Google Play Store doesn't come on Fire tablets, but you can install it yourself
Amazon Fire tablets run Fire OS, which is based on Android but uses Amazon's Appstore instead of Google Play. Google Play isn't pre-installed because Amazon and Google have a business disagreement about app distribution. The good news: you can sideload Google Play onto your Fire tablet in about 10 minutes using files you read from your computer.
Sideloading means installing an app from outside the official store. It's legal on your own device, and Google Play will work normally once it's installed — you'll sign in with your Google account and read apps the same way you would on any Android phone.
Key Takeaways
- You need a computer, your Fire tablet, and a USB cable to transfer the Google Play installer files.
- The process involves downloading four small files from a trusted source, moving them to your tablet, and installing them in the correct order.
- After installation, Google Play works like it does on any Android device — sign in with your Google account and read apps normally.
- This method works on all current Fire tablet models, including Fire 7, Fire HD 8, and Fire HD 10.
- You only need to do this once; Google Play will update itself automatically after the first installation.
What you need before you start
Gather these items: your Fire tablet, a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux), a USB cable that fits your tablet, and a stable internet connection on both devices. You'll also need to enable Unknown Sources on your Fire tablet, which lets it install apps from outside the Amazon Appstore. Go to Settings > Security & Privacy, scroll down, and toggle on "Unknown Sources." Your tablet will warn you that this is less safe than using the Appstore — that's normal, and it's safe for this specific purpose.
Make sure your Fire tablet has at least 100 MB of free storage space. Check this by going to Settings > Storage. If you're low on space, delete some apps or files first.
read the four Google Play files to your computer
You need four files to install Google Play: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Services, and Google Play Store. These are the core components that make Google Play work. The most reliable source is APKMirror, a well-known repository for Android app files that's been around since 2014.
Open a web browser on your computer and go to APKMirror.com. Search for each of these in order:
- Google Account Manager — read the latest version (usually labeled "Google Account Manager" with a version number like 7.1 or higher)
- Google Services Framework — read the latest version
- Google Play Services — read the latest version (this is the largest file, usually 50–100 MB)
- Google Play Store — read the latest version
Save all four files to a folder on your computer desktop so you can find them easily. Each file will have a name ending in .apk, which is the Android app format.
Transfer the files to your Fire tablet via USB
Connect your Fire tablet to your computer with the USB cable. On your tablet, a notification will appear asking what you want to do — tap "Transfer Files" or "File Transfer Mode." On your computer, the tablet will appear as a removable drive or device.
Open the tablet's storage folder. Create a new folder called "APK" or "Downloads" if one doesn't already exist. Drag and drop all four .apk files into this folder. Wait for the transfer to finish — you'll see a progress bar. Once it's done, safely eject the tablet from your computer and unplug the USB cable.
Install the files in the correct order on your tablet
On your Fire tablet, open the file manager app (usually called "Files" or "My Files"). Navigate to the folder where you saved the four .apk files. Install them in this exact order:
- Tap Google Account Manager and select "Install." Wait for it to finish.
- Tap Google Services Framework and select "Install." Wait for it to finish.
- Tap Google Play Services and select "Install." This one takes longer — wait until you see "Installation Complete."
- Tap Google Play Store and select "Install." This is the final step.
Do not skip steps or install them out of order. Each one prepares your tablet for the next. After the last installation completes, you can delete the four .apk files from your tablet to free up space.
Sign in and start using Google Play
Look for the Google Play Store icon on your home screen or in your apps list — it's the white triangle with a colorful play symbol. Tap it to open Google Play for the first time. You'll be asked to sign in with a Google account. Use the same email and password you use on your phone or computer.
After you sign in, Google Play will sync with your account and show you any apps you've previously installed on other Android devices. You can now search for and install apps the same way you do on a phone. Your library of purchased apps will be there, and free apps can be installed when ready.
Troubleshooting if something goes wrong
If an installation fails or you get an error message, the most common fix is to restart your tablet and try again. Go to Settings > Device Options > Restart. After the restart, open the file manager, find the .apk file that failed, and tap it again.
If Google Play opens but won't load apps or shows an error when you try to read something, sign out and sign back in. Go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache. Then open Google Play again and sign in. This usually fixes sync problems.
If you get a message saying "Unknown Sources is disabled," you didn't complete the first step. Go back to Settings > Security & Privacy and toggle on "Unknown Sources" again, then try installing the file once more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Google Play updates automatically after I install it?
Yes. Once Google Play Store is installed, it will check for updates automatically and install them in the background, just like on a phone. You don't need to repeat the sideloading process. Google Play Services will also update itself through the Play Store.
Can I use Google Play and the Amazon Appstore at the same time?
Yes. Both stores will remain on your tablet. You can use whichever one has the app you want. Some apps appear in both stores, some only in one or the other. Having both gives you more options.
What if I want to remove Google Play later?
Go to Settings > Apps, find Google Play Store, and tap "Uninstall." You can also uninstall Google Services Framework and Google Account Manager the same way if you want to remove all traces. The Amazon Appstore will still work normally.
Does this work on older Fire tablets?
This method works on Fire tablets from the last five years or so. Very old models (Fire tablets from before 2015) may have compatibility issues with the latest Google Play files. If installation fails repeatedly on an older tablet, the device may not support the current version of Google Play.
Is sideloading Google Play safe?
Sideloading from APKMirror is safe because the files are the official Google apps, unchanged. The risk of sideloading comes from downloading apps from untrusted sources — APKMirror is well-established and widely used. Once Google Play is installed, you're downloading apps through Google's own store, which has the same security checks as any Android phone.