Updated on November 8, 2026.
Amazon offers no official way to turn a Fire TV Stick into an Android TV or Google TV device. A community version of LineageOS can replace Fire OS on eligible 2020 Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) units. The exact model and its firmware determine whether you can use it.
If your goal is to run one app, look for its Fire TV version first. An app install, a new home screen, and a replacement operating system solve different problems.
Choose the right kind of install
| What you want to do | What to try | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Watch a service or install a game | Look in the Amazon Appstore on your Stick. | An app available for your model and region. |
| Install one Android app outside the store | Sideload a compatible APK on Fire OS, where supported. | A Fire OS model and a TV-compatible APK from its developer. |
| Replace Fire OS with Android TV | Use the LineageOS community build for an eligible Stick. | The matching 2020 model, a supported unlock method, and the recovery and files listed by the project. |
Check your Fire TV Stick model and software
On your Stick, open Settings > My Fire TV > About. Note the full device name and software version. Amazon lists the 2020 Fire TV Stick Lite as AFTSS and the 2020 Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) as AFTSSS. The LineageOS project calls them sheldon and sheldonp, respectively. Amazon Fire TV model and OS list
Compare the full name and year. The Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd Gen, 2026) and the Fire TV Stick 4K Select use Vega OS. Amazon provides a separate app platform for Vega. The Fire OS APK steps and the 2020 LineageOS build do not apply to those models. Amazon Vega app documentation
What installing LineageOS involves
- Check that your Stick can be unlocked. Start with the project’s device thread and match the full model and firmware to a documented method. The original 2022 unlock method was written for Fire OS versions earlier than 7.2.7.3. Treat that as a limit of that method. If you cannot confirm a method for your unit, stop there. Background on the original 2022 method
- Read the install and recovery notes before starting. The bootloader controls which system starts. The project uses a custom recovery to install the replacement system. Installing it can erase apps and settings, and a mismatched image can leave the Stick unable to start.
- Download the files for your exact build. The community release page lists LineageOS 20 builds for sheldon and sheldonp. Its v0.5 notes require the listed TZ firmware update before the ROM on a first install. Google apps are a separate download. Follow the maintainer’s order and check the published checksum. LineageOS release files and notes
- Install from the matching recovery. Start the recovery listed for your device. Follow the maintainer’s wipe and install order, including any required firmware, then restart the Stick.
- Check the features you use. After installation, try the remote, Wi-Fi, audio, and your streaming apps. App availability and playback quality can differ on a community build, so check the project’s known issues before switching.
The developer’s release notes link to the model-specific LineageOS discussion and install instructions.
Install an app and keep Fire OS
For a compatible app outside the store, Amazon documents installing an APK with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on Fire OS. Check that the app works with a TV remote and supports your Fire OS version. Apps that need Google Play services can fail on Fire OS. Turn ADB debugging off after the install if you enabled it. Amazon’s ADB setup guide
If you decide to use a device that ships with Android TV or Google TV, see our guide to games for Android TV and Google TV.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn any Fire TV Stick into a Google TV device?
Amazon has no official conversion. The community build above is for two specific 2020 Fire OS models. Check the year and model even if your Stick has a similar name.
Is Fire OS the same as Android TV?
Fire OS is based on Android. It has Amazon’s home screen and app store. Android TV and Google TV devices use Google’s TV platform, with different services and app availability.
Do I need an Android emulator to use an APK on a Fire TV Stick?
A compatible Fire OS Stick can run supported Android APKs directly. Check the app’s Fire TV support first. A Vega OS Stick uses a different app platform.
Can I install the Google Play Store with this ROM?
The LineageOS release does not include Google apps. Its maintainer lists a separate compatible package. Follow that build’s instructions, and check the apps you need before replacing Fire OS.
Can I use the old Fire OS unlock guide on a newer software version?
The original method has its own firmware cutoff. Look for instructions that name both your exact model and your software version. A successful unlock on another Stick does not show that yours is supported.