How to install a VPN on an Amazon Firestick

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In addition to protecting your privacy, virtual private networks (VPNs) allow you to trick websites into thinking you're in another country, giving you access to a wealth of geo-specific content.

To watch TV shows and movies on Amazon outside your region, you can install a VPN on your Amazon Fire TV Stick, and there are several methods to do so. In this article, we will cover both methods.

The easiest route is to download VPN apps from the Fire TV Stick's built-in app store. Depending on the version of Firestick you have, you may see different VPNs. We'll use ExpressVPN in our examples because it's available in the Amazon App Store, but we can also show you how to sideload the app.

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How to Install a VPN on a Fire Stick from the App Store

As mentioned earlier, this is the easiest way to install a VPN on your Firestick. The ExpressVPN app is available on all FireTV devices and 2nd generation Firestick devices and above. Here's how to install a VPN on your Firestick if it has a dedicated app.

1. To install an app, go to the Fire TV Stick homepage on your TV or device and click Apps. Find your VPN. Then use your remote to highlight and click Download.
   
2. During installation, click Log in and enter your email and password. Then go through the pop-ups.
   
3. Click on Okay to configure your VPN. Then click Okay again to confirm the connection request.
   
4. Now you can tap the power icon to connect your Fire TV device to your VPN. You can also choose the Current location box to change your location.

Using this method, a key icon will appear on your Firestick whenever the VPN is connected. Keep in mind that the setup steps may vary depending on the VPN service you are using.

How to Load a VPN on Your Firestick

Some VPN apps may not be available on the Amazon App Store. Luckily, you're not completely unlucky. Sideloading means you can install software bypassing App Store limitations. In this section, we will show you how to install a VPN on your Firestick.

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First of all, we will have to enable permissions to allow unknown applications. You can do this by following the Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options path. Then you click on Applications from unknown sources. Activate the switch.

Once USB debugging and permissions to allow apps from unknown sources are enabled, go to App Store and download Downloader. This application will allow us to install your VPN.

Once you've installed Downloader, you can install a VPN on your Fire TV Stick just like you would from the standard App Store. For this example, we're going with ExpressVPN. Notes: You will need to contact your VPN provider to obtain the .APK URL needed to perform the following steps.

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1. Open the downloader and click Allow to allow the app to access the Firestick. Then enter the URL in the pop-up window.
   
2. Click on Go and install the .APK file from the Downloads folder.
3. Go to your settings on Fire TV Stick, click Apps, Manage all installed apps, find your VPN in the list and follow the instructions to install it.

The next step – which can actually be done at any time before – is to change your location on Amazon. Installing some VPN apps should circumvent the need to do this, but not all apps do this with the same level of success, so this is a useful step.

To watch US Amazon Prime content in the UK, for example, go to Amazon UK, log in to your account and click Your Account in the top right corner. Scroll down to Digital content and select Manage your content and devices.

Launch OpenVPN, or your VPN of choice, and select a VPN location from the list that matches your Amazon location address. You are now ready to use the VPN. Press the home button on your Fire TV Stick remote to access the content menu.

Warning: Watching content from a country you don't live in is technically against various sites' terms and conditions, and you'll be liable if you're caught doing so. It is also illegal to access copyrighted material without permission.