To install IPTV on a Fire TV Stick, turn on Developer Options, install the free Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore, allow it to install apps, then install an IPTV player and sign in with the login details we send you. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and works on any TV with an HDMI port.
This guide walks you through each step on a current Fire TV Stick, plus the settings that make channel changes faster and the picture smoother.
What you need
Before you start, have these ready:
- A Fire TV Stick connected to your TV and the internet.
- Your login details: username, password and server URL.
- About 10 minutes.
Step 1: Turn on Developer Options
On recent Fire TV software, Developer Options is hidden by default. Go to Settings, then My Fire TV, then About. Highlight your device name and press the select button on the remote seven times. You will see a message saying you are now a developer.
Go back to My Fire TV and you will see Developer Options in the menu.
Step 2: Install Downloader
From the home screen, open Find, then Search, and type Downloader. Install the free Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore. It is a simple browser that lets you download apps by typing an address or a short code.
Step 3: Allow Downloader to install apps
Go to Settings, My Fire TV, Developer Options and open Install unknown apps. Find Downloader in the list and switch it on. Only Downloader gets this permission, so other apps cannot install anything without your knowledge.
Step 4: Install the IPTV app
Open Downloader and type the address or code that our support team sends you for the recommended app. Downloader fetches the installer; select Install when asked, then Done.
After installing, Downloader offers to delete the installer file. Select Delete to free up space, which matters on sticks with little storage.
Step 5: Sign in with Xtream Codes
Open the IPTV app and choose to add a playlist or user with Xtream Codes (sometimes labelled Xtream Codes API). Enter the server URL, username and password exactly as we sent them, paying attention to capital letters.
The app loads the channels, the programme guide and the on-demand library. The first load can take a minute or two with a large channel list.
Settings for a smoother picture
A few small changes make a big difference on a Fire TV Stick:
- Connect with an Ethernet adapter instead of Wi-Fi for live events.
- In Settings, Preferences, Featured Content, turn off video and audio autoplay.
- In Settings, Preferences, Privacy Settings, turn off device usage data and app usage data.
- Uninstall apps you never use, so the stick has more free memory.
- Restart the stick once a week by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Set up the programme guide and favourites
With Xtream Codes, most apps load the programme guide automatically. Give it a few minutes after the first sign-in, then open the guide view. If some channels show no guide, update the guide from the app's settings; if the times are wrong, change the EPG time offset until the current programme matches what is on screen.
Next, add your favourite channels. In most apps you highlight a channel, press and hold the select button and choose Add to favourites. A short favourites list makes the Fire TV remote much faster to use than scrolling through thousands of channels.
Hide categories you never watch
Large IPTV services include channels from dozens of countries. TiviMate and IPTV Smarters both let you hide whole groups of channels you will never watch, which makes the list shorter, the guide faster and channel surfing much easier for everyone in the house.
Some apps also let you set a PIN on adult categories or hide them completely, which is worth doing in a family home.
Keep the app up to date
Apps installed through Downloader do not update from the Amazon Appstore. When an update is available, the app usually shows a message; if not, ask our support for the latest version and install it over the old one. Your login and favourites normally stay in place.
Which Fire TV Stick should you buy?
If you are buying one for IPTV, choose the Fire TV Stick 4K or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Both handle 4K, start channels quickly and cope better with long channel lists and full programme guides than the entry-level model. The 4K Max is the smoothest option if you watch a lot of live sport.
Common problems and quick fixes
If the app says the login is wrong, check for spaces at the start or end of the username and password, and make sure the server URL includes the port if we gave you one.
If channels load but freeze, try a network cable and see our guide to fixing IPTV buffering. If the guide shows the wrong times, change the time offset in the app's EPG settings.
Still stuck? Message us on WhatsApp with a photo of the screen and we will walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
Developer Options is missing on my Fire TV Stick. What do I do?
Go to Settings, then My Fire TV, then About, select your device name and press the select button seven times. A message confirms you are now a developer, and Developer Options appears in the My Fire TV menu.
Which Fire TV Stick is best for IPTV?
The Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max. They are faster than the basic models, support 4K and handle large channel lists and programme guides more smoothly.
Is it safe to allow apps from unknown sources?
It is safe as long as you only install apps you trust. Allow it just for Downloader, install the app support recommends, and turn the option off again afterwards if you prefer.