Fire hd 8 plus google play store

The description says google play store not supported. does this mean that amazon prevents it from running or merely that they don't endorse it?

asked on May 4, 2021

Showing 1-10 of 35 answers

I've had or gifted three Amazon Fires, beginning with the original HD 8, and two versions including the latest of the HD 10. Side loading Google Play Store to load Chrome took me DAYS with the first one, and the last took me about 15 minutes, because I wasn't paying attention. Lots of instructions on the Internet, but if you can find someone with experience, absolutely go that route. I needs [sic] Chrome browser, and while Silk, the Fire browser is OK, it is OK to get to Chrome.

121 of 145 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

Google Play Store is not "officially" supported because Fire OS is based on the open source software behind Android, and not on Android itself. You might think of FireOS as a perfectly legal "clone" of Android without the branding. One of the requirements of official Android is that many, many Google apps MUST be insta… see more Google Play Store is not "officially" supported because Fire OS is based on the open source software behind Android, and not on Android itself. You might think of FireOS as a perfectly legal "clone" of Android without the branding. One of the requirements of official Android is that many, many Google apps MUST be installed and MUST have home screen display prominence. This means if FireOS were to comply with Android (Google) requirements, Amazon's tablets would (1) become marketing tools for Google services and (2) have very little space left for non-Google apps, like Kindle and the Amazon Store etc. I think Amazon made a brilliant choice to build FireOS off the same open soure Android software (technically not "Android" as a brand) used by Google, it means the software is solid, constantly de-bugged and security updated, and free. Because FireOS is a legal clone of Android, it was very easy for most developers to make minor modifications and post their apps on the FireOS App Store.

So to answer your question. Many websites allow us to move the Google Play Store to our FireOS tablets and then run Google apps and also those Android apps not yet moved to the FireOS App Store. HOWEVER Google imposed a "higher level" of compatibility testing which some developers comply with - "Certified". On genuine Android devices the Play Store details in a buried menu will spell out that the Android device is "Certified" by Google Play. On FireOS, even if you install all the key Google infrastructure apps, it won't say "Certified".

As a practical result, it means some Google Play Store apps can't be downloaded. A prime example is Netflix. It simply won't download from the Google Play Store. However, Netflix makes an identical app which you CAN download from the FireOS Store.

Since I only use my FireOS tablets for media consumption, and all the major streaming apps are in the FireOS App Store, I factory reset the Fire tablets which I had set up as Google Play Store compatible. In particular, I didn't like the way the Google Play Store usurped update rights to apps I had downloaded from the Fire App Store instead of from the Google Play Store. I was running into situations where both Amazon and Google were trying to update the same app.

So far as I can tell, neither company prevents us from installing Google Play on our Fire tablets. I've just decided I'd rather switch tablets than dealing with the quirks of side-loading the Play Store onto a Fire tablet. I continue to support the 10.1" Fire HD's because they are the cheapest screens available for media consumption, and 10.1" in wide screen mode blows away a 10.2" iPad with those thick letter box bars top and bottom. see less

35 of 40 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

I was able to download Google Play as I needed it to install an item prep purchased on Samsung phone that was good for 7 devices. However; the point is that I did not want to give gmail (google)full access to my Amazon device as I use my Fire for different purposes, such as prime, books, audiobooks, you tube (Amazon of… see more I was able to download Google Play as I needed it to install an item prep purchased on Samsung phone that was good for 7 devices. However; the point is that I did not want to give gmail (google)full access to my Amazon device as I use my Fire for different purposes, such as prime, books, audiobooks, you tube (Amazon offers you tube app), email, general web surfing. I figure that for the sale price it is very much worth it. If I want to do anything more, I would not spend full price but get a second tablet or affordable small 2 in 1 laptop more suitable for those other things. Of course I would prefer Google friendly apps, but not at the cost of safety. So, don't get the 10.1 plus, get the 10.1 on sale and save the money. I have the 8hd plus from last year because of the wireless charger and it beats the case. Finally I can watch or listen something anywhere next to me without props and set a timer to fall asleep to. Battery is great. As I keep saying, stop comparing Fire to other tablets. Like comparing apples to... wel!... oranges. see less I was able to download Google Play as I needed it to install an item prep purchased on Samsung phone that was good for 7 devices. However; the point is that I did not want to give gmail (google)full access to my Amazon device as I use my Fire for different purposes, such as prime, books, audiobooks, you tube (Amazon offers you tube app), email, general web surfing. I figure that for the sale price it is very much worth it. If I want to do anything more, I would not spend full price but get a second tablet or affordable small 2 in 1 laptop more suitable for those other things. Of course I would prefer Google friendly apps, but not at the cost of safety. So, don't get the 10.1 plus, get the 10.1 on sale and save the money. I have the 8hd plus from last year because of the wireless charger and it beats the case. Finally I can watch or listen something anywhere next to me without props and set a timer to fall asleep to. Battery is great. As I keep saying, stop comparing Fire to other tablets. Like comparing apples to... wel!... oranges.

56 of 69 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

I have sideloaded the Google play store on 5 of my own tablets and probably 1/2 dozen or so friends tablets. Lots to read on first go...from there you can get it done in 15 minutes or less just by having the website handy and knowing which tablet you have.

Don't install it with microSD inserted, lean towards apps in Amazon store FIRST, but look to Google store if they don't have it (which unfortunately is quite a bit).

17 of 17 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

The Google Play Store is not officially supported, but installing the Google Play Store app requires the installation of 4 files, and that you authorize the installation of files that are not from Amazon’s appstore. A very simple procedure that mostly any user can do. After you do the procedure you will have the Play Store. A few years ago the procedure to get the Play store was way more complicated and definitely only for POWER users, not for regular users.

Alex.

· September 19, 2022

8 of 8 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

You can side load the Google play store easily using APK files. Search for "how to download Google play store on 2021 Amazon fire hd 10" on YouTube by Fred's Aquarium. He walks you through the step by step, yeah takes maybe 10 mins. Do pay attention to the order of the files you download though - that is a key step.

81 of 82 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

As other answers indicate, you can download Google manager, Google framework, Google services, and finally Google play store. Actually the download sequence doesn't matter but the install sequence does. The adk packs do the job. As for those who think Amazon doesn't use an android system, you're wrong. I just discovered from readings that Amazon uses an android system that has been MODIFIED into their own system. The basis is still Android. Read my review posted here...

11 of 12 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

APKMirror has all of the apps you need, though be mindful of the Fire OS version in use, matching it to the version of Android it's based on, and only grab non-bundle, and preferably non-beta APKs for Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Service and Google Play itself. Install those four packa… see more APKMirror has all of the apps you need, though be mindful of the Fire OS version in use, matching it to the version of Android it's based on, and only grab non-bundle, and preferably non-beta APKs for Google Account Manager, Google Services Framework, Google Play Service and Google Play itself. Install those four packages, open Play Store to go through initial config, sign in, reboot, and that should get you up to current for your device.

Also disable auto update for Amazon Alexa and Amazon Kindle — let Amazon's market handle that. Happy searching! Worked for me, enjoy your Kindle Fire supercharged with Google's app selection.

To moderators: this is widespread information, this isn't disinformation, if it's good enough for XDA Developers it's good enough for everyone else. see less

156 of 165 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

"What they aren't telling you is that if you install Google play or Redbox it voids your warranty."

That's ridiculous. You could factory reset the device and Google Play Store will no longer be installed. Please show me where sideloading an app voids a warranty.

206 of 219 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

It’s an AMAZON tablet. Not an ANDROID. Therefore it is not google play store. It is all through your Amazon account. If you want google play store then get an android/google tablet.

18 of 135 found this helpful. Do you? | Report abuse

Can you download Google Play store on Amazon Fire tablet?

Why is Google Play store not working on my Fire tablet?

Does Amazon Fire HD 8 have Google?