One of the things I hate most about setting up a new device or new streaming service is entering in my email address and passwords. Let’s face it, remote controls just weren’t designed to do a lot of typing on.
Thankfully, it’s really easy to add a keyboard to your Amazon FireStick or FireTV.
Whether you want a mini-keyboard that attached to your FireStick remote, or whether you just want an HTPC keyboard that’s only there when you need it, there’s a solution that’s right for you.
In this article, I’ll go over how to setup and connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your FireStick or FireTV. Amazon has a new look for FireOS in 2020, so I include screenshots for both the old and new versions.
Then I’ll talk about two of my favorite keyboards: a full-size, Bluetooth keyboard and a mini-keyboard that fits snugly on the back of your FireStick remote.
But first, let’s talk about why you should choose a Bluetooth keyboard over a wireless radio frequency (RF) keyboard.
Why Bluetooth Keyboard for Your FireStick?
Although it’s not as easy to set up, Bluetooth is just so much easier to use than wireless RF. You can pair Bluetooth accessories with several different devices at once, and switch back and forth at any time.
Because there’s no wireless received to plug in, you don’t need to waste one of your USB ports.
If you don’t know which generation of Fire TV you have, Amazon created a handy-dandy guide to help you figure it out.
Bluetooth doesn’t require line-of-sight, which means no more pointing your remote control directly at your FireStick in order to get it to work. You can also hide your FireTV behind the TV or inside your entertainment center.
Most importantly, Amazon eliminated the USB port with the FireTV dongle, back in 2017. If you have any of the newer FireTV and FireStick models, which is likely, you don’t even have the choice to use a wireless RF keyboard.
How to Connect a Bluetooth Keyboard on FireTV & FireStick
No matter what Bluetooth keyboard you choose, it’s easy to set up on your FireTV or FireStick.
As I mentioned earlier, Amazon changed the interface for all FireTV devices at the end of 2020. The new layout is optional, so you don’t have to update if you don’t want to.
So, although the process is the same, the screens will look very different depending on which version of FireOS you have. Don’t worry. I’ve got screenshots for both.
To get started, put the keyboard or remote in Bluetooth pairing mode. This is going to be different, depending on what device you have.
In most instances, there is a button combination or long-press that will do this. But this is the one place where you’ll need to check the documentation for your keyboard for specific instructions
1. Go into the Settings Menu on your FireStick.
2. Click on Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.
3. Click on Other Bluetooth Devices.
4. Click on Add Bluetooth Devices.
5. Make sure your keyboard is still in pairing mode.
If it is, you should see the name of your keyboard pop up on the list in a few seconds.
This is the one area where I got a little frustrated. While the FireStick found the Logitech keyboard right away, the iPazzPort took a few attempts.
In some cases, you might be asked for some additional confirmation that the device you’re trying to pair really is the device that’s sitting in front of you.
Usually this is nothing more than a random six-digit code that uniquely pairs the keyboard with the Fire TV.
Enter the six-digit code on the keyboard and press the Enter or Return key. If you’re successful, a popup appears on the lower right verifying that the keyboard is now connected.
6. Confirmation.
Once complete, you’ll get a pop-up window in the bottom-right corner of the screen. That lets you know your Bluetooth keyboard is connected to your FireStick and ready to use.
Best Keyboard for Amazon Fire TV: Logitech K480 Keyboard
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a big fan of Logitech keyboards. I’m typing this article out on my K840 mechanical keyboard.
As far as Bluetooth keyboards, I’ve got both the K830 HTPC keyboard with a built-in touchpad and the cheaper K480 that I use for my FireStick.
In truth, both are excellent keyboards, but I have to give the nod to the K480 here.
The Logitech K480 is about half the price of the sleeker K830 and has one big feature that it’s more expensive brother does not.
See that yellow dial in the picture above?
This Bluetooth keyboard can simultaneously connect to three devices, such as a Fire TV, tablet, and smartphone. When you want to connect to one device, just turn the dial to the profile number.
How convenient is that?
At around 12 inches by 8 inches and under two pounds, this keyboard is compact enough to keep on my lap while sitting on my couch.
If you want to use it with your smartphone, that long yellow cradle at the top of the keyboard is perfect for holding a tablet and/or phone at just the right angle to see it while you’re typing.
One slight con for this firestick keyboard: it doesn’t have a touchpad, which can make navigating a website on your FireStick a bit cumbersome.
My favorite Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech K480 lets you switch between three paired devices with the flick of a switch.
Best Mini Keyboard for FireStick: iPazzPort Mini Keyboard
But what is you don’t like the idea of a portable keyboard on your lap or cluttering up your coffee table?
Maybe you prefer to type on something that you can hold in your hands like your smartphone.
Then the iPazzPort Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard is for you. It connects through Bluetooth and works with the Fire Stick, Fire TV, Android TV Box, and a Smart TV.
The way it works isn’t by replacing your FireStick remote, but by combining with it.
The iPazzPort Mini keyboard comes with two silicone sleeves that fit different Amazon remotes. All you need to do is insert your Amazon remote in one side and the iPazzPort Mini in the other.
I’ll be honest here, the combined weight of both the remote and the keyboard does make is heavy to hold. However, if you need a keyboard for your FireStick pretty often, the added convenience might be worth it.
The iPazzPort Mini contains a full keyboard, complete with multi-media buttons on the right side: Play, Pause, Return, Search, Previous, Next, Home, +/-, and Menu. It’s also backlit, so you can use it in the dark.
Power comes from a built-in lithium-ion battery that you can recharge with a micro-USB cable.
The combined keyboard\remote design means that it’s easy to switch back and forth between keyboard and remote. You simply flip the keyboard over.
Want a full QWERTY keyboard, but don't want to give up your Fire TV remote? Now you can have both with this add-on keyboard for Amazon Fire TV!
After a brief hiatus from the industry he's back at the helm of AndroidTVNews.com to bring Android TV and TV boxes to the forefront of the streaming world.
When he's not writing, he spends as much time as he can with his beautiful wife and his bulldog.
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