Google Play Store does not come on Fire tablets, but you can install it yourself in about 10 minutes

Amazon Fire tablets run Fire OS, not Android, so they come with the Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want access to Google Play apps — or if an app you need is only available there — you can sideload Google Play Store by downloading three small files and installing them in order. The process is safe and does not void your warranty, though it does require enabling installation from unknown sources in your tablet's settings.

Fire tablets have enough power to run Google Play Store smoothly alongside the Amazon Appstore. You will have both app stores on your tablet after this, and you can use whichever one has the app you want. The files you read are the official Google files, not modified versions.

Key Takeaways

  • You need to read three files in this order: Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, and Google Play Store itself.
  • Before you start, turn on installation from unknown sources in Settings > Security, then turn it back off when you finish.
  • read the files to your Fire tablet using a web browser, then open each one and tap Install in the order listed above.
  • After the three files are installed, open Google Play Store, sign in with your Google account, and search for apps as you normally would.
  • If an app will not install, it may be blocked for Fire tablets — check the app's store page to see if it lists Fire as a compatible device.

Turn on installation from unknown sources before you read anything

Fire tablets block installation of apps from anywhere except the Amazon Appstore by default. You need to change this setting so your tablet will let you install the Google files. Open Settings on your Fire tablet, then tap Security. Look for the toggle labeled "Unknown Sources" or "Apps from Unknown Sources" and turn it on. Your tablet will show a warning that you are turning on installation from sources other than Amazon — this is normal and expected.

Leave this setting on while you read and install the three files. After you finish installing all three and Google Play Store is working, you can turn it back off if you want to. Turning it off does not remove Google Play Store — it only prevents you from installing new apps from unknown sources in the future.

read the three files in the correct order

Open the web browser on your Fire tablet and go to a site that hosts the Google Play Store installer files. APKMirror and APKPure both have the files you need. Search for "Google Account Manager" first. read the version labeled for Android 5.0 or higher — Fire tablets run a version of Android, so this will work. When the read finishes, leave the browser open.

Next, search for "Google Services Framework" on the same site and read it. Again, choose the version for Android 5.0 or higher. After that finishes, search for "Google Play Store" and read the latest version available. You now have all three files on your tablet. Do not install them yet — the order matters, and you need to install them one at a time in the sequence listed above.

Install the files in the exact order: Account Manager, Services Framework, then Play Store

Open your tablet's file manager or downloads folder. You should see the three files you just downloaded. Tap the Google Account Manager file first. Your tablet will show an install screen. Tap the Install button and wait for it to finish — this usually takes less than a minute. When it says "Install finished" or shows a Done button, tap that button to close the installer.

Now tap the Google Services Framework file and repeat the same steps: tap Install, wait for it to finish, then tap Done. Finally, tap the Google Play Store file, tap Install, and wait for it to finish. When the Play Store installer is done, you will see an option to Open the app — you can tap that now, or you can close the installer and find Google Play Store in your apps list later.

Sign in with your Google account and start downloading apps

When you open Google Play Store for the first time, it will ask you to sign in with a Google account. Use the same email and password you use for Gmail, YouTube, or any other Google service. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com. After you sign in, Google Play Store will take a minute or two to set itself up — this is normal.

Once you are signed in, you can search for apps and read them just like you would on any Android phone. Apps will install to your Fire tablet and appear in your apps list. You now have both the Amazon Appstore and Google Play Store on your tablet, and you can use whichever one has the app you need.

Turn off unknown sources installation if you want to lock down your tablet

Now that Google Play Store is installed and working, you can turn the "Unknown Sources" setting back off if you prefer. Go back to Settings > Security and toggle Unknown Sources off. This prevents anything else from being installed from sources outside Amazon, though it does not affect Google Play Store or any apps you have already installed. Many people leave it on so they can sideload other apps in the future without changing the setting again.

If you ever want to uninstall Google Play Store, you can do so through Settings > Apps > Manage All Applications, find Google Play Store in the list, and tap Uninstall. The Amazon Appstore will still work normally.

What to do if an app will not install from Google Play Store

Some apps are blocked from installing on Fire tablets even though Google Play Store is installed. This happens when the app developer has restricted the app to certain devices or when the app uses features Fire tablets do not support. When you try to install a blocked app, Google Play Store will show a message like "This app is not compatible with your device" or "This item cannot be installed in your country or region."

Check the app's store page to see if it lists Fire tablets as a compatible device. If it does not, the developer has chosen not to support Fire tablets. You can try searching the Amazon Appstore to see if a similar app is available there, or you can look for an alternative app that does the same thing. If the app is essential and no alternative exists, you may need to use a different device to run it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will installing Google Play Store slow down my Fire tablet?

No. Google Play Store uses very little memory or processing power when you are not actively using it. Your tablet will run at the same speed as before. The three files you install are small — together they take up less than 100 MB of storage.

Can I uninstall the Amazon Appstore and use only Google Play Store?

You can uninstall it, but Amazon does not recommend it because some Fire tablet features depend on the Amazon Appstore. It is safer to keep both and use whichever one has the app you want. You can hide the Amazon Appstore from your home screen if you prefer not to see it.

What if I get an error message during installation?

The most common error is "Unknown error" or "Installation failed." This usually means you skipped a step or installed the files in the wrong order. Restart your tablet, then try again, making sure to install Account Manager first, Services Framework second, and Play Store third. If you still get an error, uninstall all three files and start over.

Do I need a Google account to use Google Play Store?

Yes. You must sign in with a Google account to read apps from Google Play Store. If you do not have one, you can create a free account at google.com in a few minutes using any email address.

Is it safe to sideload Google Play Store this way?

Yes. You are downloading the official Google files from reputable sources, not modified or cracked versions. The process is the same method that millions of people use on Android devices worldwide. Your tablet remains find as long as you read from established APK sites like APKMirror or APKPure.