FilmPlus is not available through Amazon's official app store

FilmPlus is a third-party streaming app that does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, which is the standard way to install apps on Firestick. This means you cannot read it directly from your device's home screen the way you would install Netflix or Prime Video. To get FilmPlus on your Firestick, you need to enable installation from unknown sources and sideload the app manually.

Sideloading means installing an app from outside Amazon's official store. It requires downloading the app file to your computer first, then transferring it to your Firestick using a file manager or USB connection. The process is straightforward but takes more steps than a standard app installation.

Key Takeaways

  • FilmPlus does not exist in the Amazon Appstore and must be sideloaded onto your Firestick using a computer and file manager app.
  • You must enable "Apps from Unknown Sources" in your Firestick settings before you can install any sideloaded app.
  • The FilmPlus app file must be downloaded to your computer as an APK file, then moved to your Firestick's internal storage.
  • After installation, FilmPlus will appear in your Firestick's app library and can be launched like any other app.

Enable installation from unknown sources on your Firestick

Before you sideload any app, your Firestick must allow installations from sources other than Amazon. This setting is off by default for security reasons. Go to Settings on your Firestick home screen, then select Apps, then Unknown Sources. Toggle the switch to On.

Your Firestick will show a warning that apps from unknown sources may pose a security risk. This is a standard caution. Once you toggle it on, you are ready to sideload apps. You do not need to turn this setting off again unless you want to — leaving it on does not automatically install anything.

read the FilmPlus APK file to your computer

An APK file is the installation package for Android apps. You need to read the FilmPlus APK to your computer before you can move it to your Firestick. Search for "FilmPlus APK read" in your web browser. Several websites host APK files, though you should use a source you trust — malicious files can be disguised as legitimate apps.

Once you find a read link, click it and save the file to a folder on your computer where you can find it again, such as your Downloads folder or Desktop. The file name will end in .apk. Do not open or run the file on your computer — it is meant for Android devices only.

Transfer the APK file to your Firestick using a file manager

The easiest way to move the APK file from your computer to your Firestick is to use a file manager app on your Firestick that can access your computer's network. Install ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer from the Amazon Appstore — both are free and designed for this task. Once installed, open the app on your Firestick.

In the file manager, look for an option to connect to your computer's network, usually labeled Network or SMB. You will need to know your computer's network name and may need to enter your computer's username and password. Once connected, navigate to the folder where you saved the FilmPlus APK file, then copy or move it to your Firestick's Downloads folder or internal storage.

Install FilmPlus from the APK file on your Firestick

Once the APK file is on your Firestick, open your file manager app again and navigate to the location where you saved the file. Highlight the FilmPlus APK file and select it. The Firestick will ask whether you want to install the app. Select Install and wait for the process to finish — it usually takes less than a minute.

When installation is complete, you will see a message confirming success. You can then close the file manager. FilmPlus will now appear in your Firestick's app library and on your home screen if you add it there. You can delete the APK file from your Firestick's storage once installation is done — you only need it to install the app, not to run it.

Troubleshooting installation problems

If the installation fails, the most common cause is that the APK file is corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading it again from a different source. If you see an error message saying the app cannot be installed, restart your Firestick and try again — sometimes a temporary glitch prevents installation.

If your file manager cannot connect to your computer's network, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that your computer's file sharing is turned on in your system settings. If you continue to have trouble, you can also transfer the APK file using a USB flash drive plugged into your computer, then into your Firestick if your model has a USB port — though most newer Firesticks do not.

Keep FilmPlus updated

FilmPlus does not receive updates through the Amazon Appstore because it is not listed there. To update the app, you will need to read a newer version of the APK file to your computer and repeat the sideloading process. Check the source where you downloaded FilmPlus periodically to see if a newer version is available.

When you install a newer version over an existing installation, your Firestick will replace the old app with the new one. Your settings and saved data within the app will usually remain intact, though this depends on how the app is designed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to sideload apps on my Firestick?

Sideloading itself is safe if you read the APK file from a trusted source. The risk comes from downloading a malicious file that pretends to be the app you want. Use sources with good reputations and read user reviews before downloading. Enabling "Unknown Sources" does not make your Firestick unsafe — it straightforward allows you to install apps from outside Amazon's store.

Will FilmPlus work if I turn off unknown sources after installing it?

Yes. Once an app is installed, the "Unknown Sources" setting does not affect whether it runs. You can turn the setting back off after installation if you prefer. The setting only controls whether new apps can be installed from outside sources.

Can I use a phone or tablet to sideload FilmPlus instead of a computer?

Some phones and tablets can transfer files to a Firestick over the network using a file manager app, though the process varies by device. A computer is more straightforward because most file manager apps on Firestick are designed to connect to computers. If you want to try using a phone, install the same file manager app on both devices and follow the network connection steps.

What if the FilmPlus APK file I downloaded is too large to transfer?

Most APK files are small — usually under 100 MB — so file size is rarely a problem on modern Wi-Fi networks. If transfer is very slow, make sure both devices are close to your router and no other devices are using heavy bandwidth. If the transfer keeps failing, try downloading the file again or using a different file manager app.