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In this post, I will address the issue of the removal/hiding of Developer Options on FireStick/Fire TV Devices. Since Amazon hid this setting, users are unable to allow apps from unknown sources to install third-party APK files. This guide applies to the users of all Fire TV Stick devices, including FireStick 4K Max, FireStick Lite, FireStick 4K, New FireStick 4K, New FireStick 4K Max as well as Fire TV Cube.
Developer Options is a setting within Fire TV devices that enables the installation of third-party apps from unknown sources.
If you wish to install apps that are not available on the Amazon Store, you will need this option to enable Apps from Unknown Sources. The removal has been reported to affect Fire TV OS versions starting from 7.2.8.5.
Please note that the Developer Options continue to show on most of my FireStick / Fire TV devices, including the ones that have been updated to version 7.2.8.5. However, they do not appear on a couple of them. I do not know how Amazon decided which devices would be affected.
Nevertheless, thankfully, you can quickly restore the Developer Options and continue installing your favorite third-party streaming apps. Also, note that the preinstalled apps are not affected by the removal of this option, but you will need it back to install any new apps.
Steps to Get Back Developer Options on Amazon FireStick
Follow these steps to make the Developer Options appear again:
1. Select FireStick Settings.
2. Click My Fire TV.
3. Click About (only if you DO NOT see Developer Options on this screen).
4. Click on your Fire TV Stick quickly 7 times.
5. You will see a notification at the bottom saying No need, you are already a developer. That’s it, you have enabled Developer Options.
6. Press the back button once or go back to Settings > My Fire TV and you will now see Developer Options.
Now you can go into Developer Options and enable Apps from Unknown Sources to sideload APKs on your FireStick device.
Developer Options is a setting within Fire TV devices that enables the installation of third-party apps from unknown sources.
If you wish to install apps that are not available on the Amazon Store, you will need this option to enable Apps from Unknown Sources. The removal has been reported to affect Fire TV OS versions starting from 7.2.8.5.
Please note that the Developer Options continue to show on most of my FireStick / Fire TV devices, including the ones that have been updated to version 7.2.8.5. However, they do not appear on a couple of them. I do not know how Amazon decided which devices would be affected.
Nevertheless, thankfully, you can quickly restore the Developer Options and continue installing your favorite third-party streaming apps. Also, note that the preinstalled apps are not affected by the removal of this option, but you will need it back to install any new apps.
Steps to Get Back Developer Options on Amazon FireStick
Follow these steps to make the Developer Options appear again:
1. Select FireStick Settings.
2. Click My Fire TV.
3. Click About (only if you DO NOT see Developer Options on this screen).
4. Click on your Fire TV Stick quickly 7 times.
5. You will see a notification at the bottom saying No need, you are already a developer. That’s it, you have enabled Developer Options.
6. Press the back button once or go back to Settings > My Fire TV and you will now see Developer Options.
Now you can go into Developer Options and enable Apps from Unknown Sources to sideload APKs on your FireStick device.