Sideloading a Fire TV device is not very difficult, but it is significantly more complicated than downloading and installing official apps.

Why Should You Sideload Fire TV Apps?

To sideload an app on a Fire TV device, you will need the APK file for that app. You can typically get these files directly from the developer’s official site, but there are also a number of reputable third-party sites that provide APK files.

Before You Begin: Prepare Your Fire TV Device for Sideloading

Regardless of which method you use to sideload your Fire TV device, the first thing you need to do is prepare your device for sideloading. For security reasons, Fire TV devices are not able to sideload apps unless you change two settings. This is an easy process, and you only need to do it once.

  • Open the Settings menu on your Fire TV device.
  • Select My Fire TV.
  • Depending on the type of Fire TV device you have, you may need to select Device instead of My Fire TV.
  • Select Developer options.
  • Turn on both ADB debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources.
  • To confirm that you want to run apps from unknown sources, select Turn On when prompted.

Your Fire TV device is now ready to sideload using either of the following methods.

Open the Settings menu on your Fire TV device.

Select My Fire TV.

Depending on the type of Fire TV device you have, you may need to select Device instead of My Fire TV.

Select Developer options.

Turn on both ADB debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources.

To confirm that you want to run apps from unknown sources, select Turn On when prompted.

How to Sideload a Fire TV Device Using a Downloader App

You can sideload apps to any Fire TV device, including the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube, using a downloader app. This method doesn’t require any additional equipment, because it uses a downloader app that is freely available from the official Fire TV app store.

Here’s how to sideload your Fire TV using a downloader app:

Only download and install APK files from official sources and trusted third-party sites.

How to Sideload a Fire TV Device With an Android Phone

If you have an app installed on your Android phone and would like to have the same app installed on your Fire TV device, there’s a way to sideload directly from your phone to your Fire TV. This method requires an Android phone, so it is not helpful if you are an iPhone user.

Search for Downloader using the search function or Alexa voice search.

Locate Downloader and select it.

Select Download.

Wait for Downloader to install, then open it.

Enter the address of the site associated with the app you want to download. For example, you can download the Kodi app from kodi.tv/download.

Only download apps from official sources and trusted third-party sites. If you don’t know where to find the app you’re looking for, one of the best sites to find Fire TV apps is apkmirror.com.

Use the circle pad and center button on your Fire TV remote to navigate the app website, and locate the app you want to install.

When there are multiple versions of an app available, look for one that is designed for Android, or specifically for Fire TV. If the app is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, choose 32-bit.

Wait for the download to complete.

Select Install.

Wait for the installation to complete.

Your sideloaded app is now ready to use.

Here’s how to sideload apps from your Android phone to your Fire TV device:

This method only works if the app you want to sideload is designed to work with Fire TV. If you try to sideload an incompatible app, you will get an error message.

  • Download and install Apps2Fire on your Android phone.
  • 
  • Open the Apps2Fire app, and select the menu icon indicated by three vertical dots (⋮).
  • Select Setup.
  • Select Network.
  • On your Fire TV, navigate to Settings > My Fire TV > Network, and write down the listed IP address.
  • Locate your Fire TV device in the list and select it.
  • Depending on your network, the devices in your list may or may not have names. If the list consists entirely of IP addresses, you will need to refer back to the IP address that you wrote down in the previous step. If you don’t see your Fire TV in the list, make sure your Fire TV and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Select Save.
  • Select Local Apps.
  • Locate an app you want to sideload to your Fire TV device and select it.
  • Select Install.
  • Check your Fire TV. When prompted, select OK.
  • Go back to your phone and select OK.
  • The sideloaded app is now ready to use on your Fire TV.

Download and install Apps2Fire on your Android phone.



Open the Apps2Fire app, and select the menu icon indicated by three vertical dots (⋮).

Select Setup.

Select Network.

On your Fire TV, navigate to Settings > My Fire TV > Network, and write down the listed IP address.

Locate your Fire TV device in the list and select it.

Depending on your network, the devices in your list may or may not have names. If the list consists entirely of IP addresses, you will need to refer back to the IP address that you wrote down in the previous step. If you don’t see your Fire TV in the list, make sure your Fire TV and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Select Save.

Select Local Apps.

Locate an app you want to sideload to your Fire TV device and select it.

Check your Fire TV. When prompted, select OK.

Go back to your phone and select OK.

The sideloaded app is now ready to use on your Fire TV.

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