Fire TV Sticks are nearing a major inflection point, and it all started last year when Amazon introduced Vega OS, its new Linux-based operating system.
For more than a decade, Fire TV Sticks have run Fire OS, an Android-based operating system that gives users plenty of freedom to customize their streaming experience, including sideloading Android apps and installing custom launchers.
But when Amazon unveiled Vega OS last year and launched it first on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, it quickly became clear what its biggest issue was: it doesn’t support sideloading, custom launchers, or many of the thousands of Android apps available on Android-based Fire TV Sticks, since it’s Linux-based.
Amazon wasn’t shy about this controversial change, either, saying it made the switch intentionally for “enhanced security” purposes. But for many users, the Android experience is what made Fire TV Sticks so appealing in the first place.
To quell concerns about Vega OS, Amazon said it was now a “multi-OS company” and would develop both Vega OS and Fire OS simultaneously. And, in all fairness, that’s exactly what it has done, releasing major updates, including the new Fire TV user interface, for both operating systems this year.
But when Amazon announced the new Fire TV Stick HD in April, it also confirmed something many expected was coming: all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS. In other words, the Android era of Fire TV Sticks is coming to an end.
Here’s when new Fire TV Sticks might arrive, what this means for your current device, and the one device I’m particularly holding out hope for that could still run Fire OS.
Time is running out for Android Fire TV Sticks
Amazon could release new Vega OS models at any time
Right now, Amazon sells four different Fire TV Stick models: the HD, 4K Select, 4K Plus, and 4K Max. The HD and 4K Select run Vega OS, while the 4K Plus and 4K Max still run Android-based Fire OS.
Since Amazon has said all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS, that means whenever the company eventually releases new versions of the 4K Plus and 4K Max, both will run Vega OS instead of Fire OS. That would effectively mark the end of Amazon selling Android-based Fire TV Sticks.
As for when that could happen, Amazon has a history of announcing new products toward the end of September, so it’s entirely possible we could see new models within the next couple of weeks. But that’s just speculation on my part, and Amazon hasn’t officially announced anything yet. Even if it doesn’t happen this fall, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and 4K Max are now three years old, so both are due for a refresh sooner rather than later.
Your Android Fire Stick will continue to receive updates
Amazon isn’t ending support anytime soon
One concern I’ve seen about Vega OS is what it means for existing devices. For example, if you already have a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, will it eventually be updated to Vega OS?
Simply put, the answer is no, because Amazon doesn’t update the underlying OS version on its devices. In other words, if your Fire TV Stick is running Fire OS 7 or Fire OS 8, it will stay on that version of Android, keep working just fine, and won’t magically update to Vega OS one day.
As for how long Amazon will support its older Android-based Fire TV Sticks, the good news is that it will be quite a while. According to Amazon’s support page, the company will continue supporting the following Android-based Fire TV Sticks until December 31, 2030:
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation)
- Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Generation)
- Fire TV Stick HD (1st Generation)
- Fire TV Stick Lite
- Fire TV Stick (3rd Generation)
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Generation)
- Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation)
- Fire TV Stick 4K (1st Generation)
Quiz
Fire TV Stick history
Trivia challenge
From its 2014 debut to 4K streaming dominance — how well do you really know Amazon’s Fire TV Stick?
HistoryHardwareStreamingFeaturesAmazon
In what year did Amazon first release the original Fire TV Stick?
Correct! Amazon launched the original Fire TV Stick in November 2014, initially as an invitation-only product before making it widely available. It was designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the full Fire TV box released earlier that same year.
Not quite. Amazon launched the Fire TV Stick in November 2014, following the debut of the larger Fire TV set-top box earlier that year. It quickly became one of the best-selling streaming devices on the market.
Which port does the Fire TV Stick plug into on your television?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick connects directly into an HDMI port on your TV, making it incredibly simple to set up. A separate USB cable is also included to provide power to the device.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick uses an HDMI connection to plug directly into your television. This design keeps the device compact and ensures compatibility with virtually any modern TV.
Which Fire TV Stick model was the first to support 4K Ultra HD streaming?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick 4K, released in October 2018, was the first stick-form-factor Fire TV device to support 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It was a significant upgrade over the standard stick lineup.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick 4K, launched in 2018, was the first in the stick lineup to offer 4K Ultra HD support along with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. Earlier stick models were capped at 1080p Full HD.
What is the name of Amazon’s voice assistant built into the Fire TV Stick remote?
Correct! Amazon’s own voice assistant, Alexa, is integrated into the Fire TV Stick remote, allowing users to search for content, control smart home devices, check the weather, and more using just their voice.
Not quite. Amazon built its own voice assistant, Alexa, into the Fire TV Stick remote. Alexa lets you search for content hands-free, control compatible smart home devices, and access a wide range of skills beyond just streaming.
What is the name of Amazon’s own free streaming service that comes pre-installed on Fire TV Sticks?
Correct! Amazon Freevee (previously known as IMDb TV) is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service that comes pre-loaded on Fire TV devices. It offers a wide library of movies and TV shows at no subscription cost.
Not quite. Amazon Freevee, formerly called IMDb TV, is Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service that comes built into Fire TV Sticks. While Prime Video requires a subscription, Freevee is completely free to watch with ads.
Which budget-focused Fire TV Stick model was introduced in 2020, featuring a simplified remote without TV controls?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick Lite launched in 2020 as Amazon’s most affordable streaming stick. Its remote omits the dedicated TV power and volume buttons found on standard Fire TV remotes, keeping costs down for budget-conscious buyers.
Not quite. Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick Lite in 2020 as its entry-level streaming stick. The Lite version’s remote drops the TV control buttons to reduce the price, making it an attractive option for first-time streamers.
Before being rebranded, what was the original name of the Fire TV Stick’s operating system?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick runs Fire OS, Amazon’s own operating system that is based on Android but heavily customised with Amazon’s own apps, services, and interface. It has been the backbone of all Fire TV devices since launch.
Not quite. Fire TV Sticks have always run Fire OS, Amazon’s forked version of Android that replaces Google’s services with Amazon’s own ecosystem. Despite its Android roots, Fire OS looks and behaves quite differently from standard Android TV.
Which connectivity standard did the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Gen, 2021) introduce to the Fire TV Stick lineup for the first time?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick 4K Max launched in 2021 as the first Fire TV Stick to support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), offering faster and more reliable wireless connectivity compared to previous models. It also featured a more powerful processor than the standard 4K stick.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max, released in 2021, made history as the first Fire TV Stick to include Wi-Fi 6 support. This newer wireless standard delivers improved speeds and better performance in homes with many connected devices.
Your Score
/ 8
Thanks for playing!
Fire OS will live on
A new Fire TV Cube could still run Fire OS
Just because all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS doesn’t mean Fire OS is disappearing entirely. As I mentioned earlier, Amazon said it’s now a “multi-OS company,” so it’s continuing to develop both Vega OS and Fire OS, with Fire OS still being used on its smart TVs.
Amazon has said that Fire OS 16, which is based on Android 16, is currently in development. In a recent email to developers, reported by AFTV News, the company said, “As we approach the launch of new Fire TV devices running on Fire OS 16…,” while encouraging developers to update their apps.
In other words, Amazon appears to be gearing up to release new smart TVs running Fire OS 16.
But there’s one device in particular that I’m holding out hope for: the Fire TV Cube, Amazon’s set-top streaming device. The last time Amazon released a new Fire TV Cube was back in 2022, and the company hasn’t said anything about what the future holds for it.
Since Amazon has only said that future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS, that gives me at least a glimmer of hope that a new Fire TV Cube could still run Fire OS rather than Vega OS. And with Fire OS 16 on the way, I’d sure love to see a new Fire TV Cube among the devices running it. That said, given Amazon’s big push toward Vega OS, I wouldn’t be surprised if that doesn’t happen. But I’m still holding out hope.
Overall, while it sucks that we won’t ever see a new Android-based Fire TV Stick again, the good news is that most of the latest Android Fire TV Sticks will continue to be supported for years to come and should keep working just fine.
As for the Fire TV Cube, Amazon hasn’t said anything about its future, so there’s still a possibility that a new model, if one ever arrives, could continue to run Fire OS. Amazon also has a history of announcing new devices in the fall, so it’s possible we could hear more about its plans very soon.
