How To Sideload Apps On Amazon Fire Tablet

The Kindle Fire tablet, although handy and perfect for those who love to read, doesn't come with Google Play Store. You won't even find apps like Chrome and YouTube in the Amazon App Store. Good news is, you can install individual apps directly onto your Fire, called Sideloading.

Sideloading onto your Kindle Fire involves three steps: getting the APK file, getting that file onto your Fire, and then installing it. But the first thing you want to do is to configure your Kindle Fire to install apps from someplace other than the Amazon Apps Store.

NOTE: Some apps may not work on the Fire if installed this way, especially paid apps or apps that require in-app purchasing, and most Google apps won't work either. Also, be cautious where you get your APK files from.

To prepare your Kindle Fire to sideload apps, here's what you need to do first:

STEP 1: Swipe down from the top of the screen, then press Settings.

STEP 2: Scroll down to the Personal section, then press Security.

STEP 3: Under Advanced, turn on Apps from Unknown Sources.

STEP 4: When you see a warning about being responsible for all damage to your Fire that unknown source apps can do, press OK to proceed.

STEP 5: Once done, restart your Kindle Fire by holding down t Power button until you're asked "Do you want to shut down your Fire?"

STEP 6: Press OK, and then once your Fire has turned off completely, press the Power button to turn it back on.

Since your Kindle Fire is now configured, you may now proceed with the steps below for sideloading apps from your Fire's Silk browser.STEP 1: On your Fire, open the Silk browser, and then go to this site: APKMirror.com.

STEP 2: Search for the app you want to download, then press the download arrow on the far right side.

STEP 3: On the next page, if there's only one version of the app you'll see, press the Download APK button to begin your download.

NOTE: If there's more than one version of the file, press See Available APKs and pick the version that's right for your device (APK Mirror has an FAQ page to help you figure this out, but when in doubt, go for the version that says "nodpi" and that matches your Fire's OS). Press that version and on the next page, press Download APK to start your download.

STEP 4: When you see a pop up that warns you that the file could harm your device, just press OK to continue.

STEP 5: Swipe down from the top of the screen, and then find your download in progress.

STEP 6: When the file is finished downloading, press the completed download notification, then scroll to the bottom of the page if necessary, and then press Install.

NOTE: The app will now show on your Home screen and is ready for use.