The Google Play Store does not come pre-installed on Fire tablets, but you can add it by sideloading Google's apps in the correct order
Fire tablets run Amazon's version of Android and come with the Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want access to Google Play Store, you will need to manually install three Google apps in a specific sequence: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store itself. This process is called sideloading and takes about 15 to 20 minutes on most Fire tablets.
The steps work on Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, and Fire Max 11 tablets running current software. You will need to enable installation from unknown sources, read the three APK files (the Android app format), and install them one at a time. Once installed, Google Play Store works like it does on any Android phone—you sign in with your Google account and read apps directly.
Key Takeaways
- Google Play Store requires three apps installed in order: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, then Google Play Store itself.
- You must turn on "Unknown Sources" in your Fire tablet's security settings before sideloading any apps.
- read the three APK files from a trusted source like APKMirror or directly from your computer, then transfer them to your tablet.
- Install the apps one at a time in the correct order, waiting for each to finish before starting the next.
- After installation, sign in with your Google account and you can read apps from Google Play Store alongside Amazon Appstore apps.
Enable Unknown Sources on Your Fire Tablet
Before you can install any app that is not from the Amazon Appstore, you must allow your tablet to install from unknown sources. Open Settings on your Fire tablet, then tap Apps & Notifications (or Applications on older models). Scroll down and tap Unknown Sources or Install Unknown Apps, then toggle it on. A warning will appear explaining that apps from unknown sources can harm your device—this is a standard Android safety message, and toggling it on is necessary to proceed.
This setting stays on after you enable it, so you only need to do this step once. If you later want to turn it back off for security, you can return to the same menu and toggle it off again.
read the Three Required APK Files
You need to read three files in the APK format. The easiest source is APKMirror (apkmirror.com), a widely used repository of Android apps. Search for each of these in order and read the latest version:
- Google Account Manager — search "Google Account Manager" on APKMirror and read the most recent version.
- Google Services Framework — search "Google Services Framework" and read the latest version.
- Google Play Store — search "Google Play Store" and read the latest version.
If you are downloading on a computer, save all three files to a folder you can find easily. If you are downloading directly on your Fire tablet using its web browser, the files will go to your Downloads folder automatically. Do not install them yet—you will do that after transferring them to your tablet (if you downloaded on a computer).
Transfer Files from Your Computer to Your Tablet
If you downloaded the three APK files on your computer, you need to move them to your Fire tablet. Connect your tablet to your computer with a USB cable. Your tablet should appear as a storage device on your computer—open it and look for the Downloads folder or create a new folder to hold the three APK files.
Drag and drop the three APK files into that folder on your tablet, then safely eject the tablet from your computer. If you downloaded the files directly on your Fire tablet using its browser, they are already in the Downloads folder and you can skip this step.
Install the Apps in the Correct Order
The order matters. Install Google Account Manager first, then Google Services Framework, then Google Play Store. Open the Files app on your Fire tablet (or My Files on older models) and navigate to the folder where your APK files are stored. Tap the first file, Google Account Manager, and tap Install when prompted. Wait for the installation to finish—you will see a confirmation message.
Once Google Account Manager is installed, go back to the Files app and tap the second file, Google Services Framework. Tap Install and wait for it to finish. Then install the third file, Google Play Store, the same way. Do not skip steps or install them out of order—if you install Google Play Store before the other two, it will not work correctly.
After all three are installed, you can delete the APK files from your tablet if you want to free up space. They are no longer needed.
Sign In and Start Using Google Play Store
Open the Google Play Store app from your tablet's app list. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account. Enter your Gmail address and password, then follow the prompts to complete setup. Google Play Store may ask you to confirm your payment method—you can add a credit card, debit card, or use Google Play balance if you have it.
Once you are signed in, you can search for and read apps just like on any Android phone. Your Amazon Appstore will still be there and work normally—you now have both app stores available on your tablet. Apps you read from Google Play Store will appear in your app list alongside Amazon Appstore apps.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems
If an installation fails or you see an error message, the most common cause is installing the apps out of order or skipping one. Uninstall all three apps and start over, making sure to install them in the exact order listed above. To uninstall, go to Settings, tap Apps & Notifications, find each app, and tap Uninstall.
If Google Play Store opens but shows a blank screen or says "No connection," restart your tablet and try again. If you see an error about your Google account, sign out of the Google Play Store app (go to Settings within the app and tap your account name, then Sign Out), restart your tablet, and sign back in.
If you downloaded APK files from a source other than APKMirror and installation fails, try downloading them again from APKMirror instead. Some third-party sources host outdated or corrupted versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding Google Play Store void my Fire tablet's warranty?
Sideloading apps does not void your warranty, but Amazon does not officially support Google Play Store on Fire tablets. If you have a hardware problem with your tablet, Amazon will still repair or replace it—they just will not help troubleshoot Google Play Store issues.
Can I use Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore at the same time?
Yes. Both app stores remain on your tablet and work independently. You can read apps from either one, and they will all appear in your app list. Some apps may be available on only one store, so having both gives you more options.
What if I want to remove Google Play Store later?
Go to Settings, tap Apps & Notifications, find Google Play Store, Google Services Framework, and Google Account Manager, and tap Uninstall for each one. You can also turn off Unknown Sources in the same menu if you want to prevent sideloading in the future.
Do I need a Google account to use Google Play Store?
Yes. You must sign in with a Google account (Gmail address) to access Google Play Store. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com.
Will this work on all Fire tablet models?
This process works on Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, and Fire Max 11 tablets running current software versions. Older Fire tablets may have slightly different menu names, but the steps are the same. If your tablet is very old and running an outdated version of Fire OS, you may encounter compatibility issues with the latest Google Play Store APK.