PSA: Fix For Firestick

VPN
1

EDIT: Alternatively, if you use Aptoide, you can also install it that way instead of using Downloader.

Edit 2 - 07/17/23 10:07PM EDT

I found out the main reason the PIA app is broken is because the newer Fire devices that are newer than the 2018 FS4K are running newer versions of Fire OS, which PIA doesn’t fully support. This is why, among other thing, there’s the weird spinning circle that never goes away. It’s simply a visual bug. As for why OpenVPN a doesn’t work on the “official” app, could likely be the same reason.

Edit 3 - 07/19/23 4:23AM EDT

I’m done with PIA. It disconnected on me randomly, and the app locked up. I’m sticking with my arguably much cheaper smart DNS.

Recently, I made a post about how the Fire Stick app was a scam, since it didn’t work with OpenVPN.

Well, I found a solution that works, albeit some weird side-effects. For this, we will be bypassing the Amazon App Store, since that version of the app is broken. I am well aware you can use Wireguard, but I’ve found that protocol causes things not to work correctly for me, and OpenVPN is better for everything.

To get started, you must install the Downloader app. This is the only time you’ll use the Amazon App Store. Once you do that, go into your Fire Stick’s settings under the dev options and allow installations via Downloader/unknown sources.

If you don’t have dev options, click the model name of your device 7 times to unlock it.

Now, in Downloader, you’ll want to input the following code: 48649

Install it, and log in. The side-effect you will notice is a green spinning circle overlayed on the server list and connect button. You can safely ignore this! The VPN will connect just fine.

Hope this helps!

2

I’ve been using OpenVPN on my FireTV devices, including FS4K, for years with no trouble. I recently switched to Wireguard, which also works flawlessly for me, but OpenVPN continues to work fine on my Firestick. Screw “Downloader”, I just sideload the standard Android app from Google Play.

3

Finally found a way to get PIA working on fire-stick again. I can confirm side-loaded with downloader code above is working! I have been without PIA for over a year. Glad I found this post.

Thank You!

4

If GP is available on your device, more power to ya! Sadly, the Fire devices don’t fall into that category, and as I stated in the OP, the Amazon version of PIA is broken. Someone on this sub confirmed side-loading the app directly from the website (which is where the Downloader code redirects) works, and appears to be much newer as well.

5

Great to hear! I gave up on these guys over a year ago at this point.

6

Do you enable small packets in VPN setting to work with firestick mine keeps buffering because VPN keeps disconnecting

7

I unfortunately bought a three year licence just before it quit working on firestick. It’s frustrating being blocked everytime I try to Google something on PIA. I’ve been running PIA since 2015 and it’s basically useless to me now.

Google VPN was great but it was recently discontinued. In the market for a good VPN that isn’t blocked everywhere including Google.