Can I use an Amazon Fire TV Stick in Australia
Chris
Chris, a UK-born media connoisseur, is an expert in watching international TV. Known as "The Global Screen Wanderer", he has travelled extensively across the globe with long stints away from home. With over 10 years of experience he has become the go-to guru for streaming content from home and abroad.
You’re not alone if you’ve been wondering if the Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick will work in Australia. It’s actually one of the most common questions.
Although Amazon launched in Australia recently the Fire TV Stick (and Fire TV) haven’t actually been launched there officially.
You shouldn’t be put off by that because there are loads of other ways to get your hands on a Fire Stick in Australia. From bringing one from another country to getting a relative to ship you one.
While the Amazon Fire TV Stick will physically work in Australia it’s the apps that will be the problem as they’re blocked.
Thankfully there’s a really simple solution to this and below I’ll be showing you how.
Can I use an Amazon Fire TV Stick in Australia
Yes, is the simple answer to this question. However, you’re going to need an additional app to make all the apps on the Fire TV Stick work.
While the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV will physically work in Australia all apps will be blocked.
The solution to this is to get a VPN app.
A VPN is simply an app that lets you change your online location.
For example, you’re in Australia but by using a VPN app you can make your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV think you’re really in the UK, or the United States or wherever else your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV is from.
This unlocks the apps on your Fire TV Stick allowing you to use them all in Australia.
You can use almost all apps from the likes of BBC iPlayer to ITV Hub and NBC Sports to Netflix. Basically, you can use your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV in Australia the same as you would in the country it was purchased in.
Below I’ll explain where to get a VPN app from and how to use it.
What’s the best VPN app to get for the Fire TV Stick
If you search Google or your favourite search engine you’ll discover there are hundreds of VPN apps out there. It’s important to note that most don’t work with the Fire TV Stick or Fire TV.
That’s because they don’t have a dedicated app you can download.
After some testing I found the following three VPN apps work the best for use with the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV.
My recommended three Amazon Fire TV Stick apps are:
- ExpressVPN – Most popular with a 30-day money back guarantee
- CyberGhost VPN
- IPVanish
If you’re confused don’t worry. Simply choose any of the three from above because they all do the same job.
Click their name to visit their website and sign up for their service.
A VPN will cost you a few dollars per month. It’s most expensive to pay on a monthly basis so I definitely recommend taking one of the 12-month deals.
ExpressVPN gives you 3-months free on their 12-month package which means it works out 49% cheaper than paying monthly – definitely not a saving to be missed.
How do I use the VPN on my Fire TV Stick
You’ll first need to sign up for one of the VPN apps above on a regular computer, tablet or phone.
Once you’ve signed up go to your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick and use the Search icon to search for ExpressVPN or the name of the service you signed up to.
Click on it and download or ‘get’ the app.
Once it’s installed head back to the main screen of your Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV and click on the newly installed ExpressVPN app.
Login on the app and then choose your home country or the country your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV is from.
For me, I selected the ‘United Kingdom’ on the ExpressVPN app because I wanted to use apps like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and others from the UK.
It’ll take around 15 seconds for the VPN app to connect. Once it’s connected you can use your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV in Australia like normal.
What apps can I use in Australia
Once you’re connected to the VPN you can use almost all apps. The only exception is Amazon Prime which is impossible to unblock using any method.
Some apps may not work directly and instead, you should use a web-browser on your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV such as Silk Browser (Internet) or Firefox. BBC iPlayer is one such app but you can access directly using the web-browser and a VPN.
Recap: Can I use a Fire TV Stick in Australia
You can definitely use an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV in Australia but for this you’ll need to get a VPN app.
It’s a small app that allows you to alter your location which unblocks your favourite apps.
Get my recommended VPN by clicking the link below. Then connect to the country you purchased your Amazon device in.
Most features and apps will now work in Australia.
Hi Chris, I signed up to the Black Friday Express VPN at $6.67 per month plus three months free, but was charged £81.00 on my credit card??
Hi Simon,
It looks as if you’ve selected the 12 month package where they charge you for the first 12 months up front and it works out at $6.67 per month.
Thankfully you have 30-days to get a full refund though, so you can contact their support and request a refund. It does work out much more expensive paying per month, somewhere in the region of £10 per month, but if you only need it for 1 month then that would suit you better.
Hi Chris, just purchased a Amazon Gire Stick here in the UK, plus signed up to Express VPN, cant wait to head back to Perth to give it a go
Great info keep it up
Hi Simon,
Great stuff. Let us know how you get on and have a safe trip back to Perth.
I have just purchased a fire stick. It appears to be linked to my uk account, I live in Australia. I’m trying to download express vpn which I already use on my laptop but I keep getting the billing address needs updating. I’ve reset it, I’ve turned on one click, the billing address is correct but I’m still getting the error message. Have done factory reset etc. what am I missing.
Hi Julie,
Have you tried logging into the Amazon website directly on your laptop and then searching for the app and clicking install that way? It should automatically download to your Fire stick next time you switch it on.
Hi, Thanks for the reply great input, I have VPN from AVG wondering if this will work.Thanks and have a dood day regards Tony.
Hi Tony,
Unfortunately AVG doesn’t have a VPN app for the Fire Stick so it wouldn’t be suitable.
Hi, Chris thanks for the feedback,we head back to Australia on Thursday I will arrange to get the one you reccomend when I arrive home,once again thanks for your help,have a good day. Regards Tony.
Hi Tony,
Have a safe (and long!) flight home! Don’t forget they offer a 30-day money back guarantee in you have any problems.