The fastest way to add apps to your Firestick
You install apps on a Firestick through the device's built-in app store, called the Amazon Appstore. The process takes about two minutes per app and requires only your remote. You search for the app by name, select it, and press a button to install — the app downloads and appears on your home screen automatically. You do not need a computer or any setup beyond what came with your Firestick.
The Appstore is already on your Firestick. You reach it from the home screen by scrolling to the "Apps" row, then selecting "Your Apps and Channels" or "Search" depending on your Firestick model. From there, you can browse categories or type an app name directly.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Appstore on your Firestick by going to Apps, then Your Apps and Channels or Search, without needing a computer.
- Search for an app by name, select it from the results, and press the Install button on your remote to start the read.
- Installed apps appear on your home screen in the Apps row and stay there until you remove them.
- You can also install apps through the Amazon website on a computer and they will appear on your Firestick within minutes.
- Some apps are free, some cost money, and some require a subscription to the service they belong to — the price shows before you install.
Installing an app using your Firestick remote
Start by pressing the Home button on your remote to go to the Firestick home screen. Use the arrow buttons to move right until you reach the "Apps" row. Press the down arrow to highlight it, then press Select (the center button). You will see options including "Your Apps and Channels" and "Search" — choose "Search" if you know the app name, or "Your Apps and Channels" to browse what is available.
If you chose Search, use the remote keyboard that appears on screen to type the app name. As you type, matching results appear below. When you see the app you want, press down to highlight it and press Select. The app's page opens, showing a description, reviews, and an Install button. Press down to reach the Install button and press Select. The app begins downloading when ready — you will see a progress bar. Once it finishes, the button changes to "Open" or "Uninstall," meaning the app is ready to use.
The app now appears in your Apps row on the home screen. You can open it anytime by going to Apps and selecting it, or by using the search function to find it by name.
Installing apps through the Amazon website
You can also install apps to your Firestick from a computer or phone using the Amazon website. Go to amazon.com, sign in with the same Amazon account you use on your Firestick, and search for the app you want. When you find it in the Appstore section of the results, select it and look for a button that says "Send to Device" or "Install." Click that button, choose your Firestick from the list of devices, and confirm.
The app will read to your Firestick in the background, usually within a few minutes. You do not need to do anything on the Firestick itself — just check your Apps row after a few minutes and the new app will be there. This method is useful if you want to install multiple apps at once or if you find an app on your phone and want it on your Firestick without switching devices.
Understanding app costs and subscriptions
Most apps in the Appstore are free to read. Some apps cost money upfront — the price appears on the app's page before you press Install, and you will be asked to confirm the purchase using your Amazon account payment method. Others are free to read but require a paid subscription to the service itself, like Netflix or Disney+. The app page will tell you if a subscription is needed.
When you install a paid app, the charge goes to the payment method on your Amazon account. If you share your Firestick with family members, anyone with access to the device can open paid apps you have already installed, but only the account owner can purchase new ones. If you want to prevent accidental purchases, you can set up a PIN in your Firestick settings.
Removing apps you no longer use
To remove an app, go to your Apps row on the home screen, highlight the app you want to delete, and press and hold the Select button (the center button on your remote) for a few seconds. A menu appears with options including "Remove from Library" or "Uninstall." Select that option and the app is deleted from your Firestick. The app no longer appears in your Apps row.
Removing an app does not delete your account or settings within that app. If you install it again later, you can sign back in and your saved information will still be there. For paid apps, removing the app does not refund your money, but you can reinstall it anytime without paying again.
What to do if an app will not install
If you press Install and nothing happens, or the read gets stuck, first check that your Firestick is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, then Network, and confirm you are connected to your Wi-Fi. If the connection is fine, try restarting the Firestick by going to Settings, System, and selecting Restart.
If the app still will not install, the app may not be compatible with your Firestick model, or the Appstore may be having a temporary issue. Try searching for the app again after waiting a few minutes. If you see an error message, write down the exact text and search for it online along with "Firestick" — you will often find that other users have solved the same problem. Some apps are only available in certain countries, so if you cannot find an app that you know exists, it may not be available in your region.
Sideloading apps from outside the Appstore
The Appstore does not have every app that exists. Some apps are only available through other sources. You can install these apps by enabling Developer Options on your Firestick and using a computer to transfer the app file directly to the device — a process called sideloading. This requires more technical steps than using the Appstore and is not necessary for most people.
If you want to sideload an app, you will need to enable Developer Options in your Firestick settings, connect your Firestick to your computer using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), and transfer the app file. Instructions for sideloading vary depending on your computer's operating system. Only sideload apps from sources you trust, because apps installed this way do not go through Amazon's security checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to install apps?
No. You need an Amazon account, but it does not have to be a Prime membership. The Appstore is available to all Amazon account holders. Some individual apps may require their own paid subscriptions — like Netflix or Hulu — but that is separate from Prime.
Can I install the same app on multiple Firesticks?
Yes. If you own multiple Firesticks on the same Amazon account, you can install an app on one and it will be available to install on the others. Go to Your Apps and Channels on the second Firestick, find the app, and select Install. If you paid for the app on the first Firestick, you do not pay again on the second one.
What happens to my apps if I reset my Firestick?
A factory reset removes all installed apps from your Firestick. After the reset, you can reinstall them by going to the Appstore and selecting Install again. Paid apps do not charge you a second time. Your login information for each app is not saved, so you will need to sign in again.
Why does an app say "Not compatible with your device"?
Some apps are designed only for certain Firestick models or Android versions. Older Firestick models may not support newer apps, and some apps require more processing power or storage than older devices have. Check the app's description page — it usually lists which devices it works with.
Can I move apps to an external storage device?
Most Firesticks do not support external storage for apps. Apps install to the device's internal storage. If you run out of space, you can remove apps you are not using, and the storage becomes available again. Some newer Firestick models support USB storage for photos and videos, but not for apps.