Fire TV Sideloading Buyer Tip
If you care about sideloading on Fire TV, here’s what to know before you buy.
Avoid Fire TV models with “Select” in the name.
Also avoid models with “HD” in the name if they include Wi‑Fi 6.
If the device is already powered on, check the software version by going to:
Settings → My Fire TV → About → Software Version
If the version number starts with “1.”, it’s a Vega OS device, and it does not support sideloading.
So if sideloading matters to you, look for Fire OS models and avoid Vega OS models.
Buy — Fire OS Models:
- 1st-gen Fire TV Stick HD
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Fire TV Cube
- Smart TVs with Fire TV built in
Avoid — Vega OS Models: DO NOT BUT
- 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick HD
- Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Quick rule: avoid Select, watch out for HD + Wi‑Fi 6, and check for software version 1.anything.
Fire OS = Sideloading
Vega OS = No sideloading
