Disclaimer: Comparitech does not encourage or condone using sideloaded apps or a VPN to stream content illegally. We advise researching your country’s laws and the terms of use for specific streaming platforms before using a VPN to access their content.

  • Enable installation of apps from unknown sources in the settings menu.
  • Install the Downloader app.
  • Enter the URL of the .APK file you’d like to install.
  • Follow the prompts to install your chosen app.

Keep reading for the detailed tutorial which includes screenshots.

Important: Always use a VPN when streaming

Did you know that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and network administrators can see what you’re doing online? Worse, some ISPs have been known to limit the speeds of customers who stream too much. However, you can keep your activities private, stream safely, and unblock geo-restricted platforms by using a VPN.

We recommend using IPVanish; it’s a popular VPN with excellent security, exceptional multi-platform support, and an extensive network of servers to choose from (1,000+ servers covering more than 60 countries). What’s more, IPVanish is very lightweight and has a remote control-friendly interface, making it a strong choice for Fire TV devices.

IPVanish allows up to ten simultaneous connections, when most of its rivals permit between three and six. This means you can protect all of your devices with a single account. This service even comes with a seven-day free trial, so you can try it and claim a full refund if unsatisfied.

READER DEAL: Comparitech readers can save up to 60% on IPVanish plans with our exclusive discount.

Read our full IPVanish review.

What is jailbreaking?

There seems to be some confusion about what jailbreaking actually is. Traditionally, jailbreaking (sometimes called rooting) is when you gain administrator access to a system through exploits or custom firmware. This allows you to bypass restrictions and install software that usually wouldn’t be allowed on a given device.

How to jailbreak your Firestick or Fire TV

Step 1: Initial setup

Before we can get started, we’ll have to tell the Firestick to allow the installation of apps from unknown sources. This is very simple: just navigate to the Settings menu and click Device.

From here, go into Developer Options and enable the Apps from Unknown Sources option. While many other online guides tell you to enable ADB debugging here, this isn’t necessary unless you want to take screenshots from your Fire TV or Firestick.

Step 2: Installing the Downloader app

To find this app, hold down the microphone button on the remote control and say “Downloader”; you should be taken straight to it. If your remote doesn’t include voice search functionality, you can press left on the Home screen and type “Downloader” (without quotation marks) instead.

Now, just press the center button to view the app’s installation page, and click Download.

Step 3: Use Downloader to install apps from unknown sources

Once Downloader has installed, open it. We’re going to show how easy it is to bypass the app store by installing an app that isn’t available by default: Kodi.

You’ll see an address bar with “http://” already entered; add “kodi.tv/download” (without quotation marks) and click the Go button in the bottom-right of the keyboard.

The Kodi website will open. From here, click the Android icon and choose the 32-bit version on the following screen.

Kodi will begin downloading. Once it’s finished, you’ll be asked to approve its permissions. If you agree, click Install on the bottom-right. You can then choose to open it immediately after it’s installed, if you’d like.

Secondly, you have to make sure that you only download from reputable sources. There are hundreds of sites which repackage existing .APK files with their own adware or malware. In fact, one recent study showed that of more than 1,200 sampled malware-containing .APKs, 86% pretended to be legitimate versions of existing apps. If the app creator doesn’t allow you to download the .APK file directly from their website, you might find a verified, legitimate, and legal version hosted on APKMirror.com.

Step 4: Installing apps that aren’t available online

There are a few problems with this approach. Firstly, installing and configuring the Android developer tools is a complicated process, and well beyond a novice user’s comfort zone. Secondly, this approach requires two screens, which means you’ll likely have to move from room to room whenever you have to use the other device.

There is a far simpler way to access these apps on your Firestick. First, on your Fire TV device, install an app called ES File Explorer. Although this app can be difficult to navigate, it’s going to take us directly to the file in the next step, so this won’t be an issue.

Just upload your app’s .APK file to your Dropbox account. This is a free cloud storage service, and registration only takes a few minutes. Once you’re logged in and your file has uploaded,  click the Share Folder button on the right, and select Can View in the drop-down menu. Then, click the Copy link option to see exactly what URL you’ll have to enter into the Downloader app.

Your Fire TV device will download the app file and tell you it’s stored in a folder named “zip_by_token”. If ES File Explorer is already installed, you’ll be given the option to go there directly. When you do, just click your app’s file to begin the installation.

There’s actually very little legislation regarding the legality of jailbreaking devices you own. In the US, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act allows you to jailbreak your devices for personal and non-commercial use. This was brought about after Apple tried, unsuccessfully, to challenge an exemption appeal raised by the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 2009.

Does jailbreaking void my device’s warranty?

However, if you decide to alter the standard firmware of a device using third-party scripts or software, and cannot subsequently return it to its factory state, you may well be voiding the warranty. This depends entirely on the company’s warranty policy, so it’s a good idea to read this thoroughly before attempting to root anything.

Is jailbreaking my Fire TV stick worth it?

How long does jailbreaking a Firestick take?

You can go from enabling Installation from Unknown Sources to streaming in under ten minutes. Obviously, the time taken will increase if you have a particularly slow internet connection, or if you’re trying to download an unusually large file, but most apps should download in two minutes at most.

What are the risks of jailbreaking my Firestick?

There aren’t any, as long as you follow our guide. If you decide you don’t want any of the apps you’ve installed via our method, you can simply press the Menu button on the remote and uninstall them as you would any other app.

In the worst case scenario, an installed app might crash your Firestick or Fire TV. If this happens, it’s more than likely the app hasn’t been coded properly, or you’ve accidentally installed a 64-bit version instead of the 32-bit one. Just reboot your device, uninstall the app, and reinstall the correct version, and everything should work as intended.

How to unblock geo-restricted apps with a VPN

Some platforms only make their content available to people in specific countries. Luckily,with a VPN you can spoof your location and gain access. Here’s how:

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