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Fire TV Setup No Longer Requires Typing in a Wi-Fi Password

Amazon's latest software update for Fire TV devices adds support for Wi-Fi simple setup, which can pull a stored Wi-Fi password from your Amazon account.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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One of the most tedious parts of setting up a new media streaming device is the requirement to enter your Wi-Fi password. The stronger your password is, the more tedious this process becomes. For Amazon Fire TV devices, the password entry step is no longer required thanks to a software update.

Alongside frustration-free packaging, Amazon offers frustration-free setup for some of its smart devices. Part of that is Wi-Fi simple setup, which allows your Wi-Fi password(s) to be stored in your Amazon account. When a new Amazon device is setup, the password can automatically be pulled from your account meaning no tedious entry is required using a remote and on-screen keyboard.

Until now, the Fire TV wasn't able to take advantage of simple setup, but as AFTVnews reports, the latest software update enables it. Of course, for the automatic process to happen you'll need to purchase a new Fire TV device with the latest update pre-loaded, but going forward this should become the norm for all new Fire TV devices. The Fire TV also needs to be purchased directly from Amazon as they ship them pre-linked to your account, which is also required for automatic access to your stored password.

If you own an Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot, or Echo Show and chose to store your Wi-Fi password on your Amazon account, you've likely already seen simple setup in action. However, many will rightly be wary of storing a Wi-Fi password online in case it leaks and others start using your wireless network without your knowledge.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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