If you are frequently misplacing the remote control for your Fire TV Stick then here’s some good news. Amazon has brought back a nifty web-based virtual remote that you can use instead of the physical remote, accessed by scanning a QR code on your TV screen.
This feature is common for streaming services such as Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video, but this one lets you control your entire Fire TV Stick software, not just individual apps. By displaying a virtual remote on your phone screen, the handy tool also lets you use your phone’s keyboard to enter passwords and searches rather than laboriously fill in searches with your remote control.
This virtual remote was originally launched earlier this year before Amazon yanked it from service in April due to security concerns. It was thought that if anyone could somehow scan the QR code (however unlikely) then they could gain control of your TV remotely and install malicious apps.
That was because the usual security measure that check the device scanning the code and your TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, so the system knows you’re in the room with the telly. Without that, experts said there was a big security risk.
As spotted by AFTVNews, the remote is now back in business and working for some Fire TV users. This web-based virtual remote, which appears in your phone’s web browser, exists in addition to the standalone Fire TV remote app that you can also download.
Now when you scan the QR code, you’ll be faced with a new process where you must confirm you can see a certain four digit code on your TV screen and phone or tablet that has scanned the code.
The idea is if the codes don’t match you can deny the connection request in case it is from a hacker of some description.
Cordbusters reports that while the virtual keyboard works with Fire TV’s web browser, it doesn’t currently work in all apps on the software, so you might encounter some frustrations with the new tool. But if you’ve misplaced your Fire TV Stick remote, it’s another way to pick what to watch on Netflix that evening without turning your house upside down to locate the remote.
