Customer Ratings & Reviews

Hi Pix503,
Thank you for your feedback on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I am sorry your having problems downloading apps. To download apps, use the search function on the home screen or voice search with your remote. I hope this information was helpful, have a nice day.

Hi photog6,

Thank you for sharing your feedback about the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I'm sorry to hear that you were misled about the local station capabilities – that's definitely frustrating when a product doesn't meet your expectations for a specific feature.

I understand your disappointment about not being able to access local stations the way you expected. You're absolutely right that the Fire TV Stick 4K Select's approach to local channels is different from dedicated over-the-air (OTA) solutions. The Fire TV Stick can access local content through streaming apps and services, but it doesn't have a built-in tuner for traditional broadcast television signals like devices such as Tablo or the Fire TV Cube with an antenna setup would provide.

For viewers specifically looking for traditional local broadcast channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc.) via antenna, you're correct that:

Tablo: Works as a DVR that connects to an antenna and streams local channels to your devices
Fire TV Cube: Can integrate with antenna setups and cable/satellite boxes for a more comprehensive viewing experience including local channels

However, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select does offer access to local content through:

Streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV (which require subscriptions)
Individual network apps that may offer local content
Free streaming services with some local news and content

Your feedback about the clarity of local channel capabilities is valuable and helps us improve how we communicate product features.

Hello Reviewer,

Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I appreciate your honest assessment of the device's capabilities.

You're correct that the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is designed as a streamlined, entry-level 4K streaming device, which is reflected in its price point. It's built for straightforward streaming experiences with legitimate apps and services from the Amazon Appstore, and it includes features like AI-powered search, 4K streaming support, and access to free and live TV.

The device is optimized for standard consumer use with official apps and services, which ensures security, stability, and compliance with content licensing agreements. For customers seeking more advanced customization options or alternative app installations, Amazon offers other devices in the Fire TV lineup with different specifications that might better suit various needs.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective, as it helps other customers understand what to expect from this particular model.

Hi Trayrob21,

Thank you for sharing your feedback about the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I'm sorry to hear that you're finding it more restricted compared to the standard Fire TV Stick 4K—I understand how frustrating it can be when a newer model feels like a step backward in functionality.

The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is designed as a more streamlined version with some differences from the standard Fire TV Stick 4K, which may account for the restrictions you're experiencing. Here are some key differences:
App availability: As mentioned in another review, some apps may have limited availability due to the newer Fire OS
Feature set: Certain advanced features may be scaled back in the Select model

If the restrictions are significantly impacting your streaming experience, here are some options:

Check for updates: Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates to ensure you have the latest software, which may expand functionality
Compare models: If the Select model doesn't meet your needs, the standard Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Max offer more features and fewer restrictions

Your feedback about the restrictions in the Select model is valuable and helps us understand how product positioning and feature differences impact user experience.

Thank you for your feedback, user575283.

Hello ShenC. Thank you for your feedback on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I understand your frustration with the difficulty installing VLC and the changes in the newest model. Amazon continuously updates Fire TV devices with enhanced security features to protect customers from potentially harmful applications and ensure a safe streaming experience. While some advanced customization options like sideloading third-party apps may have changed, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers robust security measures, AI-powered search capabilities, and access to thousands of apps through the Amazon Appstore including many media player alternatives to VLC that are optimized for Fire TV devices.

For media playback, you can explore apps available in the Amazon Appstore, or other video player apps that provide similar functionality to VLC while maintaining the security and compatibility standards of the Fire TV platform. The device is designed to provide a secure, user-friendly streaming experience with regular software updates that enhance performance and protect your personal information. I hope this clarifies that the changes prioritize your security while still offering robust streaming and media playback capabilities.

Hi Dramos2072,
Thank you for your feedback on the Fire Stick 4K Select. I am sorry to hear it was slow. There are a few things to try if the Fire Stick is working slowly, first restart the device and your modem/router. Then, clear the cache for apps, uninstall unused apps, and check for system updates. If these steps do not help and you are still experiencing issues, you can reach out to Amazon Customer Support 24/7 at 1-888-280-4331.

Hello Roman,

Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I'm sorry to hear that you're dissatisfied with the Fire OS experience on the device. We appreciate your honest feedback about the operating system, as it helps us understand where improvements are needed.

I'm glad to hear that despite your frustration with the product, you received excellent five-star customer service from the Best Buy team. Great customer service can make a significant difference, and it's wonderful that they were able to assist you effectively.

If you're experiencing specific issues with the Fire OS—such as navigation difficulties, app performance, or interface concerns—Amazon does regularly release software updates that can improve the user experience. You can check for updates in Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates.

However, if the operating system simply doesn't meet your preferences or needs, we completely understand. Your feedback about the OS experience is valuable and will be shared with our product team.

Hello Dreday. Thank you for your feedback on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I understand your disappointment with the changes in the newest model compared to previous versions. Amazon continuously updates Fire TV devices with enhanced security features to protect customers from potentially harmful applications and ensure a safe streaming experience. While some advanced customization options may have changed, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select offers robust security measures, AI-powered search capabilities, access to thousands of apps through the Amazon Appstore, and seamless streaming in 4K quality with support for free and live TV content. The device is designed to provide a secure, user-friendly streaming experience with regular software updates that enhance performance and protect your personal information. You can still customize your home screen, download apps from the Amazon Appstore, and enjoy all the entertainment features Fire TV offers. If you have specific concerns about functionality or features you're missing from previous models, I hope this clarifies that the changes prioritize your security and overall device experience.

Dear FIREFLOES,

Thank you for sharing your feedback about the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I'm truly sorry to hear that you've had such a disappointing experience with this device and that it hasn't met your expectations.

I understand how frustrating it is when a product doesn't deliver the streaming experience you were hoping for, especially with a newer model that should provide reliable performance. Your dissatisfaction is completely valid, and I genuinely want to understand what went wrong so we can help make this right.

We'd really appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the specific issues you encountered with the Fire TV Stick. Whether it's performance problems, connectivity issues, interface concerns, or other technical difficulties, our support team is ready to work with you to troubleshoot and resolve these problems. In many cases, we can address issues through software updates, settings adjustments, or other solutions that can significantly improve your experience.

Please reach out to our support team so we can help turn this around for you. Your feedback is important to us, and we're committed to ensuring you have a positive experience with our products.

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns.

Hello Michael! Thank you for your feedback on the Fire TV Stick Select. I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment with this device and that it hasn't met your expectations. The Fire TV Stick Select is positioned as an entry-level streaming device, and while it provides basic streaming functionality, it may have limitations compared to other models in the Fire TV lineup in terms of processing speed, available features, and app compatibility.
If you're looking for a Fire TV device with better performance, you might consider the Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which offer enhanced processing power, more memory, and support for additional features and apps, though I completely understand if you've decided to explore other streaming options given your experience. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which you already own, typically provides the most robust performance in the Fire TV Stick lineup when it's functioning properly.If these troubleshooting steps don't resolve the issue Amazon Customer Support is available 24/7 at 1-888-280-4331. Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback it's essential for helping improve product development and ensuring customers receive devices that meet their expectations and needs.

Hello De30,

Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing severe buffering issues and persistent internet connectivity problems. These are fundamental issues that prevent you from enjoying the streaming experience you paid for, and your frustration is completely understandable.

Connectivity and buffering problems can sometimes be resolved through troubleshooting:

Restart your Fire TV Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in
Check your internet speed to ensure you're getting adequate bandwidth (4K streaming requires at least 25 Mbps)
Move your router closer to the Fire TV Stick or reduce interference from other devices
Try connecting via Ethernet using an Amazon Ethernet Adapter for Fire TV if Wi-Fi continues to be unreliable
Check for system updates in Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates

However, if your Fire TV Stick won't maintain a stable connection despite these steps, I recommend contacting Amazon Customer Service at 1-888-280-4331 or through your Amazon account. They can run diagnostics and determine if there's a hardware defect that warrants a replacement.

Your feedback helps us identify when products aren't delivering the reliable streaming experience our customers expect, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Hi Brian,

Thank you for sharing your feedback about the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. I understand your frustration with the app restrictions on this newest model.

You're right that the Fire TV Stick 4K Select has enhanced security features that limit app downloads to only those available in the Amazon Appstore. This is a significant change from previous Fire TV models, and I can see how this would be disappointing if you were expecting the same flexibility you had with earlier devices.

The Amazon Appstore does include most major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and many others. However, I recognize this may not include all the apps you were hoping to use.

If the app restrictions are a dealbreaker for your needs, you might want to consider exchanging it for the standard Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which offer more flexibility with app installation while still providing excellent 4K streaming performance.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, as feedback like yours helps us understand what matters most to our customers.

Hello OscarD! Thanks so much for taking the time to provide feedback and your review on your new Fire TV Stick 4K Select! If you are having trouble with downloading apps from the Amazon Appstore for any reason, then I would recommend contact us directly at Amazon Customer Support at 888.280.4331 for further troubleshooting. You should be able to download any app that is approved for use and compatible with the Fire TV Stick lineup. Thank you so much for your time and review and I hope we are able to resolve your issue. Have a terrific day!