To keep your Fire Stick performing optimally, regular updates should be installed to prevent apps from crashing and to ensure it’s running the latest software. Read on to learn how to update your Fire Stick.
What is an Amazon Fire Stick?
The Amazon Fire Stick is a streaming device that plugs into the HDMI port of your TV. It looks similar to a USB drive and effectively upgrades any TV to a smart TV, allowing you to stream movies and TV shows over the internet. You’ll have access to all the popular streaming services and apps, such as Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. It also comes with a handy bluetooth remote. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection to get started.
What can you do with a Fire Stick?
Just a few of the things you can do with a Fire Stick include:
- Watching Netflix, and other similar streaming services
- Stream music
- Search the internet
- Play online games and download games
- Share photos to your TV screen
- Use Alexa to voice-control your TV
Although the Fire Stick is primarily a streaming device, it does have a number of uses. You can browse the web easily with your remote and even attach a mouse and keyboard through bluetooth. To do this, you’ll need to download Amazon’s own Silk browser app.
There are many games you can play with your Fire Stick remote, which you can download directly from the Amazon Store. These games include everything from SEGA classics and Pacman to chess and bowling games. However some Fire Stick games are not supported on the remote and will require you to purchase a controller. You can connect a range of gaming controllers very easily via bluetooth.
You can also share photos to your TV screen through a Fire Stick with two methods. One is by using the mirror cast feature. This allows you to mirror your phone screen to your TV. Once you’ve done this, tap on any photo on your phone and the photo will appear on your TV. The second method is to use the Amazon Photos app, where you can upload your photos and share them or display them as a screensaver.
The voice-controlled AI is one of the biggest selling points of the Fire Stick. Just push the microphone button on your remote and you can give Alexa a command: “Hey Alexa, open Netflix.” Alexa can open apps, manage your shopping list, tell you about the weather, find nearby restaurants and even tell you a joke. Alexa can also connect to and control other devices, such as Echo speakers.
Not forgetting that the Fire Stick is primarily a streaming device, it’s worth noting that if the settings work on your TV, a Fire Stick (Fire Stick 4K Max) will allow you to stream in 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+. If you install a VPN, you can bypass IP bans to unlock streaming libraries in other countries with no restrictions on what you can watch. Think unlimited Netflix options. The Fire Stick also learns by using your streaming preferences to make predictions about what you might like. This is done by using ASAP, (Advanced Streaming and Prediction) to recommend TV shows and movies based on what you’ve already watched.
What’s the difference between a Fire Stick and a Fire TV Cube?
There are four Fire Sticks currently on the market: Fire Stick Lite, Fire Stick, Fire Stick 4K and Fire Stick 4K Max. As you would expect, the Fire Stick 4K Max has the fastest processor and highest storage of the Fire Sticks. This is the best model and rival of the Fire TV Cube. The biggest difference between a Fire Stick 4K Max and a Fire TV Cube is the processing power. A Fire TV Cube is more powerful, boasting a better spec and more RAM space with 16GB of storage compared to the 8GB you’ll get with a Fire Stick 4K Max.
Overall the Fire TV Cube comes out on top for speed and performance, but the Fire Stick 4K is still a mighty device despite its appearance. When it comes to value for money, the Fire Stick 4K Max offers an exceptional cinematic streaming experience for half the price of a Fire TV Cube. It is also better for travel, has the same remote controls, offers the same streaming support as the Fire TV Cube, and now supports Wi-Fi 6.
Why should you keep your Fire Stick updated?
Just like you would update your phone or laptop, it is important to update your Fire Stick. Amazon rolls out regular updates for their Fire Stick devices to keep them running at maximum capability. Keeping your Fire Stick updated will eliminate bugs, speed up the user interface, avoid unresponsiveness, and prevent apps from crashing. Failing to install updates could also invite privacy and security risks to your device.
How to update your Fire Stick
Make sure you have a good internet connection before you begin. Without a stable connection. Your Fire Stick won’t be able to search for, download, or install any updates. Additionally, do not unplug your Fire Stick device while it is in the middle of an update. This could damage your device.
In the latest version of the interface, you should see a settings gear symbol on the right. Click that then scroll down to the ‘My Fire TV’ option. Click ‘About’. Scroll down again and select ‘Install updates’. If your Fire Stick fails to update or gets stuck, check your device is connected to the appropriate network and try resetting the network. Next, unplug your Fire Stick for a few seconds before reconnecting it to its power source. If all else fails, check the storage capacity on your device through the ‘About’ screen on your TV. You’ll need at least 500MB to complete an update.
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