Your Fire TV Stick is the gateway to all of Prime’s content and programming. For a small monthly subscription fee, it allows you to have access to thousands of hours of entertainment. All you'll need is a TV with an open HDMI port and batteries for the included remote. But what about Wi-Fi, and how much can the Fire TV stick still do for you if the Wi-Fi signal is down?
You can't use an Amazon Fire TV Stick without a Wi-Fi network. A Fire TV Stick requires a network to stream content onto your television. With that said, if you don't have high-speed internet and you already own a Fire TV Stick, there are some things you can do.
Put simply, your Fire TV Stick without the Internet isn't completely useless. In fact, it can still be used for a few functions, including through some of the pre-installed applications. Many of the apps don't require an internet connection and you can still watch content on those apps.
👉 Related reading: What Internet Speed Do I Need?
Key Takeaways
- Wi-Fi Dependency: The Fire TV Stick needs Wi-Fi for streaming, but basic functions work without high-speed internet.
- Alternative Connectivity: Without Wi-Fi, alternative options include using a mobile device as a hotspot, subscribing to FreeTime Unlimited for offline content, and using Miracast for screen mirroring.
Everything You Can Do with a Fire TV Stick without Wi-Fi
It can seem pointless to try and use your Fire Stick when you don’t have a home Wi-Fi connection, but the device still has its uses, in fact, you might be surprised at what you can still do with it. While this guide addresses Firestick specifically, you may also want to have a look at our full guide on using any smart TV without Wi-Fi, and on how to get local channels without an antenna.
As noted above, you can still watch content on some of the pre-installed apps, however, the number of available programs is limited.
There are other things you can do with your Fire TV Stick despite not having an internet connection, including not only what's listed below, but it can also be used to connect to a projector, which we have a full guide on how to do.
Use Kodi with a Fire Stick
Kodi is one of the most popular content streaming platforms that's compatible with Fire TV Stick. The app is easy to download and install its content on your Fire Stick. Once the app is installed you can watch Kodi’s movies and shows as each one is downloaded.
You can watch the content you’ve downloaded offline, but in order to access Kodi’s online library, you do need an internet connection.
Play Android Games
Not all games, once downloaded, need an internet connection. If there are games you want to play but don’t want to pay for Wi-Fi, you can download them onto the Fire Stick.
Once you’ve installed the game, you can use the Fire Stick to play them on your television. However, if the game requires an internet connection during play, you have to know that it won’t work on the Fire TV Stick.
Use Other Apps Through the Fire TV Stick
Without an internet connection, you would not see the Prime Video home screen but you can still access some of the apps. It does take a couple of steps, but it’s necessary if you want to watch the included content. If the app doesn’t need Wi-Fi, you can use Device Settings to see what your options are.
The steps are simple, but you will still only be able to pick and choose from the content and apps that do not need an internet connection.
- Turn the TV on and go into the settings for the Fire TV Stick.
- Choose “applications” and then select “manage installed applications”.
- Pick the app you want and click on the tab labeled “Start application”.
Use a Hot Spot
Chances are you have at least one device that also functions as a hot spot. If you don’t have the dedicated equipment, your smartphone will also work.
It’s not hard to use your mobile device to connect your Fire TV Stick to the internet, and you’ll have access to all of the included movies, shows, and games.
- In “settings” on your smartphone, you’ll see a Hotspot function.
- On your Fire TV Stick, open the Alexa app and press the tab for “devices”
- Choose “Amazon tap” and then “edit”.
- Scroll through the options until you find “hotspot” and select ‘use this device as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Select “Start”
- Enter the name of the network and password you chose for the hotspot and select “connect”.
When the connection between your phone and the Fire TV Stick is established you’ll have access to all of the streaming content. There is one thing to remember. Selecting Amazon Tap gives the Fire Stick access to your phone’s data and it can negatively affect your monthly bill.
Before you use your mobile device as a Wi-Fi hotspot for a Fire Stick, it’s a good idea to find out what your data usage limits are.
You’ll also want to find out how expensive it is to go over your data plan because some retailers will let you increase the GB on your phone plan, but not all of them. In other words, it's possible that it's actually cheaper to have Wi-Fi installed in the home.
Subscribe to Freetime Unlimited
FreeTime Unlimited is a yearly subscription service that’s affordable and great for families with kids and no internet. Children, and adults, can read online books, play games, and watch movies that they’ve previously downloaded.
You will need to create a hotspot if you don’t have Wi-Fi or turn yours on to download the content. Once the installation is complete, you can disable the internet connection.
It’s a safe way to let children use a Fire TV Stick, while still controlling the content kids have access to.
Use Miracast
Your device must support Miracast and if it does, you should be able to screen mirror from your phone to the Fire TV Stick. For example, if you’re watching a movie on your Apple device you can send the content to the television where the stick is connected.
Miracast only works with specific mobile devices, primarily those with a 4.2 Android operating system and higher. You’re also using the phone’s Wi-Fi data so you’ll want to watch for over-usage fees.
Getting The Most From Your Fire TV Stick
Your Fire TV Stick isn’t useless simply because you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection (just like without its Amazon Fire Stick remote), but you’re probably limited in terms of what content and games you have access to.
One option is to use your mobile device for a hotspot or mirror screening, however, this could end up costing a lot of money due to data usage rates.
Put simply, data usage might cost more than just paying for a Wi-Fi service. With all this in mind, it's worth mentioning that an Amazon Fire TV Stick (just like Roku) can be used without an internet connection, but it's just going to work a lot better with one because you'll have access to way more content and games.
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