It all started in January 2018 when Google banned the YouTube app from the Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you’ve been using this Amazon device, you probably know the agony of not having the YouTube app on it by now. Of course, there is a workaround that is to launch YouTube through the Silk Browser, but let’s admit it, it’s a painful experience to begin with.
You can’t browse through videos without the navigating process that worries you. Also, the option to cast from the phone is conveniently missing. In short, it leaves a lot to be desired. Well, if you ask me, this isn’t something we all signed up for when we got the Fire TV Stick.
This led me to try a few alternative methods, however, a lot of them didn’t work. So it got me thinking — how to install YouTube on Amazon Fire TV Stick. Can that be done?
My research led me to a neat alternative using the ES File Explorer File Manager app. Although it does require a bit of initial setup, the end result is well worth it.
So let’s see how to do this.
Psst… in case you want to know why Google pulled the YouTube app from Fire TV, don’t forget to read to the end.
Install YouTube on Amazon Fire TV Stick
Step 1. Enable Unknown Sources
First of all, you have to enable the option for Unknown Sources. To do so, go to Settings > Devices.
Once there, click Developer Options.
Here, tap Apps from Unknown Sources to activate it.
Step 2. Download ES File Explorer on your phone and Fire Stick
As I mentioned above, I will be using ES File Explorer during this process to transfer files. So the first step is to get the file manager.
Enable Voice Search and search for ES File Explorer. Once you’ve found the app, install it. Alternatively, download the ES File Explorer app on your Android phone.
Step 3. Download YouTube apk on your phone
Once done, (yes, again) download the apk file for YouTube on your phone. Make sure that the app you are going to download is the ARMv7 version.
Step 4. Switch to ES File Explorer
ES File Explorer has a lot of extra functionality, and sharing files between two devices is probably one of the most useful. All you have to do is connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
So the next step would be to open ES File Explorer on your TV.
Meanwhile, open ES File Explorer on your phone, go to the Downloads folder and select the YouTube apk file. Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner and tap Send.
You’ll get a confirmation dialog on your Fire TV. Select OK to start the transfer.
Step 5. Install YouTube
Once the transfer is complete, you will find the apk file in Local > Home (second option) > esShare.
Click it to install and voila… hello YouTube!
Just like in the old days, you can now seamlessly browse on the YouTube TV app using your remote. And with it, the option to cast content from your phone to your TV will also return. All you have to do is log into the app to personalize the content.
Note
How to access the new YouTube app
For some of you, the YouTube app may not be visible on the Fire TV home screen. Don’t worry, it’s still there. Just navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > YouTube and launch the app.
I understand this can be a hindrance, but hey, you have the option to cast, remember?
Why Google pulled YouTube from Fire TV
The (cold) war of Google and Amazon originated long before this Tet. It all started with Amazon not having any Google products like Chromecast and Google Home on its website.
This led to Google pulling the YouTube service from the Echo Show, Amazon’s AI-powered smart speaker. Quickly within a few months, products like Fire TV and Fire TV Stick followed suit, and we users received a displeasure message – ‘Service Unavailable’.
Get the most out of the Fire TV Stick
Here’s how you can download and install the YouTube app on your Amazon Fire TV Stick. The good news is that this method worked perfectly and now I can go back to watching my regular web series with no worries.
How did this method work out for you? Let us know in the comments below.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
