Amazon has released a new version of what it calls the “3rd-gen” Alexa Voice Remote. The new remote looks and functions identically to the one released in March 2021, which is likely why Amazon isn’t officially considering it a new remote, but this new remote actually has a new model number. The new remote also has a new FCC ID number, which suggests that the electrical components in the new remote are new as well.
You might think that the latest Fire TV remote being called the “3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote” remote means that there are a total of 3 different Fire TV voice remote models, but Amazon’s Fire TV remote generations don’t coincide with actual remote models. Amazon considers all Fire TV remotes that have voice capabilities but which do not have TV control capabilities (i.e., power, mute, and volume buttons) to be 1st-gen Alexa Voice remotes. Those “1st-gen” remotes actually consist of 4 distinct remote models that were released between 2014 and 2017. The 2nd-gen Alexa Voice Remote, released in 2018, is actually a single model and it was the first remote to include TV controls.
For the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote, Amazon started with the 2nd-gen remote and added a TV guide button and 4 app shortcut buttons. They also swapped out the black microphone button for a blue button with an Alexa icon and replaced the Amazon arrow branding at the bottom with a “fire TV” branded logo. That remote had a model number of L5B83G and FCC ID of 2AVZA-2374. The new version of the “3rd-gen” Alexa Voice Remote that was just released has a model number of P4C6EN and FCC ID of 2AYT9-7426.
The new Fire TV remote first appeared in regulatory filings in the middle of last year. It then passed through FCC approval in September of last year. This new remote is now being shipped with newly manufactured Fire TV models and it’s presumed that all Fire TV models will eventally use this newer remote, except the Fire TV Stick Lite, which uses a uniqe remote that was also recently updated.
There doesn’t seem to be any noticeable differences between the original and new 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote. With the 1st-gen Alexa Voice Remote, Amazon switched from Bluetooth to WiFi-Direct as the communication method when the 2nd iteration was released. Then, with the 3rd iteration, Amazon switched back to Bluetooth. That doesn’t seem to be the case with this new remote, so there’s no telling what has actually changed or why a new remote was released. Seemingly pointless changes like this usually have to do with money, so the new remote is probably just less expensive for Amazon to manufacture.
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I would guess that it has more to do with component availability, which is currently a big issue in electronics manufacturing. There is probably some key part in the older version of the remote that Amazon can’t currently get, so they had to redesign with parts that are available. We might even see the older version return or co-exist with this new one, with people getting one or the other at random with their Fire TV devices.
I got one of these remotes with the 4k MAX and it ate batteries every 48 hours. I sent it back to Amazon, but they only sent me a 4k MAX stick all by itself in a flat pack with no packaging. They are a funny bunch.
We bought a max last month and last week it started draining batteries in less than 10 hours. Funny thing is the batteries work fine in other remotes. Chatted with Amazon and I told them the problem. They immediately gave me a full refund and told me to trash the whole unit. I paired my 2nd gen remote and there is no issues
Will not work with the 2nd Gen cube.
Oh crap – really. I guess I’m canceling that order :-(
Note that Amazon didn’t create a new product page for the new remote. Since they’re continuing to use the product page as the first 3rd-gen remote, there’s no telling which remote you’ll get if you order, the first version or the second version.
I’ve got one of the new ones being sent to me and I’ll check its compatibility with all Fire TV models. I’ll be posting an overview of all remotes and which models each one works with, once I get this new remote and finish testing it.
I bought 2 firetv sticks with 3rd gen remotes and they only pair with them and not my 2nd Gen cube but the 2nd Gen remote pairs with the firetv stick just fine. Makes no sense
Just got the fire tv max and the remote pairs with the 2nd Gen cube. Must be the new one. The one that comes with the fire tv 3rd Gen does not.
I have the original fire tv stick,a 4k stick and the max, it ride remot from the max on all three and I could control them just fine without any problems
Our Toshiba fire tv remote is not working, getting by now with the app on the phone. Love to know if this one will work with the Toshiba.
Mine works with 2nd generation cube.
I wonder if I can get them to send me one of these new thrift gen ones. I have the second generation one which came with a new 4k fire stick. And the back cover keeps falling off. This wasn’t a problem with the first generation remote. I know that my brother-in-law has the same exact problem. We can’t be the only two either.
Same here. My 2nd Gen remote in the Living Room has issues with the back staying on. Then the Bedroom’s identical remote barely ever works with new bats. Been that way since we bought it.
Yes it Does work I have it working with my second Gen cube
no need for app buttons on a remote the apps are on the home screen when you start up your stick. Waste of space. Ditch those 4 buttons give us last/previous channel, settings, input/source, sleep timer instead. Yhea baby now we got it going. The people have spoken.
I think you can remap some of those app buttons.
I removed them from my Roku remote… Kept sitting on the remote and accidentally triggering Netflix or Vudu to launch interrupting whatever I was watching. Pair of players rips them right off, problem solved!
Uuuh…well thats one Hillbilly way to fix it. Why not just not set it on the couch/chair when u watch it?
Is this “THE” Rik Emmett, guitar guru from Triumph?!
Yes I agree with Tom…
WITH ALL THE INNOVATIONS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A REMOTE AND OR FIRE STICK WITH A SLOT FOR MORE MEMORY. EVERYTHING ELSE IS REALLY IRRELEVANT. REMOTES HAVE ENOUGH BUTTONS, BESIDES THEY ALREADY HAVE VOICE CONTROL.
Took mine back will not work on any of my TVs went back to a new old one
So you mean tell me if you brought the fire stick and 2021 brand new and don’t have the features like what was included we have to turn around and buy another one that really does the Alexa mine’s brand new I have not took it out of the box
No your remote will work fine with the Firestick you have.
Why don’t they add lightning behind the buttons?
Because lightning has such a high voltage it would blow out the electronics in the remote. It could also be rather dangerous for the user, not to mention a big drain on the batteries. The remote would need to be quite a bit larger to contain the transformer or the chain of capacitors necessary to get such a high voltage. Just wait for a storm and enjoy the lightning from the safety of your home by looking out the window.
LOL! :-D
I couldn’t edit my comment.
I meant to say to ADD LIGHTING TO THE REMOTE BUTTONS.
My spectrum remote had illumination lights when buttons are pressed.
Oh my goodness – that is too funny ;-)
Does anyone know,, If you bought a remote that has the nexflix & other buttons on it,,, ANY reason why it want hook into my Tv,, Any tv in my home will not ,, Pair with it,,, Anyone have any ideas to how I can make it work? HMU ty,,
I have the original fire tv stick,a 4k stick and the max, i tried remote from the max on all three and I could control them just fine without any problems
I would love next gen remote to have a buzzing sound so that i can find my remote using my echo device
So, I have a kind of unrelated question: I just saw on Woot that they’re selling a Fire Stick minus the remote. Which baffles me as to how you would set it up without a remote. To my knowledge, you can’t ad a remote without some way to navigate to Settings and you can’t connect with the remote app unless the stick is on your network, which you can’t do without a remote.
What am I missing?
On the very first screen of the setup process, where it asks you to press a remote button, the Fire TV is actively searching for a remote to pair to. All you need to do is hold the Home button on any Fire TV remote for about 10 seconds and the Fire TV will find and pair to the remote.
Thanks. I’m going to try this. Didn’t realize it was searching at that point.
I need a mouse button. Is there any way to toggle to a mouse?
You can download the fire TV app on your phone and/or tablet and use them as your remote. When you open the app, it automatically searches for all fire sticks. You can control any and all of them on the one app if you needed to. And when it finds a new fire stick, a code pops up on the screen and you pair the app to the fire stick. You can even name each fire stick u have in the app so you know which is which easily.
does anyone here know of a universal remote that would work with the amazon 2nd edition fire tv box? Don’t want or need shortcuts just on/off, channels up/down and volume up/down.
Download the fire tv app. This gives you a remote on your phone and you don’t have to buy any remote again.
It is a complex setup, but you can connect a Flirc (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBRBWS6/?tag=aftvn-20) to the USB port on the Fire TV 2 to allow any IR remote to control it. You would also need a small USB extension cable so that the Flirc is pointed out of the front. You would, however, lose voice control and have to point your remote at the Fire TV when using it.
The other option is to get a Sideclick (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRFY61G/?tag=aftvn-20) to your existing Fire TV remote.
You can download the fire TV app on your phone and/or tablet and use them as your remote. When you open the app, it automatically searches for all fire sticks. You can control any and all of them on the one app if you needed to. And when it finds a new fire stick, a code pops up on the screen and you pair the app to the fire stick. You can even name each fire stick u have in the app so you know which is which easily.
fire stick or fire tv
I’m STILL appalled at the on-screen keyboard! This is the best that this multi billion dollar company could come up with? REALLY?!?!? I thank the Lord that I took typing in highschool only 1000 yrs ago (only as a way for an easy credit). It has turned out to be invaluable in my work and in using these poorly designed amazon fire sticks! They could have at the very least put “.com” and some very commonly used things on the main screen of the on-screen keyboard.
Ihey were mostly network cabling technicians who don’t how to type so don’t really know the keyboard. THEY HATED IT and warned me not to get a firestick. I wasn’t worried because I know how to type.
Amazon should have include an air mouse on the remote. That jog dial mouse is so inaccurate. They should have also put a keyboard on the back of the remote. Sure it would cost a little more, but I’m certain a lot of people end up buying an alternate remote which has functions similar to what I suggested anyway. I know there is an app on your phone, but have had many issues with it. I have super strong wifi. EVERYTHING in the house on wifi works very well, yet sometimes the app has trouble connecting to my fire stick. It will drop connections many times. I have 3 sticks. It was even a problem when I only had 1 stick.
All of these “woulda, shoulda, coulda” ideas to improve the Firestick would have raised the cost substantially. For the price it’s fine just the way it is.
why would the price increase because of replacing the four new added to the firestick remote? instead of netflix put setting’s and for the other three. Same buttons just different.