How to Get Back Developer Options on FireStick (2026 Guide)

Developer Options on FireStick allow you to install third-party apps that are not available on the Amazon App Store — apps like Kodi, BeeTV, and any IPTV Canada player you want to sideload. Since Amazon’s Fire OS 7.2.8.5 update in June 2022, Developer Options are hidden by default on most devices.

This guide shows you exactly how to get them back in minutes.

Canadian viewer? Once Developer Options are enabled, you can sideload an IPTV player and connect it to the best IPTV provider Canada for live Canadian channels — TSN, Sportsnet, CBC, CTV and more.

What Are Developer Options on FireStick?

Developer Options are a set of advanced settings originally designed for app developers. For regular users, they unlock two critical features:

• Apps from Unknown Sources — lets you install APK files not from the Amazon App Store
  • ADB Debugging — allows your FireStick to connect to a PC for advanced app management

Before June 2022, Developer Options were visible by default under:

Settings > My Fire TV

After the FireOS 7.2.8.5 update, Amazon hid them — but they are NOT removed. You just need to unlock them with a simple trick.

Which FireStick Models Does This Work On?

This method works on all Fire TV devices including:

• FireStick Lite
  • FireStick HD (3rd Gen)
  • FireStick 4K
  • FireStick 4K Max
  • Fire TV Cube
  • Fire TV (built-in models)

Step-by-Step: How to Get Developer Options Back on FireStick

Step 1 — Go to Settings

From the FireStick home screen, navigate to the top menu and click the Settings icon (gear icon on the far right).

Step 2 — Select My Fire TV

Scroll through the Settings menu and select My Fire TV.
On some older models this may appear as Device & Software.

Step 3 — Click About

Inside the My Fire TV menu, scroll down and select About.

Step 4 — Click Your FireStick Name 7 Times

You will see your device name at the top of the list (for example “Fire TV Stick 4K Max”).

Highlight it and press the Select button on your remote 7 times rapidly.

After a few clicks you will see a countdown at the bottom of the screen.

After 7 clicks, a message appears:

“No need, you are already a developer!”

If you see this message — Developer Options are now unlocked.

If you see a countdown, keep clicking until it reaches zero.

Step 5 — Press Back to See Developer Options

Press the Back button once to return to the My Fire TV menu.

You will now see Developer Options has appeared in the list.

Step 6 — Enable Apps from Unknown Sources

Click on Developer Options and enable the following:

• ADB Debugging → Turn ON
  • Apps from Unknown Sources → Turn ON
  (or Install Unknown Apps on newer models)

A warning message will appear asking you to confirm. Click Turn On.

Your FireStick is now ready to sideload third-party apps.

Newer FireStick Models — “Install Unknown Apps” Instead

On FireStick 4K Max and newer Fire TV OS versions, you may see Install Unknown Apps instead of a single toggle.

This works slightly differently:

1. Go to Developer Options
2. Click Install Unknown Apps
3. Find Downloader in the list
4. Toggle it to ON

This grants permission specifically to the Downloader app to install APK files, which is actually more secure than a blanket “allow all” toggle.

Universal Shortcut — Works on Any FireStick

If you can’t find Developer Options through the Settings menu:

1. From the home screen, click the Search icon
2. Type Developer Options
3. Select the Developer Options icon when it appears

This takes you directly to the Developer Options menu.

What to Do After Enabling Developer Options

Now that Developer Options are active, the most common next step is installing the Downloader app to sideload APKs:

1. From the home screen go to Find > Search
2. Type Downloader
3. Install the app (orange icon)
4. Open it and enter the URL or code of the APK you want to install

Popular apps to sideload include:

• Kodi
  • BeeTV
  • Stremio
  • TiviMate
  • IPTV Smarters Pro

Important: Developer Options Reset After Factory Reset

If you factory reset your FireStick, Developer Options will be hidden again.

You will need to repeat the 7-click unlock process.

This is normal — Amazon resets the device to its default locked state after a full reset.

Using Developer Options for IPTV in Canada

One of the main reasons Canadian FireStick users enable Developer Options is to install an IPTV player and connect it to a Canadian IPTV service.

Apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters Pro are not available in the Amazon App Store — they must be sideloaded.

Once your IPTV player is installed:

1. Subscribe to an IPTV Canada service
2. Get your M3U playlist URL
3. Enter the M3U URL into your IPTV player
4. Start watching live Canadian channels

A reliable IPTV subscription gives you:

• TSN
  • Sportsnet
  • CBC
  • CTV
  • RDS
  • Live sports in HD or 4K
  • Stable uptime during peak hours
  • Multi-device support
  • Free trial option

If you’re looking for a tested and stable option, Live IPTV Canada offers a full Canadian lineup with FireStick compatibility and a free trial.

Common Problems and Fixes

Developer Options not showing after 7 clicks
• Make sure you are clicking the actual device name
• Click faster
• Use the universal search shortcut

Apps from Unknown Sources greyed out
• Turn ON ADB Debugging first
• Restart your FireStick

Developer Options disappeared after an update
• Repeat the 7-click process
• They are hidden, not removed

Final Thoughts

Getting Developer Options back on FireStick takes less than 2 minutes once you know the trick.

The 7-click unlock works on every FireStick model — from Lite to 4K Max — and gives you full access to sideload apps.

If you’re in Canada and enabling Developer Options to set up IPTV, make sure you choose a stable IPTV Canada subscription that works properly with FireStick and supports live Canadian channels and sports.