How to Turn On Developer Options on Your Fire Stick

Developer Options lets you test apps and connect to your computer

Developer Options is a hidden menu on your Fire Stick that lets you install apps from sources other than the Amazon Appstore, connect to a computer for testing, and debug apps you're building. To turn it on, you go into Settings, find the "About" section, and tap the Build Number field seven times in a row. After the seventh tap, the Developer Options menu appears in your Settings.

This feature is built into Fire Stick but hidden by default because most people don't need it. Once you turn it on, it stays on until you manually turn it off—restarting your Fire Stick won't disable it.

Key Takeaways

Developer Options is accessed by tapping the Build Number field seven times from the About screen in Settings.
Once enabled, Developer Options appears as a new menu item in your Settings and remains active across restarts.
The most common use is enabling Unknown Sources to install apps outside the Amazon Appstore.
You can also use Developer Options to connect your Fire Stick to a computer via USB or network for app testing.

Step-by-step: Turning on Developer Options

Start on your Fire Stick home screen. Press the Menu button on your remote (the three horizontal lines) and select Settings.

In Settings, scroll down and select About. You'll see information like your Fire Stick model, serial number, and Build Number. The Build Number is what you need to tap.

Tap the Build Number field seven times quickly. You don't need to hold it down—just tap it repeatedly. After the seventh tap, a message will appear saying "You are now a developer" or similar language. Developer Options is now active.

Go back to the Settings menu. You should now see Developer Options listed below About. Select it to open the new menu.

What you'll find in the Developer Options menu

Unknown Sources is the setting most people use. When you turn this on, your Fire Stick will let you install apps from places other than the Amazon Appstore. This is how you sideload apps—install them from a computer or from a file you read. By default, Unknown Sources is off for security reasons.

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool for connecting your Fire Stick to a computer. If you turn on "ADB" and "Apps from Unknown Sources," you can use a computer to install and test apps directly on your Fire Stick. This is mainly for people writing or testing their own apps.

The menu also shows your device name and IP address, which you'll need if you're connecting to a computer. The IP address is the set of numbers that identifies your Fire Stick on your network.

Turning Unknown Sources on and off

Once Developer Options is active, go back to Settings and select Developer Options. Find Unknown Sources and toggle it on. A warning will appear reminding you that apps from unknown sources may pose a security risk. Select "Turn On" to confirm.

When Unknown Sources is on, you can install apps by downloading them to a USB drive, connecting the drive to your Fire Stick, and using a file manager to open and install the app file. You can also use ADB from a computer to push apps to your Fire Stick without a USB drive.

To turn Unknown Sources back off, return to Developer Options and toggle it off. This doesn't remove apps you've already installed—it just prevents you from installing new ones from unknown sources.

Connecting to a computer with ADB

If you want to connect your Fire Stick to a computer for testing, you'll need to enable ADB in Developer Options. Go to Settings > Developer Options and toggle ADB on. You'll also need to turn on Apps from Unknown Sources.

On your computer, you'll need to read and install the Android SDK Platform Tools, which includes ADB. This is a free tool from Google. Once installed, you can open a command prompt or terminal on your computer and use commands to connect to your Fire Stick using its IP address (which you can see in the Developer Options menu).

The command to connect is typically: adb connect [your Fire Stick's IP address]. After you run this, your Fire Stick will ask you to confirm the connection. Select "Always allow connections from this computer" and then "OK."

This setup is mainly for developers testing apps. If you're just trying to install an app from outside the Appstore, using a USB drive is simpler.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is tapping the Build Number too slowly or not enough times. You need to tap it seven times in quick succession. If you tap it six times and stop, nothing happens. If you're not sure whether it worked, go back to Settings and look for Developer Options. If it's there, you're done.

Another mistake is turning on Unknown Sources and then installing an app from a source you don't trust. Just because you can install apps from outside the Appstore doesn't mean every app is safe. Only install apps from sources you recognize or that you've researched.

Some people enable ADB but then can't connect their computer to their Fire Stick because they don't have the Android SDK Platform Tools installed on their computer. If you're trying to connect and it's not working, make sure you've downloaded and installed the tools first.

Turning Developer Options off

If you want to disable Developer Options, go back to Settings > About and tap the Build Number seven times again. The message will say something like "You are no longer a developer." Developer Options will disappear from your Settings menu.

Turning off Developer Options doesn't remove any apps you've installed from unknown sources. Those apps stay on your Fire Stick. It just closes the Developer Options menu and prevents you from installing new apps from unknown sources (unless you turn Unknown Sources back on).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning on Developer Options slow down my Fire Stick?

No. Developer Options is just a menu—it doesn't run in the background or use resources. Your Fire Stick will work exactly the same way whether Developer Options is on or off.

Can I install any app on my Fire Stick if I turn on Unknown Sources?

Technically yes, but you should only install apps designed for Fire Stick or Android. Apps built for other devices won't work. Also, only install from sources you trust to avoid malware or apps that don't work properly.

Do I need to connect to a computer to use Developer Options?

No. You can turn on Unknown Sources and install apps using just a USB drive and your Fire Stick. Connecting to a computer with ADB is optional and mainly for developers testing their own apps.

What happens if I forget the steps and can't find Developer Options?

Go back to Settings > About and tap the Build Number seven times. If you've already enabled it, tapping seven times again will disable it. To turn it back on, tap seven times once more.

Is it safe to have Developer Options turned on all the time?

It's safe, but there's no reason to leave Unknown Sources on if you're not using it. Turning it off reduces the chance of accidentally installing an app from an untrusted source. You can turn it on and off as needed.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.