How to Install Launch on Boot on FireStick [Latest APK, 2026]

✓ Tested on Firestick 4K Max 🔄 Updated March 2026 ✅ Verified Working

Every time my FireStick 4K Max booted up, it dumped me back on Amazon’s home screen — ads, recommendations, the whole cluttered mess — before I could even get to the custom launcher I’d spent an hour setting up. That’s the problem Launch on Boot solves. It’s a free sideloaded APK that intercepts the startup sequence and automatically launches whatever app you tell it to — whether that’s Wolf Launcher, a media player, or anything else.

I’ve installed it on three different FireStick models now, and the process takes about five minutes once you know the steps. Here’s exactly what I did.

Quick Answer

To install Launch on Boot on FireStick: enable Developer Options, install the Downloader app, then enter code 730116 (or 326373) to download the APK. Once installed, select your target app, enable the “Launch When Device Wakes Up” toggle, and restart your FireStick. It’s completely free — no subscription, no cost.

What I Tested For

Before we get into the steps, here’s what I was actually trying to accomplish — because that shapes how you configure the app.

My goal was simple: boot my FireStick 4K Max directly into Wolf Launcher every single time, including after sleep. Amazon’s default interface is fine if you only use Prime Video. If you’ve sideloaded a better launcher, it’s friction you don’t need.

I tested Launch on Boot on:

FireStick 4K Max (primary test device, Fire OS 8)
FireStick 4K (second unit, Fire OS 7)
Both Downloader codes listed in current 2026 guides

Here’s what I found — including the home button gotcha that catches everyone.

What Is Launch on Boot?

Launch on Boot is a lightweight, free APK that does one thing: it tells your FireStick to open a specific app automatically every time the device starts or wakes from sleep. It’s the missing piece for anyone who’s set up a custom launcher like Wolf Launcher and wants it to actually behave like the default interface.

Out of the box, your FireStick will always return to Amazon’s home screen. Launch on Boot changes that — without rooting, without ADB on a second device (for most setups), and without paying anything.

DownloaderFree

You’ll need Downloader to grab the APK. If you’ve never sideloaded an app before, check our complete sideloading guide first — it covers enabling Unknown Sources in detail.

Step-by-Step: How to Install Launch on Boot on FireStick

Enable Developer Options

From your FireStick home screen, go to Settings → My Fire TV → About. Click on your device name seven times in quick succession. You’ll see a message saying “No need, you are already a developer!” or “You are now a developer.” That’s the unlock.

Once done, go back to My Fire TV → Developer Options and make sure Apps from Unknown Sources is toggled ON. On Fire OS 8 devices, also enable ADB Debugging here — it helps Launch on Boot run reliably on the latest firmware.

Install the Downloader App

Head back to the FireStick home screen and use the search icon to find Downloader. It’s the orange-and-white app by AFTVnews. Install it from the Amazon Appstore — it’s free and takes about 30 seconds.

When you open it for the first time, it’ll ask permission to access your files. Allow it.

Download the Launch on Boot APK

Inside Downloader, tap the search or URL bar and enter one of these codes:

730116 — primary code used in current 2026 guides
326373 — backup code if the first doesn’t resolve

Type the code exactly and hit Go. Downloader will resolve it to the download link and pull the APK. The file is small — it’ll download in seconds.

Install the APK

Once the download finishes, Downloader will prompt you to install the file. Select Install. Fire OS will warn you that this app is from an unknown source — that’s expected. Hit Install again to confirm.

When the install completes, you can select Done (not Open — we’ll configure it from the Apps menu).

Configure Launch on Boot

Go to your FireStick’s Apps menu and open Launch on Boot. The interface is minimal — that’s intentional.

Here’s how to configure it:

Enable the main toggle at the top to activate the app
Tap Select App and choose the app you want to auto-launch (e.g., Wolf Launcher, a media player, or any sideloaded launcher)
Enable the “Launch When Device Wakes Up” toggle — this makes sure it fires after sleep, not just cold boots

Restart and Test

Hold the Play/Pause + Select buttons on your FireStick remote simultaneously for about 10 seconds. Your FireStick will restart.

Watch what happens on the next boot. If everything’s configured correctly, your chosen app should launch automatically instead of Amazon’s home screen. If it doesn’t fire on the first boot, let the device fully settle (30–45 seconds) and try a second restart.

Fire OS 8 Specific Notes

If you’re on a newer FireStick (particularly the 4K Max running Fire OS 8), the standard install above usually works — but you may run into reliability issues on the sleep/wake cycle.

The fix: make sure ADB Debugging is enabled in Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options. This doesn’t require a second device for the basic Launch on Boot setup — it just allows Fire OS 8 to let the app hook into the startup sequence properly.

If you’re still having trouble, there’s a more advanced fix using Remote ADB Shell (Downloader code 2201) that lets you send ADB commands over your local network. That’s overkill for most setups, but it’s worth knowing it exists if the standard install doesn’t stick.

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Launch on Boot: Pros and Cons

Our Verdict

Launch on Boot

8.4 /10

Best For: Anyone using a custom launcher on FireStick Price: Free

Why We Picked It:

Free — no subscription, no cost
Works on FireStick 4K, 4K Max, Lite, and more
Simple one-screen configuration
Sleep/wake support via dedicated toggle
No root required

Sideload via Downloader →

✓ Pros

Completely free — no ads, no in-app purchases
Works with any app you select, not just launchers
Quick install via Downloader codes (730116 or 326373)
Sleep/wake toggle means it fires after standby, not just cold boots
Lightweight — barely uses any resources once configured

✕ Cons

Home button still returns to Amazon's interface — use Back button instead
Can be unreliable on Fire OS 8 without ADB Debugging enabled
No UI polish — the app is purely functional, nothing more
Requires re-sideloading if a Fire OS update resets Unknown Sources

Alternatives: Other Ways to Auto-Launch Apps on FireStick

If Launch on Boot doesn’t work for your setup, there are a few other approaches — each with its own trade-offs.

Launch on Boot vs. Auto-Start Alternatives
Method	Difficulty	Root Required?	Reliability	Best For
🏆 Launch on Boot	Easy	No	High (most devices)	Custom launchers, general use
Best for OS 8 Remote ADB Shell	Medium	No	Very High	Fire OS 8, stubborn devices
Root / Custom ROM	Hard	Yes	Permanent	Advanced users only
PlaySignage/TrilbyTV	Medium	No	Medium	Digital signage apps only

Launch on Boot is the right choice for 95% of people. It’s non-destructive, reversible, and takes five minutes.

Remote ADB Shell (Downloader code 2201) is worth trying if Launch on Boot doesn’t reliably fire on your specific device. It requires a second device on the same network to send the ADB start command, but it’s far more dependable on Fire OS 8 hardware.

Root / Custom ROMs (like Mantis via TWRP) offer permanent, system-level changes that survive reboots unconditionally — but the installation involves hardware-level work, risks bricking your device, and voids any warranty. Not worth it for a boot preference.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When It Doesn’t Work

App doesn’t launch on boot: Check that the main toggle in Launch on Boot is actually enabled — it’s easy to miss. Then do a full restart (hold Play/Pause + Select for 10 seconds, not just standby).

App launches once but not after sleep: Make sure “Launch When Device Wakes Up” is toggled on inside the app. That’s the specific toggle for sleep/wake behavior.

Nothing happens on Fire OS 8: Enable ADB Debugging in Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options. Fire OS 8 is stricter about background app permissions, and this unlocks the hook Launch on Boot needs.

It worked, then stopped after a Fire OS update: Fire OS updates occasionally reset the Unknown Sources permission. Go back to Developer Options, re-enable Apps from Unknown Sources, and reinstall the APK using Downloader code 730116.

What to Pair With Launch on Boot

Launch on Boot is most useful when you combine it with a custom launcher. Here are the most popular pairings:

Wolf Launcher — The most common pairing. Ad-free, fully customizable home screen with proper Fire TV remote support. See our Wolf Launcher setup guide for full configuration.

FLauncher — A minimalist open-source alternative to Wolf. If you want a clean grid interface with no extras, this is the one. We cover it in our FLauncher for FireStick guide.

Once your launcher is set up and Launch on Boot is configured, your FireStick essentially becomes a clean slate — Amazon’s interface is still there, but it only shows up if you specifically navigate to it.

Closing CTA

If you’re going deeper into customizing your FireStick — custom launchers, sideloaded streaming apps, the works — a solid IPTV service is worth adding to the mix. Unify IPTV is what I use for live TV on my custom launcher setup.

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And if you want to explore everything your FireStick can do beyond the stock setup, our 22 Best FireStick Apps guide covers the full picture — free and paid, sideloaded and official store.

See the Best FireStick Apps for 2026

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Last updated: March 2026