Amazon’s Fire TV Stick has grown incredibly popular in Ireland for many reasons, not least of which is the rampant use of underground IPTV services and so-called “dodgy boxes”. For this reason, but also for many legitimate reasons, sideloading is a popular feature on Amazon Fire Sticks. However, Amazon has announced Vega OS, a Linux-based operating system which does support sideloading. So if this is an important feature for you, how can you be sure you are getting a Fire Stick that meets your needs?
What is sideloading?
In simple terms, sideloading means installing apps on your device from somewhere other than the official app store. On a Fire TV Stick, this means getting applications without going through the Amazon Appstore. Instead, you’re manually installing APK files, the raw form of Android apps.
The most common legitimate uses include installing apps that simply aren’t available in Amazon’s relatively limited Appstore. Niche streaming services, international content platforms, alternative media players, and specialised utilities often never make it into Amazon’s ecosystem. If you’ve ever wanted to use a particular browser, VPN client, productivity app or even an app like RTÉ Player that works on Android phones but isn’t on Fire TV, sideloading has been your only option. Some people use it to access earlier versions of apps when updates break features they relied on.
Of course, sideloading’s popularity in Ireland, and the reason it’s such a contentious feature, comes down to those “dodgy boxes” and unauthorised IPTV services I mentioned earlier. These provide access to premium sports channels and other content, including content Amazon is paying a small fortune to both licence and create, without the hefty subscription fees.
While this gray market is widespread, it’s worth understanding that sideloading itself is just a capability. Losing it doesn’t just affect people chasing free football matches; it impacts anyone who needs their Fire Stick to do something Amazon hasn’t explicitly approved.
Fire Sticks Without Vega OS
The good news is, however legitimate or not your reason for seeing out a non-Vega OS Fire Stick is, they are plentiful in supply for now. Just the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select supports Vega OS. These are limited in supply to Ireland, but you need to pay attention when purchasing. While not available on Amazon.ie, you can buy the Vega-OS powered Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select from other retailers such as Currys.
Right now, that is the only Fire Stick with Vega OS, though I’m sure that will change in time, despite the new Fire Sticks getting mixed to low reviews. One review on the Currys website specifically saying, “Don’t like the new operating system. Wanted Android and was unaware it changed”.
Which means you have plenty of choice to get a Fire Stick which continues to support sideloading, for whatever reason you may need it. The popular ones are:
The big difference here is price and spec. The Fire TV Stick HD can often be got for about €20 on sale, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max supports WiFi 6E which can mean smoother streaming experiences
The most important thing, and the reason you landed on this article, is that both support sideloading of apps from 3rd party sources. Proceed to use that functionality responsibly and only while having a fair idea what you’re doing.
Amazon Fire Stick
Supports sideloading.
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