Update Apps Automatically or Manually on Your Fire Stick
Your Fire Stick can update apps in the background without you doing anything, or you can update them yourself right now. The automatic route is the default — Amazon turns on automatic updates when you first set up the device, and most apps refresh overnight when your Fire Stick is idle. If you want to update a specific app when ready, or if you prefer to control when updates happen, you can do that from the Apps section of your Fire Stick menu in under a minute.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want one app updated or all of them at once, and whether you want to change your automatic settings. Both paths start from the same menu.
Key Takeaways
- Your Fire Stick updates apps automatically by default, usually overnight when the device is not in use.
- To update a single app right now, go to Apps, select the app you want, and choose Update from the menu.
- To update all apps at once, go to Apps and select Update All from the top menu.
- You can turn automatic updates off in Settings if you want to control when apps refresh, though this means you have to remember to update them yourself.
- Apps that are already the newest version will show an Open button instead of an Update button.
Update a Single App Right Now
Press the Home button on your Fire Stick remote to go to the main screen. Navigate to Apps using the directional buttons on your remote, then press the Select button (the center circle) to open the Apps menu.
Scroll down to find the app you want to update. When you highlight it, a menu will appear below the app icon with options like Open, Update, and Uninstall. If the app is already up to date, you will see Open instead of Update. Press Select on Update, and the app will begin downloading and installing the new version. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.
You will see a progress bar while the update installs. Your Fire Stick may briefly pause other activity during this time, but you can continue using the device. Once the update finishes, the button will change back to Open.
Update All Apps at Once
Go to Home, then navigate to Apps and press Select. At the top of the Apps menu, you will see an option called Update All. Press Select on it, and your Fire Stick will begin updating every app that has a newer version available.
The update process runs in the background, and you can continue using your Fire Stick while it works. Apps that are already current will be skipped. Depending on how many apps you have and their sizes, the full update may take 10 to 30 minutes. You do not need to stay in the Apps menu — you can go back to Home and watch something while the updates finish.
If you want to check the progress, go back to Apps and you will see which apps are currently updating. A progress bar appears next to each one.
Turn On or Off Automatic Updates
Automatic updates are on by default on most Fire Sticks. If you want to turn them off so you control when apps update, press Home, then go to Settings. Navigate to Apps and select Automatic Updates.
You will see a toggle switch. If it is on (highlighted), automatic updates are active and your apps will refresh in the background. If you turn it off, apps will never update unless you do it manually using the Update or Update All buttons. Keep in mind that turning off automatic updates means you are responsible for remembering to update apps yourself — older versions of apps sometimes have security issues or bugs that newer versions fix.
Most people leave automatic updates on because it keeps apps current without any work. If you turn it off, check the Apps menu once a week or so to see if any updates are waiting.
What to Do If an Update Fails
If an app update starts but does not finish, or if you see an error message, the most common fix is to restart your Fire Stick. Unplug it from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to boot up. Once it is ready, go back to Apps and try the update again.
If the same app keeps failing to update, try uninstalling it completely and then reinstalling it fresh from the Amazon Appstore. Go to Apps, highlight the app, press Select, and choose Uninstall. Then go to the Appstore (a different menu from Apps), search for the app by name, and select Install. This usually solves update problems because you are getting a completely new copy of the app rather than trying to patch the old one.
If your internet connection is slow or unstable, updates may time out. Move your Fire Stick closer to your router or restart your router to improve the connection, then try again.
How Long Updates Take and When They Happen
Manual updates of individual apps usually finish in 30 seconds to three minutes, depending on the app size and your internet speed. Larger apps like Netflix or Prime Video may take longer than smaller utility apps. The Update All process can take 10 to 30 minutes if you have many apps, because your Fire Stick updates them one at a time in the background.
Automatic updates happen on a schedule set by Amazon, usually between midnight and 6 a.m. when your Fire Stick is idle and plugged in. Your device does not have to be turned on — it can be in standby mode. If your Fire Stick is in active use during the scheduled update window, the update will wait until the next idle period.
Checking Which Apps Have Updates Available
Go to Home, then Apps. At the top of the Apps menu, you will see a number in a red circle next to Update All if there are apps waiting to be updated. This number tells you how many apps have new versions. You can see which specific apps need updating by scrolling through the list — apps with available updates will show an Update button instead of Open.
If you do not see a number next to Update All, all your apps are current. This happens automatically if you have automatic updates turned on and your Fire Stick has had time to run its scheduled updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update apps while I am watching something?
Yes. Updates run in the background, and you can continue watching, playing games, or using other apps. The update will not interrupt what you are doing unless the app you are updating is the one you are currently using. In that case, the app will close briefly while it installs the new version.
Why does an app say Open instead of Update?
That app is already running the newest version available. There is nothing to update. If a new version comes out later, the button will change to Update automatically.
Do I need to restart my Fire Stick after updating apps?
No. Most apps work fine when ready after updating without a restart. If an updated app is behaving strangely, you can restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 10 seconds, but this is rarely necessary.
What happens if I unplug my Fire Stick during an update?
The update will stop and may not complete. When you plug the Fire Stick back in, the app will still be on the older version, and you can try updating it again. Unplugging during an update is not ideal, but it usually does not damage the app or your device.
Can I update apps on my Fire Stick from my phone or computer?
No. App updates on Fire Stick must be done from the Fire Stick itself using the remote. You cannot trigger updates from the Alexa app or any other device.