Google Play Store does not come on Fire tablets, but you can add it yourself in about 10 minutes

Amazon Fire tablets run a modified version of Android that uses Amazon's Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want access to apps only available on Google Play — or straightforward prefer Google's store — you can install Google Play Store yourself. The process involves downloading three small files from your computer, moving them to your Fire tablet, and installing them in order. You do not need to root your device or use a computer command line.

The files you need are Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store itself. Amazon does not block this installation, and it will not void your warranty. Once installed, Google Play Store works alongside Amazon's Appstore, and you can use either one.

Key Takeaways

  • You need three files downloaded to your computer: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store, in that order.
  • Transfer the files to your Fire tablet using a USB cable or by downloading them directly on the tablet.
  • Install each file through your tablet's file manager or by tapping the downloaded file, starting with Google Account Manager.
  • After installation, sign in with a Google account to use Google Play Store alongside Amazon's Appstore.
  • If installation fails, check that your tablet has at least 100 MB of free storage and that you are installing the files in the correct order.

What you need before you start

You need a Fire tablet running Fire OS 5 or newer (released around 2015 or later). Check your tablet's version by opening Settings, scrolling to Device Options, and tapping About Fire Tablet. If your tablet is older than Fire OS 5, this method will not work.

You also need either a USB cable to connect your tablet to a computer, or a WiFi connection strong enough to read three files directly on the tablet. The files are small — under 50 MB total — so WiFi read takes less than a minute on most connections. Make sure your tablet has at least 100 MB of free storage space. Check this in Settings under Storage.

Finally, you will need a Google account to sign in after installation. If you do not have one, create it at accounts.google.com before you begin.

How to get the three installation files

The three files you need are available from APKMirror, a trusted repository of Android app files. Go to apkmirror.com in your computer's web browser and search for each file in this order: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store.

For each search result, look for the version labeled "nodpi" (meaning it works on any screen size). read the file with the highest version number. Save all three files to a single folder on your computer — your Downloads folder works fine. Do not install them on your computer; you are only storing them there temporarily.

If you prefer to read directly on your tablet instead, open Firefox or Silk (Amazon's browser) on your Fire tablet, go to apkmirror.com, and read each file in the same order. The files will land in your Downloads folder on the tablet.

Transfer files from your computer to your Fire tablet

Connect your Fire tablet to your computer using a USB cable. On your tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, then tap the USB connection notification. Select "File Transfer" or "MTP" (Media Transfer Protocol). Your tablet will now appear as a drive on your computer.

Open the tablet's drive and navigate to the internal storage folder. Create a new folder called "APK" or use your Downloads folder if one already exists. Drag the three files you downloaded into this folder. Wait for the transfer to finish — you will see a progress bar — then safely eject the tablet from your computer.

If you downloaded the files directly on your tablet, skip this step. Your files are already in the right place.

Install the files in the correct order

On your Fire tablet, open the file manager app (usually called "Files" or "My Files"). Navigate to the folder where your three APK files are stored. Tap the first file: Google Account Manager. A dialog will appear asking if you want to install it. Tap "Install" and wait for the installation to finish — this takes about 10 seconds.

Once Google Account Manager finishes, tap the second file: Google Services Framework. Install it the same way. Then install the third file: Google Play Store. Do not skip ahead or install them out of order; the installation will fail if you do.

After all three files are installed, you can delete the APK files from your tablet to free up storage space.

Sign in and start using Google Play Store

Open your Fire tablet's app drawer and look for Google Play Store. Tap it to open. The first time you open it, you will be asked to sign in with a Google account. Enter the email address and password for your Google account, then follow the prompts to complete setup.

Google Play Store will ask for permission to access your location, contacts, and other information. You can grant or deny these permissions — the store will work either way, though some apps may have limited features if you deny permission. After setup is complete, you can search for and read apps just like you would on any Android phone.

Both Google Play Store and Amazon's Appstore will now appear in your app drawer. You can use either one, and apps from both stores will work on your tablet.

Troubleshooting if installation fails

If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is installing the files out of order. Delete all three files and start over, making sure to install Google Account Manager first, then Google Services Framework, then Google Play Store.

If the error says "There is not enough space", your tablet does not have 100 MB of free storage. Go to Settings, tap Storage, and delete unused apps or files until you have more space. Then try again.

If Google Play Store opens but will not load any apps, sign out and sign back in with your Google account. Go to Settings on your tablet, scroll to Apps, find Google Play Store, and tap "Clear Cache". Then open Google Play Store again.

If you still have trouble after these steps, your tablet may be running an older version of Fire OS that is not compatible. Check Settings > Device Options > About Fire Tablet again to confirm you are running Fire OS 5 or newer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will installing Google Play Store slow down my Fire tablet?

No. The three files take up less than 50 MB of storage combined, and they do not run in the background unless you open Google Play Store. Your tablet's performance will not change.

Can I uninstall Google Play Store if I change my mind?

Yes. Go to Settings, tap Apps, 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. Amazon's Appstore will continue to work.

Do I need a computer to do this, or can I do it entirely on my tablet?

You can do it entirely on your tablet. Open Firefox or Silk, go to apkmirror.com, read all three files directly to your tablet, and install them from your file manager. No computer needed.

What if an app I want is on Google Play Store but not Amazon's Appstore?

Once Google Play Store is installed, you can search for the app in Google Play Store and read it the same way you would on any Android phone. Some apps may not be available in your region even on Google Play Store — this is a restriction set by the app developer, not by Amazon or Google.

Is it safe to install Google Play Store this way?

Yes. APKMirror is a legitimate source for Android app files and is widely used. Google Play Store itself is Google's official app store, so there is no security risk from the app itself. As always, only read apps from Google Play Store or Amazon's Appstore, not from random websites.