How to Sideload Apps on FireStick/Fire TV in 2023

Hello Everyone, I am Poppy and in this guide, you will learn how to sideload apps on FireStick, FireStick Lite, FireStick 4K, FireStick 4KMax, and Fire TV Cube. The methods discussed in this guide also work nearly the same on Android TV Box, Mi Box, Nvidia Shield, TiVo Stream 4K, Smartphones, and more.

Sideloading is a method that allows you to install third-party apps that are not available on the official Amazon app store. It lets you unlock the true potential of your FireStick device. In simple words, side-loading makes it exceptionally convenient for you to get unrestricted access to any app you want.

Now that you understand what side-loading is, let’s look at the ways we can sideload apps onto our FireStick devices.

How to sideload apps on FireStick/Fire TV

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As mentioned earlier, apps that are not available on the official Amazon store need to be sideloaded; which means we need to install them from a third-party source.

In this guide, we are going to use the three easiest methods to sideload apps Fire TV device:

  1. Via Downloader app
  2. Via Aptoide
  3. Via AppLinked

1) Sideload Apps on FireStick with Downloader App

In the first method, we will use the Downloader app to sideload apps on FireStick.

Downloader is the most popular sideloading tool for FireStick at this time, especially since Fire TV devices do not allow browsers to sideload apps.

The Downloader app is currently owned by AFTVNews.

The best part is that the Downloader app is available on the Amazon Store. So, here are the steps to get the app:

1. From the Home Screen, open Find > Search

how to sideload apps on Firestick with Downloader

2. Type Downloader on this window

💡 Use the FireStick Remote App for mobiles to type faster and easier

sideload apps on firestick

3. Click on the Downloader app

sideload on firestick

4. To begin the installation process, click Download or Get

To begin the installation process, click Download

5. Wait for the Downloader app to download and then install

how to sideload apps on firestick

6. When the app has been installed, you see the following screen.

But DO NOT open the Downloader app yet. We need to enable Downloader to allow it to sideload apps on FireStick

sideload apps on firestick

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Step 2:  Choose the Search option from your FireStick home screen

search option

Step 3: Search for ExpressVPN and download it on FireStick

expressvpn firestick search

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expressvpn sign in firestick

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expressvpn connect to server


7. Press the Home button on your FireStick remote and go back to the home screen

Now, select Settings

how to sideload apps on firestick

8. Click My Fire TV

my fire tv

9. Open Developer Options

sideload on amazon firestick with downloader : developer options

10. Click Install Unknown Apps

Note: If you see Apps from Unknown Sources, click it instead of Install Unknown Apps. Click Turn On on the prompt that appears. Skip the next step!

sideload with downloader on firestick

11. Select and enable the Downloader app on this window (make sure it is ON)

sideload apps on firestick

12. Press the Home button again to go back to the home screen

Select the Apps icon on the right (3 squares and +)

how to sideload apps on firestick

13. Scroll down and open the Downloader app

open the downloader

14. Click Allow to give necessary permission and after that, click OK (appears only on the first run)

How to sideload apps on a Firestick

15. Click on the URL field on top using the OK key on your FireStick remote

how to sideload apks on firestick

16. Enter accurately the following link to sideload apps on your FireStick:

https://www.toptvtricks.com/cft

You can also enter the short version of the URL: toptvtricks.com/cft

Note: For the demonstration purpose, I am using the APK link for CyberFlix TV, you can pretty much replace it with any other APK link for the app you would like to download

Hit GO

How to Sideload APK Apps on Amazon Fire TV

Now, if the URL points to an APK file, the file will begin to download on your device. If the URL points to a website, you will see the website in a built-in browser.

17. At this point, you should see the file getting downloaded.

How to Sideload Apps on FireStick

18. Next, choose INSTALL

How to Install third-party Apps on FireStick

19. Wait until the APK is installed

how to sideload apps on firestick

20. You will see the pop-up window showing App installed notification

You have successfully sideloaded app on FireStick using Downloader

sideload firestick apps

2) Sideload Apps on FireStick with Aptoide

Aptoide TV is a popular Google Play Store alternative that gives you access to a wide range of FireStick applications. It features several apps that aren’t available on the official Amazon Store. The app is compatible with a variety of devices such as Amazon FireStick, Mi box, Smartphones, Nvidia Shield, Android TV Box, and more.

For the step-by-step installation process, please visit our guide on How to install Aptoide on FireStick and Android TV Box.

Remember that Aptoide itself needs to be sideloaded onto FireStick first since it is a third-party app. However, once you get Aptoide on FireStick, you can sideload multiple apps from it in just a few clicks.

You can easily sideload Aptoide on FireStick with the Downloader app we installed earlier

1. Start Downloader and click the URL field how to sideload apks on firestick 2. Enter the URL: toptvtricks.com/apt or just the Downloader code: 47257 sideloadon firestick with aptoide 3. Wait for the APK to download and then click INSTALL How to Install third-party Apps on FireStick 4. Once Aptoide is installed, go back to the FireStick home screen and select Settings > My Fire TV my fire tv 5. Next, go to Developer Options > Install Unknown Apps

Note: If you see Apps from Unknown Sources, click it instead of Install Unknown Apps. Click Turn On on the prompt that appears. Skip the next step!

sideload with downloader on firestick

6. Click Aptoide and enable it by turning it ON

Click Aptoide and enable it by turning it ON

7. Open your Apps drawer from the FireStick home screen

how to sideload apps on firestick

8. Open Aptoide

how to sideload apps on firestick

9. Grant any permission if asked and dismiss any other prompts

You must see the following home screen of the Aptoide app eventually

sideload app with Aptoide on firestick

10. You will find a whole host of app categories including Social, Games, Education, Finance, Communication, Shopping, Entertainment, news, and more in Aptoide.

sideload apps on firestick

11. If you are looking for anything specific, you can use the Search option on the home screen

use the search option on the home screen

12. Click the text box to type the name of the app you wish to install

sideload apps on fire tv

13. Type the name of the app you wish to install (I am going to install Kshaw media player for demonstration)

how to sideload apks on firestick

14. When you have found the app you wish to install, click the icon

When you have found the app you wish to install, click the icon

13. Click INSTALL

sideload apps on firestick

14. Click INSTALL again to install the app

how to sideload apps on firestick

This is how you sideload apps on FireStick with Aptoide.

3) Sideload Apps on FireStick with AppLinked

AppLinked is another popular side-loading tool for FireStick and Fire TV devices. It offers you an extremely convenient way to download third-party apps.

All you need to do is, enter an AppLinked code or store number and you will be able to download and install multiple apps from one location.

AppLinked isn’t available on the Amazon app store. Therefore, we will use the Downloader app to first install the AppLinked App on FireStick first.

For detailed steps, check out our guide How to Install AppLinked on FireStick. Here, I am giving you the quick steps to install and use this app.

1. Open the Downloader app and click the URL field (steps to install Downloader provided in the first section)

how to sideload apks on firestick

2. Enter the following URL:

applinked.store

And click GO

💡 Use the FireStick Remote App for mobiles to type faster and easier

how to sideload apps on FireStick

3. AppLinked official website will open. Click the Download link to download AppLinked APK

click the download button

4. When the file has been downloaded, click INSTALL and wait for AppLinked to install on your device

How to Install third-party Apps on FireStick

5. Go back to the FireStick home screen. Go to Settings > My Fire TV

my fire tv

6. Now, go to Developer Options > Install Unknown Apps

sideload with AppLinked on firestick

7. Open the AppLinked app now from your apps

On the AppLinked home screen, click Add A Store

how to sideload apps on firestick

8. Enter the desired code and click Submit

I am using code 144 for demonstration

using code 144 for demonstration

9. Next, click Saved Stores

steps to sideload apps on firestick and fire tv using applinked

10. Choose 144 or the store code you added earlier and click Open

sideload apps

11. Now, click the app you wish to install (Media Lounge for demonstration in this guide). You may use the Search option on the top to find the app you wish to install

how to sideload apks on firestick

12. Click Download on this popup

click download on this popup

13. Wait a few seconds for the app to download

wait for a few seconds to sideload app on firestick

14. Click INSTALL to sideload the app on your FireStick

steps to sideload apps on firestick and fire tv using applinked

This is how you sideload apps on FireStick with AppLinked

FAQs

Can I sideload apps on FireStick?

Yes, you can easily sideload apps on FireStick using the Downloader app and a bunch of other apps

What are the best apps to sideload on FireStick in 2023?

Cinema HD APK, CyberFlix TV, Aptoide, Wolf Launcher, are some of the best apps to sideload on FireStick this year.

Is sideloading on FireStick legal?

Yes, sideloading on FireStick is legal as long as you do not watch any copyrighted content.

Is it safe to sideload apps on FireStick?

It depends on the app. Make sure you only download the apps that have been tested. Our list of best FireStick apps has all the apps that have been tested to be safe so far.

Conclusion

With Downloader, AppLinked, and Aptoide app, you can easily sideload apps on your FireStick. These three apps have quickly become popularly used tools to install third-party apps on FireStick. All these apps are exceptionally easy to use and are must-have apps on every FireStick device. You can unlock a whole new world of streaming possibilities with them.

You can use whichever option you find most suitable. Let us know which app you prefer to sideload apps on your Fire TV devices.

5 thoughts on “How to Sideload Apps on FireStick/Fire TV in 2023”

  1. Cheryl Dickens

    Still waiting for an answer please

  2. Bishon

    I have cyber link now, but I don’t have any of the video players installed. What do I do now?

    1. Bishon

      Sorry, I mean that I have none that cyberlink offers installed(exoplayer,VLC, or mx) how would I install?

      1. Nick

        Hi Bishon, please download MX Player using the link toptvtricks.com/mx in the Downloader app. You may also refer to our guide on MX Player by visiting the link: https://www.toptvtricks.com/mx-player-firestick/

        Also, you may install VLC player directly from the Amazon Store by going to Find > Search from the FireStick home screen

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