Install new apps to make the most of Fire TV Stick. When a Fire TV device such as Fire TV Stick is activated for the first time, its functionality is rather limited. If you want to do something different to watch and listen to content from Amazon services, you need to download additional apps for Fire TV Stick.
What kind of app can you download on a Fire TV Stick?
The Fire TV Stick apps focus mainly on providing video content and all the major streaming services have apps. You can get apps for Netflix, Hulu, CBS All Access, HBO Go and HBO Now and most other streaming services.
You’ll also find apps for music, like Spotify, apps for sports, news and many other types of content that you can stream on a computer and other devices. There are even web browsers, like Firefox, that you can use on Fire TV Stick and even some games.
Most Fire TV Stick apps are free, but some require advance purchase and others only work if you pay a monthly fee or have a cable subscription. The following instructions apply to all Fire TV devices, including Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube and 4K Fire TV.
How to download an app on Fire TV Stick
The Fire TV apps are downloaded directly to the device, with the same Internet connection used by the device for streaming, so the process is really simple. You can actually search and download apps directly on your Fire TV device or use a web browser to queue downloads remotely.
If you’re willing to do some extra work and feel comfortable digging under the hood of Fire TV Stick, you can also run the app sideload on> Fire TV Stick. This is a slightly more complicated process, but most users will never have to use it.
How to browse and download new apps on Fire TV Stick
The easiest way to download apps on Fire TV Stick is to go to the app section, find the app you want and download it. It’s really that easy.
The App section of the Fire TV Stick interface is organized by category, which makes it relatively easy to find what you are looking for most of the time. Just scroll through the categories and see if something attracts your interest.
Fire TV Stick must be connected to the Internet, otherwise, you will not be able to download apps. Please note that the app download will consume data, so keep this in mind if you have a limited data plan. Here is a brief guide showing how to download apps on Fire TV Stick or other Fire TV devices.
- Switch to the main screen of the Fire TV device.
- Press the right button on the remote control until you reach the App section.
- Go to the bottom of the remote control to access the App section, then use the directional pad to find an app that interests you. With the app highlighted, press the button in the center of the directional box to select the app.
- With Get selected, press the button in the center of the directional box.
- Wait for the download to complete and launch the app or return to the App section later to use the app at any time.
How to use the search function to find and download apps on Fire TV Stick
If you don’t see the app you are looking for in the App section of the Fire TV interface, you can use the search function to search for specific apps. You can also use this feature if you have a larger category of apps you are looking for.
If you don’t remember the name of an app, but remember what it does or what type of content it has, you can also search for it. Here’s how to use the search function on Fire TV Stick or any other Fire TV device to find and download apps:
- Switch to the main screen of Fire TV Stick or any other Fire TV device.
- Press left on the directional pad to access the search section. The research section is represented by a magnifying glass. If you have a Fire TV remote with a built-in microphone, you can also search by pressing the microphone button on the remote control.
- Use the directional pad to type in the name of the app you are looking for, then select it from the list. It may not be necessary to type the entire name of the app. If you see the application you are looking for and did not do it by typing, just press down on the directional keyboard until you reach the app name you want.
- Locate the app that interests you and press the button in the center of the directional pad to select it.
- With Get selected, press the button in the center of the directional pad to download the app.
- Wait for the app to download, then start it or go back to the App section later to use it when you want.
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How to download apps on a Fire TV Stick using the Amazon website
The other way to find and download apps for Fire TV devices is to use the Amazon website. This method is different because you have to use a computer instead of the Fire TV Stick. However, it’s even easier because you don’t need to use the on-screen Fire TV keyboard to search.
When using this method, you locate an app on the Amazon website and then tell Amazon which device should download the app. It’s all automated besides that, you don’t have to worry about further complicated steps. Here’s how to find and download Fire TV apps using the Amazon website :
- Using the web browser of your choice, go to amazon.com/mobile-apps. You can also search for your app on Amazon’s main site, but navigating directly to the app store provides more relevant search results.
- Scroll down until you find the Fire TV Model section in the left sidebar and click the checkbox next to the type of Fire TV device you have. If you don’t know what kind of Fire TV you have, skip this step. The search results may show you apps that are not compatible with your device, but you will be able to find out before trying to buy or download something.
- Find an app that interests you and click on it. If you were looking for a particular type of app or you have a specific app in mind, you can narrow down the results by selecting a category from the left sidebar or looking for an app using the search bar at the top of the page.
- Click on the drop-down box located under Delivery to.
- Select Fire TV so you want to download the app and click on it. If you don’t see your Fire TV device in this menu, make sure you’re signed in to the correct Amazon account. If you are signed in with the correct account, the app is not compatible with your Fire TV device. Some apps are designed to work only with Fire tablets.
- Click Get app.
- Wait for Fire TV to download the app, then search for it in the App section.
