How to Sideload Apps on FireStick with Downloader App

In this post, you will learn how to Install Downloader and sideload apps on FireStick. The instructions in this guide apply to all Fire TV OS devices, including FireStick 4K, 4K Max, FireStick Lite, Fire TVs, and more.

What Is a Downloader App for FireStick?

Downloader is an official app available on the Amazon App Store that allows you to download files to your Fire TV. Most FireStick owners use Downloader to sideload third-party apps.

With Downloader, you can:

• Download files via a URL, short code, or website
• Manage downloaded files
• Browse the internet
• Add your favorite sites

Unlike complicated file explorers, Downloader provides a seamless way to download any file with its built-in browser. According to the Kodi team, “The only correct way of installing Kodi on Amazon devices is to Stop using ES file Explorer!”

Features of Downloader

Some prominent features of Downloader include:

• Capability to download any file via URL, short code, or website
• Simple & easy-to-use interface
• 100% safe and legal – available on Amazon App Store
• Supported on the majority of Fire TV models
• Favorites section to bookmark your favorite sites

Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick

Also Read: How to Jailbreak FireStick

How to Install Downloader App on FireStick

The Downloader app is officially available on the Amazon Store. You don’t have to sideload it onto your device. Here is how you can install the app:

1. On your FireStick home, scroll to the extreme left side to select the Find icon. Then, move down and open Search.

2. Enter Downloader using the on-screen keypad and select the first Downloader suggestion.

Note: Hold the Microphone icon and say Downloader to search faster with Alexa.

3. Under APPS AND GAMES, select Downloader.

4. On the Downloader dashboard, click Get or Download. Then, wait a few seconds to install the Downloader on your FireStick.

Now, you can access Downloader from the Your Apps & Channels section.

How to Prepare FireStick to Use Downloader and Sideload Apps

By default, FireStick does not allow the installation of third-party apps. Therefore, you must first change this setting to enable sideloading. Please follow these steps:

1. Launch your FireStick home screen and navigate to the Settings icon.

2. Scroll down to the My Fire TV tile in the bottom left corner and click on it.

3. Click on Developer Options.

4. You will see one of the following two options depending on your FireStick device version:

• Option 1—Install Unknown Apps: Click it and proceed to the next step to enable Downloader.
• Option 2—Apps from Unknown Sources: Click this option and then click Turn On at the following prompt. Skip the next step.

5. Navigate to Downloader and select it to turn it ON.

Note: This window will not appear if your device displays Option 2 in the previous step.

Your FireStick is now prepared to install various third-party apps using Downloader.

How to Download Apps on FireStick Using Downloader App

 Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, websites, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed. 

Now that you have prepared your FireStick, let’s sideload apps on Fire TV or FireStick in minutes. But before that, here is some extra information to make it easier.

How to Access Downloader?

You can always move the app and create a home screen shortcut if you do not find the Downloader on the home screen. To access Downloader from Your Apps & Channels (which is a list of the installed apps on FireStick), follow these steps:

1. Select the app icon on the home screen in the middle menu bar (the icon on the right with three squares and a + sign). You may also click the similar button if you have one on your remote.

2. Scroll down and click Downloader.

Getting Started with Downloader

Please follow these steps:

1. When you open the app for the first time, click Allow to grant permission.

2. Click OK on this Quick Start Guide prompt.

Enable JavaScript in Downloader

Before using the Downloader app on your FireStick, it is recommended that you make a slight adjustment: enable JavaScript. If this option remains unchecked, some websites will not open correctly in Downloader. This tweak is optional but recommended.

Also Check: Best VPN for FireStick

To enable JavaScript in Downloader, follow these steps:

1. Launch Downloader. On the left sidebar, you should see the option Settings. Select it. In Settings, check the box next to Enable JavaScript.

2. Click Yes when you see the warning message. Most browsers enable JavaScript by default, so don’t worry about the warning.

Using Downloader to Sideload Apps on FireStick

Finally, let’s see how the Downloader app helps download APKs and sideload apps on the Fire TV Stick. Again, it is straightforward.

First, we learn to download files from a direct URL. Then, we learn how to download a file from a website.

Method 1: Download/Install APKs on FireStick with Direct URL

First, use the Home section, which lets us directly download the files using the URLs pointing at those files.

1. Click Home on the left sidebar. On the right, click inside the input/text box.

2. Enter the file URL and press Go on the onscreen keyboard.

Note: FireStickTricks.com does not host this URL. It redirects you to an external location.

3. The download will automatically start. Once it downloads, click Install on the bottom right.

4. Once the app is installed, you will see a notification confirming the status. You will also see two buttons on the bottom—Done and Open. Choose Done if you want to open the installed app later. Click Open to start using the app right away.

5. Press the Delete button to remove the APK file from your storage. You don’t need it anymore.

Method 2: Download Files/Install APKs from Websites

The built-in browser in the Downloader app lets you visit websites and download from the links there. This feature is useful when you don’t have a direct link to the file you want to download. That’s not a problem. The Downloader app has a built-in browser that allows you to visit websites and download from the links on the web pages.

1. On the Downloader interface’s left menu, select the Browser option. Now, highlight the address bar and type in the destination URL where you wish to download the file. Click GO.

2. Use the remote up/down keys to scroll the page to the Download link. Click the Download link, and the file will start downloading.

3. Click Install to install the app you downloaded.

4. When the App Installed notification appears, you can hit Done to go back to Downloader or click Open to launch the app.

That’s how you install APKs using the Downloader app.

Highly recommended for FireStick👇

How to Stay Anonymous on FireStick

Before you start, I would like to warn you that everything you do online is visible to your ISP and Government. This means playing free games, streaming free movies, TV shows, and Sports might get you into legal trouble. 

Thankfully, there is a foolproof way to keep all your activities hidden from your ISP and the Government. All you need is a good VPN for Fire Stick. A VPN will mask your original IP, which is and will help you bypass Online Surveillance, ISP throttling, and content geo-restrictions.

I personally use and recommend ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is compatible with all kinds of apps and is very easy to install on Fire TV / Stick.

We do not encourage the violation of copyright laws. But what if you end up using apps from an illegitimate source unintentionally? It is not always easy to tell the difference between a legit and illegal source.

So, before you start using apps on your Fire Stick / Fire TV, let’s see how to use ExpressVPN to keep your activities hidden from prying eyes.

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it free for the first 30-days, and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.

Step 2: Power ON your Fire TV Stick and go to Find, followed by the Search option.

Step 3: Now type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it shows up in the search results.

Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on Fire TV / Stick.

Step 5: Open the app and enter the login credentials that you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click Sign in.

Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.

You can also read more detailed info on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.

Can’t Find Downloader App on FireStick App Store?

The Downloader is mostly available in the Amazon App Store in all regions except a few. That means some of you may not see the app on your FireStick store.

If you don’t find it in the store, I will show you a workaround to access Downloader officially. For that, you need to do the following:

• Deregister your existing Amazon account.
• Use a new Amazon.com ID to sign in.

Deregister Your Amazon Account and Register with a New One

If the Downloader is unavailable in the FireStick App Store, you must create a new universal Amazon.com account to access the app. Before creating a new account on Amazon, don’t forget to:

• Choose a different email address.
• Select the USA as your region.

Although this process will help you get the Downloader app, things aren’t as straightforward. Registering your account means losing access to your downloaded applications, files, data, and history.

It can be a hassle for old FireStick users who have operated the same Amazon account for a while. So, in the end, the choice is yours to make.

Please follow these instructions to register/deregister an Amazon ID:

1. Access the Fire TV home menu and select the Cog icon to load the Settings menu.

2. Next, access Account & Profiles. You will get one of the following two options:

•  If you haven’t signed in, a Register button will appear. Press it and enter your Amazon.com account credentials.
•  You will view a list of registered devices for the account if you’ve already registered. Select the relevant account and press Deregister. Immediately, you will be signed out from the account. You can then follow the instructions in step ‘a’ to register with a new Amazon.com account.

Read Also: How to Install Cinema APK on FireStick

Wrapping Up

With Downloader, you can easily sideload your favorite third-party apps on FireStick. This safe and secure sideloading app has an easy-to-use interface and supports all types of files, helping you unlock your Fire TV.

Related:

• Best Downloader Codes
• How to Uninstall & Delete Apps from FireStick
• How to stop buffering on FireStick
• How to Install ExpressVPN on FireStick

Legal Disclaimer - FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality or security of any add-ons, apps or services mentioned on this site. Also, we do not promote, host or link to copyright-protected streams. We highly discourage piracy and strictly advise our readers to avoid it at all costs. Any mention of free streaming on our site is purely meant for copyright-free content that is available in the Public domain. Read our full disclaimer.

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