How to Update Apps on FireStick: In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of updating all your Amazon FireStick apps—whether they’re official apps from the Amazon App Store or third-party apps you’ve sideloaded. This step-by-step tutorial works on all versions of FireStick, including the Fire TV Cube, FireStick Lite, the new FireStick 4K, FireStick 4K Max, and older FireStick 4K models.

Apps are the core of what makes mobile and streaming devices functional. Without them, even the most advanced devices—like a FireStick or smartphone—would offer very limited use. That said, no app is perfect. Most come with bugs or performance issues that developers fix through updates. Regular app updates not only resolve these bugs but also improve compatibility with your device, enhance performance, and sometimes introduce new features for a better user experience.

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How to Update FireStick

Before updating individual apps, it’s essential to ensure your FireStick is running the latest version of its operating system. Since Fire OS is based on Android, the interface is fairly familiar. Here’s how to check for system updates:

From the FireStick home screen, select the Settings gear icon.
Scroll and choose My Fire TV from the available options.
Click on About.
Select Check for Updates to see if a new version is available.
If an update is found, download and install it.

Once the update is installed, your FireStick should restart automatically. If it doesn’t, you can manually restart it by pressing and holding the Play/Pause and Select buttons on your remote simultaneously.

How to Update Apps via the Amazon Appstore

The easiest way to keep your apps up to date is by enabling automatic updates. Follow these steps to activate this feature:

Go to the Settings menu on your FireStick home screen.
Scroll to and select Applications.
Choose Appstore from the list.
Select Automatic Updates and switch it ON.

Once enabled, all official apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore will update automatically in the background whenever a new version becomes available.

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How to Update Third-Party Apps on FireStick

Unlike official apps from the Amazon Appstore, updating third-party apps on your FireStick requires a bit more effort. To do this, we’ll use an open-source tool called APKUpdater. I’ve broken the process into three clear parts to help you download, install, and use APKUpdater effectively.

Part 1: Prepare Your FireStick

Before installing APKUpdater, you need to get your FireStick ready for sideloading. Start by installing the Downloader app, which is available directly from the Amazon Appstore. After that, you’ll need to enable the Downloader app to install files from unknown sources. Make sure to follow the setup instructions for Downloader before moving on to the next step.

Part 2: Install APKUpdater

Once Downloader is set up and permissions are enabled, you’re ready to sideload APKUpdater onto your FireStick. This tool will allow you to check for and install updates for third-party apps that aren’t available in the Amazon Appstore.

Press and hold the Home button on your Fire TV remote. When the menu appears, choose Apps.
Launch the Downloader app.
Note: If you don’t see it under Your Apps & Channels, check inside the App Library.
Click on the input field labeled Enter a URL or Search Term.
Note: The first time you open Downloader, you’ll be prompted to grant access to your files and folders—make sure to allow it.
Type in the URL https://bit.ly/3OC2kdr and press the Go button.
Note: This shortened link directs to the site hosting APKUpdater. is not affiliated with the app’s hosting or distribution.
Wait as Downloader connects to the website and downloads the app. When the download finishes, Downloader will automatically prepare the app for installation. Click INSTALL.
Once installed, select DONE.
You’ll be taken back to Downloader. Since the APK file is no longer needed after installation, it’s best to delete it. Click the Delete button.
Confirm by selecting Delete again.

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Part 3: How to Update Third-Party Apps Using APKUpdater

Here’s how to update your sideloaded apps with the APKUpdater app:

Press and hold the Home button on your Fire TV remote. When the menu appears, select Apps.
Open the APKUpdater app. If you don’t see its icon, look for the last app in the grid just before the App Library tile.
If APKUpdater prompts you to update itself, click Install.
Your FireStick will request permission to let APKUpdater install unknown apps. Click Settings.
Choose Install unknown apps.
Enable the toggle for APKUpdater to allow installation of unknown apps.
To apply this change, you need to reset the app: go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Apps > APKUpdater and select Force Stop.
Select Clear Data.
Confirm by clicking Clear Data again.
Next, choose Clear Cache.
Reopen APKUpdater and click INSTALL if an update prompt appears.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Inside APKUpdater, navigate to the Settings tab.
Turn off the Google Play option, as installing updates from official sources can interfere with keeping your third-party apps fully updated.
Restart the app once more: go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Apps > APKUpdater, then select Force Stop. Open the app again and go to the Updates tab. You’ll see a list of available updates for both official and third-party apps.
Choose the app you want to update and click INSTALL.
After the webpage loads, scroll down.
Click Download APK and follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the app.

How to Update Apps on FireStick

That’s how you can easily keep your third-party apps on FireStick up to date using APKUpdater. The app pulls updates from multiple trusted sources like APKMirror, Aptoide, and F-Droid, so the update interface may vary slightly depending on where the latest version is hosted. A quick reminder: streaming content from unverified third-party apps may be legally risky depending on your region and the type of content. While does not promote or support piracy, if you choose to use such apps, it’s strongly recommended that you use a VPN to protect your online activity and identity.

How to Install ExpressVPN on FireStick

Here’s a simple walkthrough to help you get ExpressVPN on your Fire TV Stick:

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN here. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If it doesn’t meet your expectations (which is unlikely), you can request a full refund.
Step 2: Power on your FireStick and go to Find > Search.
Step 3: Type ExpressVPN in the search bar and select the app from the suggestions.
Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on your device.
Step 5: Launch the app and sign in using the credentials you set up during registration.
Step 6: Hit the Power icon to connect to a secure VPN server. That’s it—your streaming activity is now encrypted and anonymous.
For more information, you can check out our full guide on using ExpressVPN with FireStick.

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Final Thoughts

Regularly updating your apps is essential for getting the latest features, performance enhancements, and security patches. Letting apps go too long without updates can lead to bugs, crashes, or even the apps stopping altogether. In this guide, you learned how to update both official and third-party apps on your FireStick. Whether your apps come from the Amazon Appstore or have been sideloaded, the steps above will help you keep everything current. Have questions or run into issues? Feel free to leave a comment below—we’re here to help.

FAQs

How does APKUpdater find updates for third-party FireStick apps?

APKUpdater pulls app updates from multiple trusted sources like APKMirror, Aptoide, and F-Droid, allowing you to download the latest versions directly from these repositories.

Is it legal to stream content on third-party apps on FireStick?

Streaming content via unlicensed third-party apps may violate copyright laws depending on your location and the content streamed. Always be cautious and aware of local regulations.

Why should I use a VPN like ExpressVPN when streaming on FireStick?

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hiding your streaming activity from your ISP and potential surveillance, which helps protect your privacy and bypass geo-restrictions.

Can I use ExpressVPN on all FireStick models?

Yes, ExpressVPN is compatible with all versions of FireStick, including FireStick Lite, FireStick 4K, FireStick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube.

What happens if I don’t update my FireStick apps regularly?

Outdated apps may suffer from bugs, lose functionality, or fail to work altogether. Updating ensures you get the latest features, security patches, and improved performance.

How do I uninstall the APK file after installing an app via Downloader?

After installing the app through Downloader, it’s recommended to delete the APK file to free up space. You can do this by selecting the Delete option when prompted after installation.

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