If you own the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV devices then you know they’re a great way to access the best streaming services. This includes everything from Amazon Prime Instant to Netflix and Kodi. You can even use it to access your favorite Android games not to mention the latest in Amazon’s updated streaming designs and functionality.
It’s interesting to note though, that even through all this innovation, Amazon has yet to find a way to improve its user interface. Although it has gotten better over time, it’s still more difficult to use than it should. As a result, most people miss out on all the best features because they don’t even know they’re there! That’s why we’re sharing with you Amazon Fire TV Stick secret features that you may not be aware of. These could revolutionize your viewing experience so read on for more.
1. Amazon Tablet as a Second Screen
Those with an Amazon HDX tablet or Fire HD device will be happy to know that you can actually use it as a second screen whenever you want to navigate your Fire Stick or watch Amazon Prime Instant content. You can also watch content from your tablet if someone else is using the TV. This way everyone can enjoy their preferred content.
This is one of the best Amazon Fire TV Stick secret features we’ve come across. It’s super easy to set up as well. First, check to make sure your Fire tablet and your device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then go to Settings, followed by Second Screen and switch it on.
2. Shortcut Menu
If you’re tired of having to go through “Settings” in order to switch off your Fire Stick device, you’re not alone. But did you know that there’s a dedicated shortcut menu that could speed up your navigation?
Yep! And all you have to do to access is long press the home button. A pop-up menu will immediately appear. From there, you can just click on “Power”, “Settings” or “Mirroring.”
3. Parental Controls
Another one of Amazon Fire TV Stick secret features is the ability to activate Parental Control on all the apps installed on your device as well as on Amazon Prime Instant. This way, your kids won’t get access to content that you don’t want them to. It’ll cover all Amazon content provided by the device. Of course, you’ll have to setup separate parental controls for Netflix and other apps that you have on your Fire TV Stick device.
4. TV Mirroring
Now, it’s possible to mirror your Fire tablet to your TV. The first thing you need to do is connect your tablet to the same Wi-Fi network as the Fire TV Stick. Then, go to Settings, followed by Display & Sounds. Switch on Display Mirroring from your tablet and your TV simultaneously.
5. Personalized Screensaver
Personalization is another one of the best Amazon Fire TV Stick secret features. All you have to do is go to an Amazon Cloud Drive and upload a number of images that are connected to your account. You’ll receive a complimentary 5GB worth of space for the setup alone.
To get the images, go to your Fire TV and click on the Photos tab. Then browse through the available photos. You can also set your personal screensaver for a more customized experience.
6. Expandable Internal Storage
Each Fire TV device comes with built-in storage of up to 8GB. Although it seems like a lot, it tends to fill up quickly. The good news is that Amazon’s Fire TV set-top box enables you to top up your storage by inserting a USB stick. Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t apply to older devices.
But, if you have the latest Fire TV Stick and 2018 Fire TV dongle then you can always use a FAT32 formatted USB stick to increase your device’s storage space. Simply go to Settings, followed by Applications, and then Manage Installed Applications. This will allow you to send content to a USB stick. Unfortunately, you cannot use external hard drives with this device.
Just make sure to use a VPN like IPVanish to protect yourself whenever you go online. A VPN will protect your device from data theft, throttling, and even geo-blocking. This way you can enjoy all the entertainment you want, worry-free!
7. App Installation from Amazon’s Website
Navigating through the Amazon App Store is no walk in the park but very few people know that you can actually install your apps from the Amazon website.
Did you find this article on the Amazon Fire TV Stick secret to check out helpful? Let us know in the comments below if you need any help!
