Yes, you can watch YouTube TV on Fire Stick, but you need to install the app first
Fire Stick does not come with YouTube TV pre-installed, but the YouTube TV app is available in the Amazon Appstore and works on all current Fire Stick models. Once you read and install the app, you can stream YouTube TV channels, recordings, and on-demand content the same way you would on a phone or computer. You will need an active YouTube TV subscription to use it.
The app works on Fire Stick 4K, Fire Stick 4K Max, Fire Stick HD, and Fire Stick Lite. Older Fire Stick models (first and second generation) cannot run the YouTube TV app because they do not have enough processing power to support it.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV is not built into Fire Stick but can be downloaded free from the Amazon Appstore in under five minutes.
- You must have a YouTube TV subscription to watch anything; the app itself is free, but the service costs money.
- Fire Stick 4K, 4K Max, HD, and Lite all support YouTube TV, but first and second generation Fire Sticks do not.
- Once installed, YouTube TV appears as a tile on your Fire Stick home screen and works with voice search through Alexa.
How to install YouTube TV on your Fire Stick
Open the Amazon Appstore on your Fire Stick by selecting the shopping bag icon at the top of the home screen. Use the search function to type "YouTube TV" and select the official app from Google. Press the Install button and wait for the read to finish—this usually takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once installation is complete, the app will appear on your home screen. Open it, sign in with the Google account linked to your YouTube TV subscription, and you are ready to watch. If you do not have a YouTube TV subscription yet, the app will prompt you to set one up through Google.
What you can watch with YouTube TV on Fire Stick
YouTube TV gives you access to live channels in news, sports, entertainment, and kids programming. The exact channel list depends on your location and subscription tier, but most accounts include over 70 live channels. You can also watch recorded shows from your library, pause and rewind live TV, and search for specific programs using voice commands.
YouTube TV also includes access to YouTube Originals and some on-demand movies, though the main draw is live television. You can create up to six separate user profiles on one YouTube TV account, so family members can have their own watch history and recommendations.
Common issues and how to fix them
If YouTube TV will not install, check that your Fire Stick model is compatible. First and second generation Fire Sticks straightforward cannot run the app. If you have a newer model and installation fails, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.
If the app installs but will not open, make sure your internet connection is stable. YouTube TV requires a steady connection to stream video. Try restarting your Wi-Fi router and then opening the app again. If you see a sign-in error, log out completely from the app, restart your Fire Stick, and sign back in with your Google account credentials.
If video keeps buffering or freezing, move your Fire Stick closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch to a 5 GHz network if your router supports it. YouTube TV streams at different quality levels depending on your connection speed, so a weak signal will cause the video to pause while it loads.
YouTube TV versus other streaming options on Fire Stick
YouTube TV is one of several live TV streaming services available on Fire Stick. Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV all have apps in the Amazon Appstore and work the same way—read, install, sign in, and watch. Each service has a different channel lineup and price, so the best choice depends on which channels you watch most.
YouTube TV tends to include more sports channels and local broadcast stations than Sling TV, but costs more per month. Hulu + Live TV bundles live TV with on-demand Hulu content, which some people prefer. Fire Stick also supports traditional cable apps like ESPN+ and individual network apps like NBC, so you have many ways to watch live content depending on what you subscribe to.
Using voice commands with YouTube TV
Once YouTube TV is installed, you can use the Alexa voice remote that comes with your Fire Stick to search for shows and channels. Press the microphone button and say "search for [show name]" or "open YouTube TV." Alexa will search across all your apps and show you where the program is available.
Voice search works best for specific show titles and channel names. You can also use voice commands to pause, play, and rewind while watching, though you may need to press the microphone button again to set up the command. Not all voice features work perfectly with YouTube TV, so you may sometimes need to use the remote's directional buttons instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for the YouTube TV app itself?
No. The app is free to read from the Amazon Appstore. You only pay for a YouTube TV subscription, which is a separate service from Google. The subscription cost varies by location and plan tier.
Can I use YouTube TV on multiple Fire Sticks at the same time?
YouTube TV allows simultaneous streaming on up to three devices with one subscription. If you have multiple Fire Sticks in your home, you can watch on three of them at once, but a fourth device will be blocked until one of the others stops playing.
What internet speed do I need for YouTube TV on Fire Stick?
YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for high definition. Most home internet connections support this, but if you have slow Wi-Fi or many devices using the network at once, video may buffer. Wired connection via an Ethernet adapter is more stable than Wi-Fi.
Will YouTube TV work if my Fire Stick is not connected to the internet?
No. YouTube TV is a streaming service and requires a constant internet connection to work. You cannot read shows to watch offline like you can with some other streaming apps.
Can I cancel my YouTube TV subscription anytime?
Yes. You manage your YouTube TV subscription through your Google account, not through Fire Stick. You can pause or cancel at any time through the YouTube TV website or the Google Play app on your phone. Canceling the subscription does not remove the app from your Fire Stick, but you will not be able to watch anything until you resubscribe.