Live NetTV v5.0Amazon ships Fire TV devices with settings that suit Amazon: trailers that play by themselves, data collection switched on, and every notification enabled. None of that helps you. Below are the twelve changes we recommend on Fire OS 8 devices such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and 4K (2nd gen). Older sticks have the same options, sometimes under slightly different names. Each change can be undone at any time.
Speed: stop work you do not need
1. Turn off video and audio autoplay
Settings › Preferences › Featured Content, then switch off Allow Video Autoplay and Allow Audio Autoplay. The home screen banner stops playing trailers, which saves memory, processing power and bandwidth. It is the single change with the most noticeable effect on older sticks.
2. Turn off data monitoring
Settings › Preferences › Data Monitoring, then switch it off. It tracks how much data each app uses, which costs a little processing in the background. Leave it on only if you are on a capped connection and want alerts.
3. Turn off app notifications you do not need
Settings › Preferences › Notification Settings › App Notifications. Switch off apps that do not need to interrupt you. Fewer background wake-ups means a snappier stick.
4. Keep 1 GB of storage free
Fire OS slows down sharply when storage runs low. Check Settings › My Fire TV › About › Storage and follow our storage guide if you are close.
Privacy: switch off tracking
5. Turn off device and app usage data
Settings › Preferences › Privacy Settings, then switch off Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data.
6. Turn off interest-based ads
In the same Privacy Settings menu, switch off Interest-based Ads. You still see ads on the home screen, but they are no longer based on what you watch.
7. Review what the microphone can do
If you never use Alexa voice search, nothing needs changing, as the remote only listens while you hold the voice button. You can review and delete voice recordings in the Alexa privacy settings of your Amazon account.
Picture and sound
8. Let the picture match the content
Settings › Display & Sounds › Display. Leave Video Resolution on Auto. If your TV supports it, turn on Match Original Frame Rate so films play at their native 24 frames per second instead of being converted, which removes judder in camera pans.
9. Set dynamic range to Adaptive
In the same menu, set Dynamic Range Settings to Adaptive. HDR content then plays in HDR, and normal content plays in normal range, instead of everything being forced into HDR with washed-out colours.
10. Fix the audio format
Settings › Display & Sounds › Audio. If you have a soundbar or receiver that supports Dolby Digital Plus or Atmos, set Surround Sound to Best Available. If you get no sound on some channels, try Stereo as a test.
Convenience
11. Turn on HDMI-CEC device control
Settings › Display & Sounds › HDMI CEC Device Control, then On. The Fire TV remote can then turn your TV on and off and switch inputs. Your TV also needs CEC enabled in its own settings.
12. Set up the remote's volume buttons
Settings › Equipment Control › Manage Equipment lets the Fire TV remote control your TV's or soundbar's volume, so you can put the TV remote away. If buttons stop working later, see fixing a Fire TV remote.
Settings to leave alone
- ADB debugging in Developer Options: keep it off unless you need it, because it allows remote control of the device from your network.
- Install unknown apps: allow it only for the one installer you use. See Fire TV Developer Options.
- Automatic updates: leave app and system updates on. They fix security problems.
Frequently asked questions
Will these settings void my warranty?
No. Every change here is a standard Fire OS setting that Amazon provides, and each can be switched back at any time.
Which single setting helps speed the most?
Turning off video and audio autoplay under Featured Content. On older sticks with little memory, the difference in menu speed is immediate.
Do these settings apply to Vega OS Fire TV sticks?
Many do, but menu names can differ on the newest Vega OS models. Check which system your Fire TV runs.