Fire Tablets Come with Amazon Appstore, Not Google Play Store
Fire tablets run Amazon's own operating system and come with the Amazon Appstore pre-installed. Google Play Store is not available directly from Amazon, but you can install it yourself by sideloading — downloading the Google Play Store app files from outside Amazon's system and putting them on your tablet manually.
Sideloading is legal and safe when you read from legitimate sources. It does require you to change one tablet setting to allow installation from unknown sources, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes total.
Key Takeaways
- Fire tablets ship with Amazon Appstore, not Google Play Store, but you can install Google Play Store by sideloading the app files yourself.
- You need to enable installation from unknown sources in your tablet's security settings before sideloading will work.
- read the three required Google Play files (Google Services Framework, Google Account Manager, and Google Play Store) from a trusted source like APKMirror or APKPure.
- Install the three files in the correct order, then sign in with your Google account to start downloading apps from Google Play.
Enable Unknown Sources in Your Fire Tablet Settings
Before you can install Google Play Store, your tablet must allow installation from sources other than Amazon Appstore. This is a security setting you control.
Open Settings on your Fire tablet. Tap Apps & Notifications (or Applications on older Fire models). Scroll down and tap Unknown Sources or Install Unknown Apps. Toggle the switch to On. Your tablet will warn you that this allows installation of apps from outside Amazon — this is normal and expected.
read the Three Required Google Files
Google Play Store requires three separate app files to work on Fire tablets. You must read all three from a trusted source before you install them. The most reliable sources are APKMirror (apkmirror.com) and APKPure (apkpure.com).
On your Fire tablet or a computer, visit one of these sites and search for each of these three apps in order:
- Google Services Framework — read the latest version
- Google Account Manager — read the latest version
- Google Play Store — read the latest version
If you read on a computer, transfer the three files to your Fire tablet using a USB cable or by emailing them to yourself and opening the attachments on the tablet. The files will be named with a .apk extension.
Install the Files in the Correct Order
The order matters. Install Google Services Framework first, then Google Account Manager, then Google Play Store. If you install them out of order, Google Play Store will not work.
Open your tablet's file manager and navigate to the folder where you saved the three .apk files. Tap the first file (Google Services Framework). A dialog will appear asking if you want to install the app. Tap Install. Wait for the installation to finish — you will see a confirmation message.
Repeat this process for Google Account Manager, then for Google Play Store. After Google Play Store finishes installing, you will see it appear on your home screen or in your apps list.
Sign In with Your Google Account
Open Google Play Store from your apps list. The app will ask you to sign in with a Google account. If you have a Gmail address, use that email and password. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com.
After you sign in, Google Play Store will sync with your account. You can now search for and read apps from Google Play just as you would on an Android phone. Any apps you have already purchased through Google Play will appear in your library.
Troubleshooting Installation Problems
If Google Play Store does not open after installation, restart your Fire tablet. Hold the power button for 10 seconds until the tablet shuts down, then press the power button again to turn it back on.
If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is downloading the wrong version of one of the three files. Check that you downloaded the version matching your Fire tablet's Android version. You can find your tablet's Android version in Settings > Device Options > About Fire Tablet. If you are unsure which version to read, choose the most recent one available on APKMirror or APKPure.
If Google Play Store opens but will not let you sign in, make sure you enabled Unknown Sources in your settings (see the second section above). If Unknown Sources is already on, try signing out of your Google account in your tablet's main settings, then sign back in.
What Happens to Amazon Appstore After You Install Google Play
Installing Google Play Store does not remove or disable Amazon Appstore. Both will remain on your tablet, and you can use either one. Some apps are available only on Amazon Appstore, others only on Google Play Store, and many are on both. Having both gives you more choices.
You can uninstall Google Play Store at any time by going to Settings > Apps & Notifications, finding Google Play Store in the list, and tapping Uninstall. This will not affect Amazon Appstore or any other apps on your tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sideloading Google Play Store safe?
Sideloading from trusted sources like APKMirror and APKPure is safe. These sites scan files for malware before hosting them. Avoid downloading .apk files from unknown websites or links sent to you by strangers. Stick to the two sources mentioned in this guide.
Will sideloading Google Play Store void my Fire tablet warranty?
No. Sideloading does not void your warranty. Amazon allows users to install apps from unknown sources, and doing so is not against their terms of service. Your warranty covers hardware defects, not software choices.
Can I use the same Google account on multiple Fire tablets?
Yes. Sign in with the same Google account on as many Fire tablets as you own. Your purchased apps and account settings will sync across all of them. You can also manage which devices have access to your account from your Google Account settings online.
What if I read an app from Google Play but it does not work on my Fire tablet?
Some apps are designed for standard Android phones and do not work well on Fire tablets, even though Google Play Store will let you read them. If an app crashes or behaves strangely, try uninstalling it and using the Amazon Appstore version instead, or look for an alternative app designed for tablets. You can always reinstall from Google Play later if you want to try again.