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Fire TV Sticks are getting a software overhaul. Amazon's newest streaming stick runs Vega OS instead of the Android-based Fire OS that's powered Fire TV devices for years. All future Fire TV Sticks will ship with this new Linux-based system.
If you already own a Fire TV Stick running Android, this news might sound worrying. Will your device stop working? Will apps stop getting updates? Fortunately, Amazon has committed to supporting existing Fire TV Sticks through December 31, 2030.
Article continues belowFire TV Sticks supported through December 31, 2030
Amazon maintains a public list of devices that will receive ongoing software and security updates. Almost every Fire TV Stick released in the past five years appears on it.
Supported models through December 2030:
- Fire TV Stick 4K Select
- Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max (both generations)
- Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Generation)
- Fire TV Stick HD (both generations)
- Fire TV Stick Lite
- Fire TV Stick (3rd Generation)
- Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation)
One model gets less support: the original 2018 Fire TV Stick 4K only receives updates through December 31, 2029, one year shorter than the rest.
Support through 2030 means your Fire TV Stick will continue downloading app updates, receiving security patches, and staying compatible with streaming services.
How to identify your Fire TV Stick model
Not sure which Fire TV Stick you own? Your device settings show the exact model.
Navigate to Settings by either pressing the gear icon on the remote or pressing the home button and heading there from the main screen.
Once in Settings, select My Fire TV, then choose About. Select "Fire TV" to view device information.
The "Device Type" field displays your Fire TV Stick model name. Match this against the supported models list above to confirm your support timeline.
What the software change actually means
Previously, Fire OS let you install Android apps from outside Amazon's Appstore. Vega doesn't. If Amazon hasn't approved it, you can't have it. Amazon calls this a security and anti-piracy improvement; skeptics might call it a tighter-walled garden.
Previously, Fire OS let you install Android apps from outside Amazon's Appstore. Vega doesn't.
For most users, it's a non-issue. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube — they're all in the Appstore. You'd only feel the loss if you relied on niche apps or workarounds to install unauthorized software.
Your existing Fire TV Stick will continue working normally through the end of 2030. Apps update, streaming works, nothing changes day-to-day. Vega only ships on new devices going forward. After December 31, 2030, Android-based Fire TV Sticks lose official support which could open up security vulnerabilities.
It's worth noting that Amazon's unusually specific public support timeline probably isn't altruism. The company is currently facing litigation over how long older Fire TV devices received updates. Click the link to see what's going on there.
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