Amazon has confirmed that its latest Fire TV Stick models will no longer support sideloading of apps not approved from its official Appstore. The move is part of a broader crackdown on illegal streaming, which has long been facilitated by third-party apps installed via sideloading on older devices.
The new operating system, named Vega, debuted on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select released in October 2023. Unlike previous Fire Sticks that ran on Android, Vega is a Linux-based system that restricts app installation to those available on the Amazon Appstore. Amazon's developer page states that all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega, effectively phasing out the older Android OS.
Amazon's website for the 4K Select Stick warns: "For enhanced security, only apps from the Amazon Appstore on Fire TV are available for download." The company has also been adding warning notices to suspicious apps on its store, with later versions blocking access entirely and offering an uninstall option.
While sideloading remains possible for registered developers, Amazon's dual approach—blocking unapproved apps on the store and preventing sideloading on new hardware—aims to reduce piracy. A spokesperson previously stated: "Piracy is illegal, and we’ve always worked to block it from our Appstore."
Existing Fire Stick users with older models can continue using their devices, but support for the old OS may eventually be discontinued as Amazon focuses on Vega. The company has a history of ending support for older devices deemed obsolete.
