How to Install Apps Not in the Amazon Appstore on Your Firestick

What "unknown apps" means and why you might want them

Amazon's Appstore is the official place to find apps for Firestick, but it does not carry every app that exists. Some developers do not submit to Amazon, some apps are region-locked, and some people want to run software Amazon has not reviewed. Installing an app from outside the Appstore is called sideloading, and Firestick allows it — but you have to turn on a setting first and know where to find the app file.

The most common reason people sideload is to run a streaming app that is not available in their region, or to use an older version of an app that worked better for them. You might also sideload a tool for managing your Firestick, or an app a developer shared directly. The process is legal on your own device, but the app itself may violate Amazon's terms of service or your streaming service's terms — that risk is yours to take.

Key Takeaways

You must turn on "Unknown Sources" in Firestick settings before you can sideload any app, and this setting is off by default.
The app file you want to install must be in APK format (the Android package file type), and you need to get it onto your Firestick somehow — usually through a USB drive, a file transfer app, or by downloading it directly on the device.
Once the APK is on your Firestick, you use a file manager app to find it and tap it to install, just like opening a file on a computer.
Sideloaded apps do not receive updates through the Appstore, so you have to manually download and install new versions yourself.

Enable Unknown Sources in Firestick settings

Before you can install anything from outside the Appstore, you must tell your Firestick to allow it. This setting is called Unknown Sources and it is off by default. Go to Settings on your Firestick home screen, then select Apps, then Unknown Sources. Toggle it on. Your Firestick will warn you that apps from unknown sources may be harmful — this is Amazon's legal disclaimer, and it is true that sideloaded apps are not reviewed by Amazon, so only turn this on if you trust the source of the app you are about to install.

This setting stays on until you turn it off again, so you only have to do it once. If you sideload multiple apps, you leave Unknown Sources enabled the whole time. If you want to turn it back off after you are done, go back to the same menu and toggle it off.

Get the APK file onto your Firestick

An APK file is the package format for Android apps — Firestick runs a version of Android, so it can run APK files. The challenge is getting the APK from your computer (or phone) onto your Firestick. You have three main routes: USB drive, a file transfer app, or downloading directly on the Firestick.

USB drive method: Download the APK file to your computer, copy it to a USB drive, plug the USB drive into your Firestick using a USB-to-micro-USB adapter (Firestick uses a micro-USB port), and then use a file manager app on your Firestick to open it. This works but requires hardware you may not have.

File transfer app method: Apps like Downloader (free in the Appstore) let you paste a URL into your Firestick and download the APK directly to the device. If you have the APK file on your computer and you know its direct download link, you can paste that link into Downloader and it will fetch the file. This is the fastest route if the APK is hosted online.

Direct download method: If the APK is hosted on a website, you can open a web browser on your Firestick (using the Silk browser, which comes built in) and download the APK directly. This is simple if the developer provides a download link you can use on the device itself.

Find and install the APK using a file manager

Once the APK is on your Firestick, you need a file manager app to locate it and open it. Astro File Manager is free in the Appstore and works well for this. Open Astro, navigate to the folder where your APK is stored (usually Downloads or a folder you created), find the APK file by name, and tap it. A dialog will appear asking if you want to install the app — tap Install and wait for the process to finish.

The installation usually takes less than a minute. Once it is done, the app will appear in your Firestick home screen or in your Apps list. You can now open it like any other app. If the installation fails, the most common reason is that the APK is corrupted or was not downloaded completely — try downloading it again.

Understand what you are giving up with sideloaded apps

Sideloaded apps do not update automatically through the Appstore because they are not in the Appstore. When the developer releases a new version, you will not be notified, and you will not see an update button. You have to manually download the new APK and install it the same way you installed the first one. This means sideloaded apps can fall behind on security patches and bug fixes.

Sideloaded apps also do not show up in your Firestick's backup, so if you factory reset your device or get a new one, you will have to sideload them again. They also may not work after a Firestick software update — sometimes an update changes something that breaks a sideloaded app, and you have to wait for the developer to release a new version or find a workaround.

Know the legal and terms-of-service risks

Sideloading an app onto your own Firestick is legal in most countries, including the United States. However, the app itself may violate the terms of service of a streaming platform — for example, some sideloaded streaming apps are unofficial clients that the service does not want you to use. Using such an app could get your account suspended or banned from that service, depending on their policy.

Before you sideload, research whether the app is against the terms of the service you plan to use it with. If you are sideloading an app made by the developer themselves (not a third-party clone), the risk is usually lower. If you are sideloading an unofficial client or a modified version of an official app, the risk is higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sideload apps on a Fire TV Cube or Fire TV Stick 4K the same way?

Yes. All Firestick models and Fire TV devices run the same operating system and have the same Unknown Sources setting. The steps are identical whether you have a basic Firestick, a Stick 4K, or a Cube.

What if I cannot find the APK file after I download it?

Check the Downloads folder in your file manager first — that is where most downloads land by default. If it is not there, the download may have failed. Try downloading it again, or try a different download method (like using Downloader instead of a USB drive).

Will sideloading an app slow down my Firestick?

One or two sideloaded apps will not noticeably slow your device. If you sideload many apps, your Firestick may run slower because it has less free storage and memory. You can uninstall sideloaded apps the same way you uninstall Appstore apps — go to Settings, Apps, Manage Installed Apps, select the app, and choose Uninstall.

Can I sideload games on Firestick?

Yes, if you have the APK file. However, Firestick is not designed for gaming — it has limited processing power and no game controller support built in (though you can pair a Bluetooth controller). Most games will run slowly or not at all. Stick to apps designed for streaming and media.

What happens if I sideload an app that is malicious?

This is why Unknown Sources is off by default. A malicious app could steal your login credentials, watch your network traffic, or cause other harm. Only sideload apps from sources you trust — ideally the official developer or a well-known tech site. If you sideload an app and something feels wrong, uninstall it immediately and consider factory resetting your Firestick.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.