Amazon has officially confirmed that future Fire TV Stick devices will no longer support sideloading of Android apps or third-party software. The restriction applies to all new models running the company’s proprietary operating system, Vega OS.
The update was quietly added to Amazon’s developer website, where it now states:
Starting with Fire TV Stick 4K Select [released in October], all future Fire TV Sticks will run on Vega.
According to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, this wording has been present on the site since at least January 2024. However, Amazon had not previously communicated this change directly to consumers.
Many users are only now discovering Amazon’s commitment to its new operating system, which replaces the traditional Android-based Fire OS. The move aligns with Amazon’s broader strategy to tighten control over its ecosystem.
Despite the lack of an official public announcement, multiple sources with knowledge of Amazon’s plans confirmed to Lowpass that all future Fire TV Stick models will launch exclusively with Vega OS. When contacted for comment, Amazon declined to respond.
Related articles
Musk vs. Altman Trial: Closing Arguments Reveal Legal Missteps and Evidence Mount
Today was closing arguments in the Musk v. Altman trial, and I almost feel bad writing about the unbelievable demolition derby I just witnessed. Steve...
Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses Now Support Gesture-Based Messaging in WhatsApp, Messenger, and More
Meta is rolling out new features to its Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, including bringing the ability to write messages just with hand gestures t...
Meta Expands Smart Glasses Capabilities with Third-Party Apps and Games
The $800 smart glasses could soon be a lot more useful.
Amazon’s Lord of the Rings MMO Delayed Again: What We Know So Far
It's still making a new game set in Middle-earth, though.
OpenAI Integrates Codex into ChatGPT Mobile App, Expanding AI Coding Capabilities
OpenAI is going to let users access Codex, its desktop AI tool that can write code and use apps on your computer, from the ChatGPT app on your phone....
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Hit Record-Low Prices During Meta’s Summer Sale
You can save over $50 on the latest pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which offer improved video quality and battery life. | Photo: Photo by Colt Bradley...
What Is HDMI ARC on Your TV? A Clear Explanation of Its Purpose and Benefits
The distinction between various flavors of HDMI can get a bit technical.
AMD to Expand FSR 4 Support to Older Radeon GPUs Starting July
When AMD announced version 4 of its FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) graphics upscaling technology early last year, it came with strings attached: Th...