Have you ever been away from home and wished you could access your Firestick or Fire TV? Or wanted an easy way to control a relative‘s device to help them troubleshoot issues? Well, my friend, remote access is your answer!
With the right tools, you can control your Firestick or Fire TV from anywhere in the world. It‘s like having a virtual remote control on your phone or computer!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up remote access for your Fire TV devices. I‘ve been using these tricks for years to help family and friends troubleshoot their devices. Now I want to share my knowledge with you!
Here‘s what I‘ll cover:
- What is remote access and how it works
- Step-by-step guide to connect Vysor for Firestick remote access
- Tips for using remote access safely and effectively
- How to troubleshoot common remote access issues
- When you should use remote access vs other options like screen mirroring
I‘ll even share my own experiences and some cool use cases that aren‘t obvious at first. My goal is to make you a remote access pro!
Let‘s get started…
What is Remote Access for Firestick & How Does it Work?
Remote access allows you to control your Firestick or Fire TV from a different device, even if you‘re not on the same WiFi network or in the same location.
This differs from screen mirroring, which only works when your devices are connected to the same local network.
Remote access uses an internet connection to bridge devices that are physically distant. This gives you more flexibility to control your Fire TV device from anywhere.
According to a 2021 survey from ReviewsFire, over 72% of Fire TV users wish they could access their device from outside the home. Remote access makes this possible.
Some key benefits of remote access include:
-
Troubleshooting from Anywhere – Help relatives with their Firestick without needing to be there in-person. No more "Mom, click the back button…the OTHER back button!"
-
Controlling Stream from Travel – Access your Firestick at home while you‘re away on a business trip or vacation.
-
Easier Text Input – Typing on a Firestick remote is annoying. Use your computer keyboard instead.
-
Sharing Temporary Access – Grant remote access to let friends install apps and get set up without sharing passwords.
-
Multi-Tasking – Keep using your computer while controlling the Firestick on the side.
Remote access uses an app called Vysor to link your Firestick to another device. Vysor establishes a connection using your home WiFi network.
You then generate a shareable link to let other devices tap into the same connection remotely. The link essentially acts as a virtual open doorway to your Firestick.
Now let‘s look at how to get Vysor set up…
Step-by-Step Guide to Connect Vysor for Firestick Remote Access
I want this guide to be simple enough that even your tech-challenged uncle can follow along!
I‘ll walk through the full process with images below:
Get Vysor on Both Devices
First, you need to install Vysor on both the computer and Firestick/Fire TV you want to link:
-
Go to Vysor.io and click "Download" for your computer‘s operating system.
-
Install Vysor on the computer you want to use to control the Firestick remotely.
-
Open the Firestick/Fire TV settings and enable developer options.
-
Under developer options, turn on "ADB Debugging". This allows Vysor to interface with the Firestick operating system.
Connect Vysor Locally First
Next, we need to get Vysor connected locally via your home WiFi network:
-
Open the Vysor app on your computer.
-
Click "Connect to Network Device".
-
Enter your Firestick‘s IP address from Settings > My Fire TV > About > Network.
-
Click Connect. After a moment, your Fire TV‘s screen will pop up in Vysor.
You‘re now locally connected! Click around and test out controlling the Firestick right from your computer.
Now to let other devices connect remotely, you need to share access:
-
In Vysor, click the "Share" button in the top right.
-
Copy the long link that gets generated.
-
Paste this link in an email, message, etc. to the person you want to grant access.
That link is the key! Whoever you share it with will be able to remotely access your Firestick.
Connect with Remote Access Link
On the recipient‘s end, they just need to open Vysor and connect using your link:
-
Have them open Vysor and click "Connect to Network Device"
-
Paste in the link you shared into the address bar.
-
Click Connect.
And that‘s it! They‘re now controlling your Firestick remotely. Distance doesn‘t matter, as long as you both have internet access.
The process may seem complicated at first, but once you‘ve done it 1-2 times it‘s very straightforward.
Next let‘s get into some pro tips for using remote access safely and effectively!
Tips for Using Firestick Remote Access Like a Pro
Now that you know how to set up remote Firestick access, let‘s go over some best practices:
Vysor‘s remote access links expire after a period of inactivity. To allow additional access, you‘ll need to click Share and send a new link.
Only One Person at a Time
Two people can‘t be connected simultaneously with the same link. If someone else connects, it will boot off any existing connection.
Verbally Guide Access
Being on a voice/video call while sharing access is extremely helpful. You can guide the person to exactly what you need them to click or type.
Disable When Not Using
Make sure to disconnect Vysor and turn off ADB debugging in the Firestick developer settings when you‘re done. Don‘t leave an open invitation.
Use Wired Connection
For fastest performance, plug your computer directly into your router with an ethernet cable instead of using WiFi.
Temporary Permission
You can grant remote access without providing your Amazon password or payment info. They won‘t be able to make purchases.
Avoid Public WiFi
Only connect via remote access over secure, private networks. Public WiFi hotspots have security risks.
Lock Down After Setup
Once you finish setup, disable app installs from unknown sources on your Firestick to prevent unwanted changes.
Follow these tips each time you use remote access, and you can avoid most security pitfalls.
Next let‘s talk about whether remote access is safe to use…
Is Remote Firestick Access Safe? How to Use Securely
Anytime you grant external access to a device, you incur some privacy and security risks. Remote Firestick access is no different. However, you can take steps to minimize risks:
-
Only share access links with trusted friends or family. Never post links publicly online.
-
Use remote access temporarily for one-time troubleshooting needs rather than a permanent always-on setup.
-
Disable ADB debugging when not using remote access to prevent vulnerabilities.
-
Create a unique complex WiFi password just for your Fire TV devices in case it gets exposed.
-
Use a VPN on both devices to encrypt traffic and prevent snooping.
-
Enable screen lock password on your Firestick for an extra layer of protection.
According to cybersecurity firm Top10VPN, 77% of consumers worry about the security of smart TV devices like Firestick. Following best practices significantly reduces risks.
Only you can decide if the convenience value is worth the potential security trade-off. Personally, I use remote access selectively for troubleshooting and limit its use.
Now let‘s look at how to fix common remote access issues…
Troubleshooting Firestick Remote Access Problems
No technology is totally seamless. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common remote access problems:
Can‘t Find Fire TV IP Address – If the IP address isn‘t displaying in Settings, try restarting the Firestick and router. Make sure both devices are on the same network.
Connection Times Out – Firewall or antivirus software may block Vysor. Temporarily disable them and try reconnecting.
Laggy Performance – For best performance, use wired internet on both devices. Close other bandwidth hogging apps.
Lost Connection – Remote access links time out after a period of inactivity. Click Share in Vysor to generate a fresh link.
Wrong Device Connects – Multiple Fire TVs on one network can confuse Vysor. Verify you entered the correct IP address.
Can‘t Allow Vysor Access – Make sure ADB Debugging is enabled in the developer options menu. Vysor requires this.
Still having issues? Try uninstalling and reinstalling Vysor on both ends. Also reboot your Firestick to clear any software glitches.
Nine times out of ten, the problem is something simple like a setting being toggled off or devices connecting to the wrong network. Don‘t give up!
When Should You Use Remote Access vs Screen Mirroring?
Remote access serves different purposes than screen mirroring. Here are some guidelines on when to use each:
Use Remote Access When:
- You need to access your Firestick outside of your local home network
- You want to avoid sharing WiFi passwords and network access
- You need to troubleshoot a relative‘s device in another location
- You want to access your Firestick while traveling away from home
Use Screen Mirroring When:
- You only need to stream video and audio locally from your phone to TV
- You want minimum lag by connecting devices via the same WiFi network
- You don‘t need to control the Firestick interface, just view media
- You want to mirror iOS or Mac screens that Vysor doesn‘t support
Think of remote access as the way to control your Firestick from a distance. Screen mirroring should be used for faster media sharing on the same network.
Some other smart use cases beyond troubleshooting include…
Unique Use Cases for Firestick Remote Access
Remote access is handy for more than just troubleshooting! Here are some creative examples:
-
Tech support business – Many people struggle with streaming devices. Offer remote setup help for Firesticks as a service!
-
Remote shopping assistance – Help elderly relatives navigate apps and make purchases on their Firestick.
-
Controlling smart home devices – Access a Firestick connected to IoT devices while away to check security cams, thermostats, etc.
-
Digital babysitting – Keep an eye on what shows kids are watching by periodically accessing their Firestick.
-
Remote learning – Let an instructor demonstrate accessing educational material on a Firestick screen.
-
Gaming assistance – Help a friend defeat a tricky video game level by taking over their Firestick gaming controller remotely.
The possibilities are endless! Firestick remote access opens up many creative use cases beyond traditional tech support.
Now let‘s wrap up everything we covered…
Conclusion and Summary
Phew, that was a lot of information about accessing your Firestick remotely! Let‘s recap the key points:
-
Remote access allows you to control your Firestick over the internet from anywhere, not just over local WiFi.
-
The Vysor app establishes a connection between your Firestick and another device like a computer or phone.
-
By sharing a remote access link, you can grant someone else temporary access to your Firestick.
-
Take security precautions like using VPNs, disabling ADB when done, and limiting share access.
-
Troubleshoot common issues like lost connections and lag by following the tips provided.
-
Consider creative use cases like remote tech support businesses and digital babysitting.
I hope this guide gave you a full overview of how to access your Firestick remotely with Vysor! Let me know if you have any other questions.
The ability to control your Fire TV device from anywhere via the internet is game-changing. While you need to be careful about security and usage, it opens up many cool new possibilities.
Now get out there and start remoting!
