The fastest way to get apps on your Firestick
The easiest way to read apps on Firestick is through the Amazon Appstore, which appears directly on your Firestick home screen. You navigate to the Appstore, search for the app you want, and select it to install — the whole process takes under a minute for most apps. Firestick does not require a computer or any setup beyond what came with the device.
Your Firestick connects to your Amazon account automatically when you first set it up. That account is what lets you read apps, and it also remembers which apps you have installed across all your Firestick devices if you own more than one.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Appstore from your Firestick home screen, search for an app by name, and select Install to read it directly to the device.
- Apps you read appear on your Firestick home screen and in the Your Apps section, where you can launch them anytime.
- You can also start an installation from the Amazon website or mobile app on your phone, and it will read to your Firestick remotely.
- Firestick has limited storage, so uninstalling apps you no longer use frees up space for new ones.
- Some apps are free, others cost money, and many free apps include ads or in-app purchases.
Installing apps directly from your Firestick
Start by pressing the home button on your Firestick remote to go to the home screen. Look for the Appstore icon — it looks like a shopping bag — and select it. The Appstore opens to a menu with categories like Games, Entertainment, and Productivity, or you can go straight to the search option at the top.
Type the name of the app you want using the on-screen keyboard. The search results show matching apps with descriptions and star ratings from other users. Select the app you want, and a details page appears showing what it does, how large it is, and whether it costs money. Press the Install button (or the price if it costs money), and the app begins downloading to your Firestick.
Once the installation finishes, the button changes to Open. You can select Open to launch the app right away, or go back to your home screen and find the app in your apps list. Apps you install stay on your Firestick until you uninstall them, even if you restart the device.
Starting an installation from your phone or computer
You can also start an app installation from the Amazon website or the Amazon Shopping app on your phone, and the app will read to your Firestick without you touching the remote. This method is useful if you want to set up multiple apps at once or if you find an app on your phone and want it on your TV when ready.
On the Amazon website, go to the Appstore section and search for the app. Select it, and you will see a dropdown menu asking which device to send it to. Choose your Firestick by name, and the installation starts on that device. On the Amazon Shopping app, the process is the same — search the Appstore, select the app, and choose your Firestick from the device list.
The app downloads in the background on your Firestick, so you do not need to be looking at the TV. Check your Firestick home screen after a few minutes, and the app will be there ready to use.
What happens when your Firestick runs out of storage
Firestick models have between 8 GB and 16 GB of total storage, but the operating system takes up a large portion of that space. After a few months of installing apps, you may see a message that storage is full or that an app cannot install because there is not enough room.
The solution is to uninstall apps you no longer use. Go to Settings on your home screen, select Applications, then Manage Installed Applications. You will see a list of every app on your device. Select an app you want to remove, and choose Uninstall. The app disappears from your Firestick and frees up storage space. You can always reinstall it later from the Appstore if you change your mind.
Some apps, like Netflix and Prime Video, take up more storage than others. If you are running low on space, removing large apps you do not use regularly is the fastest way to make room for new ones.
Free apps, paid apps, and in-app purchases
Most popular apps on the Firestick Appstore are free to read, including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, and Spotify. Some apps cost money upfront — you will see the price on the app details page, and you pay through your Amazon account when you select Install. A few apps are free to read but show ads while you use them, or they offer a free version with limited features and a paid version with more.
Many free apps also include in-app purchases, which means you can spend money inside the app for extra features, content, or to remove ads. Games are the most common type of app with in-app purchases. If you want to prevent accidental purchases, go to Settings, select Parental Controls, and set a PIN that must be entered before any purchase can happen.
Sideloading apps from outside the Amazon Appstore
The Amazon Appstore does not have every app that exists. Some apps are only available through other sources, and you can install those on your Firestick through a process called sideloading. This requires enabling Developer Options on your Firestick and using a computer to transfer the app file, which is more complicated than using the Appstore.
Sideloading is not recommended for most users because it requires technical steps and carries a higher risk of installing something that does not work or that contains unwanted software. If an app you want is not in the Amazon Appstore, the safest option is to contact the app maker and ask if they plan to add it, or to use the app on your phone or computer instead.
Troubleshooting apps that will not install
If an app fails to install, the most common reasons are that your Firestick does not have enough storage space, your internet connection dropped during the read, or the app is not compatible with your Firestick model. Try these steps: first, check that you have at least 1 GB of free storage by going to Settings and selecting About. If storage is full, uninstall apps you do not use.
Second, restart your Firestick by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This often fixes temporary connection problems. Once it restarts, go back to the Appstore and try installing the app again. If the app still will not install after these steps, it may not be compatible with your Firestick model, or there may be a temporary problem with the app itself. Try again the next day, or contact Amazon customer service for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install the same app on multiple Firesticks?
Yes. If you own more than one Firestick and they are all connected to the same Amazon account, you can install an app on one device and then install it on the others using the same method. You can also start an installation from your phone and choose which Firestick to send it to.
Do I need to pay for apps every time I reinstall them?
No. Once you have purchased an app, you can reinstall it on any Firestick linked to your Amazon account without paying again. Free apps also stay free when you reinstall them.
What is the difference between Firestick and Fire TV?
Firestick is a small device you plug into your TV's HDMI port, while Fire TV is built into some TV models. Both use the same Appstore and install apps the same way. The main difference is that Fire TV does not need a separate device.
Can I delete apps that came pre-installed on my Firestick?
Some pre-installed apps like Amazon Prime Video cannot be uninstalled, but many others can. Go to Settings, select Applications, then Manage Installed Applications, and try to uninstall the app. If the Uninstall button is grayed out, that app cannot be removed.
Why does my Firestick keep saying storage is full?
Firestick storage fills up quickly because the operating system takes up a large portion of the available space. Uninstall apps you do not use regularly, clear the cache for apps you keep, or consider upgrading to a Firestick model with more storage if you want to install many apps at once.