How to download, sideload, and install Android APK files on Amazon Fire Stick? There is no doubt that the Fire TV is an excellent streaming device. It has an enormous library to stream as many channels as you want. You can watch and stream international content. As the library of FireStick is impressively dynamic. This is the reason it is popular as well. However, due to some reasons. Not all streaming apps are available on Amazon FireStick. That’s why many users look for ways to sideload apps. On their Amazon device. In this article, I am going to show how can you install Android Apps on Firestick.
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How to Install Android Apps on Firestick With ES File Explorer?
Additionally, many Android apps are not available in the Amazon store. Including the all-time popular streaming app; Kodi. Furthermore, there is news of YouTube will also be removed from the Amazon store starting on the 1st of December 2018. Hence, you must be looking for the ways to ass such apps on your Firestick, because why not? Follow the steps below to install Android APK files on your FireStick with ES Explorer.
- On your Amazon Fire TV or FireStick, go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘System’ -> ‘Developer Options.’
- Turn on ‘Allow apps from unknown sources.’
- From the Amazon Fire Stick main menu, go to ‘Search.’
- Type ‘ES Explorer’.
- Click on the ES Explorer app icon to download and install it.
- Launch the ES Explorer app.
- From the ES Explorer menu, go to ‘Tools’ -> ‘Download Manager’ in the left-hand menu.
- Click on ‘+ New’ from the bottom menu.
- For ‘Path’, type https:///sandyrobert.wpengine.com/kodi-17-6.apk and click ‘OK’.
- For ‘Name’, input ‘Kodi’.
- Select ‘Download Now’
- The Kodi installation file will now begin to download.
- Once the Kodi apk file is downloaded, click on ‘Open file’ to install it on your FireStick.
- Go back to your FireStick home screen.
- Launch the Kodi 17.6 app on your FireStick.
In steps above, I used Kodi installation as an example. You can install any other app on your Firestick following the same steps. All you need is the URL of the APK file you wish to install on your FireStick.
How to Install Android Apps on Firestick With Downloader?
Moreover, you can use the Downloader app to install Android apps on FireStick. Hence, below, I used YouTube as an example to install apps on Firestick. If you intend to use Downloaded for apps installation on Firestick. You can follow the same steps below for any other app as well.
- On your Fire TV, go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘Device’ -> ‘Developer Options.’
- Turn on ‘Allow apps from Unknown Sources’
- From the Amazon Fire Stick main menu, go to ‘Search.’
- Type ‘Downloader’.
- Click on the Downloader app icon to download and install it.
- Launch the Downloader app.
- In the Downloader app main menu, enter the following URL: http://bit.ly/2koI960
- Click ‘Go’.
- The Youtube installation file will now begin to download.
- Once the Youtube app download process is complete, install it on your Amazon Fire TV.
- Click on ‘Open’ to Launch the Youtube app on your FireStick.
Best VPN for Amazon Firestick
Furthermore, Firestick users know there are many add-ons and apps are Geo-blocked. However, you can bypass these Geo-restriction and use the most secure VPN services to unblock these add-ons without any hassle. Additionally, Amazon Firestick users also face restrictions when accessed by users from a foreign country. This is to ensure that the country does not suffer any internet threats and hacks. Though it seems to be legal, it is not a situation that most internet users expect.
However, Thanks to the VPN which forms a tunnel between the Firestick user and the accessed server. Additionally, The data passes through the tunnel are all encrypted. And it is anonymous as well. Hence, it is better to use a VPN service to enjoy a safe streaming. Moreover, Using VPN to mask your IP address on your Amazon Firestick has several benefits.
Additionally, you can use a VPN to hide your real IP address on your Firestick for many good reasons;
- You can bypass these Geo-restriction and use the best VPN to unblock these add-ons without any hassle.
- VPN also allows you to unblock geo-restricted channels on Amazon Firestick TV. Watch BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO GO, ITV, Discovery, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, Hotstar, and many more.
- All your streaming activities cannot be traced back to your ISP.
- Hiding your IP on Firestick is crucial, especially if you live in a country where Kodi pre-loaded boxes can be considered illegal.
I have recommended the following VPNs which I have used with Amazon Firestick over the time. These work best for it. See the list below and choose as per your requirement.
#1 NordVPN (3.29$/month)
Number of servers: 3500+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 6
NordVPN is a Panama based VPN service provider. Hence, it is free of the U.S and the European countries jurisdictions. Due to it, the users can enjoy anonymous networking with its No Log Policy. Double encryption, a variety of protocol support, excellent customer support makes it one of the best VPN in the market. Most noteworthy, the pricing plans are quiet on the nominal side and worth the services provided.
- Six simultaneous connections
- A variety of platform support
- Double encryption for added security
- Excellent customer support
- Automatic kill switch
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 3-Day free trial
- Unique selling proposition is that it offers hassle-free installation even for new users
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#2 ExpressVPN (8.32$/month)
Number of servers: 1800+ | Server locations: 148 | IP addresses: 30,000 | Maximum devices supported: 3
ExpressVPN has become the market leader in the VPN industry. With its supreme quality VPN performance during past seven years. Therefore, it attracted and retained millions of users and enhanced customer loyalty. All due to services that are beyond comparison. That is the reason it sits at the top position in our VPN table. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. Which keeps it away from the Data Retention policies enforced by NSA, GCHQ.
- Unlimited Bandwidth with Ultra Speed
- Dedicated VPN Apps for Android & iOS
- Provides all VPN protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP
- High-End Security with OpenVPN 256-bits
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 30-Days Money-Back Guarantee
- 3 Simultaneous-login Option
- Dedicated VPN App for Router
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#3 Surfshark VPN (2.49$/month)
Number of servers: 500+ | Server locations: 50 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
Surfshark VPN is ahead of the curve in technological advancement. Surfshark VPN will ensure online privacy for your whole family – simple and intuitive on the outside with a robust security mechanism inside.
- No Logging Policy
- 500 Plus Servers Spread in over 50 Countries
- 24 x 7 Customer Service Support
- P2P Torrenting Support Available
- AES 256-Bit Network Encryption
- Comes with Zero Logging Policy
- Chrome Extension Available
- Kill-Switch functionality
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#4 CyberGhostVPN (2.15$/month)
Number of servers: 6,200+ | Server locations: 87+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 7
CyberGhostVPN was established in 2011 and gained popularity. It is due to its dedication towards providing outstanding and unique security and privacy features. CyberGhostVPN defends privacy as a basic human right, being the first in the industry to publish a transparency report while building new user-oriented crypto-technology for the future.
- 6200+ servers in 87 countries
- Uses AES 256 Encryption
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
- Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP
- DNS & IP Leak Protection
- No Logging Policy.
- Uses 2048 Key & MD5 Authentication
- 45-Days Money Back Guarantee
- Automatic Wi-Fi security
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#5 Private Internet Access (2.19$/month)
Number of servers: 3339+ | Server locations: 36 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5
Private Internet Access service provides you unbeatable internet security and privacy. It is due to its sustainable and specialized security barrier based on several layers. Hence, For an end to end protection with its amazing features. That includes; Anonymous IP, high-grade encryption. That is based on cryptographically secure Blowfish CBC algorithm.
- Zero VPN Traffic Logs
- Encrypted Wi-Fi Protection
- Offers all Protocols PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec including SOCKS5 Proxy
- 7-days Money-Back Guarantee
- IPv6 Leak Protection & DNS Leak Protection
- The Internet Kill Switch
- P2P file sharing & VoIP Support
- Support for VPN router including DD-WRT Tomato & PfSense
- Speed Test options for all Servers
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Best Android Apps to Sideload on Firestick
Here’s a list of popular Android apps you can install on your FireStick.
- Kodi
- Youtube
- IPVanish
- BulletVPN
- Mouse Toggle
- MX Player
- Mobdro
- Terrarium TV
- Stremio
- Plex
- Firefox
How to Install Android Apps on Firestick- Sideload Guide- Final Words
Finally, it is all that you need to do to download and setup Android Apps on Firestick. Furthermore, don’t forget to use a VPN when streaming movies and TV shows using various add-ons on your Firestick. Enjoy safe and legal streaming.