Amazon’s Fire TV device allows its users to be able to watch content digitally directly on your TV. It is a streaming stick which comes with pre-built Amazon Prime. Through this device, you could install numerous streaming platforms such as TED, Netflix, BBC and many more. However, just like everything else, Amazon Fire TV also has limitations. One of which is you would need to install apps for you to be able to watch shows from other streaming platforms. Another limitation is the limited storage of 11.6GB. Hence, you will not be able to install as many app as you would like to. Though you could download content on Fire TV Stick, it could again take up a lot of space. Another alternative though is mirroring your phone or laptop to Fire TV Stick.
How does one mirror an Android phone to Fire TV? Before we go into that, let us first understand what miracast is
What is Miracast?
Miracast allows you to mirror one device to another. It could transfer audio and video. It is a built-in technology which is supported by other devices such as laptops, streaming sticks, dongles, phones and laptops.
The amazing thing about Miracast is it is very affordable and cheap. Furthermore, most Smart TVs support Miracast. Hence, you no longer need a Miracast dongle or stick for you to be able to mirror content.
To work, Miracast devices use WiFi direct technology. They work on WiFi router as well.
Supported Miracast Devices
In 2012, Miracast technology was launched. Together with its debut, Google has added support for its Android 4.2 Jellybean. Unfortunately, When Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released to the market, Google stopped its support for Miracast. With this, though Android devices don’t support Miracast anymore, there are other devices and manufacturers that support Miracast and they are the following:
– OnePlus
– Xiaomi
– Samsung
– Huawei
These are made possible through a few software tweaks.
As for laptops, you could use Miracast on Windows 8 and Windows 10. Take note that not all laptops are compatible with Miracast. Hence, it is important that you double check your laptop’s specifications.
As for iOS devices, yes you do already know the answer to that, they do not support Miracast. This is the reason why you could only mirror iOS devices on Apple devices such as Apple TV.
Mirror from Android to Fire TV Stick
For you to be able mirror content, you have to ensure that your devices (Android and Fire TV devices) are compatible.
Support Android Devices
All the device supporting Miracast work well with Fire TV Stick except for stock android devices such as Xiaomi Mi A1 and Google Pixel, all devices are capable of mirroring to Fire TV Stick.
Supported Fire TV
Screen mirroring, unfortunately does not work on 3rd generation Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Cube. Though this is the case, you will still be able to do so through the help of third party apps.
Method to Connect Phone to Fire TV
Once you have ensured that your devices are compatible and you could connect now them to the same WiFi network and mirror its content. All you need to do is the following:
1. Go to your Fire TV
2. Go to Settings
3. Select Display and Sounds
4. Select Enable Display Mirroring. This will make your Fire TV go to search mode and it will also look for nearby devices.
5. Press the home button until you see the options menu.
6. Select Mirroring options
Connect your phone to Fire TV
Once your Fire TV is on search mode, you will need to enable a feature on your phone to connect them. To enable it, all you need to do is the following:
1. Go to Settings
2. Select More
3. Select Wireless display
4. Turn on the toggle for Wireless display
5. Tap on Fire TV name. This will start the mirroring on your TV.
Troubleshoot screen mirror not working on Fire TV
If you have some troubles mirroring your compatible devices to Fire TV Stick, we recommend that you change your WiFi frequency band to either 2.4 GHz or to 5 GHz. You will be able to do this by going to your phone’s settings. Select WiFi then go to Advanced and then to WiFi frequency band. Switch it to 2.4 or 5 GHz.
New versions of Android usually have this setting disabled. If that is the case, all you need to do is change the band from your router settings.
Difference between Mirror and Cast
Mirroring means you are copying the exact content from one device to another. In other words, you could transfer a small screen into a bigger screen. Hence, aside from watching movies and videos, you could also view your notifications and messages while mirroring your phone or whatever you are doing with your phone will be reflected on the other device.
As for casting, you could only project a video, image or audio from your phone to the television. In other words, the content is what is being mirrored and not the entire screen of your phone. Hence, through casting, you will be able to control the media through your phone. This means, your phone could act as the remote control.
How to mirror from stock Android devices to Fire TV
Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, you cannot mirror stock Android and for it to work, you will need to cast it to Fire TV. You will have to install Cast to TV app on your phone. Once installation is complete, you could now open the app and Fire TV will automatically appear. Take note, it will only appear if both of your devices are connected on the same WiFi network. Tap Fire TV and choose what you would want to cast to your TV.
Limitations for Fire TV Mirroring
1. When you mirror your phone to your TV, your screen will have to be on the whole time you are mirroring.
2. It could eat up most of your phone’s battery
3. You could not do anything else on your phone while you are mirroring.
4. If you leave the app, your movie on your TV will close too.
5. There are some streaming apps that are not compatible and does not support screen mirroring.
Conclusion
It’s unfortunate that Google is doing the same thing that Apple is doing- locking their system. The reason behind this is probably due to their Chromecast devices which are being offered in the market. Hence, they would wish for you to patronize their product instead of Miracast. Though that is the case, we hope that in the future, Google would bring back their support for Miracast.
