Live NetTV v5.0For years every Fire TV device could install Android apps from outside the Amazon Appstore, which is how most people install apps like Live NetTV. That is changing. Starting in late 2025, Amazon began releasing Fire TV sticks that run Vega OS, a new operating system built on Linux rather than Android. Vega OS devices run only apps from the Amazon Appstore, and they cannot install APK files at all.
If you already own a Fire TV, or you are about to buy one, it is worth knowing which system it runs.
How to check your Fire TV's operating system
- Open Settings › My Fire TV › About.
- Look at the software version line.
- If it says Fire OS 7 or Fire OS 8, your device is Android-based and can sideload apps. Follow our Fire TV install guide.
- If it says Vega OS, or shows no Fire OS version number at all, your device cannot sideload apps.
Which devices run which system
Amazon's line-up changes often, so treat this as a guide and always confirm with the steps above.
| Device | Operating system | Can sideload APKs? |
|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen, 2023) | Fire OS 8 | Yes |
| Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd gen, 2023) | Fire OS 8 | Yes |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Plus | Fire OS 8 | Yes |
| Fire TV Cube (3rd gen) | Fire OS | Yes |
| Older Fire TV Stick, Lite and 4K models | Fire OS 6 / 7 | Yes |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025) | Vega OS | No |
| Fire TV Stick HD (2026) | Vega OS | No |
| Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd gen, 2026) | Vega OS | No |
| Fire TV Edition televisions | Varies by model and year | Check About |
The pattern is clear: Amazon's newest and cheapest sticks are moving to Vega OS. The Android-based models remain on sale for now, but expect fewer of them over time.
Why Vega OS cannot sideload
Vega OS is not Android. It runs apps built with a different framework, so an Android APK file simply has nothing to run on. There is no Developer Options switch to change, and no workaround. Apps can only come from the Amazon Appstore, which is a deliberate design choice by Amazon.
If you want to sideload, buy one of these instead
Not sure which suits you? The streaming device finder recommends one in four questions.
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen) — the most powerful Fire OS stick, with Wi-Fi 6E and 16 GB of storage. It is the best Fire TV choice for sideloading while stock lasts.
- Google TV Streamer or another Google TV device — Google TV is Android-based and allows sideloading. See how to sideload on Google TV.
- An Android TV box such as the Nvidia Shield TV, or a certified box from a known brand — full Android TV with plenty of power and storage.
- A television with Google TV built in — many Sony, TCL, Philips and Hisense models.
When shopping, check the product listing for the words “Fire OS”, “Android TV” or “Google TV”. If a Fire TV listing mentions Vega OS, it will not run APK files.
Already bought a Vega OS stick?
Most retailers, including Amazon, accept returns within their normal return window. If you are outside the window, the stick still works well for Appstore apps, and you can add a Google TV device on another HDMI port for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
Will Amazon update my Fire OS stick to Vega OS?
Amazon has not announced any plan to convert existing Fire OS devices to Vega OS. Current Fire OS sticks continue to receive Fire OS updates and keep their sideloading support.
Can I install Live NetTV on a Vega OS Fire TV?
No. Vega OS cannot install APK files, and Live NetTV is not in the Amazon Appstore. Use a Fire OS device, a Google TV device or an Android TV box instead.
How do I know which Fire TV I have?
The model name is shown at the top of Settings › My Fire TV › About. The same screen shows the operating system version.