Amazon wants as many Kindle Fire users to use their Silk browser as it can get. They haven’t made any browser alternatives in their App Store. You can find a way to install Google Play on your Fire to gain access to more browser options. But unless you are technically skilled, you’re likely not going to bother with such a process just to install a browser.
Personally, I can’t stand the Silk browser. It’s slow, choppy, and constantly crashes. Since I didn’t want to mess with rooting or any of that other stuff, I had to find some alternatives that were easy to install on my Fire.
The apps in this list meet these qualifications:
- They don’t require rooting.
- They don’t require additional software to install.
- They are available as an APK file download from the developer’s official website.
Before using any of the steps in this tutorial, you will have to allow installation of applications from unknown sources by going to on of the following locations:
- “Settings” > “Security” > “Apps from Unknown Sources” > “On“
- “Apps” > “Settings” > “Applications” > “Apps From Unknown Sources” > “On“
- “Settings” > “More” > “Device” > “Allow Installation of Applications” > “On“
Firefox Mobile
Yes, good ol’ Firefox is available as a simple APK download for your Kindle Fire or any other Android device. The app has a lot of “bells and whistles”. It supports add-ons such as Adobe Flash, and ad-blocker.
To install Firefox Mobile on the Kindle Fire, follow these steps:
- Open the Silk web browser and go to the Mozilla FTP. Use this link for newer Fire devices or pick an older version for older Fire devices.
- Select the file that ends with the extension of “.apk“.
- A notification should appear at the top of the screen that says “Downloading”. This should switch to “Download complete”. Tap the notification area at the top of the screen.
- Tap the “Download complete” selection.
- Select “Install“.
Naked Browser
The name says it all. Naked browser is very basic, but it’s also a very speedy and easy to use browser on the Kindle Fire. The ability to quickly switch from desktop to mobile views of a web page is my favorite feature.
To install Naked Browser on the Kindle Fire, follow these steps:
- Open the Silk web browser and visit “http://nakedbrowser.com/android“.
- Select the link to download the APK file, located in the area that says “Cannot install from the Play Store“.
- A notification should appear at the top of the screen that says “Downloading”. This should switch to “Download complete”. Tap the notification area at the top of the screen.
- Tap “nakedbrowser.apk“.
- Select “Install“.
UC Browser
A browser that adapts to the speed of your connection. It will actually trim down web pages if your connection is weak. It also supports special modes for your favorite social network.
- Open the Silk web browser and visit “http://www.ucweb.com/“.
- Select the Download button.
- A notification should appear at the top of the screen that says “Downloading”. This should switch to “Download complete”. Tap the notification area at the top of the screen.
- Tap “UCBrowser.apk“.
- Select “Install“.
Maxthon Cloud Browser
One of the fastest browsers you can get on an Android device. Users consistently rate Maxthon as fast, fast, fast. It has all of the features you would expect in a browser along with the ability to access news and your favorite websites quickly using the “Quick Access” and “NewsBites” features.
- Open the Silk web browser and visit “http://www.maxthon.com/“.
- Select the Android link where offers downloads for “More Devices“.
- Select the .apk download link.
- A notification should appear at the top of the screen that says “Downloading”. This should switch to “Download complete”. Tap the notification area at the top of the screen.
- Tap “Maxthon.apk“.
- Select “Install“.
Well, that’s the list. Do you have a browser you prefer on your Kindle Fire? Please share your experience in the comments section.
FAQ
Why is the “Install” button grayed out?
Amazon released an update that does this sometimes. You can usually get around it by pressing the square button next to the circle home button. Then go back to the install screen. Doing that will light up the Install button.
Some people say that using the “Back” button instead of square then returning to the install screen works to light up the Install button.
How do I get updates to these apps?
If you install apps from outside an app store, you will not receive automatic updates or update notifications. You will have to check the app developer’s website to see when updates were made to the software, then download the APK file again.
Do I have to uninstall previous versions of the app before I install a newer version?
No. If you install the APK file, it should replace the previous version automatically.
Will these options work on all versions of the Kindle Fire?
Yes. They should work on the original Kindle Fire, as well as the HD, and HDX versions.
I’m getting an error when I install these via APK file?
Be sure that you have installed the correct APK file for the processor in your Kindle Fire. Some will be x86 (32-bit) while others are 64bit.
Maria-Linda says
Have Kindle Fire- CANNOT “open” Silk browser, get it to work. All instructions begin with open Silk…what?!
Somya says
Was having the same problem with the grayed out Install… instead of pressing the square at the bottom, press the Back Arrow, and Install lights up! Now it’s working!
Mac ClrH20 says
Hey guys, Here I come to save the dayyyyyyyy! I
i found a way to get Play store as an app on my kindle that allows me to use Play as easily as i do the amazon store. and its super easy, the process is as basic as clicking the play store icon, finding an app from the store and hitting download. your icon will show on your home screen after downloading. no more middle man sites to feed links into and hoping they arent shady! you will have to download a few things to install the Play store, but after that its exactly as if it was simply an alternative p!ace to the amazon app store to get apps. amd no file managers needed. works great and i am not a techy person at all.
i have successfully used this method on three kindle fire hd 8s… make sure you follow each step on this link EXACTLY and you can have the actual Google Play store downloaded and functioning as a regular amazon app would . I have installed many games, Firefox and the penguin browser using this method… penguin has a flash player built in of you need flash, as i did. .. it should work perfectly if you do everything like they say amd do it in the order that they lay out.
i was also having a heck of a time with the grayed out buttons but this way i just clicl the google play app fimd what i want and the apps download exactly as they would from amazons app store…
heres a link… hope this splves it for you as well as it has for me. ots awesome as i am a kondle oowner from tje start and its heaven now!!! here ya go. https://www.howtogeek.com/232726/how-to-install-the-google-play-store-on-your-amazon-fire-tablet/
Mitch Bartlett says
When you see the greyed out install button, press the square button next to the circle home button. Then go back to the install screen. That should light it back up. Let me know your results.
Rick says
Same issue as Jacob. New Fire HD 8 (7th Generation) and I am able to download Firefox, but the Install button is greyed out and cannot be used. Any thoughts? I absolutely hate systems that are this restrictive and will be returning the Fire.
jacob says
I do not know what is going on but I cannot select install when given the option to, I can press install all I want but nothing happens. The cancel button works fine but the install button does not even seem to be acknowledged to exist.
Rob says
For what it’s worth, I have a Kindle Fire HD7 (2012 vintage) and after trying several versions of Firefox (from this link posted above http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mobile/releases/) was able to get version 47.0 installed and working.
Gautam says
Dear Mitch,
Thank you so much for this! I managed to get Firefox Browser straight onto my Kindle Fire in seconds. Very easy, very helpful – much appreciated. Thanks again.
[Kindle Fire 7″]
Krissy says
Thanks for this.
Catherine Rachel says
When I click on the link for Maxthon it does not give an “other devices” choice. I’m trying to download to a Kindle Fire HD. I tried to download from Google Play but it only recognizes my phone, not the Kindle.
Ray says
‘Open the Silk web browser and go to the Mozilla FTP. Use this link for newer Fire devices or pick an older version for older Fire devices.”
Can you explain the above statement?
I do not understand how to choose the correct file for my older file from your link.
Thank you.
A Silk hater.
Thelma says
So helpful! Thank you!! =) I was unable to sign into my Colornotes app through Google to sync with the notes on my phone. Now I can…SO helpful! So glad to be done with that horrible Silk browser once and for all!! =) My Kindle just become infinitely more useful, thanks to you!! =)
Mac ClrH20 says
Can adobe flash be downloaded with these browsers? Also most post i am findiing recommend the dolphin browser, is there a reason why it isnt recommended in this article?