Keeping apps up to date on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick brings new features, fixes playback problems and closes security holes. Fire TV can update apps automatically in the background, and it’s usually on by default. This guide shows how to turn on automatic updates, update an app manually, update the Fire TV software itself, and fix apps that won’t update.
Quick Answer
Go to Settings > Applications > Appstore and set Automatic Updates to On. Your Fire TV will update apps from the Amazon Appstore automatically when new versions are available.
Turn On Automatic App Updates
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Select the Settings (gear) icon on the right side of the menu bar.
- Choose Applications.
- Select Appstore.
- Highlight Automatic Updates and press the select button until it says On.
Updates install in the background while the Fire TV is connected to the internet, including in standby.
Update an App Manually
- From the Home screen, open Your Apps & Channels (the three-square icon) or go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications.
- Highlight the app and press the Menu button (three lines) on your remote.
- Choose More info. If an update is available, select Update.
You can also search for the app in the Appstore and select Update on its page.
Update the Fire TV Software
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV (called Device & Software on some models).
- Select About.
- Choose Check for Updates, then Install Update if one is available.
Fire OS updates also install automatically, but checking manually can fix app compatibility problems.
Apps Won’t Update?
- Restart the Fire TV: hold Select + Play/Pause on the remote for about five seconds, or unplug it for a minute.
- Check storage: Settings > My Fire TV > About > Storage. Uninstall unused apps or clear cache if space is low.
- Clear the Appstore cache: Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Appstore > Clear cache.
- Check the date and time and your network connection in Settings > Network.
- Reinstall the app if an update keeps failing.
- Sideloaded apps (installed outside the Appstore) don’t update automatically; update them from their source.
Should You Turn Automatic Updates Off?
Most people should leave them on. Turning them off can help if a specific update breaks an app or you’re on a limited data connection, but you’ll need to update apps manually to stay secure.
To remove apps you no longer use, read how to delete apps on a Fire TV Stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do app updates happen while I’m watching?
Fire TV generally installs updates when apps aren’t in use, often during standby.
Does this work on Fire TV Cube and Fire TV smart TVs?
Yes. The settings are the same, although menu names can vary slightly by model and software version.
How do I see which apps updated?
Fire TV doesn’t show a detailed update history, but an app’s version number is shown under More info.
Summary
- Settings > Applications > Appstore.
- Turn Automatic Updates on.
- Update apps manually with Menu > More info > Update.
- Check for Fire TV software updates in My Fire TV > About.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.