I think it’s fair to say this has been a pretty significant year for Fire TV Sticks. It all started at CES 2026 in January, when Amazon unveiled its biggest Fire TV update ever. The update included a completely redesigned Fire TV user interface and performance improvements, which began rolling out in February for Fire TV Sticks. Amazon also released a revamped Fire TV mobile app in March.
Then, in April, Amazon announced a refreshed Fire TV Stick HD with a new slim design that runs its new operating system, Vega OS. The move proved controversial among Fire TV users, largely because Vega is Linux-based and doesn’t support sideloading.
Things got even more interesting shortly afterward, when Amazon announced that all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS. In other words, the end of Android-based Fire TV Sticks is coming soon. And given Amazon’s history of announcing new devices in September, speculation is growing that we could see more Vega OS-powered Fire TV Sticks sooner rather than later.
But before Amazon potentially unveils any new devices, it has unexpectedly launched something it has never offered Fire TV users before: a new program that lets them help shape the future of Fire TV.
Amazon has launched a new Fire TV Beta Access Program
You can now test future Fire TV updates
For a long time, other streaming platforms like Google TV and Apple TV have offered users a way to test future updates before they roll out to everyone. This gives users a chance to test new features, provide feedback, and help identify bugs that need fixing before an update is released. But Amazon has never offered anything like that for Fire TV. That is, until now.
Amazon has quietly launched a new Fire TV Beta Access Program, which lets Fire TV users “try new Fire TV software before it’s released to all customers” (via AFTV News).
The beta program is currently limited to users in the US and “select Fire TV models,” although Amazon doesn’t specify exactly which models are included.
To check if you’re eligible to join the Fire TV Beta Access Program, go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Beta Access on your device and enroll in the program. Amazon says that if you don’t see the option, your device isn’t eligible yet.
If you can enroll, your device will update to the latest beta version within 24 hours.
Oddly enough, Amazon hasn’t said exactly what new features this beta program will include, or even what the beta is for at this point. It’s possible the company is simply launching the program ahead of time so that way it’s ready to go whenever it announces its next major Fire TV update.
As I mentioned earlier, Amazon has a history of announcing new devices in September, so perhaps another major Fire TV update could be coming alongside any new Fire TV Sticks. But that’s just speculation on my part for now, and Amazon hasn’t officially announced any plans for new products yet.
If you’re interested in trying out the Fire TV beta, you can check your Fire TV Stick now to see if you’re eligible. Amazon has also launched a new Fire TV beta forum on its website, which includes an FAQ if you have any questions about the program.
