Fire TV users will face major software changes as Amazon updates its system
An update has been issued for Amazon Fire Stick users(Image: GettyImages)
Amazon is undergoing a major shift in the software that powers its Fire TV devices, introducing a new operating system while also continuing to evolve its existing system. The changes are expected to reshape how Fire Sticks and Fire TV smart TVs function in the coming years, with some users gaining new features while others lose flexibility.
At the centre of the update is Vega OS, a newly developed Linux-based operating system that Amazon has begun rolling out on newer Fire TV devices. Unlike the long-standing Fire OS, Vega OS does not support ‘side loading’, which is the practice of installing apps from outside Amazon’s official app store.
This marks a significant change for users who have previously relied on that option to access additional streaming apps or experimental software not available through Amazon’s system.
For more than a decade, Fire Sticks and Fire TV devices have run on Fire OS, a system built on Android. Due to its Android foundation, Fire OS has traditionally offered a more open experience, allowing users greater flexibility in how they customise their devices and access apps.
When Amazon first announced Vega OS, concerns quickly grew among users who believed it could eventually replace Fire OS entirely, effectively shutting down users from downloading anything not supported by Amazon.
In response, Amazon stated that it was now a “multi-OS company” and would continue supporting both systems side by side. So far, the company has stuck to its word, with both Fire OS and Vega OS receiving ongoing updates.
However, the company has also confirmed a significant change in direction as they revealed all future Fire Stick models will run only using Vega OS.
This transition has already begun with devices such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Fire TV Stick HD, which work with the new operating system rather than Fire OS. Amazon says the shift is intended to improve performance and enhance security, although it comes at the cost of reduced user flexibility.
At the same time, Amazon is still developing Fire OS. The company has revealed through developer documentation that it is working on Fire OS 16, a new version based on Android 15 and Android 16.
This update is expected to include performance improvements, better app support and longer-term software stability for compatible devices.
However, Fire OS 16 comes with some limitations, as it will only be exclusive to smart TVs rather than Fire Sticks meaning both old and new Fire Stick devices will not receive the update.
Instead, Amazon plans to reserve Fire OS 16 for television manufacturers such as Hisense and TCL, which will integrate it into future smart TV models.
This creates a major difference between Amazon’s devices, as Smart TVs will continue to benefit from the updated Android-based software, while Fire TV Stick devices will move towards using the Vega OS system.
Complicating matters further, Amazon does not typically upgrade the operating system on older devices, meaning existing Fire Stick owners will remain on older Fire OS versions indefinitely.
