How to Use a Mouse with Your Amazon Fire Stick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick has a wide range of apps that are better optimized for touch-screen devices and mice. If you try to navigate them via your Firestick remote, they can leave you frustrated and waste plenty of your time.

However, since you can’t physically connect a mouse to your Firestick, you need to find alternative options. Fortunately, there’s an app that can turn your Firestick remote into a temporary mouse.

In this article, you’ll learn how to install the Mouse Toggle App and make it easier for you to navigate through the Firestick Menu.

First Step – Allow Third-Party Apps

Amazon Fire TV and/or Firestick don’t allow apps from unknown sources by default. However, you’ll need to enable this since the Mouse Toggle app is still deemed as an unknown source by Amazon. Don’t worry, it won’t harm your device in any way.

To allow third-party apps, do the following:

1. Turn on your Firestick device.
2. Open the ‘Settings’ menu from the home screen.
   
3. Select the ‘Device’ menu.
   
4. Go to ‘Developer options.’
   
5. Navigate down to the ‘Apps from Unknown Sources’.
   
6. Toggle it on.

This will allow you to install apps that are not listed in the official app store. When you toggle this option, you’ll be warned that there are various risks to your device and Amazon account if you enable this option. Just ignore the message and proceed.

After you enable it, you’ll be able to install the Mouse Toggle app.

Second Step – Download a Sideloader

Since your app is not in the official app store, you’ll need to find another way to download it. The best way to download third-party apps is with the help of a sideloader. The most popular sideloading tool is the ‘Downloader’ app.

You can get this app easily from the app store. Follow these steps if you don’t know how:

1. Open the home screen of your Fire TV Stick.
2. Go to the ‘Search’ icon (magnifying glass) to the left of the bar.
   
3. Type in ‘Downloader’ with the on-screen keyboard (navigate the keys via the remote)
4. Choose the ‘Downloader’ from the list of available options. It should open the download menu.
5. Choose ‘Get’ and wait for the app to download.
   

Third Step – Download Mouse Toggle

Once you enable third-party apps and install the ‘Downloader’, you can easily get the Mouse Toggle. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the home screen of the ‘Downloader’ app.
2. Navigate to the URL bar in the designated field.
   
3. Type in the following link: tinyurl.com/firetvmouse.
4. Press ‘Go.’ This will automatically start the download.
5. Wait for the download to finish (you can track the download progress).

When the download is finished, the ‘Downloader’ will manually start the installation of the APK file. You will see a new dialog box asking you if you want to install the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV app.

6. Select ‘Install’ and wait for it to finish.
7. Click ‘Open here’ once the installation finishes if you want to use the app right away.

If you want to delete the APK file you’ve downloaded (but not the app), you can return to the ‘Downloader’. A window saying that the file downloaded successfully will appear. Just select the ‘Delete’ button.

Accessing the Mouse Toggle

There’s no difference in accessing the Mouse Toggle app compared to other Fire TV Stick apps. You can find it in the app library among all the other installed tools.

Once you open the app, you’ll only find one screen. Here you can choose whether to enable or disable the mouse service, automatically launch the app on startup, or customize the ADB settings. You should always keep the ‘ADB Debugging on’ – it’s usually the default setting.

To display the mouse pointer, you just need to hit the Play/Pause button on your Firestick remote twice. The ‘Select’ key on your remote replaces the left click. You can also press the Play/Pause button and the Down key to scroll with the remote.

Lastly, the pointer will go away if you don’t use the remote for some time. To make it reappear, simply double-press the Play/Pause button again.

As you can see, it can be convenient to use Mouse Toggle, especially for those who are more used to navigating their apps via a mouse. With this app, your remote will turn into a mouse on your command. If you find the app underwhelming, you can easily disable it.

Be Careful with Unwanted Apps

The Mouse Toggle app requires you to disable the prevention of unwanted apps. However, you should be careful about which apps you get afterward.

Make sure to always download the apps from the official app store to prevent the intrusion of any malicious software. This app is tried and tested, but some other apps may not be.

It’s also recommended to enable the protection from downloading unknown apps once you’ve installed the Mouse Toggle.

Are you satisfied with this app? Did you manage to install it? Share your experience in the comments section below.