Entertainment Streaming Streaming Devices Amazon kills Fire Stick sideloading — apparently, malware and piracy are to blame News By Scott Younker Published 1 July 2026 Vega OS blocks third-party launchers, ad blockers and more. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works . (Image credit: Amazon) Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter In the back half of 2025, Amazon introduced its new proprietary, Linux-based operating system, Vega OS which replaces the Fire OS. The old platform was an Android fork based on the Android Open Source Project. Controversially, the new OS is more locked down lacking sideloading support. In a sprawling interview with the UK-based Cord Busters , Amazon’s vice president of Fire TV , Aidan Marcuss, finally explains why the switch was made. An opportunity to ‘innovate’ Marcuss told Cord Busters that Vega OS is an opportunity for Amazon to “innovate and deliver more capabilities, even on the least expensive devices.” He also said that it would make things more secure and private for users, which was “sort of utmost in my mind.” Latest Videos From Watch full video here: That’s a somewhat ironic statement since Vega OS blocks the ability to sideload third-party adblockers, in addition to launchers. “Apps that facilitate piracy, and other apps, can carry malware,” Marcuss said when asked if sideloading actually causes harm. Marcuss also said that there is “a good amount of evidence that apps can carry unwanted code and behavior on them when they’re sideloaded.” You may like Surfshark becomes the latest VPN to launch a Vega OS app for Fire TV Your Fire TV Stick has an expiration date — here’s when support ends Your streaming stick isn’t broken — these apps are just slowing it down to a crawl Piracy and malware are legit (Image credit: Sitade / Getty Images) For the unfamiliar, sideloading is the ability for Fire Sticks owners to add modified Android apps to the streaming device. When Vega OS was introduced in October 2025, we noted that it would be the illegal streamer’s nightmare . Notably, soccer streamers like DAZN and Sky Sports , which stream top-league soccer matches, have accused Fire Sticks of enabling piracy. In May 2025, Enders Analysis, a media research firm, released a report that specifically blamed the Fire Stick for easily enabling streaming piracy. Tom’s Guide: Direct to Your Inbox Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Additionally, malware and fraud have been a problem. In November, Malwarebytes reported that 1 in 3 people who illegally stream in the UK have been victims of fraud or scams. The Fire TV focused AFTVNews found a number of blacklisted apps that could “put your personal data risk.” The Amazon support forums are littered with posts about strange cryptocurrency malware or other strange malware. That said, the blacklist also features apps that let users get around the Fire homescreen, which is increasingly an ad fest. Vega OS isn’t quite ready (Image credit: Tom’s Guide) Vega OS isn’t as robust as Fire OS lacking support for things like Dolby Vision or USB storage. As we found in our review of the Fire TV 4K Streaming Stick Select it isn’t quite ready for primetime. What to read next How to set up and use the Surfshark on Fire TV Stick Amazon launches updated Fire TV Stick HD that’s slimmer and doesn’t require a wall adapter Is your Fire TV acting up? Here’s exactly how I fixed mine in under a minute “it feels more like a proof-of-concept at this point rather than a full release when it comes to app integration and other
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