How to Setup & Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick in 2026

Last Updated on September 20, 2026 by Walter

Surfshark VPN has a proper Fire TV app, so you install it from the Amazon App Store in a couple of minutes and sign in without typing a long password on the remote.

Why put a VPN on a FireStick?

A FireStick pulls everything over your home internet connection, which means your internet provider can see every app and stream you open. A VPN hides that by routing your traffic through an encrypted tunnel, so the only thing your provider sees is a scrambled connection to one server. That matters if you use free streaming apps and don't want a log of what you watch.

The second reason is access. Streaming libraries differ by country, and a FireStick that connects through a server in another country can reach a different catalog. Surfshark VPN has a large network of fast servers, so you can switch locations without waiting for the connection to settle, and one subscription covers unlimited devices.

How to install Surfshark VPN on FireStick

The app is available directly in the Amazon App Store, so no sideloading is needed on any recent Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Cube. You only need a Surfshark VPN subscription and a device running Fire OS 5 or later.

1. From the FireStick home screen, click Find, then Search.
2. Type Surfshark and select the official app with the blue shark-fin logo. Check the publisher reads Surfshark before you install, because copycat listings exist.
3. Click Get or Download. The app installs on its own once the download finishes.
4. Click Open, then Allow when the app asks permission to set up a VPN connection. Without that permission the tunnel can't start.

Sign in with a TV login code

Typing an email and password with a remote is slow, and Surfshark VPN offers a faster route.

1. On the FireStick, choose Log in, then the option to enter a login code. A short code appears on screen.
2. On your phone, open the Surfshark VPN app and go to Settings > Account > TV login.
3. Enter the code from the TV, confirm, and the FireStick signs in by itself. If you prefer, you can point your phone camera at the QR code instead.

Best Surfshark VPN settings for FireStick

Four settings do most of the work once you're signed in. Auto-connect, under Settings, makes the VPN start by itself when the FireStick turns on, so you never stream unprotected by accident. The kill switch cuts your internet if the tunnel drops, which stops your real IP address from leaking mid-stream. CleanWeb blocks ads and malware before they load, and it cleans up a lot of the junk that free streaming apps throw at you.

The fourth is Whitelister, which controls split tunneling. Open Features > Whitelister to choose which apps bypass the VPN or route through it. This is useful when one streaming app refuses to work over a VPN, because you can send it out directly while everything else stays encrypted.

Choosing a server on Fire TV

The home screen lists locations down the left side, and the fastest server is selected for you by default. To reach a specific library, scroll to the country you want and click it to connect, then press the star icon to save it to your favorites for quick access later. Pick a nearby country when you only care about speed, and a distant one when you want a particular catalog.

How to check the VPN is working

Install the free Amazon Silk browser from the App Store, open it, and visit dnsleaktest.com. Run the standard test and check the IP address it reports. If it shows a Surfshark VPN address instead of your home IP, the tunnel is working and your traffic is encrypted. If it shows your normal address, disconnect and reconnect, and confirm the kill switch is on.

Surfshark VPN not working on FireStick?

Start with a full restart of the FireStick, because a stale network state causes most connection failures, then try a different server. If the app won't open, clear its cache under Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Surfshark VPN > Clear Cache and launch it again. When speeds drop, switch to a nearer server and close background apps, since FireSticks have limited memory and too many open apps slow the tunnel down.

If the app refuses to install, check that you have free storage and that the device is running Fire OS 5 or later, then sign out of your Amazon account and back in. On the newest Fire TV devices running Amazon's Linux-based Vega OS, Surfshark VPN now ships a native app from the Amazon App Store, so install that version rather than an older APK.

Frequently asked questions

Is Surfshark VPN free on FireStick?

No, the app is free to download but you need a paid Surfshark VPN subscription to connect. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test it.

Can I install Surfshark VPN on an old FireStick?

Only if it runs Fire OS 5 or later. The first-generation FireStick doesn't support any VPN app, so you'll need a newer model.

Does Surfshark VPN slow down streaming?

A small drop is normal, but Surfshark VPN keeps speeds high enough for HD and 4K on most connections. Choosing a nearby server keeps the loss to a minimum.

How many devices can I use with one account?

There's no device limit, so the same subscription covers your FireStick, phone, laptop and tablet at the same time.

Should I use the kill switch on Fire TV?

Yes. Turn it on so your real IP address never shows if the connection drops mid-stream, which is exactly when a leak would be most visible.

Wrapping up

Installing Surfshark VPN on a FireStick takes a few minutes, and the TV login code saves you from fighting the on-screen keyboard. Turn on Auto-connect, the kill switch and CleanWeb, and you get private streaming with far fewer ads.