This guide will outline the steps to install the Mouse Toggle APK on FireStick. The steps apply to all Fire TV devices, such as the Fire TV Cube, FireStick Lite, FireStick HD, FireStick 4K, and FireStick 4K Max.
What is the Mouse Toggle App?
Mouse Toggle is a useful utility application that enables a virtual mouse cursor on Amazon FireStick, making app navigation more efficient using the remote.
The FireStick remote initially lacks a mouse pointer, making navigation and interaction with some applications and interfaces challenging.
The Mouse Toggle software helps you overcome this issue by providing a virtual mouse to your FireStick.
This enhanced functionality changes the user experience by providing better control and flexibility for apps that are not fully optimized for remote-based navigation.
The tool is particularly helpful for third-party apps that aren’t fully optimized for remote-based navigation. It makes it easier to select options and scroll through menus seamlessly.
Attention FireStick Users
Governments and ISPs across the world monitor their users' online activities. If you use third-party streaming apps on your Fire TV Stick, you should always use a good FireStick VPN and hide your identity so your movie-viewing experience doesn’t take a bad turn. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone.
I use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device, including Amazon Fire TV Stick. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 4 months free and save 61% on the 2-year plan.
Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick
Is Mouse Toggle Safe & Legal?
The security of third-party software, including Mouse Toggle, varies based on several factors.
I ran the Mouse Toggle APK file through an online malware-detecting tool, Virus Total. Even though 64 out of 65 vendors flagged the APK file as safe, even one red flag can be alarming.
It’s always a good idea to proceed cautiously and use discretion while installing and using any software on your device.
Mouse Toggle is legal. It is not a streaming app and, hence, does not violate any copyright laws.
However, if you use Mouse Toggle with a third-party streaming service, it is always best to use ExpressVPN to hide your online identity and maintain privacy.
Mouse Toggle App for FireStick: Installation Guide
FireStick doesn’t allow the installation of third-party apps by default. Therefore, you will need to tweak some settings first. Let’s start.
Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, websites, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed.
Step 1: Prepare FireStick for Mouse Toggle
The first thing you need is a side-loader app. FireStick does not permit the direct browser download of the files. I recommend the Downloader app. It is a very effective sideloading tool for FireStick. You can read our detailed guide on how to sideload apps using the Downloader in 2 minutes. Here are the steps to do it:
1. Go to Find > Search from the FireStick home screen. Type Downloader and follow the on-screen instructions to download the app.
2. Once you have installed the Downloader app, navigate to FireStick Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > Install Unknown Apps. Select Downloader and turn it on.
Note: If your device has Apps from Unknown Sources, turn it on instead. Also, make sure ADB debugging is ON. You will need ADB Debugging for the Mouse Toggle app to work.
Now, select Fire TV Stick and click it 7 times to enable Developer Options. If you’re still not sure how to do it, here’s a step-by-step guide to enable developer options.
Your FireStick will now install any third-party app. Let’s get started with the installation process of Mouse Toggle.
⚡ DON'T MISS THIS LIMITED-TIME 🕒 DEAL
Protect your privacy with ExpressVPN
DEAL OF THE DAY
61% DISCOUNT ON ExpressVPN and 4 EXTRA MONTHS
Risk-free with 30-day money-back guarantee
🔒 GET ExpressVPN↗️
Step 2: Install the Mouse Toggle App using Downloader
Here are the steps:
1. Open the Downloader app you installed earlier. Select the Enter a URL box.
2. Enter the following URL when you see the on-screen keyboard. Hit GO after entering the URL
- For old devices, such as Fire Stick Gen 1 and FireStick Gen 2, use this link: firesticktricks.com/mouse
- For new ones, including FireStick 4K Max, FireStick Lite, or the New FireStick, use this link: http://bit.ly/mousefire
Note: FireStickTricks does not host or distribute the APK file. The above URL redirects to mediafire.com, where the file is hosted.
3. Allow the Downloader app to download the Mouse Toggle APK file. It may take a couple of minutes.
4. Click Install.
5. Now, wait for the Mouse Toggle APK to install on the device. You will get a confirmation with the App Installed prompt. Select Done and return to the Downloader app.
6. Select Delete.
7. Confirm Delete.
You have successfully installed Mouse Toggle on FireStick.
Highly recommended for FireStick👇
How to Stay Anonymous on FireStick
Before you start, I would like to warn you that everything you do online is visible to your ISP and Government. This means playing free games, streaming free movies, TV shows, and Sports might get you into legal trouble.
Thankfully, there is a foolproof way to keep all your activities hidden from your ISP and the Government. All you need is a good VPN for Fire Stick. A VPN will mask your original IP, which is and will help you bypass Online Surveillance, ISP throttling, and content geo-restrictions.
I personally use and recommend ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is compatible with all kinds of apps and is very easy to install on Fire TV / Stick.
We do not encourage the violation of copyright laws. But what if you end up using apps from an illegitimate source unintentionally? It is not always easy to tell the difference between a legit and illegal source.
So, before you start using apps on your Fire Stick / Fire TV, let’s see how to use ExpressVPN to keep your activities hidden from prying eyes.
Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it free for the first 30-days, and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.
Step 2: Power ON your Fire TV Stick and go to Find, followed by the Search option.
Step 3: Now type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it shows up in the search results.
Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on Fire TV / Stick.
Step 5: Open the app and enter the login credentials that you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click Sign in.
Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.
You can also read more detailed info on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.
How to Access and Use Mouse Toggle on FireStick
Update: The Mouse Toggle may not work on the latest FireStick devices. Amazon made an update that caused the app to be stuck at “starting” status even after turning on ADB Debugging. I have provided a solution to fix it.
All the apps you install on FireStick can be accessed from the Your Apps & Channels section. Here is how you can get there:
Hold the Home button on your FireStick remote for about 5 seconds. When the menu screen appears, click Apps.
Now, open the Mouse Toggle app.
Important!!! First, for the Mouse Toggle app to work, ADB Debugging must be ON. Here is how you can turn it ON: FireStick Home screen > Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > ADB Debugging
Open the app from the Your Apps & Channels section. This is what the app looks like. There is only one screen.
For the Mouse Toggle to work, the option Enable the mouse service must be on.
If you want the mouse service to run on the FireStick start-up, turn the second option (Auto Start) on. I recommend keeping it on. Mouse Toggle is just a 2 MB app, and keeping it running does not affect the device’s performance.
When the Mouse Toggle is enabled, the Status at the bottom left of the screen says started.
If the Status is stuck on starting, you may need to turn ADB Debugging OFF and back ON. To do so, click the ADB SETTINGS button within the application.
That’s pretty much about the interface. Let me show you how to use the mouse pointer in any application.
How to Scroll Pages with the Mouse Toggle?
First, you must bring up the Mouse Toggle cursor on the screen by pressing the Play/Pause button on the remote twice.
Now, quickly press the following buttons on your remote one after the other in the same order:
- Play/Pause
- Down/Up Navigation
The cursor will get bigger and faster, letting you scroll pages.
How to Fix Mouse Toggle Stuck on Starting Status
We’ve found a workaround to fix the Mouse Toggle that is stuck in the starting status. It involves using an app to manage your device’s ADB settings remotely. However, this method only works if you have an Android smartphone.
I’ll divide the method into two parts:
- Turn on ADB Debugging and restart FireStick
- Install the Remote ADB Shell app and connect it to your FireStick
Part 1: Turn On ADB Debbugging
Follow the steps below:
1. Navigate to Settings>My Fire TV on your FireStick.
2. Select Developer Options.
3. Ensure the ADB Debugging toggle is turned ON. If it is already ON, turn it OFF and then ON.
4. Press the back button on your Fire TV remote to return to the My Fire TV window. Click Restart.
5. Select Restart to confirm the action. Wait for the Fire TV device to restart and reload apps.
Now that the ADB Settings on FireStick are ON, let’s move on to part 2.
Part 2: Install Remote ADB Shell App
Follow the steps below:
1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device and tap the search bar. Type Remote ADB Shell on the search bar and click Enter. Select the Remote ADB Shell app from the suggested results.
2. Click Install.
3. Once the installation is complete, press Enable/Open.
4. You’ll see a New Key Pair Generated notification. Press OK.
5. The app has an IP Address or Host Name field to enter your FireStick’s IP address.
6. Go back to your FireStick and go to Settings>My Fire TV>About> Network. You’ll see your device’s IP Address.
7. In the Remote ADB Shell app, enter the IP address in the provided field and then click Connect.
8. An alert will appear on your Fire TV screen, prompting you to allow USB Debugging. Select OK.
9. A prompt will appear on the Remote ADB Shell app. Type the following command:
cd /data/local/tmp/.mousetoggle (there’s a space between cd and /data), and then press Enter (the tick icon).
10. Type the following command:
./nmouseg stop (there’s space between g and stop), then press Enter.
11. Type the following command:
./nmouseg start, and then press Enter.
12. These commands let you start the Mouse Toggle app remotely.
13. Open the Mouse Toggle app on FireStick. The status should be starting. Double-click the play/pause button on your FireStick remote to activate the Mouse Toggle. You should see the pointer appear on the Mouse Toggle app.
When the app is activated, you can navigate FireStick apps that are incompatible with the Fire TV remote.
I will use Showbox HD as an example because this app is not remote-compatible. Please note that Showbox is no longer functional. However, the demonstration applies to any app that requires a mouse pointer.
Here is the Showbox HD home screen:
As you can see, there is a menu in the top-left corner. I can’t access it without the mouse toggle, but my TV screen doesn’t have a mouse pointer yet. So, how do I make it happen?
To display the mouse pointer, quickly press Play/Pause on your Amazon FireStick remote twice.
I did that and maneuvered the mouse pointer over the menu. Now, I must press the Select button on the remote to click the menu.
The following menu appears. Now, I can use the mouse pointer to hover over and click any item I want on the menu.
I clicked Movies, and I was redirected to the screen displaying movies. Again, I can use the mouse pointer to open any movie I like.
Please also note that the mouse pointer disappears after a few seconds when left idle. Press the Play/Pause button on the remote twice to bring it back.
Mouse Toggle Alternative – A Bluetooth Mouse
A Bluetooth mouse is a good alternative if the Mouse Toggle doesn’t work despite the workaround provided above. The Amazon FireStick supports Bluetooth devices like mouse, game controller, and keyboard, and connecting them is straightforward.
A Bluetooth mouse will let you control the Fire TV, including scrolling through the app library and navigating apps incompatible with the Fire TV remote. Mice are available on Amazon for as low as $10.
Follow the steps below to connect a Bluetooth mouse to FireStick:
- Turn on your Bluetooth Mouse and ensure it’s in pairing mode (discoverable).
- On your FireStick, navigate to Settings>Remotes & Bluetooth Devices.
- Select Other Bluetooth Devices.
- Click Add Bluetooth Devices.
- The FireStick will begin searching for Bluetooth devices to pair with.
- Once the Bluetooth mouse appears in the discovered devices list, select it.
- Wait a few moments as the two devices pair. Upon successful pairing, you should see the device type (mouse) and options to unpair or disconnect.
That’s all. To test the mouse, open an app incompatible with the Firestick remote. You should see a pointer to help you navigate the app.
Wrapping Up
This post demonstrated how to install Mouse Toggle on FireStick. Mouse Toggle enables navigation in apps that are not fully compatible with the FireStick remote. When the mouse pointer appears on the screen, you can move it around using the navigation button on the remote. This allows you to reach items within an incompatible app that the regular remote function cannot.
What’s your experience using the Mouse Toggle? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
Related:
- How to Use FireStick Without a Remote
- How to Reset Kodi on FireStick
- How to Jailbreak FireStick
- How to Install Strix on FireStick
Suberboost Your FireStick with My Free Guide
Stay Ahead: Weekly Insights on the Latest in Free Streaming!
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
The status just gets stuck at ‘Starting ‘. When I click on ADB settings, nothing happens
Hi Balaji, it always keeps saying ‘Starting’ for me and it still works. Press the Play/pause button twice rapidly to bring up the mouse pointer.
When I open the showbox app the screen is stretched landscape what should I do
Hi Farhan, yes, this app is not fully compatible with TV screens. There are better apps than Showbox to try. Here is our list: https://www.firesticktricks.com/amazon-fire-stick-apps.html
Have a question I have the 4k fire tv. I’ve done everything it just keeps saying starting. I’ve read there is a big on the app with 4k TVs and you have to download the toggle on you’re phone that cost 2.99$ and many people say it don’t work. Anyway around paying for a crappy app I don’t want to pay for ?
Hi Matthew, I have a 4K FireStick too and it works just fine on my device. To make Mouse Toggle work, you need to use it with an app. It won’t work when you try to bring up the pointer on any of the FireStick interfaces (such as the home screen)
Do you know of any virtual controller apps (iOS) that can be used with Fire TV ver 2?
Hi Casey, you can download and use the official Amazon Fire TV Remote app from the Apple Store.
I click the play button twice and nothing happens
Hi Greg, did you try to change the video resolution to 1080 50Hz?
I did everything you said but when I click on install it says App not installed and there’s an X next to it.
Hi Rick, which device are you installing it on? If it is FireStick or Fire TV, is it one of the newer ones or an older model?
I have the Firetv cube and it says to change TV to 1080 50hz. I have a Lg TV and it has no 1080 50hz. Everything but that. Is there another way to get the toggle to work…thanks
Hi Craig, you need to do it on your Fire TV Cube and not your TV. Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Display > Video Resolution
I have a fire tv cube. have tried several different versions of this app. The ADB settings are correct. The mouse toggle status says started. I changed my resolution to 1080p 50hz. Still when i double tap play button nothing happens. I am unable to see the mouse. I have to tap play again just to be able to use my cube again. Is there a certain version i need or what am I doing wrong?
Hi Danny, go to FireStick Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options
Turn ADB Debugging OFF and then back ON
Now, go to FireStick Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Mouse Toggle > Clear data > Clear data
Now, launch the Mouse Toggle app and turn OFF the option ‘Enable mouse services’ and turn it back ON
You should see the ‘Allow USB debugging’ prompt. Before clicking OK, make sure you check the option ‘Always allow from this computer’
Followed all steps however when I click install, nothing happens. It says app not installed. Have fire TV with all the latest updates. Any suggestions.
Hi Scott, go to Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options and make sure ADB Debugging is ON
Now, open the Mouse Toggle app you just installed. You should see a prompt that says something like “Allow USB Debugging? The computer’s RSA key fingerprint is:…”
Check the box “Always allow from this computer”
Click OK
Anyone know how you can stop apps starting up at startup. The ones that you have to continually have to shut down to get back to the homepage
Hi Dave, you would need to look for the option within the app settings to disable auto-play at startup. For instance, disable the option ‘Auto start the mouse service on device start-up’ in the Mouse Toggle app.
If you have any specific app on your mind, let me know
Hi Patrick
That’s not in the options. All there is, are launch,force stop uninstall,clear data a d clear cache.
Clear cache or force stop do nothing.
Hi Dave, I was referring to the app settings, within the app and not the FireStick settings. When you open the Mouse Toggle app, the option I referred to is right there