Amazon has started blocking third-party apps on Fire TV devices, reportedly due to concerns over piracy and malware. This move has sparked debate over user freedom, app security, and content access. Affected devices include Fire TV Cube, FireStick 4K Max, FireStick 4K, and the 3rd-gen FireStick.
FireStick allows sideloading, which is why it is so popular. However, sideloading also brings potential security and privacy risks.
A recent software update may mark the beginning of the end for sideloading. Amazon now blocks apps like Live Net TV and Ocean Streamz, which are popular among users for live TV and sports.
Users in the US, UK, and elsewhere have reported seeing warnings after installing certain third-party apps post-update. For example, users trying to install the latest version of Flix Vision, a VOD app, are now receiving messages urging them to “uninstall potentially harmful app.”
The Ban Comes After The Latest Software Update
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Claims that Amazon was blocking the use or sideloading of third-party apps emerged in late June 2025. This is around the same time that Amazon rolled out the latest software updates on its Fire TV devices. The newest software version varies from one Firestick model to another, but the ban seems to apply to almost all Fire TV devices.
I used an older model, FireStick 4K (1st Gen), running on version 6.7.1.1.
Users reported being unable to use existing unofficial apps. When they uninstalled and tried to reinstall the apps, they received the error message within a few seconds. While you can still sideload the app on Fire TV, you cannot launch and use it as you did before.
Briefly after finishing the installation, the device will prompt you to “Keep or Uninstall the app.” Keeping it is pointless because the app is inaccessible, even if you try to launch it from the Manage Installed Apps window in the Settings.
You’ll see a Caution sign beside the Launch Application tab, along with an alert message: “This app has been disabled because it can put your device or personal data at risk.”
If you click Launch Application anyway, you’re taken back to the “Keep or uninstall app” window.
Additionally, when you go to your installed apps library, you won’t see the app tile for the banned third-party apps. In my case, I can’t see the Flix Vision app in my app library, even though it’s installed on my device.
Not All 3rd-Party Apps Are Targeted
FireStick users have been in a state of panic since the news broke that Amazon was targeting unofficial apps. However, it seems not all sideloaded apps are targeted. It only blocks the apps that seem to pose security risks.
Why is Amazon Blocking These Apps?
The ban on popular third-party apps on FireStick has sparked concerns from users, who worry that this might be the end of sideloading as they know it. Experts have also weighed in on the issue, with some pointing to piracy as the reason for targeting the said apps.
On the other hand, some argue that if piracy were a concern, then some of the unaffected apps would have been banned as well. They further say that the targeted apps have been flagged as malicious on other devices, including those running Apple and Android operating systems.
For instance, the Flix Vision app has been flagged as suspicious by Play Protect on Android TVs and mobile devices. Likewise, the Ocean Streamz site has been flagged as harmful on Google Chrome and Safari. This suggests that the ban is a security and privacy issue rather than a piracy concern.
Amazon has disclosed plans to crack down on apps that stream pirated content, as anti-piracy authorities and independent research companies blame big tech for its failure to address piracy. One of the independent research companies accused Amazon of “providing easy discovery of illegal pirated services”.
A report from Enders Analysis, a London-based research firm says:
Big tech is both friend and foe in solving the piracy problem. Conflicting incentives harm consumer safety by providing easy discovery of illegal pirated services, and reducing friction through low-cost hardware such as the Amazon FireStick.
Amazon has responded to these accusations by making changes to the FireStick devices to make it harder for people to stream pirated content. Maybe the third-party app ban is the first step towards combating piracy, or maybe Amazon is disabling these apps to protect user data security and privacy.
The company is also slated to switch to Vega OS, a Linux-based OS that will replace the Android-based Fire OS. The new OS may affect the ability to sideload Android-based unofficial apps on FireStick.
What’s Next for FireStick Users?
FireStickTricks.com is strictly against piracy. Therefore, we recommend our readers stick to the official streaming apps from the Amazon Store. Here are some popular legal apps:
How to Turn Off Manage Sharing from Apps
I strongly advise against installing illegal apps. Moreover, you can further solidify your privacy by following these steps:
1. Ensure your Fire TV is up to date. Click Settings on the home screen.
2. Navigate to Preferences.
3. Select Privacy Settings.
4. Click Manage Sharing from Apps.
5. Share App Viewing and Content Info is turned ON by default.
6. Click on it. You’ll see a Personalize Fire TV window with options to turn this setting On or Off. Choose Off.
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