How to Install and Use ExpressVPN on Amazon Fire Stick (2024)
Reading time: 12 min
Updated on December 22, 2024
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![Sayb Saad]()
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![Justyn Newman]()
Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Streaming on your Fire Stick should be smooth and hassle-free, but that’s not always the case. Slow loading, endless buffering, and sudden drops in quality can ruin your experience. To make it worse, your internet provider might throttle your speed when you’re streaming, leaving you frustrated and out of options.
ExpressVPN makes streaming easy and frustration-free on your Fire Stick. It’s fast, reliable, and has a native app for Fire Stick that’s super easy to set up. With its network of servers worldwide, you can stream global content on Amazon Fire Stick seamlessly. Plus, ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial so you can test it out on your Fire Stick before committing. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Full Guide: How to Install ExpressVPN on Fire Stick
- Download ExpressVPN — Click the magnifying glass on your Fire Stick’s interface, search for ExpressVPN, and download the app.
![Screenshot of how find ExpressVPN's app on Amazon App Store and download it on a Fire Stick]()
- Set up the VPN — Click ‘Sign In’ and enter your login details. ExpressVPN will ask for permission before setting up. Click ‘OK’ to provide the necessary permissions.
![Screenshot of ExpressVPN asking for permissions to work on Amazon Fire Stick after being installed]()
- Connect to a server — Pick a location from the list or let ExpressVPN find the best one for you automatically and hit the ‘Connect’ button.
![Screenshot showing how to select a server on ExpressVPN's Fire Stick app]()
Alternative Method: Sideload ExpressVPN on Fire Stick
First-generation Fire Sticks can’t run VPN apps due to limited processing power, so you won’t find ExpressVPN in the Amazon App Store. Instead, you’ll need to sideload it. Sideloading means installing ExpressVPN manually using an APK file — the standard file format Android devices use for installing apps. Here’s how you can do that:
- Enable Apps from unknown sources — Go to ‘Settings,’ click on ‘My Fire TV,’ and navigate to ‘Developer Options.’ Turn on ‘Apps from Unknown Sources.’
![Screenshot of apps from unknown sources enabled on Fire TV]()
- Install the Downloader app — Click the search icon on the home screen and type “Downloader.” Download and install this app on your Amazon Fire Stick.
![Screenshot of the Downloader app on the Amazon App Store]()
- Download ExpressVPN’s APK — Open the Downloader app and in the URL field, enter “https://www.expressvpn.com/latest/android” and click ‘Go.’ The APK file will start downloading.
- Install ExpressVPN — Once the download is complete, a prompt will appear. Select ‘Install.’ Once the installation is done, click ‘Open’ to launch the ExpressVPN app.
- Sign in and connect — Log in with your ExpressVPN credentials, allow the necessary permissions, and connect to a server.
How to Use ExpressVPN on Fire Stick Once It’s Installed
Once you’ve installed ExpressVPN on Amazon Fire Stick, you need to log in with your credentials. There are 3 ways to sign in:
- Sign in with the QR code — Open the ExpressVPN app on your Fire Stick to display a QR code. Scan it with your smartphone to log in via the ExpressVPN website or app. Once authenticated, your Fire Stick will automatically sign in.
- Sign in with activation code — Log in to your ExpressVPN account on a browser to get your unique activation code. Enter the code in the ExpressVPN app on your Fire Stick, and the app will verify and sign you in instantly.
- Sign in with remote — Open the ExpressVPN app, select the email and password option, and use the Fire Stick remote to enter your credentials. Press Sign In, and the app will verify your details to log you in.
Screencasting and Mirroring
Screencasting and mirroring let you display content from your phone, tablet, or computer on your TV using the Fire Stick. While the Fire Stick acts as the receiver, the device you’re casting from handles the actual connection.
- Screencasting — sends a video or app from your device to the Fire Stick so you can watch it on your TV. You can still use your device for other tasks while the video plays.
- Screen mirroring — shows your device’s entire screen on the TV in real-time, letting you display anything, from apps to presentations.
By using ExpressVPN on your casting device, you can ensure the content you’re streaming or mirroring is encrypted and secure, even if your Fire Stick itself doesn’t have a VPN installed. This way, you can enjoy more content while maintaining your privacy. Here are compatible platforms that support casting and mirroring with a VPN.
| Casting | Mirroring | |
| Android (with VPN) | ✘ | ✔ |
| Windows (with VPN) | ✔ (in Chromium-based browsers) | ✘ |
| iOS (with VPN) | ✘ | ✔ (via AirScreen) |
| Chromebook (with VPN) | ✘ | ✘ |
| Linux (with VPN) | ✘ | ✘ |
How to Enable Screencasting on Fire Stick
- Prepare your Fire Stick — Fire Stick automatically supports casting for compatible apps like YouTube and Netflix. Just ensure both devices are on the same WiFi network.
- Cast content — Open a screencast-compatible app on your phone or tablet. Tap the cast icon in the app. It’s a rectangle with WiFi waves. From the list of available devices, select your Fire Stick. The video or content will play directly on your TV while you can continue using your device for other tasks.
How to Set Up Mirroring on Your Device
- Enable Display Mirroring — Go to ‘Settings’ then ‘Display & Sounds’ on your Fire Stick. Select ‘Enable Display Mirroring.’ A standby screen will appear, showing your Fire Stick is ready to connect.
![Screenshot of how to enable display mirroring on Amazon Fire Stick]()
- Mirror your device — On Android devices, open the Quick Settings menu by swiping down from the top of the screen. Tap ‘Cast,’ ‘Screen Mirroring,’ or ‘Smart View’ (the name varies depending on the device. From the list of available devices, select your Fire Stick. Your device screen will now appear on your TV in real-time.
If you’re using Windows 10 or 11, press Windows + K on your keyboard to open the ‘Connect’ sidebar. Select your Fire Stick from the list of available devices. Your computer’s screen will now mirror on the TV.
To mirror your iPhone or iPad to an Amazon Fire Stick, you’ll have to use a third-party app like AirScreen because Fire Stick doesn’t natively support Apple’s AirPlay. Download AirScreen on your Fire Stick and start the service. On your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring. Select your Fire Stick — it will appear as “AirScreen” or a similar name.
Things to Consider
- Network Requirements — Both your Fire Stick and the device must be on the same WiFi network.
- Device Compatibility — Screencasting works with apps that support it, like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu. Screen mirroring requires devices that support Miracast (for Android/Windows) or AirPlay (for iOS, using AirScreen).
- Performance — A strong and stable Wi-Fi connection ensures better streaming and mirroring quality.
Why Use ExpressVPN With Amazon Fire Stick?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN you can use with Amazon Fire Stick. For starters, it has an app for Fire Stick and is pretty easy to set up. Plus, ExpressVPN provides the best speeds on the market for lag-free streaming — many other VPNs slow down your connection and aren’t suitable for watching content.
- Worldwide servers — ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so you can stream your favorite content wherever you are in the world.
- Speed — ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol uses a small codebase to ensure fast data transfers. This minimizes speed loss and lets you stream in UHD without lag.
- Security and privacy — If you’re using public WiFi at your hotel, ExpressVPN’s military-grade encryption will keep you safe from prying eyes.
- Avoid throttles — With ExpressVPN, you can stream even if your network restricts streaming traffic via throttling.
How to Uninstall ExpressVPN From Amazon Fire Stick
If you decide to uninstall ExpressVPN from your Fire Stick for whatever reason, here’s how you can do it:
- Locate the ExpressVPN app — On the home page, find and select the ExpressVPN app under the ‘Your Apps & Games’ category.
- Uninstall the app — Press the menu button on your Fire Stick remote. A menu will pop up in the bottom right. Now, just select uninstall and wait for the process to complete.
Why Isn’t ExpressVPN Working on Amazon Fire Stick?
If ExpressVPN isn’t working on your Fire Stick, there could be a few common reasons. If buffering is your concern, here’s all you need to know about how to stop buffering on Amazon Fire Stick. But if ExpressVPN isn’t working at all, here’s how you can fix that:
- Outdated app — If you’re running an old version of the ExpressVPN app, it could cause crashes or connection issues. Make sure you’ve installed the latest version.
- Wrong server location — You might be connected to the wrong region. Switch to a server in the country where your content is available.
- Blocked IP address — Your IP might be blocklisted by the streaming service, though this rarely happens with ExpressVPN. Using another server might solve the issue.
- Cache or data issues — Corrupted or excessive cache can cause problems. You can clear the cache for the ExpressVPN app on your Fire Stick to fix this.
- Unstable internet — If your WiFi is spotty, ExpressVPN won’t connect properly. Restart your router and make sure your Fire Stick is connected to a strong and stable network.
- Device limitations — While you can sideload ExpressVPN on a first-gen Fire Stick, it might still glitch due to native incompatibility.
FAQs on How to Install ExpressVPN on Fire Stick
Can I watch normal TV on a Fire Stick?
What’s the point of a Fire Stick if you have a smart TV?
Can I connect my phone to Amazon Fire Stick?
Does ExpressVPN work on all Fire Stick devices?
What’s the difference between a Fire Stick and an Android TV?
A Fire Stick is Amazon’s streaming device that runs on a modified version of Android, while Android TV is Google’s streaming platform found on TVs and devices like the Nvidia Shield.
The main difference is the ecosystem. Fire Stick is tied to Amazon’s services like Prime Video and Alexa, while Android TV comes with all Google Play apps and Google Assistant. Both support major streaming apps, but Fire Stick’s interface is Amazon-centric.
Can streaming services detect that I’m using ExpressVPN on Fire Stick?
How do I check if ExpressVPN is working on my Fire Stick?
Can I use a free VPN on my Fire Stick?
Use ExpressVPN With Amazon Fire Stick to Stream Securely
If you’ve been battling with slow streams, network throttling, content blocks, and privacy concerns, ExpressVPN can solve all streaming problems in one go. It turns your Fire Stick into a powerful media hub that it should be and is especially useful if you want to stream during your lodgings while using unsafe hotel WiFi.
ExpressVPN’s global server network means you can always find a reliable location to connect to, no matter where you are. Its blazing-fast speeds ensure smooth, buffer-free streaming every time. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free with its 7-day free trial — and if that’s not enough, you’ll still have 30 days to test it out with its money-back guarantee.
Best ExpressVPN Alternatives to Use With Amazon Fire Stick
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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