You’ve probably seen the "jailbroken" label all over eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It’s a bit of a misnomer, isn't it? You haven't actually hacked the Amazon firmware in some deep, dark way like you might with an iPhone or a PlayStation. You basically just flipped a switch in the settings to allow third-party apps and then loaded it up with stuff like Kodi, Cinema HD, or SmartTubeNext. But here is the problem. Amazon pushes updates constantly. They change the interface, they block certain "workarounds," and they move the menus just to keep you on your toes.
The big fear everyone has is that clicking "Update" will somehow brick the device or wipe all those "free" apps you spent an hour configuring. Honestly, that’s rarely the case. Most of the time, the Amazon system update and your third-party apps live in different worlds. However, if you don't know how to update a jailbroken firestick properly, you might find your favorite streaming app suddenly crashing or, worse, your custom launcher getting replaced by a giant ad for a Prime Video show you have no interest in watching.
It's a cat-and-mouse game. Amazon wants you in their ecosystem; you want to be outside of it.
The Two Distinct Sides of Updating
When people talk about updating a jailbroken device, they are usually talking about two different things. There is the Fire OS update—the actual software running the stick—and then there’s the update for the apps themselves.
If your Kodi is buffering or Cinema HD isn't pulling links, updating Fire OS won't do a damn thing. You need to update the APKs. But if your remote is lagging or the whole screen freezes, that’s a system issue. You have to handle them differently. If you just go into the settings and hit "Check for Updates," you might lose your custom UI. If you've used a tool like Wolf Launcher to get rid of the cluttered Amazon home screen, a system update will almost certainly reset it to the stock Amazon look. That's the trade-off. You get the latest security patches, but you lose your "custom" feel.
Handling the Amazon System Update
Updating the core software is simple, but it feels risky. Go to Settings, then My Fire TV, and finally About. You'll see "Check for Updates" or "Install Update."
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If you’ve used a "debloat" tool or a "Fire TV Toolset" from developers on XDA Forums to block Amazon's OTA (Over the Air) updates, this button might not even work. You'll click it and nothing happens. In that case, you have to undo the block before you can update. Most people who bought a pre-configured stick from some guy online won't have this issue, as those sellers rarely go that deep into the system root. They just sideload apps and call it a day.
Why Your Apps Stop Working After an Update
Ever notice how an app works perfectly on Monday and then on Tuesday it just... dies? It’s not usually because of a Firestick firmware change. It’s because the developers of those third-party apps are constantly fighting "scraping" battles.
Apps like TeaTV or BeeTV don't host content. They scrape the web for links. When websites change their code, the app needs an update to "see" the links again. To update these, you can't go through the Amazon Appstore. They don't exist there. You have to go back to the Downloader app.
- Open Downloader.
- Type in the URL of the app provider (like the official Kodi.tv site).
- Download the new APK.
- Install it right over the old one.
You don't usually need to uninstall the old version. In fact, if you uninstall it first, you lose all your settings, your "Favorites," and your watch history. Just install the new one "on top," and the Firestick will treat it like an update. It’s way easier than people make it out to be.
The Kodi Factor: A Different Beast
Kodi is the big one. If you’re using a "Build" (a pre-packaged setup with skins and add-ons), updating is a nightmare. Kodi updates from version 20 (Nexus) to 21 (Omega) often break older add-ons because the underlying Python code changes.
If you see a popup saying a new version of Kodi is available, don't just rush into it. Check if your favorite add-ons are compatible. Sometimes, it’s actually better to stay on an older version of Kodi if everything is working fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it—that is the golden rule of jailbroken devices.
Dealing with the "Low on Storage" Nightmare
This is the biggest hurdle when trying to how to update a jailbroken firestick. These devices have pitiful storage. Usually around 8GB, but after the OS takes its share, you’re left with maybe 4GB.
Updates require space to download the installer. If your stick is full of cached thumbnails from Kodi or temporary files from streaming apps, the update will fail. Every single time. You’ll get a vague error message.
Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. Sort by size. You will be shocked at how much "Cache" these apps accumulate. Clear the cache—not the data, just the cache—on every app. This usually frees up enough room to let the update finish. If you’re still stuck, you might have to delete an app or two and reinstall them later. It’s annoying, but Amazon didn't design these things to hold a library of third-party software.
The Truth About VPNs and Updates
I've seen some "experts" claim you need to turn off your VPN to update. That’s mostly nonsense. A VPN shouldn't interfere with Amazon’s update servers unless you're connected to a really sketchy server in a country that Amazon blocks.
However, if your download speed is crawling, yeah, turn the VPN off for a second. Get the update done on your raw ISP speed, then flip the VPN back on before you open your streaming apps. You definitely want that protection active when you're actually using the "jailbroken" side of the device. Providers like ExpressVPN or Surfshark are standard for a reason; they don't usually trip the "proxy detected" alarms that cheaper ones do.
What if the Update Fails?
Sometimes a Firestick gets stuck in an update loop. You see the logo, it says "Updating," it restarts, and then it does it again. This is often a power issue. If your Firestick is plugged into the USB port on the back of your TV, it’s probably not getting enough juice. TVs output very low amperage through those ports.
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When the device tries to write a big update to the flash memory, it draws more power. If the power dips, the update fails. Always use the wall plug that came in the box. It sounds like basic advice, but it fixes about 50% of the "broken" sticks I've looked at.
Maintaining Your Setup Long-Term
Keeping a jailbroken Firestick running isn't a "set it and forget it" situation. It's more like owning an old car. You have to tinker with it.
I recommend getting an app called Unlinked or FileSynced. These are essentially private "app stores" managed by the community. Instead of hunting for URLs in Downloader, you just enter a "Store Code," and you can see a list of all the latest versions of popular apps. It makes the process of updating your sideloaded content much less of a headache. You can see at a glance if there’s a new version of your favorite player or maintenance tool.
Also, keep an eye on the "Developer Options." Sometimes, an Amazon update will automatically toggle "Install Unknown Apps" to OFF. If you try to update an app and it fails, go back into your settings and make sure you still have permission to install stuff from outside the Appstore. Amazon loves to flip that switch back during their "security" updates.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re sitting there with a sluggish stick, here is the exact order of operations to get things current without losing your mind.
Start by clearing the cache on your five biggest apps to ensure you have at least 1GB of free space. Once that's done, go to the My Fire TV settings and run the system update. Let it do its thing and restart—sometimes it takes two or three passes to get all the incremental updates. After the system is stable, open your Downloader app and visit the official sites for your main streaming apps to see if the version numbers have changed.
If you use Kodi, check the official Kodi blog or the "Addons4Kodi" subreddit to see if the latest version is stable before you pull the trigger on an update. If you stay on top of it once every few months, you won't have to deal with the inevitable "everything stopped working" day that happens to people who ignore updates for a year. Just keep the power cord in the wall and the cache clear, and you'll be fine.