Fire TV Stick 4K Select — Jellyfin Not Supported / Sideload Blocked

[ca2ju]

Hi everyone,
I want to report a compatibility issue that affects the new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2024/2025).
This device cannot run Jellyfin OR any sideloaded Android media apps, and they are also blocked in the Amazon Appstore.

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❗ Symptoms confirmed

• Jellyfin shows: “Not compatible with your device”
  
• Downloader app is missing from Amazon Appstore
  
• Developer Options do not appear
  
• Apps from Unknown Sources is removed/hidden
  
• APK sideloading is blocked or fails silently
  

This affects more than just Jellyfin — multiple streaming apps outside Amazon’s whitelist fail to install.

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🔍 Likely cause
Community findings indicate that Fire OS 1.1 (on the 4K Select) is not full Android anymore, but a restricted fork (often called Vega OS).
It seems Amazon is applying:

• Stricter DRM/certification requirements
  
• Blocking of unapproved media apps
  
• Major sideloading restrictions
  

Multiple users report this is part of a new crackdown by Amazon.

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📡 Sources / community reports

• https://www.reddit.com/r/fireTV/comments/1omjapk/amazon_to_start_blocking_sideloaded_piracy_apps
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/fireTV/comments/1onr28w/firestick_4k_select
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Stremio/comments/1p1m0em/new_firestick_os_doesnt_allow_for_sideloading
  

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📌 Tested devices
Device
ResultFire TV Stick 4K Select (Fire OS 1.1)
❌ Not compatible

Older Fire TV Stick 4K
✔ Works normally
Region tested: Canada
Server connections: Local + Remote both tested

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✔ Temporary workaround
Use Jellyfin via browser:
Silk Browser →
http://YOUR-SERVER-IP:8096

Works for playback, but missing the full Android TV UI.

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🧭 Purpose of this thread

• Centralize info for Jellyfin users/devs
  
• Prevent others from buying unsupported hardware
  
• Track status if Amazon/Jellyfin adds compatibility later
  
• Share any successful sideload workaround if discovered
  

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🙏 Request for updates
If anyone has:

• Found a safe way to enable sideloading on Fire OS 1.1
  
• Managed to run Jellyfin on the 4K Select
  
• Additional technical details about Vega OS
  

Please share here so we can keep users informed.

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Thanks!
This research and testing was done by me (a human), but the final text was written with AI assistance for clarity.