How to Jailbreak Fire TV Stick – Easy Step-by-Step Guide for UK Users (2026)

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a hugely popular device in UK homes. It is a small gadget you plug into your TV’s HDMI port. It turns any television into a smart TV. You can watch Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and many other apps with it.

Table of Contents

“Jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick” sounds complicated, but it is very simple. It means changing a setting on your device. This setting lets you install apps from places other than the official Amazon Appstore. You are not breaking the law or damaging your stick.

OUR EXPERT

James Walker

Firestick & Streaming Expert

With over a decade of experience in streaming technology, IPTV apps, and Amazon Fire TV devices, James specializes in Firestick jailbreaking, app installation, and cord-cutting solutions for users in the UK.

Updated May 15, 2025

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In fact, jailbreaking is free, legal, and completely reversible. You can do it yourself in a few minutes, and you can undo it just as easily. Many people in the UK do it to get more from their device.

The key benefits are great. You can install interesting third-party apps that Amazon doesn’t offer. You get access to more streaming options, especially free ones. You can also customise how your Fire TV Stick looks and works to suit you better.

It is important to be clear: jailbreaking does not mean hacking or piracy. Hacking suggests breaking into something. Piracy means stealing TV shows and movies. This guide is about using your own device in a new, legal way.

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What Does Jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick Mean?

Jailbreaking your Fire TV Stick gives it more freedom. In simple terms, you are allowing it to accept apps from “unknown sources.” Unknown sources are websites or developers outside the official Amazon Appstore.

It helps to know the difference between some technical words. Jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick is just about changing a software setting. Rooting is different. Rooting gives you total control over the device’s operating system, which is much more complex and risky. Hacking is a general term that often means finding clever ways into computer systems, sometimes for bad reasons.

The Fire TV Stick is much easier to modify than an Apple TV or a Roku. Apple and Roku design their devices to be very locked down. They don’t want you installing other software. Amazon, however, includes an easy-to-find setting that lets you do this if you want.

The best part is that system files are not modified. You are not changing the core software that makes the Fire Stick work. You are simply telling it, “It’s okay to install apps from this other place too.” This makes the process very safe.

Then Click on Developer Options

Then Click on install unknown Apps

Turn ON “Apps from Unknown Sources”

Click your device name 7 times

Is Jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick Legal in the UK?

Yes, jailbreaking your own Fire TV Stick is completely legal in the United Kingdom. You bought the device, so you are allowed to change its settings. It is like customising a car you own. No law stops you from allowing “Unknown Sources” on your own streaming stick.

However, what you do after jailbreaking must also be legal. Streaming copyrighted content without permission is illegal in the UK. Copyrighted content includes the latest movies, pay-per-view sports, and TV shows on subscription channels. Watching these through illegal streams or apps breaks the law.

We strongly encourage responsible usage. After jailbreaking, focus on legal apps. You have a world of fantastic free-to-air apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. You can use apps for your personal media, like Plex. You can explore legitimate free streaming services like Freevee or Pluto TV.

Also, jailbreaking does not void Amazon’s hardware warranty. If your Fire TV Stick has a manufacturing fault and stops working, Amazon will still honour the warranty. They might not help if a third-party app you installed causes a software problem, but the physical device is still covered.

Benefits of Jailbreaking Fire TV Stick

Jailbreaking your Fire TV Stick opens up many new possibilities. Here are the key advantages you will enjoy.

Install Third-Party Apps
This is the biggest benefit. The Amazon Appstore is good, but it doesn’t have every app. By jailbreaking, you can install apps from other places on the internet. This could be a useful utility app, a different web browser, or a streaming service popular in another country.

Access Free Streaming Apps
There is a huge amount of free, legal entertainment available. After jailbreaking, you can easily add apps that give you thousands of free movies and TV shows. Services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Crackle are full of free content (with ads). You can also get all the UK broadcaster apps in one convenient place.

Customisation
You get better control and flexibility over your device. You might install a different “launcher” that changes your home screen layout. You can organise your apps more neatly or access advanced settings. This makes the Fire Stick feel more personal and easier to use your way.

Works on All Models
The process is exactly the same for every model. Whether you have the basic Fire TV Stick Lite, the Fire TV Stick 4K, or the powerful Fire TV Stick 4K Max, the steps to enable unknown sources do not change. This guide works for all of them.

No Cost
You do not need to pay for any software, codes, or tools. The entire process uses free settings and a free app from Amazon’s own store. It is a great way to get more value from your device without spending more money.

Things to Know Before Jailbreaking

Before you begin, here are a few simple things to check. This will make sure everything goes smoothly.

Your Fire TV Stick must be connected to the internet. You need a Wi-Fi connection to download the necessary app and any files. Make sure your connection is working well before you start.

You need to be logged into your Amazon account on the Fire Stick. This is the account you used when you first set up the device. The process uses an app from the official Amazon Appstore, so you must be signed in.

You do not need a computer or any special tools. Everything is done directly on your TV screen using your Fire TV remote. This makes the whole process very straightforward.

Jailbreaking can be undone at any time. If you decide you don’t like it, you can go back into the settings and turn “Apps from Unknown Sources” off in less than a minute. Your device will return to its original state.

A very important safety rule: avoid suspicious or unknown APK sources. APK files are how you install apps from outside the store. Only download these files from the official website of the app you want, or from very well-known, trusted tech websites.

How to Jailbreak Fire TV Stick – Step-by-Step

Follow these clear steps. They work for any Fire TV Stick model.

Step 1: Turn On Fire TV Stick

Plug your Fire TV Stick into your TV’s HDMI port and turn it on. Make sure it is connected to your home Wi-Fi network. You can check this by going to Settings > Network. Also, ensure you are signed into your Amazon account in Settings > My Account.

Step 2: Enable Developer Options

This is the most important step. Using your remote, go to the top menu and select Settings (the gear icon). Scroll across and select My Fire TV. Click on About. Now, click on “Fire TV Stick” (or your device’s name) about seven times quickly. You will see a message saying “You are now a developer!” Go back one screen, and you will see a new option called Developer Options. Open it. Inside, turn ON the setting for “Apps from Unknown Sources.” You can also turn on “ADB Debugging”—this can help with some advanced apps later.

Step 3: Install the Downloader App

Go back to the home screen. Use the search function and type in “Downloader”. Select the Downloader app (usually by AFTVnews). Click Get or Download to install it. This app is free and safe. It is a simple tool that lets you download files from the internet directly to your Fire Stick.

Step 4: Download Third-Party Apps

Open the Downloader app. You will see a box to enter a web address (URL). Here, you type the link to download the app file (an APK). For example, to get the legal Kodi media player, you could type: “kodi.tv/download”. Always use the official website address for the app you want.

Step 5: Install the App

After you type the address, click Go. The Downloader app will fetch the file. Once it downloads, a pop-up will ask if you want to install it. Click Install. Wait for the installation bar to finish, then click Done. To save space, you can then click “Delete” to remove the downloaded APK file, as the app is now installed on your device.

Step 6: Confirm Jailbreak Is Complete

Return to your Fire TV Stick home screen. Go to Your Apps & Channels. Your new app (like Kodi) should be there. Open it. If it loads and runs, your jailbreak is successful! You can now repeat Step 4 to install other legal apps you find and want to try.

Best Apps to Install After Jailbreaking (UK)

With your Fire TV Stick ready, here are some of the best free and legal apps to install. These are perfect for UK viewers.

Kodi (Official Version)
Kodi is a fantastic media centre. It doesn’t come with content, but it is brilliant for organising your own movies and music stored on a computer or USB drive. You can also add legal add-ons from its official repository for weather, news, and YouTube.

Plex
If you have a collection of digital movies on a computer, Plex is a must. Install Plex Media Server on your computer and the Plex app on your Fire Stick. It will beautifully organise and stream your personal library to your TV.

BBC iPlayer & ITVX
These are the essential free TV apps for the UK. They offer all the live channels, catch-up TV, and exclusive shows from the BBC and ITV. They provide thousands of hours of high-quality, legal entertainment.

Freevee
This is Amazon’s own free, ad-supported streaming service. It has a great selection of movies, TV series, and original shows. It is completely free and legal, making it a fantastic addition.

YouTube
The official YouTube app needs no introduction. It gives you access to millions of videos, from music and gaming to tutorials and documentaries.

Common Risks & Safety Tips

Jailbreaking is very safe if you follow the rules. But you should know about small potential risks.

The main risk comes from where you get your apps. Downloading APK files from unreliable websites can sometimes bring malware. This is harmful software that could slow your device down or cause problems.

Sometimes, an app from an unofficial source might not be well-made. It could crash, freeze, or cause video buffering.

Here are simple safety tips to stay secure:

Use trusted websites only. Only download APK files from the official website of the app (like kodi.tv) or from major, reputable tech websites you know.
Keep your Fire TV Stick updated. Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates regularly. Updates fix security issues and improve performance.
Uninstall apps you don’t use. This keeps your device running quickly and frees up storage space.
Consider a VPN for privacy. A VPN can protect your online privacy. However, never use a VPN to try to access geo-blocked paid content illegally.

Fire TV Stick Jailbreak FAQs

Is jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick free?
Yes, it is completely free. You do not pay for software, codes, or guides. You are just using a free app and a setting on your own device.

Can Amazon block a jailbroken Fire TV Stick?
No, Amazon cannot and does not block your device for enabling “Unknown Sources.” It is a user-controlled setting. They may block specific illegal apps from working on their platform, but they will not disable your Fire Stick.

Does jailbreaking slow down a Fire TV Stick?
Enabling the setting itself does not slow it down. However, if you install many resource-heavy apps or a poorly coded app, that could use memory and make the device feel slower.

Can I reverse the jailbreak?
Yes, instantly. Just go back to Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options and turn “Apps from Unknown Sources” OFF. This will prevent new third-party installs, and you can then uninstall any apps you added.

Is Kodi legal in the UK?
Yes, the Kodi software is 100% legal. It is just a media player. It only becomes illegal if you add third-party add-ons that provide access to stolen movies or live TV streams. Always use add-ons from Kodi’s official repository.

Conclusion

Jailbreaking your Fire TV Stick is a legal, free, and simple process that many UK users enjoy. It unlocks more apps and gives you greater flexibility with your device.

By following the easy steps to enable “Unknown Sources,” you can explore a wider world of legal streaming. You can customise your device to work the way you want, all without any cost.

We encourage safe and responsible streaming. Use your jailbroken Fire TV Stick to enjoy the vast amount of fantastic free and legal content available. Have fun discovering everything your little device can do