Yes, you can control your Fire TV without a remote using TVRem. Simply connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire TV, enter the code shown on your TV during the first connection, and you’ll have full control — no original remote needed.
TVRem gives you everything you need in one app:
- Navigate menus smoothly with swipe and tap gestures
- Adjust volume, control playback, and switch channels effortlessly
- Launch streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video with a single tap
- Enter text quickly using your phone’s keyboard instead of the on-screen keyboard
- Use voice control and voice input to search or run commands hands-free
It works with Fire TV streaming players, Amazon smart TVs, and any TV with Fire TV built in. TVRem turns your iPhone or iPad into a modern, intuitive remote, making it easy to control your TV even if the original remote is lost, broken, or out of reach.
The Official Fire TV App: The Remote in Your Pocket
Honestly, when my Fire Stick remote ghosted me, I was half a second from uninstalling the whole setup. But the free Amazon Fire TV app (on iOS and Android) is kind of a lifesaver.
Hook your phone up to the same Wi-Fi as your Fire TV, crank up the app, and it’ll spot your device automatically. The app gives you all the good stuff—directional controls, volume, a keyboard for typing (thank you!), and voice search that’s actually useful. I use this app daily now, with no interest in replacing my lost remote.
Third-Party Option: TV Remote, Universal Remote App for iOS
If the Amazon app gives you grief (hey, tech happens) or you want to try something a bit different, this iOS app is worth a shot. It supports a range of Smart TVs and—bonus—works with some Fire TV devices over Wi-Fi.
Just like before, get your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network, launch the app, and you’re basically back in business. I tried it as backup when Amazon’s own app was on the fritz, and, honestly, it did the job for basic control just fine.
Your TV Remote Has Hidden Powers (aka HDMI-CEC)
Alright, here’s a trick that makes you wonder why more people aren’t talking about it: If your TV was made anytime after the dinosaurs, chances are it supports HDMI-CEC—a fancy feature that lets your TV remote boss around other connected devices.
Pop into your TV’s settings, sift through for phrases like “Anynet+,” “Simplink,” or “Bravia Sync”—yeah, the names are a nightmare, but they all mean the same thing. Once you flip it on, you can use your regular TV remote (yep, the one you probably still have) to handle basic Fire TV commands. No install, no downloads, just simple menu navigation.
Talk to Your TV (For Real) with Alexa Devices
If you’ve ever wanted to boss your TV around, now’s your moment. Provided you’ve got an Echo speaker or anything else Alexa-powered at hand, you can start spitting out voice commands like:
- “Alexa, open Netflix on Fire TV.”
- “Alexa, play The Office on Fire TV.”
Caveat: You’ve got to have your Fire TV signed in on the same Amazon account as your Alexa device. Getting them talking is pretty quick inside the Alexa app. It feels futuristic and, honestly, a little too easy—until you realize you just started an episode on accident because you sneezed out “Alexa,” but that’s a different rant.
To summarize this thread, here’s my take:
If you’ve lost your Fire TV remote, TVRem is by far the easiest and most reliable solution. It instantly turns your iPhone into a full-featured remote, offering smooth navigation, volume and playback control, one-tap app launching, keyboard input, and voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant. Unlike the official Amazon Fire TV app, which is limited to Fire TV devices, TVRem works with multiple TV brands, making it a truly universal and hassle-free option.
Other third-party apps may cover basic controls, but they’re often slower, less reliable, or missing advanced features. HDMI-CEC workarounds or Alexa commands can also be inconsistent and cumbersome. TVRem addresses all of these issues, delivering a fast, intuitive, and versatile iPhone remote that effortlessly replaces a lost or broken Fire TV remote.