SmartTube is an unofficial YouTube player designed for Android TV devices, including Amazon Fire TV and Firestick. It offers features such as ad-free playback, sponsor skipping, background playback, and improved remote-friendly controls. Because SmartTube is not available in the Amazon Appstore, you must sideload it. This guide explains how to install SmartTube on Firestick safely and keep it updated.
Before You Install SmartTube on Firestick
SmartTube is a third-party application and is not developed or distributed by YouTube or Amazon. It is also not hosted in the Amazon Appstore, so Amazon does not verify or support it.
Before continuing, keep these points in mind:
- Download SmartTube only from its official project release page.
- Avoid unofficial APK websites, shortened links, and “premium” versions.
- Do not install an APK that asks for unrelated permissions.
- SmartTube may not comply with YouTube’s terms of service.
- You are responsible for how you use the application and the content you access.
You will need a Firestick or Fire TV device connected to the internet, a working Amazon account, and the free Downloader app. A VPN is not required to install SmartTube, although some users use one for general privacy. A VPN cannot make unauthorized streaming legal.
Enable Sideloading on Your Firestick
Amazon Fire TV blocks applications from outside the Appstore by default. You must allow the Downloader app to install files before installing SmartTube on Firestick.
- From the Firestick home screen, open Settings.
- Select My Fire TV.
- Choose About.
- Highlight your Fire TV device name and press the select button seven times.
- A message should confirm that Developer Options are enabled.
- Return to the previous menu and open Developer Options.
- Select Install unknown apps.
- Find Downloader and switch it to On.
On some older Firestick models, the setting is called Apps from Unknown Sources. Select that option and enable it instead.
You do not need to enable ADB debugging for this installation. Leaving unnecessary developer settings disabled is generally better for security.
Install Downloader
Downloader is Amazon’s commonly used utility for downloading files from the web. It is available directly through the Amazon Appstore.
- Select the search icon on the Firestick home screen.
- Search for Downloader.
- Choose the app published by AFTVnews.
- Select Get or Download.
- Open Downloader after installation.
- Approve any initial permission request so Downloader can access files on your device.
If Downloader does not appear in search, check that your Firestick is connected to the internet and that you are using the official app listing. Avoid similarly named applications from unknown publishers.
Download and Install SmartTube on Firestick
SmartTube’s official releases are published through its project repository on GitHub. The safest method is to type the official address manually rather than selecting a random search result.
- Open Downloader.
- Select the address field.
- Enter the official SmartTube project release page:
- Open the latest stable release, not an experimental or test build.
- Review the available APK files and select the version compatible with your Firestick.
- Wait for the APK to download.
- When the installation screen appears, select Install.
- Select Done after the installation finishes.
- Choose Delete to remove the APK file and free storage.
- Confirm the deletion if prompted.
https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/releases
Most modern Fire TV devices use 64-bit ARM hardware, so the arm64 version is usually appropriate. Older devices may require an armeabi-v7a or armv7 build. If the app fails to install, displays a parsing error, or crashes immediately, return to the release page and try the other compatible architecture.
Do not install multiple SmartTube APK variants at the same time. If an update fails, uninstall the existing version only after confirming that you can download a current release.
Open, Configure, and Update SmartTube
After installation, SmartTube may not appear on the first row of the Firestick home screen. To find it, open Your Apps & Channels, select See All, and scroll to SmartTube. You can press the menu button on the remote and move it to the front of the app list.
When SmartTube opens for the first time:
- Accept the app’s relevant notices.
- Choose your preferred language and playback settings.
- Review the sponsor-blocking and playback options.
- Sign in only if you understand the risks of using a third-party YouTube client.
SmartTube may provide an update notification inside the app. You can use that option if it points to the official project source. Otherwise, repeat the Downloader process using the latest stable GitHub release.
If playback stops working, videos fail to load, or the app repeatedly crashes, check for a newer release. You can also restart the Firestick by going to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart, then test the app again. Keeping Fire OS updated can help with compatibility.
FAQ: Installing SmartTube on Firestick
Is SmartTube available in the Amazon Appstore?
No. SmartTube is a third-party Android TV application and is not officially listed in the Amazon Appstore. You must sideload it with a tool such as Downloader.
Is SmartTube safe to use?
No third-party APK is completely risk-free. SmartTube is safest when downloaded from its official GitHub release page rather than an APK mirror. Keep Firestick software updated, avoid modified builds, and remove the app if it behaves suspiciously.
Can I use my YouTube account with SmartTube?
Some versions may support account sign-in, but using login credentials in an unofficial client carries additional privacy and account-security risks. Consider using SmartTube without signing in, or use the official YouTube app when account access is important.
Conclusion
Installing SmartTube on Firestick requires enabling unknown-app installation, downloading Downloader, and installing the APK from the official project release page. Follow each step carefully, avoid unofficial download sources, and check for updates regularly. Remember that SmartTube is unofficial, so use it responsibly and switch to the official YouTube app when you need full platform support.
