How to Install Mouse Toggle on FireStick: This guide will walk you through the process of installing the Mouse Toggle APK on any FireStick device, including the Fire TV Cube, FireStick Lite, FireStick HD, FireStick 4K, and FireStick 4K Max.
What is the Mouse Toggle App?
The Mouse Toggle app is a virtual mouse tool designed to enhance navigation on TV streaming devices like FireStick and Android TV boxes. Although many unofficial apps are now optimized for Fire TV devices, some are still built primarily for mobile phones and tablets. These mobile-focused apps often don’t work smoothly on TVs due to compatibility issues with the TV remote.
With the Mouse Toggle app, you can activate a virtual mouse cursor on your Amazon FireStick or other compatible devices, making it easier to navigate. This utility improves usability by offering better control and flexibility when using apps that aren’t fully optimized for remote navigation. Since the FireStick remote doesn’t include a built-in mouse pointer, interacting with certain apps and menus can be difficult. Mouse Toggle solves this by allowing you to easily select options and scroll smoothly through menus.
Privacy Alert! Your data is exposed to the websites you visit! The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 48% off.
Your IP Address: Loading...
Your Location: Loading...
Your Internet Provider: Loading...
Is Mouse Toggle Safe & Legal?
Mouse Toggle is a third-party utility app, which often raises concerns about safety since apps from unknown sources can sometimes contain malware like viruses, trojans, spyware, or adware. While cannot guarantee the safety of Mouse Toggle, it’s important to conduct your own research before using such apps.
A quick scan of the APK using an online malware detection tool (VirusTotal) showed that 5 out of 65 security vendors flagged the file as potentially malicious, which is concerning. Therefore, exercise caution when using Mouse Toggle on your device. Regarding legality, Mouse Toggle itself is legal since it’s not a streaming app and doesn’t violate copyright laws. However, if you use it alongside third-party streaming apps, it’s highly recommended to use a VPN like ExpressVPN to protect your privacy and conceal your online activity.
Mouse Toggle App for FireStick: Installation Guide
Because Mouse Toggle is not available on the Amazon App Store, you’ll need to sideload it onto your FireStick. This involves two main steps: first, adjusting your FireStick settings to allow installations from unknown sources, and second, using a sideloading app to install the APK file, since Fire OS does not permit direct installations from external websites.
We’ll break down the sideloading process into two parts:
- Preparing your FireStick for sideloading
- Installing the Mouse Toggle app
Best VPNS For FireStick
Privacy protection and transparency
Best overall VPN with a free trial
ExpressVPN
Part 1: Prepare Your FireStick for Sideloading
The first step is to install a sideloading app. I recommend using the Downloader app, which is an efficient tool for sideloading on FireStick. You can check out our detailed guide on how to sideload apps using Downloader in just a couple of minutes. Here’s how to get started:
- From the FireStick home screen, go to Find > Search. Type Downloader and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the app.
- Once Downloader is installed, go to Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > Install Unknown Apps. Find Downloader and enable it.
- Note: On some devices, you may see an option called Apps from Unknown Sources instead — make sure to turn this on. Also, ensure ADB Debugging is enabled, as Mouse Toggle requires it to function properly.
- If you don’t see Developer Options:
Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About, then select Fire TV Stick and click it 7 times. This will unlock Developer Options. If you need more help, refer to our step-by-step guide on enabling Developer Options. - Your FireStick is now ready to install third-party apps. Let’s move on to installing Mouse Toggle.
Step 2: Install the Mouse Toggle App Using Downloader
Follow these steps:
- Open the Downloader app and click on the Enter a URL field.
- Using the on-screen keyboard, enter the URL below and click GO:
- For older devices (Fire Stick Gen 1 and Gen 2):
- For newer devices (FireStick 4K Max, FireStick Lite, New FireStick):
- Allow Downloader to download the Mouse Toggle APK. This may take a few minutes.
- When the download finishes, click Install.
- Wait for the installation to complete. Once you see the App Installed message, select Done to return to Downloader.
- Next, select Delete to remove the APK file and save storage space.
- Confirm the deletion by clicking Delete again.
How to Stay Anonymous on FireStick
Before you begin, it’s important to know that your online activities are visible to your ISP and government agencies. This means streaming free movies, TV shows, sports, or playing free games could potentially lead to legal issues.
I personally use and recommend ExpressVPN, known for being one of the fastest and most secure VPNs available. It works seamlessly with all apps and is simple to install on Fire TV and FireStick devices. While we do not promote copyright infringement, sometimes it’s hard to tell if an app is legitimate or not. So, to protect yourself, it’s wise to use ExpressVPN when using third-party apps on your FireStick or Fire TV.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for the first month. If you’re unhappy with the service (which is rare), you can get a full refund.
- Turn on your Fire TV Stick and navigate to Find > Search.
- Type ExpressVPN (without quotes) in the search bar and select it from the results.
- Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app.
- Open the app, enter your login details from when you purchased the subscription, and click Sign In.
- Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. Your connection is now secure, keeping your activities private with the fastest VPN for FireStick.
For more detailed instructions, you can check out guides on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.
How to Access and Use Mouse Toggle on FireStick
- Update: Mouse Toggle may not work properly on the newest FireStick models. Amazon’s recent update caused the app to get stuck on the “starting” screen, even if ADB Debugging is enabled. I’ve included a fix for this issue below.
- To access your installed apps, hold down the Home button on your Fire TV remote for about 5 seconds. This will open the Your Apps & Channels window. Click Apps to see all installed applications.
- Open the Mouse Toggle app. The interface is simple—make sure the Enable the mouse service option is turned on.
- I also recommend enabling Auto-start the mouse service on device startup so that Mouse Toggle runs automatically when your FireStick powers on. This makes accessing the mouse pointer easier on apps that need it.
- The Mouse Toggle app is lightweight (about 2 MB) and won’t impact your device’s performance.
- When the mouse service is active, you’ll see the status Started at the bottom-left of the screen.
- If the status remains stuck on Starting, try toggling ADB Debugging off and then back on by clicking the ADB SETTINGS button inside the app.
- That covers the basics of the Mouse Toggle interface. Next, I’ll show you how to use the mouse pointer within any app.
How to Scroll Pages with Mouse Toggle
To bring up the Mouse Toggle cursor on your screen, press the Play/Pause button on your remote twice quickly.
Next, press these buttons in the following order, one after the other:
- Play/Pause
- Down or Up navigation button
This will enlarge the cursor and increase its speed, allowing you to scroll through pages smoothly.
Best VPN For Downloading Safely
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN With the Fastest Speeds for Smooth Streaming
Best Feature
The fastest speeds we tested, ensuring you can stream, browse, game, and torrent without interruptions
Server Network
3,000 servers in 105 countries give you fast worldwide connections
Simultaneous Device Connections
Up to 8, so you can protect your compatible devices under one subscription
Works With
Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more
2. NordVPN — Best VPN With the Fastest Speeds for Smooth Streaming
Best Feature
High security features and fast speeds for a reliable connection
Server Network
5,400 servers in 60 countries for improved accessibility and connection speeds
Simultaneous Device Connections
Up to 6 devices, suitable for protecting multiple devices simultaneously
Works With
Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more
How to Fix Mouse Toggle Stuck on Starting Status
As mentioned earlier, the Mouse Toggle app needs its status to show “started” to function properly. However, a 2024 update from Amazon blocked internal ADB connections on Fire TV devices, causing Mouse Toggle to get stuck on the starting screen. There is a workaround using an app called Remote ADB Shell, which lets you manage your FireStick’s ADB settings remotely via an Android device. Note that this fix requires an Android smartphone.
Part 1: Enable ADB Debugging and Restart FireStick
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV on your FireStick.
- Select Developer Options.
- Make sure ADB Debugging is ON. If it’s already on, turn it OFF and then back ON.
- Press the back button to return to My Fire TV, then select Restart.
- Confirm by selecting Restart again and wait for the device to reboot.
Part 2: Install Remote ADB Shell App and Connect to FireStick
- On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store and search for Remote ADB Shell.
- Install the app and open it.
- When prompted with New Key Pair Generated, tap OK.
- You’ll see a field to enter your FireStick’s IP address.
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Network on your FireStick.
- Enter the IP address into the Remote ADB Shell app and tap Connect.
- On your FireStick, you’ll get a prompt asking to allow USB debugging—select OK.
- Back on the Remote ADB Shell app, enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
Using Mouse Toggle After Fix
Open the Mouse Toggle app on your FireStick. The status may show starting. To activate the mouse pointer, quickly press the Play/Pause button twice on your FireStick remote. The cursor should appear. You can now use the mouse pointer to navigate apps that don’t work well with the Fire TV remote.
Example Use Case
For example, in apps like Showbox HD (which is no longer functional but demonstrates the concept), some menus are inaccessible without a mouse pointer. After activating Mouse Toggle by pressing Play/Pause twice, move the pointer over the menu and press the Select button on the remote to click. The mouse pointer allows you to hover over and select any items on the screen. The mouse pointer disappears after a few seconds of inactivity. Press the Play/Pause button twice again to bring it back.
Best VPN deals this week:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Mouse Toggle stuck on starting?
The Mouse Toggle gets stuck on the starting status due to ADB Debugging issues. Make sure ADB Debugging is ON. You can also try turning it off, restarting your FireStick, and then turning it back on to see if the issue is resolved.
Is Mouse Toggle still working?
Yes, the Mouse Toggle is still working for some users. However, an Amazon software update disrupted the app’s ability to establish ADB connections, which in turn affected its functionality. We have provided a workaround for the issue.
What alternative is available for the Mouse Toggle app?
A remote app with touchpad features, such as the Remote Mouse, is a decent alternative to the Mouse Toggle app. You can also go for hardware alternatives such as a Bluetooth mouse.
Wrapping Up
This guide showed you how to install Mouse Toggle on your FireStick. This third-party utility app acts as a virtual mouse, enabling you to navigate and control apps that don’t fully support the Fire TV remote. It provides a movable pointer or cursor that you control using the FireStick remote’s navigation buttons. Have you tried using Mouse Toggle? Feel free to share your experience or ask any questions in the comments below!
Best VPNs for Streaming — Final Score:
Rank
Provider
Overall Score
Best Deal
9.8
★★★★★
save 84%
VISIT WEBSITE >
9.6
★★★★★
save 83%
VISIT WEBSITE >
9.4
★★★★★
save 84%
VISIT WEBSITE >