How to Get Google Play on Kindle Fire and Install Any Android App You Want

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The Kindle Fire tablets are some of the best and cheapest Android tablets, but they are limited by the Amazon app store , which is more than in short supply when compared to the thousands of apps available on the Google Play store . However, with a little tweak, you can run any Android app on them. You can even get the entire Google Play Store on some devices.

What do you need

The Amazon Fire tablets are based on the non-Google version of Android, but inside they are still very similar. This makes it easier to install Android apps on your tablet, but some methods are easier than others. We’re going to look at two ways to do this. Method # 1 involves downloading the Android APK installer files and installing them directly. Method # 2 will install the entire Google Play Store, which you can use just like on a regular Android phone. This method is a little more complicated, but it will make it much easier to install any application you want. Plus, it will provide you with the Google Play services that you will need for most Google apps. Here’s what you need for both methods:

  • Kindle Fire Tablet: For Method # 1, you can use any Kindle tablet. We tested this method on an old 2nd generation 7-inch Kindle and it worked. For method # 2, you’ll need a 4th generation Kindle Fire or higher, upgraded to Fire OS 5.
  • Android APKs ( Method # 1 ): If you want to install apps manually, you’ll need to get the APK from somewhere. APKs are files that Android uses to install applications, similar to .exe files in Windows. We’ll go over a few ways to get the APK, but if you have an Android phone that already has the app you want on your Fire tablet, it might come in handy.
  • Windows PC ( Method # 2 ): To install the Play Store on your device, you need to connect it to your Windows PC using a USB-to-micro-USB cable. If your Kindle tablet didn’t ship with it, you can get it from Monoprice here or Amazon here .
  • ADB ( Method # 2 ): ADB is a powerful tool in the Android developer kit that allows you to run commands on an Android device from your computer. You can download a small version of the tool from XDA here and install it in just a couple of clicks. We have a complete step-by-step guide that you should follow first. Once you have ADB, go back.
  • RootJunky’s SuperTool ( Method # 2 ): This tool will install the drivers needed to connect ADB to your tablet on your computer, and then install the Google Play Store. If your Fire tablet is running Fire OS 5.3.1 or later, download the .zip file named Amazon-Fire-5th-Gen-Install-Play-Store.zip from here . If you have an older version, download Amazon-Fire-5th-Gen-SuperTool-old.zip from here . If you’re not sure which version you have, open the Settings app from the Kindle home screen, scroll to Device Settings and tap System Updates. Your version number should be at the top.

The process may differ slightly depending on your device. Let’s start.

Method # 1: download and install Android apps manually

Since Kindle Fire tablets run the Android version, you can manually install Android apps. First, you need to configure the setting so that you can install apps outside of the Amazon app store. To get started, follow these steps:

  1. Scroll down to the Apps section on your Kindle and open Settings.
  2. Tap Security.
  3. Turn on the switch labeled “Apps from unknown sources.”

You can then install the APK of any app, like the official Gmail app, Google Maps, or even Pokémon Go (assuming you have a GPS model). First, you need to find them. Free apps are easy to find online, but paid apps are copy protected, so the easiest way is to buy an app and install it on another Android device first. Here are some ways to get the ones you’re looking for:

  • Find popular apps on APK Mirror . This site hosts hundreds of apps from Google, Facebook, Samsung and many more. Each APK is scanned for security. Best of all, older versions of the app are zipped, so you can find the version that works for your device. This is especially handy for Kindle owners, as the latest version of Fire OS is based on the earlier version of Android Lollipop .
  • Use APK Downloader to download apps from the Google Play Store. We’ve already covered the APK Downloader and this is one of the easiest ways to get the APK. Just go to the app’s page in the Play Store on the Internet, grab the app’s package name from the address bar (the part that looks like “com.xxxx.xxxx”) and click “Create Download Link”. Download the APK, transfer it to your Kindle and you can install it.
  • Extract the APKs from your own Android device. Since the paid apps are secured, most APK extraction tools don’t touch them. However, you can do it yourself. Use an app like Astro File Manager to back up an app you already have installed on your phone. Pull down Astro’s left navigation bar and tap the tools icon, tap App Mgr and select the app you want to move to your Kindle. Then click Backup. This will create a copy of the APK file on your phone in a folder labeled “backups”. Copy the backup file to your Kindle and open it to install.

After you’ve downloaded the APK file, you should see a notification in the shadow that says the download is complete. Tap it to install the file. If you missed the notification, open the Silk Browser app, tap the menu button and tap Downloads. You should find your APK file there.

This method sometimes works, but keep in mind that many apps require the Google Play Services platform for important features like location services, account sign-in, and payment tools. Some, especially Google apps, won’t even install or run without first installing and running this framework. If the application you need is broken or won’t start, try installing the Play Store using method # 2.

Method # 2: Install Google Play Store

Installing the full version of the Google Play Store is the best way to get Android apps on your Kindle tablet in the long run. You don’t need to download them one at a time, and anytime you need to install one, you can simply open the store and get it. You will also get Google Play services, which means more apps will work with it. However, this method is also more complicated and you need to be good at command line.

You should also try to do this as early as possible if you have a new Fire tablet. Amazon applies system updates automatically when you are not using your tablet, and this method may not work with newer versions of Fire OS. Fortunately, RootJunky can block future updates, but it’s best to start with a new device running version 5.3.1 or earlier if possible. Mine was working on version 5.3.2.1, but future updates may break this tool. If you already have a tablet or have it already updated, give it a try, but you may encounter some errors.

First you need to enable developer options . Here’s how:

  1. From the home screen, scroll down and tap the Settings app.
  2. Tap Device Options.
  3. Press Serial Number seven times. The toast should say “You are a developer now!”
  4. There should be a new menu item under the Serial Number called Developer Options. Tap it.
  5. Tap the switch that says Enable ADB.

For the next part, you will need to install ADB on your Windows PC. Find the RootJunky SuperTool you downloaded earlier (if you are using 5.3.1 or newer, get it here , for older versions get it here ), then follow these steps:

  1. Connect your Fire tablet to your computer using a micro USB cable.
  2. Extract the contents of the SuperTool zip file to a separate folder.
  3. Run the batch file named 1-Install-Play-Store in the SuperTool folder.
  4. When the program finishes downloading, you will see a menu similar to the one above. Enter 1 for “Install ADB Driver” and press Enter.
  5. Here you can check if ADB is working. Enter 2 for “Test ADB Driver” and press Enter to test the ADB connection.
  6. If the app reports the test failed, enter 1 for “Install ADB Driver” to install the necessary drivers on your computer to connect ADB to your Fire tablet.
  7. When you’re done, you will be returned to the main menu. Enter 2 for “Install Google Play Store and Remove Ads from Lock Screen.”
  8. After the installation is complete, you should return to the main menu.
  9. (Optional) Enter 3 for “block OTA updates from Amazon”. This will prevent your apps from disrupting their automatic updates.
  10. Once you’re done, restart your device immediately.

You should now see the Play Store listed in your apps. The first time you install an app that uses Google Play Services, you will also receive a download notification. After that, you can download any app from the store just like a normal Android device.

However, you may notice several errors. During testing, I found that Gmail and Google Maps work fine, but Inbox crashes as soon as I open it. Also, although I signed in to my Google account, the Play Store did not recognize some of the paid apps I already bought. Your experience may differ depending on which device you are using and which version of Fire OS you are using.

Kindle Fire tablets are powerful little devices that are very cheap. Even if you bought yours just to read books, the Play Store will open up a lot of potential that you never knew existed. Enjoy your new, more powerful tablet.

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