Firestick Keyboard Remote Tool Removed for Security Reasons

In February of this year, Amazon added a new feature to Firestick and Fire TV devices that would allow remote access to the keyboard via web browser.

The tool was built to make it easier for device owners to type long URLs or insert usernames and passwords instead of using the Firestick remote that does not have any keyboard functionality.

Accessing the keyboard remote tool was provided via QR Code that displayed any time you open the keyboard on Firestick devices as pictured below.

This would then open a webpage on your preferred browser to easily type web addresses or login credentials. Unfortunately, Amazon has since removed this feature due to possible security issues associated with the new feature.

If you visit the page that hosted access to the Keyboard remote tool, you will see that it is now “Under Maintenance” and no longer available for use.

The QR Code that once displayed when launching the keyboard has also been removed and has returned to its original format as pictured below.

These changes were made after tech firm Green Line Analytics noticed security issues associated with this feature that could leave Firestick owners susceptible to unauthorized access to their devices.

This is because someone could potentially acquire the QR Code or personal device URL of another Firestick owner and access it remotely to install unwanted or malicious applications without the users’ consent.

This was first reported by Elias at AFTVNews.com who reached out to Amazon for a comment on the situation and was provided with the following:

We appreciate the work of independent researchers to help bring issues to our attention. While we’re still reviewing this research, we immediately disabled the QR feature at issue for Fire TV customers, which fully mitigates the scenario described by the researchers. We look forward to bringing this feature back for customers soon.

It is unclear if or when this feature will ever return but in the meantime, users can always use the Fire TV Remote App on mobile devices and tablets that has a built-in keyboard to type without using the Firestick remote.

Let us know your thoughts on this article and Amazon removing the Firestick Keyboard Remote Tool in the comment section below!

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