn your universal remote into a Fire Stick remote and vice versa; however, another option is also available: investing in a universal remote compatible with your Fire Stick.
Not every remote would work with a Fire Stick to save you from the hassle of reviewing every product on the market; here are the top five universal remotes that you can consider!
1. Logitech Harmony Smart Control
If one best universal remote goes perfectly well with the Amazon Fire Stick, it ought to be the Logitech Harmony Smart Control remote. There is so much you can do as it is compatible with almost everything:
- Lutron
- Nvidia Shield
- Roku
- Sonos
- Libratone
- Windows
- Wii
- macOS
- PS3, PS4
- Sony
- IFTTT (If This Then That)
- Philips Hue Lights
- Apple TV, Apple iPhone, iPod touch, iPod, etc
- Google Nest, Google Home, and Chromecast
- Amazon products include Echo, Firestick, Alexa, and more.
What else? The remote is compatible with more than 225,000 gadgets and devices of almost 5000 brands. You can also control various gadgets, including your TV, DVD, Blu-Ray players, Cable box, and even video gaming consoles especially ecobee thermostat and lighting locks.
If you are concerned about connectivity issues, Harmony has got your back. The remote comes with three connectivity methods: Bluetooth, WiFi, and IR (infrared) at once to make sure the signals aren’t interrupted and even the old devices sync perfectly.
The only downside is the high cost, as Logitech Harmony Smart Control does come at a price. However, considering the valuable features it offers, it is worth every penny!
2. SofaBaton F2 Universal Remote
Another tremendous universal remote that can control Amazon Fire Stick; however, it is attached to your Fire Stick TV, and you’re welcome to explore the following benefits:
- Control with 11 customizable, programmable buttons: On/Off, Mute, Volume up/down, tune-up/down, and A, B, C self-determined buttons)
- Advanced IR learning technology is compatible with Amazon Fire Stick, Soundbar, Cable box, DVD player, Blu-ray player, TV, receiver, and more.
- Simple and easy to use and grip with a sleek, harmonious style
- Anti-stuck & clip-on layout for quick integration with various devices and gadgets
However, you should consider two things before investing in SofaBaton F2 Universal Remote. First, it supports IR and Bluetooth connectivity but not WiFi which is not a problem unless you prefer connecting your gadgets via WiFi. Also, it limits the number of devices you can control with the remote, though 15 devices at once are sufficient for most.
A fantastic feature that SofaBaton F2 Universal Remote comes with is its OLED display that showcases all the devices currently connected to the remote. It saves you from the hassle of rechecking again and again as all you have to do is look at the remote display.
3. WeChip Air Remote
A peculiar yet outstanding remote for your Fire Stick, WeChip Air Remote is a one-stop full-package you can avail of. First, the design is sure to ease controlling your devices. There are all the basic options you’d need, plus a mini keyboard to assist when searching for your favorite content on the TV.
It’s just a game of plug and play as all you have to do is plug the USB receiver, and you’re good to go. The keyboard also comes with other essential keys such as ALT, CTRL, Shift, and a “www./.com” button to quickly enter a website’s address in the search bar.
There is a long list of devices that are compatible with WeChip Air Remote, and some of them are:
- Windows/Android/Mac
- OS/Linux devices
- Smart TV
- Projector
- All-in-one PC
- HTPC
- Android TV Box
- Fire Stick
- Mini PC
The remote is designed to meet modern requirements, and because operating many devices at once can quickly deplete the battery, it comes with an additional yet outstanding “Sleep and Wake Up” feature.
If the remote control detects no activity for 15 seconds, it will turn on the sleep mode to save the battery. The blue light will also stay off during sleep mode, and you can wake up the remote anytime by pressing any button.
4. Caavo Control Center Smart Remote
Here is another excellent Fire Stick universal remote that is simple and easy to use. You can set it up by plugging in the AVR and devices, and the rest will be taken care of automatically.
The remote features voice control, so you just have to name the season you want to watch or the device you want to integrate with, and the Control Center will do the job.
Here are the devices that the Caavo Control Center Smart Remote supports:
- Cable/Satellite TV
- Game consoles
- Soundbars
- DVD
- Blu-ray
- AVRs
The only downgrade is the limit to connected devices, as you can control only four devices at a time. However, since the gadget is one voice-activated remote, you can save a lot of time that otherwise would be spent on pressing buttons or navigating.
You can simply play your favorite show, increase or decrease the volume, tune to your channels, and control other functions by approaching the Control Center. You can also stream content on YouTube, HBO, Showtime, iTunes Movies & Shows, Netflix, Plex, DVR, Live TV, and even more!
Also, Google Voice and Amazon Alexa are supported, which adds to the popularity of the Caavo Control Center Smart Remote as you can control all your devices with your preferred virtual assistant.
5. Sevenhugs Smart Remote
Enough of the smartphones with buttons, Sevenhugs knows how vital a touch user interface is in the modern world. And thanks to their smart remote, now you can control your Amazon Fire Stick by just tapping a high-resolution touch screen. It works with the following devices and services:
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Philips
- Sonos
- Fire TV
- Sonos
- Spotify
- Kodi
- NVIDIA
- WeMo
An exceptional feature of Sevenhugs Smart Remote is the automatic display of controls as soon as you point the remote towards any device. This “Point Mode” makes it a lot easier to integrate with multiple gadgets and only requires putting sensors on the walls (the remote comes with three sensors).
What isn’t best about the Sevenhugs Smart Remote is the battery, as the high-resolution touch screen requires frequent charging sessions.
Also, the gadget supports Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and doesn’t have IR signals. Both the battery life and connectivity are just an exception if the remote supports fast charging and the modern-day devices support Bluetooth and Wifi connection over IR technology.
Furthermore, you get the options to build your personalized interfaces, and thus, you can choose which controls to appear on the touch screen when you point the gadget to a device. All of this makes Sevenhugs Smart Remote an excellent option for your Fire Stick and other controllable devices.
Buying Guide: Factors to Look for When Buying a Universal Remote for Amazon Fire Stick
All the universal remotes mentioned above are excellent on their own and work with Amazon Fire Stick yet you can invest in only one. Therefore, it is essential to know what factors you should look for in a universal remote that you want to control your Fire Stick; here they are:
- Supported Devices: A universal remote can control multiple devices, yet it’s better to have a check at whether or not it supports the devices you have.
- The Number of Supported Devices: Some universal remotes limit how many devices you can control. Therefore, take note of that too.
- Smart Home Ecosystem: You should ensure that the remote is compatible with virtual assistant kits (if you have one) like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homepod.
- Power Source / Battery Life: Keeping in mind the remote’s power source and battery life (A detachable battery / built-in charging system) is also essential. You can choose depending on which one suits you the best.
- Interface: Some remotes have buttons while others support a touch user interface; you can decide which one to go for.
- Voice Control: Many universal remotes support voice control, and it’s easy and simple to use as well.
Conclusion
A universal remote is only compatible with the Fire Stick if the data-sharing technology (Bluetooth / IR)between the two is the same.
However, you can always make your remote sync with the Fire Stick or upgrade the Fire Stick’s remote to control other devices.
Else, you can also invest in a universal remote that supports Amazon Fire TV; just keep a check on the remote’s supportive devices, the limit to control devices, the supported interface, and the power source and battery life.