Fire OS
Screenshot Fire OS 7.3.1.7 running on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (10th generation)
Developer	Amazon
Written in	C (core),C++,Java (UI)[1]
OS family	Android (Linux)
Working state	Current
Source model	Based on theAndroidOpen source project,[2] withproprietary software & proprietary components[3]
Latest release	Fire OS 7.3.3.1 for 8th-11th generation devices Fire OS 8.3.3.7 for 12th-13th generation devices[4] / July 2025
Marketing target	Budget/Low priced market, Members of the Amazonecosystem
Package manager	APK
Supported platforms	32-bit and64-bitARM
Kernel type	Monolithic (modifiedLinux kernel)
Userland	Bionic libc,[5]mksh shell,[6]Toybox as the native core utilities with a few fromNetBSD[7]
Default user interface	Graphical (Multi-touch)
License	Proprietary EULA; based onApache License 2.0[8] ModifiedLinux kernel underGNU GPL v2[9]
Official website	developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tv/fire-os-overview.html

Fire OS is anAndroid-basedoperating system developed byAmazon for their hardwaredevices. Fire OS includes a customizeduser interface primarily centered on content consumption, and heavy ties to content available from Amazon's storefronts and services.^[10]

Amazon began referring to the Android derivative as Fire OS with its third iteration ofFire tablets. Unlike previous Fire models, whose operating system was described as "based on" Android, Fire OS 3.0 was described as "compatible with" Android.^[11]

Based onAndroid 5.1 "Lollipop",^[12] it added an updated interface. The home screen has a traditional application grid and pages for content types, as opposed to the previous carousel interface. It also introduced On Deck, a function that automatically moves content out of offline storage to maintain storage space for new content; the Word Runnerspeed reading tool; and screen color filters. Parental controls were enhanced with a new web browser for FreeTime mode featuring a curated selection of content appropriate for children, and an Activity Center for monitoring children's usage.^[13][14][15] It removed support for device encryption, which an Amazon spokesperson stated was an enterprise-oriented feature that was underused. In March 2016, after the removal was publicized and criticized in the wake of theFBI–Apple encryption dispute, Amazon announced it would restore the feature in a future patch.^[16][17]

Based onAndroid 7.1.2 "Nougat", its main changes and additions include:^[18]

• Adoptable storage, allowing users to format and use theirSD card as internal storage
• Doze/App standby, aiming to improve battery life by forcing devices to sleep when not actively used, adding restrictions to apps that would normally continue to run background processes^[19]

In early 2019,security exploits for sixFire Tablet models and oneFire TV model^[20] were discovered that could allow temporaryroot access, permanent root access, and bootloader unlocking^[a][21][22] due tosecurity vulnerabilities in multipleMediaTek chipsets.^[23][24][25]

Based onAndroid 9 "Pie",^[26] it was released in 2019 for all 8th-11th generation Fire tablets.

FireOS 8 is the latest release of FireOS for 12th-13th generation Fire tablets, based onAndroid 11, information about the release became available via Amazon developer documentation around May 2022.

FireOS 8 incorporates changes from Android 10 and Android 11, such as TLS 1.3 support enabled by default, High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) support, Dark mode, One-time permissions, Sharing improvements, Device auto backups (user needs to opt-in to device backups), etc.^[27]

Although it is noted in the Amazon developer documentation that some Android 11 features such as File Based Encryption (FBE) are not supported yet.^[28]

Around November 2023, a report surfaced of Amazon's plans to migrate away from Android to a customLinux-basedoperating system known as "Vega". Apps will be HTML5 based, specifically usingReact Native. Amazon was reported to have been developing the operating system since 2017, planning to launch TVs running Vega in 2024. It is unclear whether existing Android-based Fire TV devices will be replaced with Vega.^[29][30]

On September 30, 2025, Amazon officially announcedVega OS, which will be used on newer Fire TV devices, beginning with the Amazon Fire TV 4K Select, set for release also in 2025.^[31][32] Fire OS will continue to be supported on existing Amazon Fire TV devices and will continue to be used on newer devices.^[33]

Fire OS is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It does not come withGoogle mobile services pre-installed; therefore, Amazon cannot use the Android trademarks to market the devices.^[3] Users are able tosideload theGoogle Play store;^[34] however, full compatibility is not guaranteed if the app depends on Google services.^[35]

BecauseGoogle services are not pre-installed, Amazon develops and uses its own apps in their place, some of which includeAmazon Appstore,Amazon Alexa,Prime Video,Amazon Music,Audible,Kindle Store,Silk Browser,Goodreads andHere WeGo.^[36][37]

Fire OS uses a customized home screen (launcher). As of Fire OS 7.3.2.3, the launcher features three sections:^{[citation needed]}

• "For You" shows the weather, recently used apps, Alexa integration, then shows recommended content such as apps, books movies, etc.
• "Home" is the section for the icons of all of the apps currently installed on the device, apps on the Home section can be moved around or put into folders, a search bar is also available at the top of the launcher to search though local content on the device or search online using theBingsearch engine.
• "Library" shows purchased items from Amazon services, such as apps, books, movies and TV shows from Prime Video, etc.

The OS features amulti-user system, which allows multiple people to set up and use separate user profiles.^[38]

Along with Amazon Kids and Amazon Kids+, a suite ofparental controls is included which allows parents to create managed child profiles,^[39] set limits and set restrictions for minors.^[40][41]

Current Amazon devices running Fire OS:^[11]

• Fire Tablets
• Fire TV
• Amazon Echo /Amazon Echo Show

Discontinued devices running Fire OS:

• Fire Phone^[42]

• Nokia X software platform, a similar fork byNokia
• Tizen, aLinux-based OS bySamsung Electronics with an optional Android runtime
• Sailfish OS, aLinux-based mobile OS byJolla which includes an Android runtime
• BlackBerry 10, aQNX-based mobile OS byBlackBerry which includes an Android runtime and comes with theAmazon Appstore preloaded
• Comparison of mobile operating systems

• Official website

• Amazon (company)
• Android (operating system)
• Android (operating system) forks
• ARM operating systems
• Mobile operating systems
• Tablet operating systems

• Articles with short description
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