Bear Player is not available through Amazon's official app store
Bear Player is a third-party media player that does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, which is the standard way to install apps on Firestick. This means you cannot search for it, find it, and install it the way you would install Netflix or Prime Video. If you want to use Bear Player on your Firestick, you will need to sideload it — that is, install it from outside Amazon's official store by loading the app file directly onto your device.
Sideloading requires enabling a setting that Amazon does not enable by default, downloading the app file from a third-party source, and then transferring it to your Firestick. The process is legal, but it does bypass Amazon's security checks, so you should only sideload apps from sources you trust.
Key Takeaways
- Bear Player is not in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it by enabling installation from unknown sources in your Firestick settings.
- You will need to read the Bear Player APK file from a reliable third-party source and transfer it to your Firestick using a file manager app.
- Sideloading requires turning on "Apps from Unknown Sources" in your Firestick security settings, which you can disable again after installation.
- If sideloading feels risky or unclear, consider using official Firestick media players like VLC or Plex, which are available directly from the Amazon Appstore.
Enable installation from unknown sources on your Firestick
Before you can sideload any app, you must turn on a security setting that allows your Firestick to install apps from sources other than the Amazon Appstore. On your Firestick remote, go to Settings, then select Apps, then Unknown Sources. Toggle the switch to On.
This setting tells your Firestick to accept app files that did not come through Amazon's official store. You can turn it back off after you finish installing Bear Player if you want to restore the default security setting. The toggle is quick to change either way, so there is no harm in leaving it on if you plan to sideload apps regularly.
read the Bear Player APK file to your computer
An APK file is the installer for Android apps — Firestick runs a version of Android, so it can install APK files directly. You need to find a trustworthy source for the Bear Player APK. Check the official Bear Player website or GitHub repository if one exists, or use a well-known APK repository that you have used before.
read the APK file to a folder on your computer where you can find it easily. Do not open or run the file on your computer — you are only downloading it so you can move it to your Firestick. Keep the file name exactly as it is; do not rename it before transfer.
Transfer the APK file to your Firestick using a file manager
You will need a file manager app on your Firestick to receive the APK file from your computer. Install Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer from the Amazon Appstore — both are free and let you move files between your computer and Firestick over your home network.
Open the file manager app on your Firestick and look for a network or SMB option that lets you browse your computer's folders. Navigate to the folder where you saved the Bear Player APK, then copy or move the file to your Firestick's internal storage or SD card if you have one installed. The transfer may take a minute or two depending on file size and network speed.
Install Bear Player from the APK file on your Firestick
Once the APK file is on your Firestick, use the file manager to find it. Highlight the file and select Open or Install. Your Firestick will ask you to confirm that you want to install an app from an unknown source — select Yes or Install.
The installation will take a few seconds. When it finishes, you should see a message saying the app was installed successfully. You can then close the file manager and look for Bear Player in your Firestick home screen or in the Apps section. The app is now ready to use.
Disable unknown sources again if you prefer
After Bear Player is installed, you can turn off the "Unknown Sources" setting to return your Firestick to its default security state. Go back to Settings > Apps > Unknown Sources and toggle it to Off. This does not uninstall Bear Player — it only prevents you from accidentally installing other apps from untrusted sources in the future.
Turning off unknown sources is optional. Many people who sideload regularly leave it on for convenience. The choice depends on how comfortable you are with the setting and whether you plan to install other apps this way.
Official alternatives if sideloading is not for you
If the sideloading process feels too complicated or you are uncomfortable downloading files from third-party sources, the Amazon Appstore has several official media players that work well on Firestick. VLC is a free, open-source player that handles most video and audio formats. Plex is another option if you want to organize and stream your own media library. Both can be found and installed directly from the Amazon Appstore without any extra steps.
These official apps have the advantage of being vetted by Amazon and receiving regular updates through the Appstore. They may not have every feature Bear Player offers, but they cover the basics of playing local and streamed media on your Firestick. VLC in particular is widely used and reliable across all Firestick models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will sideloading Bear Player void my Firestick warranty?
Sideloading an app does not void your warranty. Amazon allows you to enable unknown sources and install third-party apps. However, if your Firestick has a hardware problem, Amazon may ask you to uninstall sideloaded apps before they help you troubleshoot.
Can I sideload Bear Player on any Firestick model?
The process works on most Firestick models, including Firestick 4K, Firestick HD, and Firestick Lite. Older models may have slightly different menu layouts, but the steps are essentially the same. Check your device's manual if you cannot find the Apps or Unknown Sources setting.
What if the APK file I downloaded does not install?
The file may be corrupted, or it may not be compatible with your Firestick's version of Android. Try downloading the APK again from a different source, or check the Bear Player website to see if there is a version specifically built for Firestick or Fire TV devices.
Is it safe to sideload apps on Firestick?
Sideloading is safe as long as you read APK files from sources you trust. Avoid downloading from random websites or links you find in forums. Stick to official project pages, GitHub repositories, or well-established APK repositories that have a good reputation.