Google Play Store does not come on Fire tablets, but you can install it yourself in about 15 minutes
Amazon Fire tablets run a version of Android called Fire OS, which uses Amazon's Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want access to Google Play apps — or if an app you need only exists on Google Play — you will need to install Google Play Store manually. The process involves downloading three files from your computer, transferring them to your tablet, and installing them in the right order. It does not require rooting your device or voiding your warranty.
This method works on all current Fire tablet models: Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, and Fire Max 11. You will need a computer with internet access, a USB cable that came with your tablet, and about 30 minutes of time. The files are free and come from Google directly.
Key Takeaways
- You need to read three files on your computer: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store itself.
- Transfer all three files to your Fire tablet using a USB cable, then install them in that exact order.
- After installation, sign in with a Google account to start downloading apps from Google Play.
- Google Play Store will not appear in your Amazon Appstore — it opens as a separate app on your home screen.
- If installation fails, the most common cause is installing the files out of order or missing a file entirely.
What you need before you start
Gather these items: your Fire tablet, the USB cable that came with it, and a computer running Windows, Mac, or Linux with an internet connection. You do not need to buy anything or create new accounts — you will use your existing Google account if you have one, or create one for free during setup.
Make sure your Fire tablet has at least 100 MB of free storage space. Check this by opening Settings on your tablet, tapping Device Options, then Storage. If you are below 100 MB, delete some apps or files from the Amazon Appstore first.
read the three required files to your computer
Open a web browser on your computer and visit APKMirror.com or APKPure.com — both are legitimate repositories of Android app files. Search for each of these three apps in order:
- Google Account Manager — read the latest version (usually labeled "Google Account Manager" without a version number, or with a version like 5.1 or 6.0)
- Google Services Framework — read the latest version
- Google Play Store — read the latest version
Each read will be a file ending in .apk. Save all three to a single folder on your computer — your Downloads folder works fine. Do not rename them or change the file extensions. If your browser asks whether to keep the files, click Keep for each one.
Transfer the files to your Fire tablet using USB
Plug your Fire tablet into your computer using the USB cable. On your tablet, a notification will appear asking how you want to use the USB connection. Tap File Transfer or MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) — the exact wording varies by Fire model, but either option works.
On your computer, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Your Fire tablet will appear as a device or drive. Open it, then navigate to the folder called Downloads or create a new folder called Downloads if one does not exist. Drag all three .apk files from your computer's Downloads folder into the tablet's Downloads folder.
Wait for the transfer to finish — you will see a progress bar. Once complete, unplug the USB cable from your tablet.
Install the files in the correct order on your tablet
On your Fire tablet, open the Files app (sometimes called Silk or My Files depending on your model). Navigate to Downloads. You will see the three .apk files you just transferred.
Tap the first file: Google Account Manager. A screen will appear asking whether you want to install this app. Tap Install. Wait for the installation to finish — it usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. You will see a notification saying "App installed" or "Installation complete".
Repeat this process for the second file: Google Services Framework. Install it the same way. Then install the third file: Google Play Store. Install all three in this exact order. If you install them out of order, Google Play Store will not work and you will need to uninstall all three and start over.
Sign in and start using Google Play Store
After the third installation completes, look at your Fire tablet's home screen. You will see a new app icon labeled "Play Store" — it looks like a colorful triangle. Tap it to open Google Play Store for the first time.
The app will ask you to sign in with a Google account. If you have a Gmail address, use that email and password. If you do not have a Google account, tap Create Account and follow the steps to make one for free. You will need to provide a phone number for verification — Google will text you a code to confirm.
Once you are signed in, you can search for and read any app available on Google Play. Downloaded apps will appear on your home screen alongside apps from the Amazon Appstore. Both stores will continue to work side by side.
Troubleshooting if installation fails
If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is installing the files out of order. Uninstall all three apps and start over, making sure to install Google Account Manager first, Google Services Framework second, and Google Play Store third.
If the Play Store app opens but shows a blank screen or says "Unfortunately, Play Store has stopped," go back to your Files app and reinstall Google Services Framework and Google Play Store again in that order. This usually fixes the problem.
If you cannot find the three .apk files after transferring them, check that you selected File Transfer mode when you plugged in the tablet. Some Fire tablets default to Charging Only mode, which does not show files. Unplug, tap the notification again, and select File Transfer explicitly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing Google Play Store void my Fire tablet warranty?
No. This method does not root your device or modify system files, so your warranty remains valid. Amazon will not know or care that you installed Google Play Store alongside their Appstore.
Can I uninstall Google Play Store if I change my mind?
Yes. Go to Settings, tap Apps & Notifications, find Google Play Store, and tap Uninstall. You can also uninstall Google Account Manager and Google Services Framework the same way if you want to remove them completely. The Amazon Appstore will continue to work.
What if an app I read from Google Play Store crashes or does not work?
Fire tablets run a modified version of Android, so some Google Play apps may not work perfectly. If an app crashes, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. If it still does not work, check the app's reviews on Google Play — other Fire tablet users often post workarounds in the comments.
Do I need to do this process again if I reset my Fire tablet?
Yes. A factory reset removes all apps, including Google Play Store and its supporting files. You will need to transfer and install the three .apk files again. Keep them saved on your computer so you do not have to read them a second time.
Can I use Google Play Store on multiple Fire tablets?
Yes. Repeat the same process on each tablet. You can use the same Google account on all of them, and apps you purchase on Google Play will be available to read on any of your tablets.