In this article, we will learn just about everything there is to know about the Downloader app for FireStick. It is one of the best apps for FireStick which is already running on several million devices and has become essential to download apps on FireStick. This is why, it merits more than just a subsection – nestled inside other write-ups as a small part – squirming for attention. We start with a quick introduction to the app (as if it needs any), followed by the steps to install it and then how to sideload apps using it. In the end, we also find out how to install the Downloader app on those FireStick devices in which it is not available on the Amazon Store. Keep reading!
What Is Downloader App for FireStick?
As the name gives away, Downloader by AFTVnews is an app that lets you download files from the web onto your Fire Stick and Fire TV devices. If you have a URL pointing to a file on the internet, you can enter that URL and download the files directly without having to open any webpage. This app also has a built-in browser you can use to download the files from web pages or websites. You can also use the browser to surf the internet as you would do with any other web browser. It lets you add favorites, bookmark pages too.
While Downloader can download any file for you, it is most extensively used for downloading and side-loading the APK files for the third-party apps you don’t find on the Amazon Store. Once you download an APK file, Downloader starts the installation automatically from within the app. You don’t have to exit the app and find the APK with any file manager.
After installing the APK, it also gives you the option to delete the APK from within the app and free up the device space. In simple words, Downloader makes side-loading exceptionally convenient for you.
The app lets you navigate and interact with the interface using the FireStick remote, eliminating the need to connect a keyboard or mouse. The interface is intuitive, tailor-made for the device remote, and allows ease of navigation and use. It takes no time to get used to the Downloader app interface.
Downloader is a lightweight app that takes less than 8 MB of space (based on the latest version available at the time of writing this article). It consumes neither a lot of limited device space nor a lot of resources.
Downloader is completely free to download and use. You will not run into any hidden in-app purchases. What makes Downloader even more incredible is that despite being this feature-rich, it is ad-free. What you can expect is a smooth, seamless experience.
Of, course Downloader is donation-supported. But, donations are optional. Donating or not donating does not change the app’s functionality, features, or experience. I like the app and use it frequently. Therefore, as a gesture of goodwill, I contributed my bit. It is totally your choice!
Before we get to sideloading apps on FireStick, we’ll first have to check out how to get the Downloader app on your Fire TV Stick. But even before that, we need to change a FireStick setting to allow Downloader to install apps on our behalf.
So, let’s change that setting.
Also Read: How to Jailbreak FireStick
How to Prepare FireStick to Use Downloader App
By default, FireStick doesn’t allow users to install third-party apps for security reasons. Therefore, you won’t be able to sideload applications using Downloader until you make a few tweaks.
To install APKs via Downloader hassle-free, you’ll need to allow FireStick to install apps from unknown, or third-party, sources.
Follow these steps:
1. Launch your FireStick home screen and navigate to the settings icon.
2. Scroll down to the My Fire TV banner and click on it.
3. Click on Developer Options.
4. Select Install unknown apps.
Note: Some versions of FireStick may have the option Apps from Unknown Sources instead of Install unknown apps. In that scenario, select the option to turn it ON and skip step 5 below.
5. Navigate to Downloader and select it to turn it ON.
Once this setting has been enabled, you can install apps on your FireStick manually. Your FireStick is now prepared to install various third-party apps using Downloader.
Let’s proceed and get the Downloader app.
How to Install Downloader App on FireStick
The Downloader app is officially available on Amazon Store. You don’t have to side-load it onto your device. Here is how you can install the app:
1. Go to the home screen of Fire TV / Stick if you are already not there
2. Use your remote to navigate to Find > Search on the menu bar in the middle of the screen
3. Now type in ‘Downloader’ (without the quotes of course) using the onscreen keypad (use the remote to navigate to the letters.
4. You should see the app suggestions on the list that show up as you begin typing. When you see ‘Downloader’ on the list, select and open it
5. You should now see ‘Downloader’ appear under the ‘APPS & GAMES’ section. Go ahead and click it
6. Now click the ‘Get’ or ‘Download‘ button to download and install the app. You should have the app in no more than a couple of minutes
Once the app is installed, you will again see it in the Apps & Games section and probably on the home screen among the recently installed apps.
How to Download Apps on FireStick Using Downloader App
Now that you have installed the app, I will show you how you can sideload apps on your Fire TV or FireStick within minutes. But, before that, here are a couple of extras to make your life easier.
Where Can I Find the App Icon?
The Downloader app may or may not appear on the home screen. You can always go to the Apps list and open the app from there. But, having the app on the home screen is more convenient. I need to use this app frequently and I would like to do it with just a few clicks.
If the app is not on the home screen, this is how you can move it there:
- Press and hold the Home button on FireStick remote until a menu pops up
- Open Apps from the menu
- You should now see the list of all your installed apps
- The recently installed app icons are at the bottom. Hold down the Down key on your remote to scroll all the way down
- Select the Downloader app
- Now press Options on the remote and when a menu pops up on the bottom right choose Move
- Press the Up key on the remote and drag the Downloader icon all the way to the top row
- Press Select on your remote to release the icon once you have chosen the desired position for the app
- Now you can go back to the home screen. The Downloader app is right here!
Getting Started with Downloader—Enable JavaScript
When you open the app for the first time, you may see the ‘Update Notes for Downloader’ pop-up. Go ahead and read it if you want to, or simply click ‘OK’ to proceed.
Now, before we get started with Downloader, there is one little tweak to the app I would suggest you make—Enable JavaScript. If this option remains unchecked, some of the websites will not download properly in Downloader.
Also Check: Best VPN for FireStick
Here is how you can enable JavaScript:
1. Open Downloader
2. On the left sidebar you should see the option ‘Settings’; select it
3. Check the box next to Enable JavaScript in Settings.
4. Click ‘Yes’ when you see the warning message. Again, don’t worry about the warning. I always keep this option checked and have never experienced any troubles. In fact, most browsers keep JavaScript enabled by default
Using Downloader to Sideload Apps on FireStick—Finally!
Finally, we get to the point where we see how the Downloader app helps download APKs and side-load the apps on Fire TV Stick. It is simple and straightforward.
First, we learn to download from the direct URL for the files. Then, we learn how to download a file from a website.
Download/Install APKs on FireStick with Direct URL
Let us first use the ‘Home’ option, which lets us directly download the files using the URLs pointing at those files.
1. Click Home on the left sidebar. This option sits right on top.
2. On the right, you will see the cursor already blinking in the URL field. Press the Select button on your remote to highlight the field. The onscreen keyboard will pop-up. If the URL box is already populated, clear it first.
3. Now simply enter the file URL and press Go on the onscreen keyboard (note that the URL must point directly to the file saved on a server and not a webpage. We have the next section to download files from a website).
4. The download will automatically start. Once the file has downloaded, if it is an APK file, click Install on the bottom right.
5. This will start installing the app. Once the app is installed, you will see the notification message confirming the status. You will also see two buttons on the bottom – Done & Open.
6. Choose Done if you want to open the installed app later. Click Open to start using the app right away.
7. When you click Done, you will see a pop-up on the Downloader interface. Press the Delete button to remove the APK file from your storage. You don’t need it any longer. So, this is how you can delete the APK file from within Downloader without having to use any file manager.
8. To confirm that the file has been deleted, select ‘Files’ from the options on the left. The file you just deleted will not appear here. If you don’t have any files, this section will say ‘No files found in the download folder.’
Download Files/Install APKs from Websites
You may not have the direct link to the file you wish to download. That’s not a problem. Downloader app has a built-in browser that allows you to visit the websites and download from the download links on the web pages.
1. Select the Browser option on the left menu on the Downloader interface
2. Now, highlight the address bar and type in the destination URL from where you wish to download the file
Click GO
3. If the page does not display properly in the browser, click the Hamburger menu on the top right (three horizontal lines placed vertically one over the other). Hamburger menu is next to the Go button of the address bar (and not on the onscreen keyboard). Now select the Fullscreen Mode from the options.
4. Use the remote up/down keys to scroll the page and go to the Download link. Click the Download link. The file will start to download. If it is an APK file, click Install on the lower left
5. When the App Installed notification appears, you can either hit Done to go back to Downloader or click Install to install the app you downloaded.