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Your Amazon Fire TV device contains a hidden menu of Developer Options. If you want to access some of the more advanced features of FireTV OS, you will need to know how to get this menu to appear. We’ll show you how.
What Are Developer Options?
Like with Android, which FireTV OS is based on, Developer Options are tools designed to be used by experienced users or app developers. Unlike on Android, there are only a few settings in the Fire TV Developer Options menu: ADB Debugging, Apps from Unknown Sources, and Deep Sleep mode.
ADB Debugging allows you to install applications remotely over your Wi-Fi network. Directly from your phone, for example. If you ever need to link an app to your Fire TV using the IP address, you will need to enable ADB Debugging.
The Apps from Unknown Sources option enables you to install apps from places other than the Amazon App Store. This process is known as sideloading and should be done with care. Apps installed from outside the app store might not have the same safety checks done on them.
Deep Sleep mode puts the device into a kind of hibernation, preventing network activity. This means the Fire TV device can’t be started remotely by your Echo speaker or other connected devices.
The developer options are available on all devices that use the FireTV OS. This includes the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and TVs with FireTV OS built in.
Viewing the Developer Options: Old Method
If you have not updated the FireTV OS, for whatever reason, the Developer Options may not be hidden. They can be accessed directly from the Device settings.
- On your Fire TV device, navigate to Settings > Device.
- Scroll down through the device settings to find Developer Options.
- Here, you can enable ADB or Apps from Unknown Sources.
In June 2022, an update to FireTV OS moved the Developer Options for the Firestick and other FireTV devices. You can still access them, you just need to use the new method, explained below.
Viewing the Developer Options: New Method
If you have updated your device, you might find the Fire TV Developer Options gone from the device menu. To reveal them, you will need to use a different method. If you have ever accessed the developer options on an Android phone, this process should be familiar to you.
- On your Fire TV device, select the gear icon to open Settings.
- Navigate to the My Fire TV section and then select About.
- At the top of the menu is the Fire TV device name, e.g. Fire TV Stick 4K.
- With the name highlighted, keep clicking the Action button on your remote until you see “You are now a developer” appear.
- Go back to the previous menu to see the Developer Options menu.
After installing an update to the FireTV OS, the Developer Options may disappear from the menu. They are still available, you just need to repeat the steps above to reveal them again.
How Can the Developer Options Be Used?
The Developer Options have been hidden for a reason. Installing apps from unknown sources can sometimes be problematic. But as long as you are careful, using these options can really expand the things you can do with Fire TV.
You can install apps from alternate sources, connect your phone to your Fire TV with ADB, connect a mouse, and even grab screenshots from the Fire TV display.
There’s a more complete Developer tools menu available on your Fire TV device, but this one really is aimed purely at app developers. Accessing it and changing the options it contains is not recommended unless you really know what you are doing.
To view this menu, press and hold the Action button on your remote for a second, before also pressing down on the Directional ring. After 3-4 seconds, release both buttons and press the Menu button.
Viewing the Developer Options on Fire TV
Being able to find the Fire Tv developer options might be required for several of the more advanced things you can do with your Fire TV Stick. Revealing the developer options for your Fire TV device is easy, and gives you access to some powerful tools. Just make sure to tread carefully with all the different options.
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