In this article, I will walk you through some of the FireStick settings that will improve your streaming experience, enhance your privacy, and improve the overall experience with the device. You can apply the same to other Fire TV devices, including FireStick 4K and Fire TV Cube.
When you set up your Amazon FireStick for the first time, your device is assigned the default settings (also called factory settings). You may keep using FireStick without any changes to the settings. However, changing some settings may customize FireStick, which is more suited to your needs.
Attention FireStick Users
Governments and ISPs across the world monitor their users' online activities. If you use third-party streaming apps on your Fire TV Stick, you should always use a good FireStick VPN and hide your identity so your movie-viewing experience doesn’t take a bad turn. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone.
I use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device, including Amazon Fire TV Stick. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 4 months free and save 61% on the 2-year plan.
Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick
Best Settings for FireStick
Next is the list of the various FireStick settings you can change. Even though you can always revert to the default settings, I recommend keeping these settings to enjoy FireStick to its fullest capacity and to maintain your privacy.
We will talk about the different settings one by one (not necessarily in any order of priority)
1. Enable ADB Debugging & Install from Unknown Apps
This is probably one of the first settings you should change on your FireStick / Fire TV, primarily enabling the option Install Unknown Apps.
When Apps from Unknown Sources is enabled, you can sideload and install third-party apps onto FireStick. Not all the apps you want are available on the Amazon Store; many must be downloaded manually.
With ADB Debugging enabled, you can use certain apps like Mouse Toggle. This option is also needed to connect your FireStick to a computer.
Here is how you can do it:
1. Access the Settings option from the FireStick / Fire TV / FireStick 4K home screen. It is in the menu bar at the top.
2. Choose the option My Fire TV on the next window.
3. Now, you want to open Developer Options.
4. Turn on ADB Debugging. Now, click Install Unknown Apps.
5. When you click Install Unknown Apps, you see a list of the apps. Turn this option ON for the app that you want to use to sideload apps on FireStick
Downloader is the most popular sideloading app for FireStick. Install the Downloader app and then turn this setting on for this app.
2. Manage your Privacy Settings and disable Data Monitoring
Amazon rolled out an update for FireStick late in 2018 that enabled data monitoring by default and allowed the company to collect user data related to app and device usage.
Even though Amazon is a renowned organization, we do not want anyone to steal or use our data in a way that could compromise your privacy.
While the FireStick privacy settings are ‘ON’ by default, you can quickly turn them OFF. Follow the steps below:
1. Go to the FireStick Settings from the home screen.
2. Open Preferences on this window.
3. Click Privacy Settings when the following set of options are displayed.
4. Turn OFF the following options: Device Usage Data & Collect App Usage Data.
Note: You can keep ‘Interest-based Ads’ ON or OFF. I have disabled this option to be on the safe side.
5. Now, press the back button once to go to the Preferences menu again (or from the FireStick home screen, navigate to Settings > Preferences).
6. Click Data Monitoring.
7. Make sure Data Monitoring is OFF on the next screen.
3. Change the Amazon Appstore settings
You might want to change a few options in the Appstore settings for a better experience with FireStick. Here is what you can do:
1. Open the FireStick Settings again from the home window.
2. Choose and then click the option Applications.
3. Next, go ahead and open Appstore
Here is how you would want the various settings to be:
- Automatic Updates: Keep it ON so that the apps update automatically whenever there is an update. This option works only with the apps installed from the Amazon App Store and not any third-party apps you might have sideloaded.
- External Market Links: Certain apps have links that redirect you to the Amazon App Store to install other apps. Click this option and choose Ask Before Opening (recommended) or Don’t Open.
- In-App Purchases: Keep this option OFF. It will make sure you don’t end up making in-app purchases accidentally. This will also prevent kids from making in-app purchases.
- Manage My Subscriptions: This option does nothing. It simply asks you to go to www.amazon.com/appstoresubscriptions to manage your subscriptions.
- Notifications: You may turn this option OFF if you don’t want to be bothered by the Appstore notifications.
4. Change App Notification Settings
Notifications are often more annoying than helpful. Some apps are necessary, but they keep sending irrelevant notifications. This could get a bit frustrating and affect your overall FireStick and streaming experience.
Thankfully, you can universally disable app notifications for all apps or turn them off for specific apps. You can do that for apps from the Amazon Store and third-party apps that have been sideloaded onto FireStick.
Follow these steps:
1. Open FireStick Settings one more time.
2. Open the option Preferences.
3. Click Notification Settings.
4. To disable notifications from all apps, turn ON the option Do Not Interrupt. To disable notifications for specific apps, click App Notifications and choose the desired app.
5. Disable Video and Audio Autoplay
The FireStick home screen displays the ‘featured content’ around the top, underneath the menu bar (and above the row Recent).
The video audio and preview of the content start playing automatically when you leave the home screen idle, even for a few seconds. I find it a little annoying, and if so do you, here is how you can disable it:
1. Go to the Settings Menu on FireStick.
2. Click Preferences.
3. Click Featured Content on the next screen.
4. Turn OFF the options Allow Video Autoplay and Audio Autoplay.
6. Change the FireStick Display settings
Choosing the right video and display settings is essential for a smooth, judder-free streaming experience. FireStick’s default display settings often work with most streaming applications. However, tweaking the settings sometimes may give you more satisfactory streaming results.
Follow the steps below:
1. Open FireStick Settings.
2. Open the Display & Sounds option.
3. Click Display on the following screen.
Here are the options you can explore:
- Video Resolution: Choose the desired video resolution. However, I recommend Auto mode so that FireStick can select the best resolution for you.
- Match Original Frame Rate: FireStick usually works at the 60Hz or 50Hz frame rate. However, many videos are shot at 25 Hz or lower frame rate. You might see occasional judder during the playback if the frame rates don’t match. You may turn Match Original Frame Rate ON to allow FireStick to match the frame rate of the native content, provided you are using a supported app. Also, the Video Resolution setting must be set to ‘Auto’ for this option to work.
- Color Depth: Choose between 8 (default), 10, or 12 bits. Your TV must support the color depth setting you have chosen.
- Color Format: Set it to ‘Auto’ and best let FireStick choose the most suitable format for you.
- Calibrate Display: For the best streaming experience, you would want the videos to be fully displayed. If they aren’t, choose this option to calibrate the display and contain the videos within the four sides of your TV.
- Dynamic Range Settings: You can choose between ‘Always HDR’ and ‘Adaptive’. Choose the former only if your TV supports HDR.
#Bonus Tip
When streaming with Kodi, free movie apps, or IPTV, your first concern should be your privacy. Though the above settings will help you safeguard your privacy from Amazon and its partners, you are still exposed to your ISP, Government, and hackers.
I always use ExpressVPN on all my streaming devices to overcome this issue. It keeps all my browsing and streaming activities hidden from prying eyes. If you are not using a VPN already, I suggest you try it. A good VPN not only helps to protect your privacy, but it also unblocks geo-restricted content, bypasses ISP throttling, and helps buffer-free streaming.
ExpressVPN is the top VPN for FireStick. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to use its services for the first 30 days for free and then request a refund if you don’t want to continue. Thanks to the Holiday season, there is also an ongoing offer where you can save 61% over its regular price.
Here’s how to install and use a VPN on Amazon FireStick and Fire TV devices.
Wrapping Up
So, here are some of the most valuable settings for FireStick that, when changed, improve your overall experience with the device. However, if you feel we missed something important or exciting, let us know via the comments section below.
More Interesting Topics:
How to Jailbreak a FireStick
How to restart a FireStick
How to fix FireStick remote problems
Best channels for FireStick
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cannot retrieve directory info. help please. internet is fine
Hi Edd. If you are trying to install a Kodi Addon, you may have incorrectly typed the URL. Make sure you type the URL exactly as it is shown, with no spaces or commas, and try again.
Hi Patrick, these tips were simply awesome. As a fellow IT security professional I personally liked the privacy and security related tips! I had a question – I’ve been facing some random jitters and slowness on my FireTV stick (2nd gen, normal i.e. not 4K) on Amazon Prime as well as other Apps. I’ve tried everything, from a reset to removing all junk apps. S/W is fully updated and the internet is quite decent at typically 80-100 megs with no issues on my mobiles or laptops. Once the jitters appear, the A/V sync goes off, and I need to pause, step out and then back into the program. Any clue as to what may be causing this? This started appearing more so after the last “cards” UI update about 5-6 months back in 2022 I guess.
Hi Alby. Here is our guide on common problems and solutions for FireStick. If you tried all the solutions to common FireStick problems and none of them worked, you can reach out to Amazon’s FireStick customer support for more professional help. Even then, you may need to purchase a new device, but at least you’ll have confirmation that there’s nothing more you can do.
Again, Thank you for your two previous answers. One more question: how much does the app ExpressVPN cost as per your recommendation?
Hi Cherie, with a special discount of 49% and 3 extra months, ExpressVPN is available for $99.99 per year (effectively 15 months). This comes down to nearly $6.67 per month.