Updating Minecraft on a Fire Tablet
Minecraft on a Fire Tablet updates through the Amazon Appstore, not through Google Play. Open the Appstore app on your tablet, search for Minecraft, and tap the update button if one appears next to the game title. If no update button shows, your copy is already current. The process takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed and the size of the update.
Fire Tablets run Amazon's version of Android, so the update path is different from phones or computers. You cannot sideload updates or use the standard Google Play Store. All updates come through Amazon's system, which means they sometimes arrive a few days after the official Minecraft release.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Amazon Appstore app, search for Minecraft, and tap the update button next to the game title if one is visible.
- Updates on Fire Tablets come only through the Amazon Appstore, not through Google Play or any other source.
- Make sure your tablet is connected to Wi-Fi before starting an update, as downloads can be large and use significant data.
- If no update button appears, your version is already current; Amazon Appstore does not show an update option for the latest version.
- Minecraft updates on Fire Tablets sometimes arrive several days after the official release date because Amazon reviews them separately.
Step-by-Step Update Process
Start by opening the Amazon Appstore app on your Fire Tablet. This is the orange shopping bag icon, usually on your home screen or in the apps folder. Tap the search icon at the top of the screen and type "Minecraft" into the search box.
When Minecraft appears in the results, tap on it to open the game's store page. Look at the button on the right side of the screen. If it says "Update," tap that button to begin downloading the new version. If it says "Open" or "Installed," your game is already up to date. The read will begin when ready and show a progress bar.
Do not close the Appstore or turn off your tablet while the update is downloading. Depending on the update size and your internet speed, this can take anywhere from two to fifteen minutes. Once the read finishes, the button will change to "Open." You can tap it to launch the game right away, or close the Appstore and play later.
Checking Your Current Minecraft Version
To see which version of Minecraft you are running, open the game and look at the bottom left corner of the main menu. The version number appears there in small text, usually starting with "1." followed by numbers like "1.20.1" or similar. Write this number down if you want to compare it to the latest version.
You can check the official Minecraft website or launcher on a computer to see what the current version should be. If your Fire Tablet version is older, return to the Amazon Appstore and look for the update button. Amazon sometimes delays updates by a few days, so if your tablet version is one or two versions behind, waiting a few days often brings the update automatically.
Troubleshooting When No Update Appears
If you cannot find an update button even though you know a newer version exists, try closing the Amazon Appstore completely and reopening it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show available updates. Swipe up from the bottom of your Fire Tablet screen to see all open apps, find Appstore, and swipe it away to close it fully.
Check your internet connection next. Tap the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner of your screen and make sure you are connected to a network. Updates require a stable connection; if your signal is weak, the Appstore may not load the update information properly. Move closer to your router or reconnect to the network.
If the update still does not appear after several hours, Amazon may not have released it for Fire Tablets yet. Minecraft updates roll out to different platforms on different schedules. Check back in a day or two. In the meantime, you can continue playing your current version without problems.
Internet Connection and Storage Requirements
Minecraft updates require a Wi-Fi connection on Fire Tablets. You cannot read updates over cellular data, even if your tablet has a cellular model. Connect to a Wi-Fi network before starting any update. If you are away from home, find a public Wi-Fi network at a library, coffee shop, or school.
Make sure your Fire Tablet has enough free storage space before updating. Most Minecraft updates are between 100 and 500 megabytes, but larger updates can be bigger. If your tablet is nearly full, delete old photos, videos, or unused apps to free up space. Tap Settings, then Storage to see how much space you have available.
What Happens During and After an Update
While an update is downloading, your tablet may slow down slightly. This is normal. Do not force-close the Appstore or restart your tablet, as this can interrupt the read and require you to start over. If the read fails partway through, the Appstore will usually offer to resume it the next time you open the app.
After the update finishes, your game worlds and settings stay exactly as they were. You do not lose any progress, builds, or inventory items. The first time you open Minecraft after an update, it may take a few extra seconds to load as it prepares the new version. This is normal and happens only once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Minecraft while an update is downloading?
No. You must wait for the update to finish before you can open the game. The Appstore locks the game during the read process. Once the update completes and the button changes to "Open," you can launch Minecraft when ready.
Why does my Fire Tablet get a Minecraft update later than my friend's phone?
Amazon reviews and releases updates separately from other platforms. Minecraft updates typically reach phones and computers first, then arrive on Fire Tablets a few days later. This delay is normal and not a problem with your tablet.
What should I do if the update fails partway through?
Close the Amazon Appstore completely, check your Wi-Fi connection, and open the Appstore again. The update should resume from where it stopped. If it fails again, delete the game entirely from your tablet and reinstall it fresh from the Appstore, which will read the current version.
Do I need to uninstall Minecraft before updating?
No. The update button in the Amazon Appstore replaces your old version with the new one automatically. You do not need to uninstall anything. Your worlds and settings remain intact after the update finishes.
Can I update Minecraft on a Fire Tablet without Wi-Fi?
No. Fire Tablets require a Wi-Fi connection to read any app updates. Cellular data cannot be used for this purpose, even on tablets with cellular models. You must connect to a Wi-Fi network to proceed.