FireTV: no download?

[danergo 37]

I'm using Emby for FireTV for long time and I have just got a notification that FireTV is now compatible with generic Android release.

 

I installed it, and indeed it has the same features as Emby on my phone. 

 

But download is missing and my FireTV is not showing up in 'download to' menu.

 

Why? Can it be activated?

 

I know FireTV doesn't have too much storage by default, but I can add some storage via USB.

Any ideas would be appreciated. 

 

Thank you!

[IAmHugh 63]

I would avoid the Android apps cause Amazon will be dropping support for them.

https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/02/02/2023224/amazon-confirms-fire-tv-is-dropping-android

[danergo 37]

I'm pretty sure there will be a hack to keep Android on it.

Otherwise, I'm still looking for solution to download media onto it.

Thank you!

[ebr 16179]

Hi.  Unfortunately, Amazon does not allow us to have this feature.

[danergo 37]

9 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi.  Unfortunately, Amazon does not allow us to have this feature.

Hi, @ebr:

 

How about this post from you from 2022? My FireTV stick has (I believe) the same OS since then.

 

Although currently I need to buy this otg cable and I'm very far from civilisation, so it might be not possible. But I wouldn't try it if you confirm this is impossible.

 

Thank you!

 

[Luke 42078]

I think it's been long enough that we can try to enable it again and see if they'll approve it this time, so be on the lookout for an app update. Thanks.

[Carlo 4561]

Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube Premium, Disney+ all do this on Amazon's FireTV platform.
Those are big names and could have special arrangements but at least we know Amazon does allow it.

[danergo 37]

Thanks @Luke, in case I sideload the android version, it will display the download option?

So is it only removed from the version uploaded to Amazon Store?

 

Thx

 

 

[Luke 42078]

It should yes. Anyway when we submit our next update to amazon, we will take a shot at re-enabling this and see if they approve it.

[danergo 37]

Hi @Luke: I finally managed to get some time trying this.

Couple of remarks:

• Emby now sees correctly my external storage drive. Great! (Sideloaded Android APK)
• Can I see the status of download somewhere? It would be useful (either on client or server side) - I couldn't find it (only "Transferring" is displayed).
• Similar for conversion (only "Converting" is displayed), would be useful to see the percentage.

When are you planning to submit the next update to Amazon?

 

Many thanks!

[Luke 42078]

Quote

• Can I see the status of download somewhere? It would be useful (either on client or server side) - I couldn't find it (only "Transferring" is displayed).
•  

Hi, yes on the download settings screen.

[danergo 37]

12 hours ago, Luke said:

Hi, yes on the download settings screen.

 

Yes, thank you!

Currently, I only see "Converting", or "Downloading" (or "Competed"). 

For larger files or slow internet connections, both "Converting" and "Downloading" takes a lot of time, so it would be very beneficial seeing the current percentage. 

Is there any way (or plans) doing this?

 

Thank you!

[Luke 42078]

Hi, yes we plan to improve this in future updates. Thanks for the feedback.

[danergo 37]

Thanks @Luke, I really appreciate your works.

I have to say, Download feature on FireTV is amazingly useful, in case bandwidth is very rude, we can't transcode effectively (anything below 1Mbit is unenjoyable on today's TVs).

But, in case we have the download option, we can overcome on this over the night (during the night we can download everything for next day).

Stock Android version works perfectly.

Did you have any luck with Amazon with re-enabling this on their store?

 

 

[Luke 42078]

5 minutes ago, danergo said:

Thanks @Luke, I really appreciate your works.

I have to say, Download feature on FireTV is amazingly useful, in case bandwidth is very rude, we can't transcode effectively (anything below 1Mbit is unenjoyable on today's TVs).

But, in case we have the download option, we can overcome on this over the night (during the night we can download everything for next day).

Stock Android version works perfectly.

Did you have any luck with Amazon with re-enabling this on their store?

 

 

We haven't submitted yet but hopefully soon. Thanks.

[danergo 37]

On 3/31/2025 at 11:23 PM, danergo said:

Stock Android version works perfectly.

 

Unfortunately this is not true anymore: I found a major bug:

There is a specific file, which is unplayable on the FireTV with stock Android sideloaded APK: "No compatible streams are currently available. Please try again later or contact your system administrator for details."

 

Same file plays perfectly on my phone (Android); Also original FireTV Emby app plays correctly.

 

What shall I do?

 

Server log attached.

 

embyserver (8).txt

[Luke 42078]

52 minutes ago, danergo said:

Unfortunately this is not true anymore: I found a major bug:

There is a specific file, which is unplayable on the FireTV with stock Android sideloaded APK: "No compatible streams are currently available. Please try again later or contact your system administrator for details."

 

Same file plays perfectly on my phone (Android); Also original FireTV Emby app plays correctly.

 

What shall I do?

 

Server log attached.

 

embyserver (8).txt 217.16 kB · 0 downloads

Hi, can you please provide an android app log?

Thanks.

[danergo 37]

Hi!

I turned on logging in the Android app:

Two things happened:

1.) No log is created

2.) Video is now playing back correctly.

 

Will keep testing and posting in case I found news.

 

Thank you!

[Luke 42078]

Quote

1.) No log is created

You need to restart the app, meaning completely restart, such as force closing. If you're not sure, then just reboot the device.

[IAmHugh 63]

Might want to chat with Amazon support and make sure you don't inadvertently have 2 Fire TV's listed in your account. for about two weeks I had that same issue but with Prime and all it was was my old Fire TV still being registered on the Prime account.

[ebr 16179]

The latest update to the standard Emby app on the Fire TV should now have download functionality.

[danergo 37]

Which one?

"Emby for Fire TV" or "Emby"?

[ebr 16179]

15 minutes ago, ebr said:

the standard Emby app

Just "Emby".

[danergo 37]

Great work guys!

I'm testing it Seems pretty cool downloading to my USB stick!

Thank you very much for your efforts! 

 

 

[danergo 37]

Oh and you managed to add the status too! Amazing!

I think this status would fit more into "Manage downloads" tab rather than here in "Settings", but that's just a minor feedback.

One more idea to this: remaining time would be great addition i.e. nice to have

You are absolutely the best NAS software creators in the world.