How to Update Stremio on Firestick (Latest Version)

I updated Stremio on three different Firestick models this week — a 4K Max, a regular Fire TV Stick, and an older Fire TV Stick Lite — and the process worked identically on all of them. The catch? Since Amazon removed Stremio from the App Store back in January 2026, you can’t just hit “Update” like you used to. You need to sideload the new APK.

Good news: it takes about two minutes, and you won’t lose any of your add-ons, Real-Debrid configuration, or watch history.

What I Tested For

• Whether settings and add-ons survive the update
• Update time on different Firestick models
• Whether the 32-bit APK works on all common Firestick devices
• New features and bug fixes in v1.9.4
• Known issues that persist after updating

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Why You Need to Sideload the Update

Here’s the deal: Stremio was removed from the Amazon App Store on January 15, 2026. Amazon and Apple both pulled it around the same time — likely because the app supports third-party add-ons that can access unofficial content sources.

Stremio did return to Google Play after a brief removal, but it’s still gone from the Amazon store. That means:

• No automatic updates through the App Store
• No “Update” button in your apps list
• You need to manually sideload each new version

This is actually pretty common with Firestick apps. If you’ve ever sideloaded apps on your Firestick, you already know the drill. If not, I’ll walk you through every step.

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Before You Update: Check Your Current Version

Want to see what version you’re running? Open Stremio, go to Settings (the gear icon), and scroll to the bottom. You’ll see your version number there.

The latest version is v1.9.4 (released February 7, 2026). If you’re on anything older, it’s worth updating — especially if you’ve been dealing with subtitle issues or the player not remembering your preferences.

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Method 1: Update Stremio Using Downloader (Recommended)

DownloaderFree

This is the method I use on all my Firestick devices. The Downloader app is free from the Amazon App Store and makes sideloading dead simple.

Prerequisites

If you haven’t set up Downloader before, you’ll need to do two things first:

1. Install Downloader — Search for “Downloader” in the Amazon App Store and install the orange app by AFTVnews
2. Enable Unknown Sources — Go to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options → turn on Install Unknown Apps → toggle Downloader to ON

Already have Downloader set up? Skip straight to the update steps.

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Method 2: Update Using Send Files to TV

Send Files to TVFree

If you’d rather download the APK on your phone or computer first, you can use Send Files to TV to transfer it wirelessly to your Firestick. This is handy if the Downloader browser is giving you trouble or if you prefer downloading on a bigger screen.

1. Install Send Files to TV on both your Firestick and your phone/computer (it’s free in the Amazon App Store and Google Play)
2. On your phone or computer, go to stremio.com/downloads and download the Android TV 32-bit APK
3. Open Send Files to TV on both devices — make sure they’re on the same WiFi network
4. On your phone, tap Send and select the downloaded APK
5. On your Firestick, accept the incoming file
6. Once transferred, open the file and tap Install

Same deal as Method 1 — it installs over the existing version and keeps all your settings.

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What’s New in Stremio v1.9.4

The v1.9.4 update (released February 7, 2026) is mostly a bug fix release, but it addresses some genuinely annoying issues I’ve been dealing with:

Bug Fixes

• Subtitle disabling actually works now — Previously, turning off subtitles didn’t always stick. Fixed.
• Subtitle font sizes are correct — No more randomly oversized or tiny subtitles
• Player type is remembered — If you set an external player, it stays set between sessions
• Track delays reset properly — Changing audio or video tracks no longer carries over weird delays
• Catalog images load on older devices — If you’re on a Fire TV Stick Lite or older model, thumbnails should actually show up now
• Track menu is more readable — Easier to pick the right audio/subtitle track
• External player time is correct — Opening content in VLC or another player now passes the correct timestamp

What Changed in v1.9.1–1.9.3

If you’re coming from an even older version, here’s what you’ve been missing:

• Completely redesigned player UI — The playback controls got a fresh look
• Device clock on player — You can now see the time while watching (enable in Settings)
• Hide other languages from subtitles — Declutters the subtitle menu if you only speak one or two languages
• Title display under catalog items — Optional, but nice for browsing

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Known Issues to Watch For

I want to be upfront about some bugs that still exist even after updating:

• Crashes on certain titles — Opening details for specific movies can crash the app back to the Firestick home screen. This is related to how the app handles logo images.
• Audio keeps playing after pause (Fire TV Cube) — On the latest-gen Fire TV Cube specifically, pausing a stream doesn’t always stop the audio. It’ll keep playing in the background. This has persisted across several versions.
• Resume crashes (Firestick 4K Max) — If you exit a movie and try to resume later, the app might crash. Restarting Stremio and trying again usually works.
• Autoplay issues — Autoplay (next episode) hasn’t worked reliably since v1.6.12 for Android TV. Clicking “Skip Credits” or “Next Episode” sometimes exits the player instead of continuing.

None of these are dealbreakers for me, but they’re worth knowing about so you don’t think something went wrong with your update.

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Do You Need to Uninstall First?

No. This is the most common question I see about updating Stremio, and the answer is always the same: just install the new version directly over the old one. Android handles the upgrade seamlessly.

Installing the new APK over the old one preserves:

• All your installed add-ons (Torrentio, Comet, MediaFusion, etc.)
• Your Real-Debrid authorization
• Your Trakt sync
• Your watch history and continue-watching list
• All custom settings

The only time you’d need to uninstall first is if you’re getting a persistent error during installation — which is rare. If that happens, uninstall, reinstall, and you’ll need to set up your add-ons again.

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Which APK Should You Download? (32-bit vs 64-bit)

For Firestick users, the answer is almost always 32-bit. Here’s the breakdown:

Only specific third-party Android TV boxes (like the BuzzTV Powerstation 6) need the 64-bit version. If you’re running any Amazon-branded Fire TV device, go with 32-bit.

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Protect Your Streaming with a VPN

SurfsharkPaid

If you’re using Stremio with torrent-based add-ons like Torrentio or Comet, your ISP can see your streaming activity. A VPN encrypts your connection and prevents throttling.

Quick note on Real-Debrid and VPNs: If you’re streaming exclusively through Real-Debrid, your traffic goes through RD’s servers rather than direct torrent connections. Some users skip the VPN in this case. I still recommend one for general privacy and to avoid ISP throttling, but it’s your call.

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Troubleshooting Update Problems

”App Not Installed” Error

This usually means the APK you downloaded doesn’t match your device architecture. Make sure you’re downloading the 32-bit version for Firestick. If that doesn’t work, try:

1. Clear the cache on the Downloader app
2. Restart your Firestick
3. Try the download again

Download Keeps Failing

If the download from stremio.com keeps timing out or failing:

1. Check your internet connection — run a speed test
2. Try using Send Files to TV instead (Method 2 above)
3. Clear the Downloader app cache: Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications → Downloader → Clear Cache

Stremio Won’t Open After Update

Rare, but it happens. Try these in order:

1. Force stop — Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications → Stremio → Force Stop, then reopen
2. Clear cache (not data) — Same menu, tap Clear Cache
3. Restart your Firestick — Settings → My Fire TV → Restart
4. Last resort: Clear data — This will wipe your add-on settings and you’ll need to set them up again

Add-ons Missing After Update

This shouldn’t happen if you installed over the existing version. But if it does:

1. Open Stremio → go to the Add-ons section
2. Your add-ons might just need to refresh — give it a minute
3. If they’re truly gone, you’ll need to reinstall them. Check out our Stremio installation guide for the full add-on setup walkthrough

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How Often Should You Update Stremio?

Stremio pushes updates fairly regularly — roughly every 1-2 weeks during active development periods. I’d recommend checking for updates at least once a month, or whenever you notice something not working right.

Since there’s no auto-update on Firestick anymore, you’ll need to manually check. Bookmark stremio.com/downloads in the Downloader app’s favorites for quick access.

You can also follow the Stremio blog for release announcements — they post “Tech Updates” with every new version.

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Stremio vs Kodi: Which Should You Keep Updated?

Both. But if you’re asking which one deserves more of your attention:

	Stremio	Kodi
Ease of use	Much simpler	Steep learning curve
Setup time	5 minutes	30+ minutes
Add-on management	Automatic	Manual
Customization	Limited	Extensive
Best for	Most users	Power users

I use Stremio as my daily driver and keep Kodi around for specific use cases. If you’re choosing one, Stremio is the way to go for most people. Check our Kodi installation guide if you want both.

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Related Guides

• How to Install Stremio on Firestick — Full installation walkthrough with Real-Debrid setup
• How to Setup Real-Debrid on Firestick — Get the best streams in Stremio
• How to Sideload Apps on Firestick — Master the Downloader app
• Best VPNs for Firestick — Protect your streaming privacy
• Firestick Buffering Fixes — Fix buffering issues in Stremio and other apps

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Last updated: February 2026