The Amazon Firestick is the UK's most popular IPTV subscription device by a wide margin. It is affordable, widely available at Argos, Amazon, and Currys, and delivers excellent performance for HD and 4K streaming. This guide covers the complete setup process for your SubStream IPTV subscription on any Firestick generation.
Compatible devices: This guide works for all Firestick generations — Firestick Lite, Firestick (3rd gen), Firestick 4K, and Firestick 4K Max. The 4K and 4K Max models are recommended for the best IPTV subscription experience.
What you need before you start
Before setting up your IPTV subscription on Firestick, make sure you have:
- An active SubStream IPTV subscription — sign up at our pricing page if you have not already. You will receive a welcome email with your M3U URL and credentials.
- Your Amazon Firestick connected to your TV and set up with your Amazon account
- A stable broadband connection — 10 Mbps minimum for HD; 25 Mbps recommended for 4K IPTV subscription streams
- The Downloader app from the Amazon App Store (free to install)
Step 1: Enable Apps from Unknown Sources
By default, Firestick only allows apps installed through the Amazon App Store. To install the SubStream IPTV app, you need to enable sideloading — this is a standard setting and takes under a minute.
From your Firestick home screen, navigate to the top menu and select Settings (the gear icon).
Scroll right and select My Fire TV (or Device on older models).
Select Developer Options. If you do not see this option, scroll down to About, select your Fire TV Stick, and press the select button several times until a message appears saying you are a developer.
Toggle Install Unknown Apps to ON. On newer Firestick models, also toggle Apps from Unknown Sources to ON.
Step 2: Install the Downloader App
The Downloader app is a free tool from the Amazon App Store that allows you to download APK files (Android app packages) directly to your Firestick. It is the standard method for installing IPTV subscription apps.
Press the Home button on your remote to return to the Firestick home screen.
Select the search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-left corner. Type Downloader and select the Downloader app by AFTVnews from the results.
Select Get or Download to install Downloader. It is free and takes about 30 seconds to install.
Step 3: Install the SubStream IPTV App
With Downloader installed, you can now download the SubStream IPTV subscription app directly.
Launch the Downloader app from your apps list or home screen.
In the URL field, enter the app download link provided in your SubStream welcome email. This is a direct link to the IPTV app APK.
Select Go to start the download. Once complete, select Install when prompted. The app will install in under 30 seconds.
Step 4: Enter Your IPTV Subscription Credentials
Once the SubStream app is installed, you need to enter your subscription details to start streaming.
Launch the SubStream IPTV app from your apps list. If you cannot find it easily, long-press the home button and navigate to Apps.
Enter the M3U playlist URL from your SubStream welcome email. Alternatively, enter your username and password using the Xtream Codes login method — both work identically.
The app will load your full channel list from the SubStream servers. On a good broadband connection this takes 20–30 seconds. Your 15,000+ channels, catch-up TV, and VOD library will all be available.
You are now set up. Navigate to any live channel, check the EPG for the schedule, or browse catch-up TV for programmes from the past seven days.
Troubleshooting common issues
The app is not installing — "This file cannot be opened"
This usually means Install Unknown Apps is not enabled for the Downloader app specifically. Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > Install Unknown Apps and make sure Downloader is set to ON.
Channels are buffering
Buffering is usually a network issue rather than an IPTV subscription issue. Check your broadband speed — you need at least 10 Mbps for reliable HD streams. If your Firestick is on Wi-Fi, try moving it closer to your router or use a Wi-Fi extender. Firestick 4K Max users can also enable Wi-Fi 6 in network settings for improved performance.
Some channels are showing as unavailable
Channel availability can occasionally vary due to rights and broadcast windows. If a channel you expect to see is consistently unavailable, contact SubStream support — our UK-based team is available seven days a week and can usually resolve channel issues quickly.
The EPG is not loading
EPG data can take a few minutes to populate on first load. If the guide remains empty after five minutes, go to the app settings and refresh the EPG. Ensure your Firestick has the correct date and time set.
Get your SubStream IPTV subscription today.
15,000+ live UK channels, 4K HD, 7-day catch-up, and UK-based support. Set up on your Firestick in under five minutes.