The basic steps to add an app to your Firestick
To read an app on your Firestick, go to the home screen, select the search icon (magnifying glass), type the app name, and select it from the results. Then choose the app and select "Get" or "read". The app installs automatically and appears in your apps library. Most apps are free, though some charge a one-time fee or subscription.
Your Firestick connects to your Amazon account, so any app you read is tied to that account. If you have multiple Firesticks in your home, you can read the same app on each one without paying again — Amazon remembers your purchase.
The whole process takes less than a minute for most apps. Once installed, the app stays on your device until you uninstall it, even if you restart the Firestick.
Key Takeaways
- Search for the app by name using the home screen search icon, then select "Get" to read it automatically.
- Apps read and install in the background; you do not need to do anything after selecting "Get".
- Your Amazon account remembers every app you read, so you can reinstall it later without paying twice.
- You can also read apps through the Amazon Appstore website on a computer and send them to your Firestick remotely.
- Some apps require you to sign in with a separate account (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) after installation.
Finding apps through the Firestick home screen
The fastest way to find an app is through the search function on your Firestick. Press the home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Look for the search icon — it looks like a magnifying glass — and select it. Type the name of the app you want (for example, "Netflix" or "YouTube") using the on-screen keyboard.
As you type, Firestick shows matching results. Select the app you want from the list. The app's detail page opens, showing a description, user reviews, and a "Get" button. Select "Get" and the read starts when ready. You do not need to confirm or wait — the app installs in the background while you use your Firestick.
If the app costs money, the "Get" button shows the price instead. Select it anyway, and you will be charged to your Amazon account. The app then downloads and installs the same way a free app does.
Using the Amazon Appstore on a computer
You can also read apps to your Firestick from a computer. Go to the Amazon Appstore website (appstore.amazon.com) and sign in with the same Amazon account linked to your Firestick. Search for the app you want and select it.
On the app's detail page, look for a button that says "Send to Device" or "Deliver to". Select it, choose your Firestick from the list of devices, and confirm. The app downloads to your Firestick automatically — you do not need to do anything on the device itself. This method is useful if you want to set up multiple apps before you sit down to watch, or if the search function on your Firestick is not finding what you need.
What happens after you read an app
Once an app finishes installing, it appears in your apps library. To find it, go to the home screen and select "Apps" or "Your Apps & Channels" (the exact name depends on your Firestick model). Your newly downloaded app is listed there, usually at the top of the list.
Some apps open when ready and ask you to sign in. For example, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Paramount+ all require you to enter your account details before you can watch anything. Other apps, like YouTube, let you browse without signing in but offer more features if you do. Read the app's description before downloading if you are unsure whether you need a separate subscription.
If an app does not work after you read it, try restarting your Firestick. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to restart. Then open the app again. If it still does not work, you can uninstall it and read it again — there is no penalty for reinstalling.
Uninstalling apps you no longer use
To remove an app, go to "Your Apps & Channels" on the home screen. Find the app you want to delete, select it, and choose "Uninstall" or "Remove". The app disappears from your library when ready. Your Amazon account still remembers that you downloaded it, so you can reinstall it later without paying again.
Uninstalling an app frees up storage space on your Firestick. Firesticks have limited built-in storage, so removing apps you do not use regularly can help the device run faster. You can always reinstall them later in seconds.
Troubleshooting apps that will not read
If an app will not read, first check that your Firestick is connected to the internet. Go to Settings > Network and confirm you are connected to your Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak, move your Firestick closer to your router or restart your router.
If the internet is working but the app still will not read, restart your Firestick. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then try downloading the app again. If it still fails, the app may not be available in your region or on your specific Firestick model — some older Firestick models do not support all apps.
You can also try downloading the app through the Amazon Appstore website on a computer instead of using the Firestick remote. Sometimes the website method works when the device search does not. If neither method works after multiple attempts, the app may have a compatibility issue with your device, and there is no workaround.
Managing storage and keeping your Firestick running smoothly
Firesticks have limited storage — typically between 8 and 16 gigabytes depending on the model. If you read many apps, you may eventually run out of space. When storage is full, new apps may fail to read or existing apps may not update.
To check how much storage you have left, go to Settings > Device > Storage. If you are running low, uninstall apps you do not use regularly. Streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu do not take up much space, but games and utility apps can use several hundred megabytes each. Removing a few unused apps usually frees up enough room to read new ones.
You do not need to worry about app updates — Firestick updates apps automatically in the background when you are not using the device. You do not have to do anything. If an app is not working correctly, check Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications to see if an update is pending, and restart your Firestick to complete it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read apps on a Firestick without an Amazon account?
No. Your Firestick must be linked to an Amazon account to read any app. When you first set up your Firestick, you sign in with your Amazon credentials. All apps are tied to that account, and you cannot read anything without it.
Do I have to pay for every app I read?
Most apps are free. Some charge a one-time purchase fee, and others require a subscription (like Netflix or Hulu). The app's detail page always shows the price before you read. Free apps say "Get", paid apps show the dollar amount. You are never charged without seeing the price first.
What if I read an app and then delete it — do I have to pay again to reinstall it?
No. Amazon remembers every app you have ever downloaded on your account. If you uninstall an app and later want it back, you can read it again for free. This applies to paid apps too — you only pay once, the first time you read it.
Can I read apps on one Firestick and have them appear on another Firestick in my home?
Not automatically. Each Firestick downloads apps independently. However, if both devices are linked to the same Amazon account, you can read the same app on each one without paying twice. You have to initiate the read on each device separately, or use the Amazon Appstore website to send the app to multiple devices at once.
Why does my app keep crashing after I read it?
Try restarting your Firestick first — unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If the app still crashes, uninstall it and read it again. Make sure your Firestick is connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal, because a weak connection can cause apps to behave unpredictably. If the app crashes every time you open it, it may have a compatibility issue with your Firestick model, and you may need to use a different app instead.