Unable to install over ADB with recent update

Fire Devices & Appstore Q&A
1

Hello!

With the recent updates to FireOS I’m unable to install my application over adb for testing purposes as I’ve done many times over the years. The install unknown apps in developer tab is no longer a generic toggle and now insists on manual approval per app but how exactly are we supposed to approve adb?? :roll_eyes:

I’m wondering if there’s a solution so I can resume my usual flow?

3

Hi @Ringy

Welcome to Amazon Developer Community!

Could you share:

  1. The exact error message you’re seeing when trying to install?
  2. Your Fire OS version (Settings → My Fire TV → About)?
  3. Whether you’re installing via adb install from a computer, or through an on-device app?

This will help us pinpoint the exact issue.

For ADB installs specifically, this per-app toggle shouldn’t block you — ADB installs bypass the per-app unknown sources check because ADB operates at the system level, not through another app. If adb install is failing, try the following:

  1. Make sure ADB Debugging is enabled in Developer Options
  2. Make sure you’ve authorized the ADB connection on the device (you should see an “Allow USB debugging?” prompt - select Allow)
  3. Try installing with the -r flag to allow reinstalls:
    adb install -r your-app.apk
  4. If you see a specific error like INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED, run:
    adb shell settings put secure install_non_market_apps 1

If you’re installing via a sideloading app like Downloader or a file manager (not ADB directly), then you do need to enable the toggle specifically for that app:

  • Go to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps
  • Find the app you’re using to perform the install (e.g., Downloader, Silk Browser)
  • Toggle it ON

References:

Warm regards,
Ivy

6

Hello there!

FireOS Version: 8.1.7.2

Error: INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED: Installation blocked

(On the device it says not to install performance benchmark apks..? It’s always worked just fine in the past)

I’m installing through adb on my windows system, I’m connected via wifi and pushing the APK through Qt, I have also tried cmd directly (I also ran adb shell settings put secure install_non_market_apps 1 as instructed before hand, I attempted to push with -r and same result) and the result is unfortunately the same, I get the installation blocked message.

The app is on the device and was working perfectly fine a few weeks ago…

7

Thanks for sharing these details @Ringy
Please allow me some time to look into this and I’ll get back to you with an update ASAP.

Warm regards,
Ivy

8

Hi @Ringy

Need a few more information from you.

Can you please share:

  • The DSIN of the device (found in Settings → My Fire TV → About)
  • A screenshot of what you see under Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps

Also, can you share the steps you followed to enable Developer Mode for your device?

That’ll give me everything needed to investigate the issue properly.

Warm regards,
Ivy

9

I have the exact same issue. I would like to know a resolution too please.

I did contact Amazon support and it was “escalated to the technical team” and I’ve heard no more as yet

Screenshot_20260403_095736_Photos
Screenshot_20260403_095736_Photos1080×2340 182 KB

10

Hi @Lifo993

Can you please open a new topic here(that helps us track the issues better ) with the below information?

  • The DSIN of the device (found in Settings → My Fire TV → About)
  • A screenshot of what you see under Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps

Also, can you share the steps you followed to enable Developer Mode for your device?

That’ll give me everything needed to investigate the issue properly.

Warm regards,
Ivy

11

Hi @Ringy

Checking again - can you please share:

  • The DSIN of the device (found in Settings → My Fire TV → About)
  • A screenshot of what you see under Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps

Also, can you share the steps you followed to enable Developer Mode for your device?

That’ll give me everything needed to investigate the issue properly.

Warm regards,
Ivy

12

Hey sorry for the late response, been a bit busy.

The DSIN of the device (found in Settings → My Fire TV → About)

I do not see a DSIN field, I only see basic information about the device like it’s model, serial, PQ version, software version/etc. If it helps fireOS is running on a TCL_50T6C-UK in my case. (Fire TV Home Version 7270165.1, FireOS 8.1.7.2(RS8172/3984) )

As for what I see in developer options, see image (I’m only allowed to embed 1…ADB Debugging is ON)

Screenshot_2
Screenshot_2908×585 55.2 KB

To enable developer mode on my device I did as I have done many times in the past, head into about and click the version number multiple times to access the options to enable debugging.

I’ve had no issues in the past till recent, as I stated previously, my app has been installed to my device with success in the past but I assume the latest update has now blocked installs. I’m really hoping it’s some kind of bug and not intentional as if that’s the case I see no further reason to develop for FireOS if I can’t do rapid live tests on devices I own, just not worth the hassle. My application is cross-platform so having access to my physical devices to ensure it’s functioning is essential for me.

13

And just for clarity, when building from Qt this is the result printed to the console from adb (same error as just running it in cmd manually)

Screenshot_3

:-1: error: adb.exe: failed to install D:/repos/QtProjects/Ringy/build/Qt_6_10_2_for_Android_armeabi_v7a-Debug/android-build-Ringy//build/outputs/apk/debug/android-build-Ringy-debug.apk: Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_USER_RESTRICTED: Installation blocked]