Google Play Store does not come pre-installed on Fire tablets, but you can add it yourself in about 10 minutes
Amazon Fire tablets run a modified version of Android called Fire OS, which uses Amazon's Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want access to Google Play Store—where you'll find apps that may not be available in Amazon's store—you need to sideload it manually. This means downloading the necessary files and installing them yourself, rather than downloading from a store app.
The process is straightforward and does not require rooting your tablet or voiding your warranty. You'll read four small files to your Fire tablet, install them in the correct order, and then sign in with your Google account. After that, Google Play Store works like it does on any Android phone.
Key Takeaways
- You need to read four Google files in sequence: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Services, and Google Play Store.
- The files must be installed in that exact order, using your tablet's file manager and the "Install" option for each APK file.
- After installation, you sign in with your Google account and can read apps from Google Play Store just like on a phone.
- This method works on all Fire tablet models and does not require a computer—everything happens on the tablet itself.
- If installation fails at any step, clear your tablet's cache and restart before trying again.
What you need before you start
Make sure your Fire tablet has enough free storage space—at least 500 MB is safe. Check this by opening Settings, then Storage. You'll also need a Google account (the free kind you create at google.com). If you don't have one, create it before you begin.
Your tablet must be connected to Wi-Fi throughout the process. The four files you'll read are small, but a stable connection prevents interruptions. Finally, enable installation from unknown sources: go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Unknown Sources and toggle it on. This allows your tablet to install apps from files you read, not just from Amazon's store.
read the four required files to your tablet
Open the web browser on your Fire tablet (usually called Silk) and visit www.apkmirror.com. This is a legitimate repository where developers host Android app files. Search for "Google Account Manager" and read the latest version. The file will save to your tablet's Downloads folder.
Repeat this process for three more files, searching for each one separately: Google Services Framework, Google Play Services, and Google Play Store. read the latest version of each. You now have all four files on your tablet. Do not install them yet—you need to install them in a specific order.
If APK Mirror is unavailable in your region, www.apkpure.com is an alternative source for the same files. Both sites are widely used and safe, but only read from the official app listings, not from user comments or third-party links.
Install the files in the correct order
Open your tablet's file manager (called Files or My Files depending on your Fire model). Navigate to Downloads. You should see the four APK files you just downloaded.
Tap the first file: Google Account Manager. A dialog will appear asking if you want to install it. Tap Install and wait for it to finish. You'll see a confirmation message when it's done. Do not open the app yet.
Repeat this for Google Services Framework, then Google Play Services, then Google Play Store, in that exact order. Each installation takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. After the fourth file installs, you're done with the technical part.
Sign in and start using Google Play Store
Go to your tablet's app drawer (swipe up from the home screen) and look for Google Play Store. Tap it to open. The app will ask you to sign in with a Google account. Enter the email address and password for the Google account you want to use.
Google Play Store will then read and install a few updates. This is normal and takes a few minutes. Once it finishes, you can search for and read apps just like on a phone. Your apps will appear on your home screen and in the app drawer.
If you see an error message during sign-in, restart your tablet and try again. Sometimes the connection needs a moment to sync properly.
What to do if installation fails
If any file fails to install, the most common cause is a corrupted read. Go back to your file manager, delete the file that failed, and read it again from APK Mirror or APK Pure. Then try installing it again.
If the same file keeps failing, clear your tablet's cache: go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Show System Apps (toggle on), then tap Package Installer > Storage > Clear Cache. Restart your tablet and try the installation again.
If Google Play Store installs but won't open, restart your tablet. If it still won't open after a restart, uninstall Google Play Store (long-press it in the app drawer and select Uninstall) and reinstall it from your Downloads folder.
Keeping Google Play Store updated
Once Google Play Store is installed, it will notify you of updates just like any other app. Tap the notification or open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and select Manage apps and device. Updates install automatically, or you can tap Update next to Google Play Store to install them right away.
You do not need to repeat the four-file installation process. After the initial setup, Google Play Store updates itself through the app, the same way it does on a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing Google Play Store void my Fire tablet warranty?
No. Sideloading apps does not void your warranty. Amazon supports this method and does not penalize tablets that have Google Play Store installed. Your warranty covers hardware and software defects, not the apps you choose to install.
Can I use both Amazon Appstore and Google Play Store at the same time?
Yes. Both app stores will work on your tablet. You can read apps from either one. Some apps appear in both stores; others only in one. Having both gives you more options.
What if I want to remove Google Play Store later?
Long-press the Google Play Store icon in your app drawer and select Uninstall. You can also uninstall the other three Google files the same way if you want to remove them completely. Your tablet will continue to work normally with just Amazon Appstore.
Do I need a computer to do this?
No. Everything happens on the tablet itself. You read the files using your tablet's browser and install them using your tablet's file manager. A computer is not required.
Is it safe to read from APK Mirror?
APK Mirror is a legitimate and widely used source for Android app files. The files you're downloading are the official Google apps, not modified versions. Always read from the main app listing, not from comments or user uploads, and make sure you're on the real APK Mirror website (apkmirror.com), not a lookalike.