In this tutorial, you are going to learn how to install ExpressVPN on FireStick. These instructions work equally well on any Amazon Fire TV line of devices, including FireStick 4K, Fire TV Stick Lite, and Fire TV Cube.
ExpressVPN is one of the most popular streaming VPN services. The VPN is known for its excellent functionality and superb speeds that let users stream content in HD without buffering.
ExpressVPN has a custom-made app for the Amazon Firestick, a popular device that is used by cord-cutters worldwide. You can maximize your FireStick streaming experience by installing the app on FireStick and making geo-restrictions, online surveillance, and ISP throttling a thing of the past.
Why Choose ExpressVPN for FireStick?
ExpressVPN is the most trusted VPN for privacy, security, and streaming purposes. Personally, I’ve been using this VPN service for the last couple of years due to its excellent service.
Here are some of the features that make it one of the best VPNs for FireStick.
Excellent Speeds
Just as the name suggests, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs around. It has a speed-optimized network that consists of 3,000+ VPN servers spread across 160 locations in 94 countries. This ensures that you can stream in HD and 4K smoothly, which isn’t the case with the average VPN.
Unblocks All Streaming Services
One of the most prevalent uses of a VPN on Firestick and Fire TV is unblocking restricted content. The most notorious and most popular of these services is Netflix, which offers different content for different countries and blocks the use of VPNs.
ExpressVPN is one of the few VPN that can consistently provide access to Netflix. Once you get an account and install the VPN, you can unblock Netflix US, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Japan, India, and various other libraries.
You can also access other geo-restricted services like BBC iPlayer, HBO Now, Hulu, among others.
Solid Privacy & Security
ExpressVPN offers an impressive zero-logs policy accompanied by an AES 256-bit encryption, a combination that ensures that all your internet activities are private, secure, and anonymous.
This is important, especially if you stream using Kodi or third-party Android streaming apps like Cinema HD, Titanium TV, CatMouse, etc. Third-party Kodi addons and such apps provide content that may be pirated, and if you unintentionally stream such content, you could face some legal issues. So it’s essential to stream safely since governments and ISPs monitor their users’ online activities.
Ease of Use
ExpressVPN provides advanced features like a Network Lock Kill Switch and VPN Split Tunneling, but they also manage to keep the VPN interface tidy and easy to use, as we’ll see in the how to use section.
A quick look at all key features of ExpressVPN
Best for
Streaming and privacy
Servers
3000+
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Kodi, Torrenting, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO
Special Deal
3 Months Free (annual plan)- VPN Servers in 94 Countries
- Super fast speed – great for streaming
- Strong no logging policy
- Very secure 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Network Lock (Killswitch)
- Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Safe for P2P and torrent use
- Dedicated apps & easy set-up on all devices
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Excellent 24/7 Live chat/email support
- Bitcoin accepted
- 30-day money-back guarantee
How to Install ExpressVPN on Firestick
ExpressVPN has a dedicated app that is compatible with the Amazon Fire Stick, Fire TV, and Fire TV Cube. This app is readily available on the Amazon store, and so you can install it within a few seconds. However, before we start with the installation, you need to buy an ExpressVPN subscription. You can get a 49% discount on its annual plan.
However, if you can’t install the app using that method for whatever reason, it’s also possible to sideload it. I will show you both methods.
Method 1: Installing the app from Amazon Store
1. On the Firestick home screen, go to the search option and type “ExpressVPN“
2. The app will appear as the first suggestion. Click on it
3. You’ll now be given the “Get” or “Download” option. Hit it
4. ExpressVPN will now download and install
5. Click Open once it has downloaded
I have also shown how to use ExpressVPN on Firestick in a later section of this guide. Keep reading.
Method 2: Sideloading the ExpressVPN APK on FireStick
Please note that there is no need to follow this method if you have already installed ExpressVPN on FireStick with the first method from the Amazon Store.
If you can’t get ExpressVPN on the Amazon store, you can download its APK file and install it.
To do that, you first need an app called Downloader. The Downloader app is a sideloading tool for FireStick.
Follow these steps:
1. On the main menu, go to the Find > Search option
2. Type Downloader and click Downloader in the search results
3. The app should be the first suggestion. Click it.
4. Click Get or Download to install the app on your Firestick
5. Once the Downloader app is installed, click FireStick Settings from the home screen
6. Then select My Fire TV
7. Select Developer options
8. Open Install Unknown Apps
9. Now, click the Downloader app and change its status to ON
10. Now, open the Downloader app on your FireStick
Some prompts are displayed when you open Downloader for the first time. Dismiss all the prompts.
Click the address bar as you see in the image below
11. Enter the URL firesticktricks.com/express and click Go
12. The ExpressVPN APK will now download
13. After the download is complete, click Install
4. After it installs, click Done. The downloader will ask if you want to delete the APK. Select Delete to save some space. When asked to confirm, select Delete once more
The app should have been added to your app list.
How to use ExpressVPN on Firestick
Now that you have successfully installed the ExpressVPN APK on your Fire TV device, here’s how you can proceed.
How to access the App
You can access your newly downloaded ExpressVPN app by navigating to All My Apps. To move it to the top, click the Menu button, select Move, drag to the desired position and then click OK.
From there, you can open the VPN app.
Initial Set-Up
1. Since you have already located the app on your Firestick. Click it to open.
2. On the next screen, select Sign In to enter your credentials. If you don’t have an account yet, you can get the login credentials from here.
3. After you have signed in, the app will ask for permission to set up the configuration on Firestick. Just click OK, and then OK once more when Firestick asks for a connection request.
3. The VPN app home screen should now appear
4. Click the red circle button to connect the VPN on your Firestick / Fire TV.
Selecting ExpressVPN Server on Fire TV / Stick
ExpressVPN is quite easy to use, and you can quickly connect by clicking the power button. To choose a server, click on the server displayed on the screen. You can select one of the servers on the recommended section or go to All Locations. Servers there are well presented in terms of regions, countries, and even cities.
Customizing your Connection
ExpressVPN lets you determine how the VPN works and choose the features you want to use. To open settings, click on the three horizontal buttons on the top left side of the screen, then select Settings.
Here are the features that you can take advantage of:
Autoconnect: This option lets ExpressVPN automatically connect to your last server whenever you turn on Firestick.
Network Protection: Here, you can choose whether to activate the kill switch and also if you want to keep your device visible to other devices on your local network.
Split Tunneling: This feature lets you choose the apps that you want to exempt from the VPN connection or the specific apps that you wish to tunnel through the VPN. It can be useful if you don’t want to affect the functionality of other apps.
VPN Protocol: You can choose the protocol you want to use for Encryption between UDP and TCP. However, it’s advisable to leave this option at “Automatic.”
Apps & Websites Shortcuts: You can set the apps that you want ExpressVPN to suggest once you connect to a server.
This can be quite helpful as you won’t have to go back to your menu and look for the app you frequently use after connecting your VPN.
Wrapping up
ExpressVPN is undoubtedly one of the best VPN options for Firestick and my personal favorite. It is an allround product that you can use for privacy and security, as well as for unblocking restricted content.
You can use the above guide to install ExpressVPN on your Firestick or Fire TV. The Firestick app is designed to be remote-friendly, and so you won’t have any issues using it.
Related:
- How to Install Surfshark on FireStick
- How to Install IPVanish on FireStick
- How to Install Private Internet Access on FireStick
Disclosure - FireStickTricks.com is reader-supported blog. When you buy a product through links on our site, we may earn commission. Learn More
Will it work on discovery+ And do you have an app for firestick tricksThank you
Hi Art, Discovery+ will work with ExpressVPN. We do not have an app for firesticktricks.
Can I put the same vpn on all my fire sticks
Hi James, yes, you can use the same subscription on multiple devices. ExpressVPN allows up to 5 simultaneous connections.
Doesn’t work for Prime Video on Fire TV Stick or Cube.
Hi Ananova, are you getting any specific error message?
Unable to install. File appears to be corrupt warning.
Hi Robb, I just checked and it installed fine on my FireStick. You may have encountered a temporary issue. Please try again and let me know.
I am having problems installing updates on the ExpressVPN app on my firestick. When I open the app, it say “Update available! Install now” but when I navigate up to that (by scrolling up) and click, it takes me to the page with Settings, Account, Help & Support, etc. I have my firestick set to auto update for apps. Can’t figure this out! I even uninstalled & reinstalled the app today and it still says there is an update. This is driving me crazy – can you please help?