How it works
The stick is a tiny computer. It takes power from a wall adapter, connects to your broadband over Wi-Fi, and sends its picture and sound to the TV through HDMI. You choose what to watch with the remote, and the stick streams it from the internet.
In the box you get the stick, an Alexa Voice Remote, a USB cable and power adapter, AAA batteries and, usually, an HDMI extender. To set it up you need a TV with a free HDMI port, your Wi-Fi password and an Amazon account: see set up a Firestick.
What you can watch
- Streaming services and UK catch-up TV through their apps.
- Live TV through broadcaster apps and IPTV player apps that play a subscription you add.
- YouTube, music, photos and screen mirroring from Android phones and Windows PCs.
Fire OS or Vega OS: the one thing to check
Fire TV devices run one of two systems. Fire OS, based on Android, installs apps from the Amazon Appstore and, where allowed, from a developer’s own download link. Vega OS, on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and the 2026 Fire TV Stick HD, installs Appstore apps only. For IPTV, that matters: most popular players need Fire OS. See Vega OS and IPTV and the model comparison.
Firestick or smart TV apps?
| Firestick | Smart TV’s own apps | |
|---|---|---|
| App choice | Amazon Appstore, plus developer downloads on Fire OS | Depends on the TV brand and age |
| Updates | From Amazon | From the TV maker, sometimes ending after a few years |
| Speed | Often quicker than an older TV | Varies |
| Cost | A one-off purchase | Already paid for |
If your TV’s apps are slow or missing, a stick is a cheap upgrade. For the main TV, a model with Ethernet or an Android TV box can be steadier: see Firestick alternatives.
The legal part
A Firestick is a legal device. The “dodgy” or “fully loaded” sticks sold with free pay-TV and sport are what the law targets: sellers have been jailed and buyers contacted by investigators. See dodgy Firesticks.