From PCMAG · Jibin Joseph · · 1m 20s
Amazon Fixes Fire TV Sideloading Bug
A software glitch broke third-party app installs, but a fix is rolling out this week to affected devices.
In brief
A software glitch broke third-party app installs, but a fix is rolling out this week to affected devices. Amazon is fixing a bug that broke sideloading on Fire TV devices, but the company still blocks piracy apps and has disabled sideloading entirely on newer Vega OS devices. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Bug broke sideloading on Fire TV
A recent Fire TV Settings update caused the "Install unknown apps" list to appear incomplete or empty on some devices.
Fix rolling out this week
Amazon identified the cause and will automatically install a fix on affected Fire TV devices over the coming week.
Newer devices may not get fix
The fix may only apply to older Fire TV Sticks running Fire OS. The newest Fire TV 4K Select runs on Vega OS.
Amazon blocked sideloading on Vega OS
Amazon disabled sideloading on the Fire TV 4K Select earlier this year for security reasons.
Piracy apps still blocked
Amazon will continue blocking apps that provide access to pirated content, even those downloaded outside its app store.
“Piracy is illegal… We'll now block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our app store.”
Sideloading limited to legit uses
Even with the fix, sideloading may only work for legitimate purposes like testing apps before launching them on the app store.
The short version
Amazon is fixing a bug that broke sideloading on Fire TV devices, but the company still blocks piracy apps and has disabled sideloading entirely on newer Vega OS devices.
