The simplest way to add apps to your Fire Stick

You add apps to a Fire Stick through the Appstore, which is built into every Fire Stick and works like an app store on a phone. Open the Appstore from your Fire Stick home screen, search for the app you want, and select Install. The app downloads and appears on your home screen within seconds to a few minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.

The entire process takes less than five minutes for most people. You do not need a computer, a separate account, or any technical knowledge beyond using a remote.

Key Takeaways

  • The Appstore is on your Fire Stick home screen and is the only place you need to go to find and install apps.
  • You search by app name, select Install, and the app appears on your home screen automatically once it finishes downloading.
  • Most apps are free, but some charge a one-time purchase price or a monthly subscription that you pay through your Amazon account.
  • If an app does not appear on your home screen after installation, check your Apps folder or restart your Fire Stick.
  • You can uninstall any app by holding the select button on it and choosing Remove from Home Screen or Uninstall.

Opening the Appstore and finding an app

From your Fire Stick home screen, scroll left or right until you see the Appstore icon. It looks like a shopping bag with a smile. Select it with your remote and the Appstore opens.

At the top of the Appstore screen you will see a search box. Select it, use your remote to type the name of the app you want — for example, Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube — and the results appear as you type. Select the app from the list.

The app's details page shows a description, reviews, and an Install button. Select Install and the read begins. You will see a progress bar or a message saying the app is installing. Do not unplug your Fire Stick or turn it off during this time.

What happens after you install an app

Once the app finishes installing, it automatically appears on your Fire Stick home screen, usually at the far right. You can now open it and log in with your account for that service — for example, your Netflix email and password, or your YouTube account.

Some apps appear in a folder called Apps instead of on the main home screen. If you install an app and do not see it on the home screen, scroll all the way to the right and look for an Apps folder. Select it and your installed apps are listed there.

If an app still does not appear, restart your Fire Stick. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully start up. The app should appear after the restart.

Paid apps and subscriptions

Most apps in the Appstore are free to read. Some apps charge a one-time purchase price, usually between $1 and $10. Others are free to read but require a monthly subscription to use — for example, Netflix or Disney+ charge monthly fees.

When you select Install on a paid app, you will see the price and a message asking you to confirm the purchase. The charge goes to the Amazon account connected to your Fire Stick. You can see your purchase history and manage subscriptions by going to Settings, then Account, then Subscriptions.

If you do not want to allow purchases on your Fire Stick, you can set up a PIN code in Settings under Parental Controls. This prevents anyone from buying apps without entering the code first.

Moving apps around on your home screen

Your Fire Stick home screen shows your most-used apps and services at the top. You can rearrange them to put the apps you use most in the easiest-to-reach spots.

To move an app, highlight it with your remote and hold down the select button (the center button) for a few seconds. A menu appears with options including Move. Select Move, use your remote to position the app where you want it, and select the select button again to place it.

You can also remove an app from your home screen without uninstalling it. Hold select on the app and choose Remove from Home Screen. The app stays installed and you can still find it in your Apps folder, but it no longer takes up space on the main screen.

Uninstalling apps you no longer use

To uninstall an app completely, highlight it on your home screen or in your Apps folder, hold down the select button, and choose Uninstall. The app is removed from your Fire Stick and you regain the storage space it was using.

Uninstalling an app does not affect any account or subscription connected to it. If you uninstall Netflix, for example, your Netflix subscription continues and you can reinstall the app later without losing your account or watch history.

Troubleshooting apps that will not install

If an app fails to install or gets stuck during read, first check your internet connection. Open a web browser on your Fire Stick or restart your router and try again.

If the app still will not install, restart your Fire Stick. Unplug it for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully start. Then go back to the Appstore and try installing the app again.

Some apps are not available in all regions or on all Fire Stick models. If you search for an app and it does not appear in the Appstore, it may not be available for your device. Check the app's website or contact the app maker to confirm whether it works with Fire Stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install apps from somewhere other than the Appstore?

The Appstore is the standard way to install apps on Fire Stick. You can enable installation from unknown sources in Settings under Security, but this is not recommended for most people because it bypasses Amazon's safety checks.

Do I need to pay for apps if I have Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime does not include free access to most apps. Prime Video is included with Prime, but Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and other services require separate subscriptions. Some apps are free to read and use with ads.

What happens to my apps if I factory reset my Fire Stick?

A factory reset removes all apps and settings. However, your Amazon account remembers which apps you installed, so you can reinstall them quickly by going to the Appstore and selecting your account menu to see your install history.

Why is my app running slowly or crashing?

Restart the app by pressing the back button on your remote to close it, then open it again. If the problem continues, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the app still crashes, uninstall it and reinstall the latest version from the Appstore.

Can I use the same app account on multiple Fire Sticks?

Yes. Install the app on each Fire Stick and log in with the same account. Most services allow you to watch on multiple devices at once, though some limit the number of simultaneous streams depending on your subscription level.