Virtual private networks (VPNs) are most often used on computers and mobile devices. However, they are useful even on streaming sticks. With a VPN, you can access any region-locked service like Hulu or browse content from different regions via your streaming sticks. If you have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, using a VPN on it can open you up to a new world of content streaming and safe use.
While this will allow you to legally access content in other regions, you can also engage in secure web browsing using the native Silk Browser or Firefox browser. In this article, we guide you through the process of installing a VPN on your Fire TV Stick, among other things.
Does Your Fire TV Stick Need VPN?
You may wonder why you might need a VPN on your Fire TV Stick. The reasons are no different than using VPNs on your mobile devices and computers.
First, a VPN allows you to use some apps or services that you wouldn’t normally be able to access because they may be region locked. With a VPN, you can bypass the geo-restriction of content to watch some Netflix series and shows that are not available in your region. Security and privacy is another useful use case for VPN on a Fire TV Stick.
Let’s say you’re traveling on vacation with your Fire TV Stick and need to use a VPN while connected to the hotel’s Wi-Fi network. A VPN offers encryption that hides and protects your data from malicious crooks who want to steal your information (passwords, personal details, etc.) on public Wi-Fi networks.
Finally, if you don’t want your Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to monitor your browsing or streaming activities and other data they sometimes sell to advertisers, a VPN is your best bet.
Installing VPN on Fire TV Stick
Before we continue to show you how to install a VPN on your Fire TV Stick, we strongly recommend against using a free VPN on any of your devices. Be it your smartphone, tablet, laptop or Fire TV Stick. Free VPNs have a dark side, and we’ve covered everything you need to know about the (possible) dangers of using a free VPN. In this tutorial, we will show you how to download and use IPVanish on your Fire TV Stick.
We chose IPVanish because it’s out there, among the best VPNs for Fire TV Stick. To add, we’ll show you two different ways to install IPVanish (and any other VPN app of your choice) on your Fire TV Stick. Let’s go.
Another VPN you can try is ExpressVPN. It is a privacy-focused VPN service and is generally considered one of the best. Along with an extensive server network, it also boasts a strict no-logs policy and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also lets you watch US Netflix.
Special for Guidance Technology: Get an exclusive 49% discount when you sign up for ExpressVPN using this link.
Method 1: From Amazon App Store
Fire TV Stick comes with a built-in app store powered by Amazon. It comes with tons of apps for the Fire TV Stick. Follow the steps below to download a VPN from the Amazon App Store.
Stage 1: Go to the Fire TV Stick’s Search section and IPVanish Using the Fire TV Stick remote.
Pro Tip: Press and hold the Volume Button on your Fire TV Stick to activate voice search and tell Alexa to make a call. IPVanish VPN (or any VPN of your choice). This saves you the stress of typing using the remote control.
Step 2: As you type, several related suggestions appear below the onscreen keyboard. Select ipvanish from the results.
Stage 3: In the ‘Apps & Games’ section, select IPVanish VPN.
Step 4: Select the ‘Get (Free to Download)’ icon to install the VPN on your device.
Note: If you have previously downloaded the app on a device connected to your Amazon account, you may see a Download icon (instead of Get).
This will download and install the IPVanish VPN app on your Fire TV Stick.
Step 5: Select Open to launch the VPN application after successful installation.
For any VPN you choose to install on your Fire TV Stick, you will most likely need to sign in to your account (with the VPN client). Therefore, you should sign up for an account with your VPN subscription before installing it on your Fire TV Stick. Otherwise, you can’t directly sign up for an account on the Fire TV Stick version of most VPN apps. Also, creating an account on Fire TV Stick is quite cumbersome.
Step 6: Enter your account credentials and sign in.
Once logged in, continue using the VPN app just as you would on your mobile devices and PC.
Method 2: Sideloading VPN
Sideloading simply means installing an app on your Fire TV Stick from sources other than the built-in Amazon App Store. If the VPN you want to install on your Fire TV Stick is not officially available on the Amazon App Store, you may have to sideload an app. You can download the setup file from the VPN’s website and sideload it on your Fire TV Stick.
Preparations Before Sideloading
For this, you have to make sure that your Fire TV Stick supports installing apps from third-party sources. How to check is explained below.
Stage 1: Go to the Fire TV Stick Settings menu.
Step 2: Select ‘My Fire TV’.
Stage 3: Next, select Developer options from the ‘My Fire TV’ menu.
Step 4: Select ‘Apps from Unknown Sources’.
A warning will be displayed on your screen informing you about the risks of installing and using apps from unknown sources.
Step 5: Select Open.
And that’s it. You can now install apps from other sources (e.g. a website) to your Fire TV Stick. Don’t forget to turn it off after installing and activating the VPN app.
Sideloading VPN
To install VPN on your Fire TV Stick from a website, you will need a download agent that allows you to download files from the internet. ‘Downloader’ is one of the best download clients for Fire TV Stick and we would use it to download the VPN setup file from IPVanish’s website.
Follow the steps below to learn how to download/sideload a VPN setup file to your Fire TV Stick.
Stage 1: Go to Search section of Fire TV Stick and search for Downloader using Fire TV Stick remote.
Alternatively, hold the Volume Button on your Fire TV Stick remote and say: downloader.
Step 2: Select Downloader from the search results/recommendations.
Stage 3: Select the Downloader app (as shown in the image below).
Step 4: Select the Get or Download button.
This will install the Downloader app on your Fire TV Stick.
Step 5: Select Open to launch Downloader after successful installation.
Step 6: In the address bar, enter the website URL or download link for the VPN app you want to sideload on your Fire TV Stick.
Step 7: To download IPVanish, enter the download URL – www.ipvanish.com/software/android/IPVanish.apk and tap the Go button.
Note: The IPVanish VPN app download URL is case sensitive. Pay attention to which letters are uppercase and enter the URL as written above. IPV in IPVansih should be written in capital letters.
Step 8: The downloader proceeds to automatically download and install the VPN app on your Fire TV Stick. You still need to authenticate the installation. Now, click Install in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Step 9: Do not open the application immediately after installation. Tap Done instead.
This will take you back to the Downloader download panel.
Step 10: Now select Delete to remove the VPN setup file from your Fire TV Stick. This helps you save space for other related files on your streaming stick.
Step 11: Select Delete to confirm.
Now, return to your Fire TV Stick homepage to start the VPN. If you can’t find the app on the home page, go to Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Apps > IPVanish VPN.
Next, select Launch application.
Log in to the application by entering your account information. Also, the VPN app should now appear in the Recent section of your Fire TV Stick homepage.
Uninstall VPN from Fire TV Stick
If for some reason you no longer need to use a VPN on your Fire TV Stick, here is how to uninstall/remove the app from your device.
Stage 1: Launch the Fire TV Stick Settings menu.
Step 2: Select Applications.
Stage 3: Next, select ‘Manage Installed Applications’.
Step 4: Click on the VPN app you want to uninstall.
Step 5: Select Uninstall.
Step 6: Select Remove to confirm your action.
Unrestricted Streaming
Before downloading a VPN on your Fire TV Stick, be sure to check the app’s requirements. This is because some VPNs do not support the First (1st) Generation of Fire TV Stick. With a VPN installed on your Fire TV Stick, you’ve opened yourself up to a new world of content and streaming experiences. You can also stream privately and securely. The methods listed in this article apply to any VPN you might want to install on your Fire TV Stick.
Next: Having trouble connecting your Fire TV Stick to the internet? Check out 7 ways to fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues on Fire TV stick in the article linked below.
