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Devices
Devices are the Fire TV hardware units that display your Tapboard content. Each device pairs with your account and connects to a screen to show your menu boards and advertisements.
Supported Fire TV Devices
Tapboard runs on Amazon Fire TV devices. The following devices are tested and supported:
| Device | Resolution | Best For | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) | 4K Ultra HD | Best overall performance for menu boards | Buy on Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) | 4K Ultra HD | Great balance of price and performance | Buy on Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) | 1080p Full HD | Budget-friendly option for smaller displays | Buy on Amazon |
| Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen) | 4K Ultra HD | Premium option with faster processor | Buy on Amazon |
| Fire TV Stick Lite | 1080p Full HD | Most affordable option | Buy on Amazon |
Recommendations:
- For most businesses, the Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Max provides the best experience with smooth rendering and support for high-resolution displays.
- The Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) works well for smaller screens or tighter budgets.
- Avoid older generation devices (1st Gen Fire TV Stick) as they may not support the latest Tapboard app updates.
Pairing a Device
Prerequisites
- The Tapboard app must be installed on your Fire TV device.
- The device must be connected to the internet.
Pairing Steps
- On the Fire TV: Launch the Tapboard app. A 6-digit pairing code will appear on screen.
- In Tapboard: Navigate to Devices in the sidebar.
- Click Pair Device.
- Enter the 6-digit code shown on the TV.
- Optionally, assign the device to a screen immediately.
- Optionally, give the device a custom name (e.g., "Bar TV Left").
- Click Pair.
The pairing code expires after 5 minutes and is single-use. If the code expires, the Fire TV app will generate a new one.
Quick Pairing
You can also access device pairing directly via the URL tapboard.app/pair for quick access.
Device Status
Devices report their status through regular heartbeat signals:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Online | Device sent a heartbeat within the last 3 minutes |
| Offline | Device has not responded recently (during business hours) |
| Offline (Expected) | Device is offline outside of business hours — this is normal |
| Never Seen | Device was paired but has never sent a heartbeat |
Device Information
Each device reports the following information:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Device Name | Custom name you assign (editable) |
| Device ID | Unique identifier (auto-generated) |
| Screen | The screen this device is paired to |
| Last Heartbeat | When the device last checked in |
| App Version | The version of the Tapboard app running on the device |
| Firmware Version | The Fire TV firmware version |
| Storage Available | Remaining storage space on the device |
Managing Devices
Editing a Device
- Go to Devices.
- Click Edit next to the device.
- You can change:
- Device Name — Give it a descriptive name.
- Assigned Screen — Move the device to a different screen.
- Click Save.
Reassigning a Device to a Different Screen
- Edit the device.
- Select a new screen from the dropdown.
- Save.
- The device will pick up the new screen's configuration on its next sync.
Revoking a Device
Revoking a device disconnects it from your account. The device will no longer receive content updates.
- Go to Devices.
- Click Revoke next to the device.
- Confirm the action.
A revoked device can be re-paired using a new pairing code.
Deleting a Device
Deleting permanently removes the device record from your account.
- Go to Devices.
- Click Delete next to the device.
- Confirm the deletion.
How Devices Sync
Once paired and assigned to a screen:
- The device periodically calls the Tapboard sync endpoint.
- It checks if a new published configuration version is available.
- If a newer version exists, the device downloads the updated manifest.
- The manifest includes all menu data, ad data, media URLs, and display settings.
- The device renders the content according to the configuration.
Syncing happens automatically — you do not need to manually push updates to devices. After you publish a screen, devices typically update within seconds.
Troubleshooting Devices
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Device shows "Offline" | Check the device's internet connection and power. |
| Pairing code expired | The Fire TV app will show a new code automatically. Re-enter it. |
| Device not updating | Make sure you clicked Publish on the screen. |
| Device shows old content | Check the publish history to confirm the publish succeeded. |
| "Never Seen" status | The device may not be powered on or may have connectivity issues. |
See Troubleshooting for more help.