Amazon Blocks Sideloading on New Fire TV Stick Models Running Vega OS

Amazon has launched new Fire TV Stick models that block sideloading, preventing users from installing apps outside the official Amazon Appstore unless the device is registered with developers. This shift comes with the introduction of the company's Vega OS, replacing the Android base used in older devices, as reported by Ars Technica and Cord Cutters News.

The upcoming Fire TV Stick HD, available for preorder, explicitly warns some customers on its product page: "For enhanced security, this device prevents sideloading or installing apps from unknown sources. Only apps from the Amazon Appstore are available for download." According to Slashdot's coverage of Cord Cutters News, not every user sees this message, regardless of whether they're signed into an Amazon account, but it underscores Amazon's move toward a more controlled ecosystem. Similarly, the Fire TV Stick Select, released in September 2025, runs on Vega OS and displays comparable warnings.

This change marks a significant departure for Fire TV devices, which previously allowed easy sideloading of third-party apps via tools like Downloader—a flexibility prized by cord-cutters seeking apps not available in the Amazon store. Most major streaming services remain supported on Vega OS, but the lockdown limits access to unofficial or niche applications. Ars Technica notes that Amazon positions this as a security enhancement, aligning Fire TV more closely with closed platforms like Apple TV or Roku, complete with increased ads.

Customer backlash has been swift, with complaints flooding product pages about the restrictions, slower performance on some models (due to reduced memory), and a narrower app selection. Reports from 9to5Google highlight Amazon censoring reviews mentioning sideloading, though the company denied intentional removals, attributing delays to "unusual" activity and restoring affected posts. YouTube analysts have amplified concerns, warning that future Fire TV sticks will likely follow this Vega OS path, potentially pushing users to upgrade or stick with older Android-based hardware.

The timing raises eyebrows amid ongoing legal scrutiny. Amazon faces a lawsuit alleging it deliberately slowed first- and second-generation Fire Sticks via updates to force upgrades to these locked-down models. While Amazon emphasizes protection for customers and content creators—especially against unlicensed streaming apps—critics argue it curtails user freedom and funnels reliance toward its Appstore.

For now, sideloading remains possible on existing Android-powered Fire TV devices, and developer registration offers a workaround for new ones via USB setup. Users dependent on custom apps, like those for IPTV or benchmarks, are advised to avoid upgrading or contact support with device serial numbers for troubleshooting errors like "Unauthorized APK Installation Detected." As Amazon confirms Vega OS for all future sticks, this policy solidifies a walled garden approach, affecting millions of cord-cutters who value customization in their streaming setups. What happens next hinges on user adoption, potential workarounds, and how regulators view the transition.