How to Sideload Apps on Firestick with Downloader

How the Downloader Method Works

The Downloader method is the simplest way to sideload apps on Firestick. You enter a URL, download the APK file, install it, then delete the installer file once the app is installed.

This works on most Fire Stick devices. The main exception is the Fire Stick Select, where this method does not work.

Before installing apps, check your power setup, free space, updates, and privacy settings. Keep that prep work simple with this guide: Firestick Setup Checklist: What to Do Before Installing Apps.

What You Need First

Before sideloading apps, make sure these two things are ready:

1. Downloader installed from the Amazon store.
2. Install Unknown Apps enabled for Downloader.

Use this guide if Developer Options or Install Unknown Apps is not already enabled: How to Enable Developer Options & Install Unknown Apps on Firestick. The short version is to enable Developer Options first, then go back and turn Downloader on under Install Unknown Apps.

Step 1: Install Downloader from the Amazon Store

1. From the Fire Stick home screen, go to the Amazon store, Find, or Search.
2. Search for Downloader. Type it in or use the Alexa remote.
3. Choose the orange Downloader icon.
4. Pick the listing with a high review count.
5. Press Download.
6. Wait for it to install.

Open Downloader after it installs to make sure it launches properly. When it opens, press OK, then check that the Downloader screen loads and the cursor moves around.

Once confirmed, press the Home button.

Step 2: Turn on Install Unknown Apps for Downloader

Downloader needs permission to install APK files.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open My Fire TV or My Device.
3. Open Developer Options.
4. Open Install Unknown Apps.
5. Turn Downloader to On.

If Developer Options is not visible yet, use this walkthrough: How to Enable Developer Options & Install Unknown Apps on Firestick.

Step 3: Open Downloader and Use the URL Box

1. Go to My Apps and Games.
2. Open Downloader.
3. Press OK if prompted.
4. Navigate to the URL/search field highlighted in yellow.
5. Click inside the field.
6. Type the URL exactly as directed in your guide.
7. Press Go or Next.

Common app-store options include:

1. Easiest option: type newstore.tv in Downloader to install TV Wizard, my own setup app. It installs the app stores for you, including LinkDrop, Unlinked, and LinkBase, so you skip adding them one by one.
2. For LinkDrop, my own store, open linkdrop.store and click Explore the collection to open the library. No code is needed.
3. For Unlinked, type unlinked.link in Downloader, install it, choose New Library, and enter the code firestick.

If the page gives an error, try adding HTTP or HTTPS in front of the URL.

Step 4: Download the APK

What happens next depends on the page you opened.

For a direct APK page, Downloader may start the download right away.

For the Unlinked page:

1. Wait for the website to load.
2. Use the Fire Stick remote to navigate.
3. Scroll down until you see Download APK Android.
4. Click Download APK Android.
5. Wait for Downloader to connect and retrieve the APK.

For store or TV Wizard URLs, the file may download quickly after the page loads.

Step 5: Install the APK

Once the APK download completes, the Fire Stick displays the install screen.

1. Press Install.
2. Wait for the app to install.
3. Press Done.

For store apps like Unlinked or TV Wizard, press Done instead of Open. That makes it easier to clean up the downloaded file first.

Step 6: Delete the Installation File

After pressing Done, Downloader asks what to do with the file.

1. Press Delete.
2. Press Delete again to confirm.

This removes the APK installation file after the app is already installed. The installed app stays on your Fire Stick.

Deleting the installer helps save storage space, especially on Fire Stick models with limited free space.

Step 7: Turn on Permissions for the App You Just Installed

If the app you installed will install other apps, give that app permission too.

For example, after installing Unlinked or TV Wizard, go back to:

1. Settings.
2. My Fire TV or My Device.
3. Developer Options.
4. Install Unknown Apps.
5. Turn the newly installed app to On.

This is the same area where Downloader was enabled.

Step 8: Open Your Installed App

To launch the app:

1. Press the Home button.
2. Go to My Apps and Games.
3. Find the app you installed.
4. Open it.

For Unlinked, open the app, select New Library, enter the code firestick, press Next, then enter the store.

For the full app-store process, use this guide: The Best Firestick App Stores & Wizards (and How to Access Them).

How to Install More Apps After Downloader Is Set Up

Once Downloader and its permissions are ready, use this same flow every time:

1. Open Downloader.
2. Enter the URL in the yellow URL field.
3. Press Go or Next.
4. Download the APK.
5. Press Install.
6. Press Done.
7. Press Delete, then Delete again.
8. Open the app from My Apps and Games.

If the new app installs other apps, return to Install Unknown Apps and enable that app as well.

When a Store or APK Will Not Load

Try these checks before assuming the app or store is down:

• Make sure the Fire Stick is plugged into a wall power source, not the TV USB port.
• Make sure there is enough free space on the device.
• Confirm that Downloader is set to On under Install Unknown Apps.
• If the URL does not load, try adding HTTP or HTTPS in front of it.
• For stores listed in this guide, consider using IPVanish connected to a United States server with WireGuard.

For a complete beginner setup, use this guide: How to Jailbreak a Firestick (Complete Beginner's Guide).

Managing Sideloaded Apps After Installation

Installed apps appear under My Apps and Games. Open Downloader, Unlinked, TV Wizard, IPVanish, VirusTotal, and other tools from there.

For store apps, reopen the store anytime from My Apps and Games to download more apps.

To manage installation files, keep pressing Delete and then Delete again after each APK install. That removes the downloaded installer while keeping the app installed.

For permissions, use this rule: every time you install an app that needs to install other apps, go to Install Unknown Apps and turn that app to On.

My Quick Downloader Checklist

Use this checklist when sideloading:

1. Ensure Fire Stick is plugged into wall power.
2. Confirm enough free space is available.
3. Enable Developer Options.
4. Install Downloader from the Amazon store.
5. Turn Downloader On under Install Unknown Apps.
6. Input the URL exactly as shown.
7. Install the APK.
8. Press Done, not Open, when needed.
9. Delete the installation file.
10. Open the app from My Apps and Games.

This is the basic Downloader method for installing APKs on Firestick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need Developer Options to Sideload Apps on Firestick?+

Yes. Downloader requires Install Unknown Apps to be enabled before it can install APK files. The full setup is here: How to Enable Developer Options & Install Unknown Apps on Firestick.

Should I Open the APK Right After It Installs?+

For store apps like Unlinked or TV Wizard, press Done first, then delete the installation file. After that, open the app from My Apps and Games, or enable permissions for the newly installed app if it needs to install other apps.

Where Do Sideloaded Apps Appear?+

Sideloaded apps appear in My Apps and Games. This is where you can reopen Downloader, launch Unlinked, start TV Wizard, or access previously installed apps.

Why Does Downloader Show an Error When I Enter a URL?+

Some URLs need HTTP or HTTPS at the front. If the plain URL does not work, try adding HTTP or HTTPS and run it again.

Do I Have to Delete the APK File After Installing?+

Yes. Press Delete and then Delete again after the app installs. That clears the installation file while keeping the app on your Fire Stick.

Can I Use Downloader to Install Firestick App Stores?+

Yes. Downloader can install stores and TV Wizard through URLs such as newstore.tv, linkdrop.store, and unlinked.link. More store options are covered here: The Best Firestick App Stores & Wizards (and How to Access Them).