In this article, we will learn how to sideload apk on Firestick. Amazon FireStick runs on modified Android and allows you to download applications from the Amazon Store. Although this device is mainly used to watch video content through various services, such as Netflix. It also allows you to download and play some games. You can get most of the applications you need in the Amazon Store. But this shop does not have everything. For example, due to the recent fallout between Amazon and Google, Amazon Store no longer has YouTube and some other Google applications.
Even Amazon Store does not have Kodi, which is officially available via Google Play Store on Android phones and tablets. Then there are many other Firestick apps that you will not find in the official Amazon repository.
Fortunately, you can sideload FireStick applications that you cannot get from Amazon. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy truly impressive applications, such as the latest version of Kodi in Firestick. FireStick with Android OS, it also uses APK files for your applications. However, the way APKs are loaded sideways in FireStick is slightly different from Android mobile devices.
How to Sideload APK on Firestick
You can download the application easily into FireStick once you have the APK file of the application you want to install. The APK file must be downloaded to FireStick for transfer. To download the file, you will need an application that allows you to do it.
ES File Explorer and Downloader are the most used applications for downloading third-party applications to the FireStick device. If you have one of these two applications, you do not need any other tools. However, I recommend installing both FireStick applications as they can also be useful in many other ways.
To run the application in FireStick, the installation of the third-party APK must be enabled. To do this, enable applications from the Unknown Sources option in FireStick. Here’s how you can do it:
Enable applications from unknown sources:
- Open FireStick settings from the main screen
- Click Device
- Open development options
- Enable apps from unknown sources
Sideloading applications in Firestick with ES File Explorer
There’s a good chance you’re already using or at least listening to the ES File Explorer app. It is a file/file browser application with a multitude of features and can do a lot for you in addition to side loading.
ES File Explorer is available on Android phones, tablets, Android TV, Android console and FireStick in official app stores. It is free to download and use
Download ES File Explorer on Amazon Store:
- On the FireStick home screen, select the search option.
- Search in the ES File Explorer
- Follow the instructions on the screen and install the application.
If you have problems installing the application, you can follow our tutorial to download ES File Explorer on Fire Stick.
Once ES File Explorer is installed, here’s how to download any application:
- Open the application and click on the Tools option on the left.
- Then click on “Download Manager”
- Click “+ New” at the bottom right
- Now enter the APK source URL in the Path field, the application name in the Name field and click “Download now”
Conclusion:

You can download the application in FireStick with the ES Explorer File and Downloader applications. Just install these apps from Amazon Store. Remember, not all Android mobile apps are compatible with FireStick. Android apps are tactile, but they are not necessarily easy to use remotely.