Installing PIA on Amazon FireTVstick
Hello All,
So I've been noticing some people trying to figure a way of installing PIA on an Amazon FireTVstick (FTVS), myself included (Assuming you are putting PIA for reasons, *cough* Kodi *cough*).
I want to say for the record, that I have both Gen 1 and Gen 2 FTVS.
The way I installed it was using my Gen 2 FTVS, a "cloud" account (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc), computer.
First thing I did after the standard setup process (Logging into Amazon account, setting up Wi-FI, doing system updates, etc) was to:
1) Make sure you enable ADB debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources
This can be found in Settings > Device > Developer options > ADB debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources (Based off the latest software update)
2) Install ES File Explorer
3) Download the PIA apk file from your computer
On my computer I did some Googling and found the PIA apk for Android and download the file
4) Place the apk file into the cloud service of your choice*
ES File Explorer uses the following: Box, SugarSync, DropBox, OneDrive, Google Drive, S3, Yandex, MegaCloud, Baidu NetDisk MediaFire
*You don't have to use a cloud service if your FTVS and computer are on the same network, however, I figure I do the most simple way to get it onto the FTVS
5) Once PIA apk file is on the service of your choice, open up the ES File Explorer app from your FTVS
6) On the left side menu, scroll down till your see the Network section and open it
You will see a number of options on there you will be able to use if you want to play around and try different ways
7) Click on Cloud, Select the cloud service you used to put your apk file on, log into your account
8) Once logged in, navigate your way to where you saved the apk file and click on the file to begin the installation
You might have to click over to the right a couple times to be in the area where your files are at so you can actually select the file. Also, you might have to keep pressing install it a couple of times so it shows the process (Just follow the prompts).
9) Once installed, you can verify by going back to the main screen on your FTVS and looking for the PIA icon
10) Click on the app to load up PIA, this will show you the mobile version as if it was on an Android phone
11) Log in with your credentials you received from PIA and you will notice the the ON/OFF toggle for your VPN**
**Just an FYI you will not be able to see an outline on the toggle but if you click on your remote, you should see it start the process to connect to a VPN server. I am pretty sure you will be able to purchase other apps that will allow you to select which VPN you want to use, but for the time being, I am giving the instructions on how to get it up and running.
12) After you toggle it on and see that your VPN is running, make your way back to ES File Explorer to verify
13) In ES File Explorer, on the left menu, Click Favorite > Add > enter the URL for PIA and give it a name (must name it)
http://privateinternetaccess.com (you must incude the http:// I tried without it and failed)
14) Once added, scroll down and Click on the name you set up for the URL
15) Once the page loads, you should see where it says what your IP Address is and that you are protected
You have just set up PIA on your FireTVstick.
Good Luck
Comments
I do not use Google Play and have already asked PIA to put the App on the website instead of a link to the Play Store. They ignored my request.
Hey PiaVipper,
While this device isn't within PIA'a scope of support, sometimes, the Android app may not be available for download from the Google Play Store if the device you are using is not listed as compatible, or else due to being in a country that is not supported by the Google Play Store.
That being said, you can manually load the Android .apk onto the device, and it should work without issues. You can find the Android APK here:
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/installer/download_installer_android
This link won't take you to google play.
Again, this device falls outside of our scope of support, however, you may find this link a little useful!
Cheers,
YES!
I got PIA to work once, then I went to test out that it works on startup and now I can't get it to work again. It now just sits there trying to connect to California and won't do anything else. Any thoughts on what's going on?
UPDATE: Just after posting this, of course it started working again, not sure why. New issue is how to get it to load and connect in the background, not as the first thing to load and then sit there on the screen. Ideas?
They really should just make a legit app for Fire*, I would think they could make a killing on more subs that way.
I have this same problem! Muddie did you ever figure it out? I installed as above instructed, logged in and connected ok, then when I try to go back the screen goes black. The buttons are still responsive (I can hear the click) but nothing on screen. If I repeatedly hit buttons randomly, every so often it will flash the home screen or something else, but immediately goes back to black. I tried uninstalling and reinstalled, also tried a different method using adbFire. Loaded that way as well but with the same outcome of the black screen after connecting with the PIA app. Anyone???
I've installed the PIA app. I connect to the VPN with the app's toggle switch. It says I'm "connected to VPN" but in the bottom section where "original IP" and "current IP" are shown they are the same.
I've verified this by navigating to the http://privateinternetaccess.com using ES and it also shows I'm unprotected.
Can someone please help troubleshoot this issue?
Only thing I know you can do is to have a router on which you are able to install openvpn
I did a quick test...
I ran a speed test on the Fire Stick with PIA turned off. The result was 42Mbps download speed. But then, when I turn PIA on and run the same speed test, my download speed is 0.36Mbps. That's pretty bad.
I have ran the same tests several times, always with the same results. So obviously something is way wrong or PIA on the Fire Stick just sucks. Which is it?
Any ideas on what to try? Any chance of a new apk version coming out soon, or a beta to test?
I only got my Firestick yesterday (after using OpenElec for 8+ years) so I thought it was me just being a noob.
Glad to see there are other people with issues and not just me. As this is a paid for product I would expect any bug like this to be fixed, especially as I downloaded it directly from the Amazon App store, it must be supported to work on Amazon products.
Has anyone raised a ticket for it?
Are you using a HDMI splitter between your firestick and your display. I has this exact same issue until I removed the HDMI splitter and plugged the firestick directly into the display.
Good morning,
I originally asked for help the day I purchased your service (05/27/2017). Unfortunately, all I have received from your company is this “Your request (356020) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff.” and automatically generated greetings. I NEED YOUR HELP!
Ever since I installed your product on my Generation 3 Amazon Fire Stick, It has never worked on my main television. What is happening, and I KNOW that I’m not the only one experiencing this (https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/23386/installing-pia-on-amazon-firetvstick) is that when I connect my PIA, only the right half of my TV display shows up and then the entire screen turns black! I can still hear what is going on in the background, I just have no image. I then have to physically disconnect the Fire Stick and start all over again.
Interestingly, when I move my Fire Stick to my bedroom TV, it works fine! What is going on, and why is it affecting so many people like me? Why haven’t you solved this problem yet, or have you?
I need answers or I need a complete refund.
"Thank you for your help and patience. I think I know what the problem is, although I don't have a solution. Yes, indeed, your service can be installed on both Generations 2 and 3 Fire Sticks! I know, because I have done it successfully. The PROBLEM is, somewhere between the Fire Stick and certain television models, there is some sort of disconnect. I know this because I have tried both of my Fire Sticks on both of my TVs. Conclusion : Both Fire Sticks work on one of my TVs; NEITHER work on the other. Granted, the TV that they won't work on is older than the successful TV. Any ideas on how to proceed? I tried changing the non-working TV screen settings and Fire Stick Display settings, but that didn't work..."