Jailbreaking a Firestick: Is it Safe and Legal?

Amazon first introduced Firestick in 2014 as a smaller dongle of the Fire TV. Since then, the device has been widely popular, granting access to media and entertainment beyond cable and smart TVs. Fire TV stick is portable, slots easily into a TV’s HDMI port, and has an easy configuration procedure.

Firestick’s content library is massive, with access to popular streaming platforms and channels like Netflix and Sky Sports. Nonetheless, jailbreaking the device can still expand your content offering or customize your viewing experience.

Have you been wondering how to jailbreak your Firestick? This article simplifies the process and answers commonly asked questions.

What is Firestick?

Firestick, or Fire TV stick, is a device for streaming different categories and genres of content. An Amazon product, Firestick, can help you stream high-quality movies, videos, documentaries, and sports. You can also listen to music and install apps on the device.

A typical Firestick device can operate platforms like Netflix, HBO, Hulu, ESPN, YouTube, and Prime Video. The contents on Firestick are high definition and can reach display quality of up to 4k.

How Does Firestick Work?

To begin using Firestick, you simply have to insert it into the HDMI port of your television. Connect it to a power outlet to turn it on and access the Firestick device. Use the remote to move through the device’s set-up process and connect it to WiFi.

With a connection established successfully, download streaming apps and start watching movies or sports videos as you wish. In a typical Firestick pack, you’ll find the device, a USB cable, a remote, and the parts you need to start streaming.

Firestick compact’s design enables it to conceal itself effectively at the back of your TV set. Some models come prepacked with an HDMI extender if you’ve exhausted your TV’s HDMI ports. This helps you connect multiple HDMI devices and provides a better signal for streaming.

What is Jailbreaking?

Jailbreaking is simply the process of freeing an electronic device from the restrictions that its manufacturer has placed on it. For example, suppose the manufacturer has programmed the device to run certain apps and services. By jailbreaking it, you can download unauthorized apps on it.

Firestick, by default, has a list of authorized and approved apps with which it is compatible. There are hundreds of these apps, and you can install any of them from the Amazon store on the device.

Popular streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime are readily available in the store. There are less common ones, such as Haystack, CBS Sports, and Viva TV.

Considering the number of apps you can install on Firestick, it may look like you’re making the most of your device. However, it is capable of so much more. With a jailbroken Firestick, you can install apps beyond the Amazon store and stream unlimited content online.

How to Jailbreak a Firestick? – Simple steps

Here’s a step-by-step process of how to jailbreak Firestick:

1. Start from Your Firestick TV Home Screen

Before jailbreaking, confirm that you have correctly connected Firestick and the device is on and working. Then, visit your device’s home screen. Do note that your home screen’s display may appear different depending on the OS version of your device.

2. Select Find, then Search

On the home screen, tap on Find at the bottom of the screen. This should show a search bar with the word Search on it.

3. In the Search Window, Type Downloader and Click on it in the Search Suggestions

Click on the search bar and attempt to type Downloader. As you complete the word, Firestick should show a list of suggestions. In these suggestions, select Downloader.

4. Select the Downloader Icon on the Next Screen

The downloader app icon should be the first thing you see when the device finishes loading. Tap on it to see the app details and confirm whether it’s your desired app.

5. In the Following Window, Select Download or Get

In the next screen, find the word Download to save the app file onto your device.

6. Wait for Firestick to Download the App, then Click Open to Launch it

Depending on your internet speed, the app may take time to download. Wait for the download to be completed, then click “Open” to launch the app.

7. Select Allow when the App Prompts You for Permissions

Downloader may display numerous prompts the first time you use the app; dismiss all. However, if the app requests permissions, ensure you allow those.

The process above only shows how to install Downloader on your Firestick. With the app on your device, you still need to enable it for jailbreaking or sideloading. Below are the steps to achieve that:

1. Turn on your device and visit Firestick’s home screen.
2. Tap the cog or gear icon to open Settings. You can generally find this icon in the middle bar on the far right of your home screen.
3. Find and click My Fire TV.
4. Tap Developer Options on the following screen.
5. Under Developer Options, turn on ADB debugging. With this feature enabled, Firestick lets you install apps from trusted and untrusted sources.
6. Below ADB debugging, you’ll also find Install unknown apps. This feature will let Downloader install applications outside the Amazon app store.
7. Click Downloader on the next screen and turn it on.
8. Use Firestick’s remote to go back to the settings screen. While there, tap Preferences.
9. Tap Privacy Settings.
10. Set Device usage data and turn off Collect app usage data to stop sharing usage data with Amazon.
11. Go back to the Preferences screen by pressing back on your remote control.
12. Find Data usage monitoring and turn it off.

With these settings in place, you have successfully jailbroken Firestick. You don’t need to override the device’s OS or change the system settings. By carefully following the steps above, you can install any desired app on Firestick and stream content for as long as you want.

Is it Safe to Jailbreak a Firestick?

It’s perfectly safe to jailbreak Firestick as you’re only tweaking the device’s system settings. This is different from jailbreaking an iPhone or rooting an Android phone. It doesn’t cause your device to crash frequently or cause software update issues.

Note that you should be careful with the apps you install on your Firestick TV. Certain illegal Firestick apps can be malware disguised as streaming platforms. Having these apps can compromise your privacy and harm your device.

Apps in the Amazon store have been thoroughly checked and carry fewer risks than sideloaded apps. Jailbreak apps can contain programs that enable a third party to steal your credentials and subscribe to services without your permission.

Is a Jailbroken Firestick Illegal?

Jailbreaking a Firestick isn’t illegal, as the device is your property. Countries generally don’t have Firestick laws in their statutes where jailbreaking can become a crime.

However, you should be cautious with the activities or apps that you download on your device. Check the free apps you’re downloading and confirm they do not break copyright laws.

Streaming platforms that show movies and series, such as Netflix and Hulu, have obtained their licenses. This is usually not the case with free streaming platforms, which can be a case of piracy. You may be the subject of a lawsuit if law enforcement agencies discover you’re watching pirated movies.

How to Use a Jailbroken Firestick

Using a jailbroken Firestick TV is similar to using a regular one. You plug your device into a TV set, then connect it to a power outlet to turn it on.

Your device still needs a stable connection to the internet for uninterrupted streaming access. The main difference is that, with jailbroken Firestick, there’s an expansive list of channels and content.

Jailbroken Firestick Channels and Jailbroken Firestick Apps

To enjoy your jailbroken Firestick, you need to have the right apps. You must assemble your apps list correctly to maximize your device and access varying content and channels. Below are recommended channels and apps for a jailbroken Firestick:

Kodi

Kodi is majorly responsible for the popularity and spreading of jailbreaking on Firestick. To understand why this is, you first need to know what Kodi is and how helpful it is to Firestick users.

Kodi is an all-in-one platform for all entertainment needs. It’s a free and publicly available software program that enhances the viewing experience for Firestick users. You can use Kodi to watch or listen to popular media and entertainment, such as music, movies, tv shows, and games.

The app achieves this through the use of add-ons that, together, make Kodi a must-have app. Below are some of Kodi’s add-ons:

• Asgard: Formerly called Odin. This add-on categorizes content on Kodi, such as movies, series, news, entertainment, and sports. It’s free and works best with premium services, such as AllDebrid
• The crew: This is another add-on with an easy-to-use interface. Like Asgard, it helps you stream movies, TV series, kids’ shows, and sports.
• 4K: As the name suggests, 4K is perfect for owners of televisions with 4K display capabilities. It helps you find 4K movies and TV shows and easily stream them while saving excess costs.
• Apex Sports: Sports fans will find this Kodi add-on very useful. Although there are numerous Kodi sports add-ons, Apex Sports is one of the best in content quality and number of channels. With this add-on, you can watch live matches, view replays, and see the highlights of your favorite sports leagues.
• TVone: This add-on helps watch live channels on Kodi. You can view various TV shows and programs on your Firestick device in any desired language.
• Sportowa: This is another sport-focused add-on for Kodi. It pulls links from live sports websites like Sport 365, LiveLooker, and Crickfree. This enables it to show various live matches and results across many sports leagues.

BeeTV

BeeTV is a video-on-demand app with an extensive catalog of movies and TV shows. All of its hosted videos are high quality, sourced from file-hosting websites.

After importing a link from a hosted website, the app automatically sorts it into different categories. This way, you can easily find any movie or TV series you’ve previously watched. BeeTV also imports HD posters so that you can quickly check available content.

Cinema HD

Cinema HD is a highly-recommended app for a jailbroken Fire TV stick. It provides an enjoyable streaming experience due to its expansive catalog of movies, TV shows, and other video content.

Like BeeTV, this app also pulls links from various file-hosting websites online. It supports well-known media players, such as VLC and MX players. This helps you add subtitles to your videos and perform other actions for a better viewing experience.

Fox Sports Go

If you need a sports-dedicated app for Firestick, you should give Fox Sports Go a chance. This app or channel helps you access live matches, catch up with recent events in the sports arena, and follow your favorite teams.

Ola TV

Ola TV doesn’t pull links from file-hosting websites; its catalog and available channels are unmatched. This app brings over 13,000 channels from the US, USA, Brazil, and other locations worldwide to your Firestick device.

The developers also work round the clock to keep the app functional and running. Currently, it has multiple servers so that if, by chance, one goes down, the others don’t. This helps you have an uninterrupted streaming experience.

Stremio

If you’re exploring Firestick for exciting movies and shows, consider having Stremio on your device. This app arranges content in categories, such as Top Movies, Movies by Rating, Top Series, Series by Rating, and public domain movies. It also lets you create a library of your favorite films separate from all these sections.

You can choose a language within the app’s interface, install add-ons, and turn on subtitles to stream all TV shows and movies. However, Stremio uses Torrents to stream, and it’s advisable to connect first to a VPN to encrypt your data.

Syncler

Syncler is similar to Stremio because both don’t have built-in link scrapers. Link or web scraping means extracting data from a different website to use on another platform.

Both also group videos, movies, and shows into various categories. These categories include Aired Recently, Airing Today, Popular in 2024, Popular in Animation, Popular in Comedy, and others.

Syncler also has other helpful, attractive features that make viewing enjoyable. It presents movies in tiles that, once you open, you see every available information, including the synopsis, trailers, and ratings.

Can You Use VPN on a Jailbroken Firestick?

Yes, you can use VPN on a jailbroken Firestick, and we highly recommend that you do. A jailbroken Firestick opens access to unverified apps and services unavailable on the Amazon store. You also gain access to unauthorized content through unapproved means.

This could lead to data breaches, invasion of harmful content, and the commencement of data monitoring and tracking by ISPs. To protect your device and ensure your privacy, consider using a VPN.

High-quality VPNs such as ExtremeVPN can safeguard your devices when you set them up on your home router. If you only want to protect Firestick, you can download a VPN by following these steps:

• On Firestick’s home page, go to Find and select Search.
• Type the name of the desired VPN into the search bar and click it when it shows up.
• Click Download to install the app on Firestick.

VPNs create a secure tunnel between your device and a server that encrypts all incoming and outgoing traffic. This makes it hard for any snooper to tell where you’re browsing from or who you are.

Premium VPNs also have malware blockers that scan your downloaded applications for viruses. Properly configuring your VPN reduces most risks associated with using a jailbroken Firestick.

Conclusion

Firestick is a helpful device offering content that may not be on traditional, cable, and smart TVs. Jailbreaking this device removes many restrictions, enabling you to expand your content catalog further.

You should, however, be careful of data breaches and data monitoring by third parties. So, if you decide to jailbreak Firestick, first have a high-quality VPN, such as ExtremeVPN active. This can safeguard you from harm.

FAQs

Jailbreaking Firestick: can you do it yourself?

Jailbreaking Firestick isn’t complicated and doesn’t require a computer expert. All you need is internet access and your Firestick TV remote. We’ve outlined the steps for a successful jailbreaking earlier in this guide. Be sure to follow that carefully to avoid any issues.

Can a jailbroken Firestick be tracked?

After jailbreaking Firestick, you expose yourself to data breaches and privacy invasion without protecting yourself and your device. The government, ISPs, and other snoopers may be on the lookout for your activities. For this reason, you must always protect yourself with a VPN.

Can I buy a jailbroken Firestick?

Are you wondering, “Is selling jailbroken Firestick illegal?” NO, buying or selling a jailbroken Firestick isn’t illegal. However, we don’t recommend this as you don’t know why the other person wants to sell their device. Instead, get a new one and change its factory settings to enable it to sideload.

How much does it cost to jailbreak a Firestick?

If someone asks you to pay to jailbreak Firestick, they’re probably trying to scam you. Jailbreaking Firestick using Downloader is free, and you can do it yourself. If the downloader app isn’t available in your region, you may first use a VPN to switch to a region where it’s available. Alternatively, you can use the ES File Explorer. This, however, isn’t free since you need a paid subscription that costs $9.99/month.

Can you buy a Firestick for any TV?

The only requirement for any TV to use Firestick is to be HDMI-enabled. Check your TV for an HDMI port. If it has one, then it is compatible with Firestick.

Do I have to jailbreak Firestick to use Kodi?

Kodi isn’t currently available on the Amazon store, so it falls under unknown apps. To use these apps, you must first jailbreak Firestick. Once you have Kodi, you can install its different add-ons. However, note that some of these add-ons don’t follow copyright laws, and using them may be illegal.

Is jailbreaking a firestick safe?

It is safe to jailbreak a Firestick as you only set up some apps on the device without making amendments to the operating system or system files. However, you must verify the applications you install on the device. Some unprotected third-party apps may cause risks to your privacy and security.