Warning -latest firesticks use VEGA-OS not Android so no sideloading of apps possible


jimbo45

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Hi folks
I know a lot here use things like Amazon firesticks to remotely stream video / audio to their TV's --100% legal BTW - but the latest firesticks are using VEGA-OS which won't allow any side loaded apps such as KODI / PLEX etc to be installed on them-- you can only install "approved" amazon apps on them. So even if you want to watch say legal Free to Air channels such as ZDF or DW (Deutsche Welle - the news service which IMHO is far better than FOX / CNN / BBC and also has ENG service) from Germany -- can't be done -- even with a VPN as there's no VPN support for these "new fangled" firesticks.

So when buying "Black Friday" deals ensure if you want a 4K UHD firestick don't get the very latest ones with the VEGA-OS in it. The slightly older ones are fine and still currently fairly easily available at cheap prices.

BTW ROKU went down the same road although it uses WEB-OS - you can still bypass the restriction on ROKU but only by mirroring from an android device e.g a phone.

Seems Amazon while good for shopping etc is fairly unique in that the latest updates in their hardware becomes infinitely more restrictive. At least Windows provides an API for 3rd party developers to build / create applications - some of which are very good indeed.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Thanks for the information.

Is there a way of telling on the Amazon site which OS the FireSticks have?
 

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pseymour said:
@lafargeotte Fire OS Overview | Amazon Fire TV
Click to expand...
Fire OS is OK --It's the new ones with VEGA-OS that's the problem !!!!!

please READ instead of "Just Re-gurgitating" well known OLD stuff. Not trying to vbe nasty but I think you didn't understand the post.

Also applies to USA etc.

www.cordbusters.co.uk

‘Fire TV 4K Select’ Hits UK: Vega OS Changes Everything | Cord Busters

Amazon unveils Fire TV Stick 4K Select with new Vega OS at £49.99, ditching Android. But which UK apps will work? We explain what you need to know
www.cordbusters.co.uk www.cordbusters.co.uk

Cheers
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jimbo45 said:
Fire OS is OK --It's the new ones with VEGA-OS that's the problem !!!!!

please READ instead of "Re-gurgitating well known OLD stuff.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
I did no such thing. lafargeotte asked for a way to tell which OS a given stick has, and I posted a list of which sticks have which OS. Cheers indeed.
 

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Just only one device until now runs Vega OS - the Firestick 4k SELECT. zThe new OS is based on Linux and Amazon still didn't develop proper store. The installed apps are cloud-based. Will see in the future how Amazon will develop the new OS.
 

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jimbo45 said:
Hi folks
I know a lot here use things like Amazon firesticks to remotely stream video / audio to their TV's --100% legal BTW - but the latest firesticks are using VEGA-OS which won't allow any side loaded apps such as KODI / PLEX etc to be installed on them-- you can only install "approved" amazon apps on them. So even if you want to watch say legal Free to Air channels such as ZDF or DW (Deutsche Welle - the news service which IMHO is far better than FOX / CNN / BBC and also has ENG service) from Germany -- can't be done -- even with a VPN as there's no VPN support for these "new fangled" firesticks.

So when buying "Black Friday" deals ensure if you want a 4K UHD firestick don't get the very latest ones with the VEGA-OS in it. The slightly older ones are fine and still currently fairly easily available at cheap prices.

BTW ROKU went down the same road although it uses WEB-OS - you can still bypass the restriction on ROKU but only by mirroring from an android device e.g a phone.

Seems Amazon while good for shopping etc is fairly unique in that the latest updates in their hardware becomes infinitely more restrictive. At least Windows provides an API for 3rd party developers to build / create applications - some of which are very good indeed.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
Spot on Jimbo.
Not sure but the ~7 select clicks on about>device no longer works. I don't feel snookered, I picked up my 4K Select on sale for $10 USD, I needed a second remote for an already existing Fire Cube. Nothing like an OEM remote, the 3rd party ones leave much to be desired but go for much more the $10 I paid for the 4K Select w/ OEM remote. Enough blah-blah.
I honestly believe Amazon was avoiding multiple law suits as the older stick were capable of being easily modified to access pirated content. One has to hope that Amazon made things more difficult, not impossible to sideload. Some brilliant mind or group will reverse engineer Vegas O/S and make things good again. Currently an individual Vegas O/S firestick must be registered to a developer account and be unlocked by Amazon online using the instructions being circulated and here. This is the only method I have found as of 1/17/2026 that works.
All you folks have to keep in mind Vegas O/S is a fork of Linux, not Android which raises additional questions that I cannot answer.
Thanks for letting me jump into this thread. For now I use ONN hardware.
 

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