Develop Bugs

[Q] Fire TV in UK

I have an Amazon Fire TV imported from the US,,, Is it possible to use my UK Prime Instant Video account? I can link it up to my UK account (the apps seems to reflect this) but I seem to be seing US Movie/TV content. Also no way to set timezone to UK.
Any views?

(sorry m8 I'd never noticed the default list of TZs was so dang restricted...)

ipxsystems said:
I have an Amazon Fire TV imported from the US,,, Is it possible to use my UK Prime Instant Video account? I can link it up to my UK account (the apps seems to reflect this) but I seem to be seing US Movie/TV content. Also no way to set timezone to UK.
Any views?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi buddy i'm in the same boat as you.... If you figure out how to change the time let me know.

imtiajmeah said:
Hi buddy i'm in the same boat as you.... If you figure out how to change the time let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Netherlands, got this problem as well. Opened the Amazon settings apk, and those few time zones are hardcoded in the app/xml, so looks that amazon doesn't have any outside US plans for now.
Sideloaded a default Android Setting apk, but switching time zones didn't stick, same as via adb shell setprop persist.sys.timezone, so think we'll need to wait for root access to make it stick.

I installed "Time Zone Changer" from the playstore, worked for me, +2 GMT, even after reboot.

ipxsystems said:
I have an Amazon Fire TV imported from the US,,, Is it possible to use my UK Prime Instant Video account? I can link it up to my UK account (the apps seems to reflect this) but I seem to be seing US Movie/TV content. Also no way to set timezone to UK.
Any views?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
So are you saying that you have an amazon.co.uk account, but the Fire TV prime movies on your box are the USA movies? (I think that means you get about 2x as many choices AFAIK... which is fantastic. So is that true?
Also, how about NetFlix, is that UK or USA content?
tx
Mark.

..

JJ-KwiK said:
Everything on the FireTV is region restricted to the US. Including Prime, Netflix and Hulu. If you try from any other region, like UK or Canada as an example, you'll get an error msg when you try to load a video. The only way to get around the error is to use a VPN. So far, vpn apk's, like Hola, don't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy crap, so why are some people buying it in the UK on eBay... Some sellers saying it's UK ready...
Perhaps we'll get lucky with an Android TV announcement at Google IO.
Mark
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Here is my experience so far...
If you use a service like SmartDNS or Unblock-US, you can watch Netflix from anywhere in the world using your UK Netflix account. No need for VPNs. The services costs an extra $5 a month but worth it. Works great on all devices, including my Fire TV.
The service also works a treat for Hulu, but the Fire TV app is for Hulu. This needs a US credit card to subscribe.
For Amazon Instant Video (the pay to rent/buy service), you need a US Amazon.com account and a US credit card. You can use a service like US Unlocked (not to be confused with Unblock-US mentioned above ) which lets you register for a virtual US credit card with a US billing address and works great on Amazon and Vudu. Been using it a few years, but it does require a huge leap of faith to sign up for it - you need to send bank details etc for initial setup. I haven't had any issues so far, but appreciate many won't want to do this.
You can probably also get Amazon.com vouchers but have not tried this for Instant Video . Lots of sites sell them
The kick in the teeth for me is Amazon Prime and not having access to the UK service. On the Fire TV it's not an app that you launch so to speak, it's integrated into the menus. Everything that is served is the US content. Unlike Netflix, which uses the same app to server different content based on your region, Amazon has different apps for each region.
So to get UK Prime content, we need a UK version of the app sideloaded. At least that's my conclusion. The best version would be the Google TV apk (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.avod) and there are some discussion around about ripping it, but I don't think anyone succeeded. We would also need it to be the UK version of the app.
As an example, on PS3, to get UK Prime, I need the app from the US PSN store, and for US Prime you need the one from the US PSN store.
The other challenge is sideloading it. I tried sideloading this Amazon Instant APK just as a test, and I got an error saying com.amazon.avod already installed, which is the main Prime app on the Fire TV. Someone much smarter than me would need to figure out how to change the name of the app/package so it can be installed alongside each other. Even if you could, this app won't work anyway to get UK content (or even work at all with a remote), but it's one step closer if we can get two versions of the Amazon app installed side by side.
Hope that helps someone somewhere It's still a great piece of kit - only thing I'm missing is UK Prime.
Cheers

eskay993 said:
Here is my experience so far...
If you use a service like SmartDNS or Unblock-US, you can watch Netflix from anywhere in the world using your UK Netflix account. No need for VPNs. The services costs an extra $5 a month but worth it. Works great on all devices, including my Fire TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Netflix UK work for you? Mine (also using Unblock Us) does show the content, and can navigate, but will refuse to play movies. It will start loading but then stalls after about 40% loading.
adb logcat gives java cert errors.

JPDeckers said:
Does Netflix UK work for you? Mine (also using Unblock Us) does show the content, and can navigate, but will refuse to play movies. It will start loading but then stalls after about 40% loading.
adb logcat gives java cert errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm you're right. I've been mostly watching US and only tested accessing UK content, not playing. Tried playing and it stalls at 40%.
As a test, I tried a different Netflix apk that I found and it works fine in terms of playing the movie, but this apk is designed for touchscreen and a bit crappy to use with the Fire TV remote.
So, either it's a bug with v1.0.1 of Netflix which comes with the Fire TV, or it' an extra region check they've added, which sucks. I suspect it's just a bug/restriction of this old version.
If we can find a version Netflix apk that works well with a remote, then this would be solved. Unfortunately most results that come up are for touch screens.
Sooo close to being the perfect box! Hopefully someone can figure out a way round it.
Cheers
UPDATE: Netflix UK now works for me as I mention below.

Unfortunately I haven't found a way around this. I am in the UK and bought a Fire TV whilst in the US. When returning none of the videos play, none of the applications load (apart from the ones I've sideloaded).
It is still useful, as I put XBMC on there but it would be great to be able to use an Amazon Prime UK account or even just set the timezone without faffing about.

boxst said:
Unfortunately I haven't found a way around this. I am in the UK and bought a Fire TV whilst in the US. When returning none of the videos play, none of the applications load (apart from the ones I've sideloaded).
It is still useful, as I put XBMC on there but it would be great to be able to use an Amazon Prime UK account or even just set the timezone without faffing about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plex works i use it everyday on fire tv,even with the things that dont work yet in the uk for the price and gta games working great it is a brilliant box.

JPDeckers said:
Does Netflix UK work for you? Mine (also using Unblock Us) does show the content, and can navigate, but will refuse to play movies. It will start loading but then stalls after about 40% loading.
adb logcat gives java cert errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if it's something I inadvertently did, or something that changed server side at Netflix/Amazon, but Netflix UK now works on my Fire TV! I tried US, Mexico and UK and all movies and TV shows play (no longer get stuck at 40%). Worth trying it again if you were having trouble before.
All that's left now is for the new Netflix client (coming soon later in the year) and for a way to get Amazon UK, and I'm sorted!

eskay993 said:
Not sure if it's something I inadvertently did, or something that changed server side at Netflix/Amazon, but Netflix UK now works on my Fire TV!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, somewhere around the last firmware update, Netflix started working! Uninstalled the sideloaded version, because this client is actually usable. Now wait for the updated one, but already really helps in usability.

Netflix outside of US?

I'm in Australia and have Netflix working fine on my Roku 3 using a DNS service. But I'm not sure how to install Netflix on the Fire TV. I can't install from the Fire TV app store, as it says I'm in the wrong region (tried with hola in by browser too, but still the same deal).
I sideloaded the standard Netflix app from the play store, but I can't make selections because it's a touch based app, unless there's a workaround for this I don't know about? Also read though, that the quality is limited in this app.
I thought maybe the GTV Netflix app may work? I can't find an apk to test this though.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Im in Bermuda and when i first tried installing netflix i got the wrong region message as well. After i put in my DNS i was able to get it. Dont know why but it worked. Have you tried getting it from the amazon website? You can choose to "deliver" it to your device. You may get lucky.

Thanks for the reply. I've managed to register US amazon.com account, previously amazon was telling me my account was registered on amazon.com.au - so I will try changing the account details on the FireTV tonight and see how it goes.

No problem getting Netflix app on the device after I have a US Amazon account.

[Q] YouTube Crashes to Home Screen

Hi guys, i have searched everywhere and failed to find an answer. Please advise how can i resolve this issue. I have 3 AFTVs and all 3 have this issue. All the FireTVs boxes rooted on Version 51.1.1_user_51170220. Every time i start YouTube and select a video, it crashes to main home screen. If i also cast something using YouTube Casting, it does same thing. I normally use Kodi, but when i play YouTube, i normally reboot box or shutdown Kodi completely. I have also removed Kodi to test and it still crashes.

Hmm tried all, still no luck
Sent from my Nexus 4

Hi, my AFTV have this problem too. I checked Amazon Youtube App customer reviews and other peoples have this problem too. Amazon don't give any solution.

I am having a similar issue, but with Netflix. Please have a read:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fir...fire-stcik-t3147348/post61636438#post61636438
I think the issues lay in bad coding in app development.

nycelitemaster said:
Hi guys, i have searched everywhere and failed to find an answer. Please advise how can i resolve this issue. I have 3 AFTVs and all 3 have this issue. All the FireTVs boxes rooted on Version 51.1.1_user_51170220. Every time i start YouTube and select a video, it crashes to main home screen. If i also cast something using YouTube Casting, it does same thing. I normally use Kodi, but when i play YouTube, i normally reboot box or shutdown Kodi completely. I have also removed Kodi to test and it still crashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try to install the original YouTube app from the Google store. Link is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube&hl=en . The YouTube version I have currently is 10.24.57.
I have it on my FTV and runs fine with no issues. My FTV is at the latest rooted version. Note that my FTV does have the Google Play and Google Play Services installed as well. I think I read somewhere that YouTube app (from the Google store) needs Play Services to run.
I have also tried the YouTube for Google TV app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube.tv&hl=en). But that app always gives me an error "Connection to Server lost". Despite multiple cleanups of FTV with regards to data/cache and re-installs and etc etc, it always gives me that error. So I gave up on that and just run the original app.

dbdoshi said:
You can try to install the original YouTube app from the Google store. Link is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube&hl=en . The YouTube version I have currently is 10.24.57.
I have it on my FTV and runs fine with no issues. My FTV is at the latest rooted version. Note that my FTV does have the Google Play and Google Play Services installed as well. I think I read somewhere that YouTube app (from the Google store) needs Play Services to run.
I have also tried the YouTube for Google TV app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube.tv&hl=en). But that app always gives me an error "Connection to Server lost". Despite multiple cleanups of FTV with regards to data/cache and re-installs and etc etc, it always gives me that error. So I gave up on that and just run the original app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible if you can install the amazon version and provide feedback? Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 4

nycelitemaster said:
Is it possible if you can install the amazon version and provide feedback? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I installed the Amazon version (1.1.1), the one with the blue box that says "YouTube" in white fonts. This was side by side install with Google version. This works.
I then uninstalled the Google one, rebooted my FTV and tried the Amazon one. And that runs fine as well. I wish it didn't work so that we can have a repeatable bug, but unfortunately not. I also did the same steps on my other FTV (one rooted version back) and all runs fine, side by side and by itself.
Unrelated to your problem, I noticed a quirk in the Amazon version. Neither the wireless keyboard or the Amazon's official FTV app (on iPhone) can be used to search within the application. But keyboard functionality in the Google version works fine in the search.

dbdoshi said:
Ok, I installed the Amazon version (1.1.1), the one with the blue box that says "YouTube" in white fonts. This was side by side install with Google version.
I then uninstalled the Google one, rebooted my FTV and tried the Amazon one. And that runs fine as well. I wish it didn't work so that we can have a repeatable bug, but unfortunately not. I also did the same steps on my other FTV (one rooted version back) and all runs fine, side by side and by itself.
Unrelated to your problem, I noticed a quirk in the Amazon version. Neither the wireless keyboard or the Amazon's official FTV app (on iPhone) can be used to search within the application. But keyboard functionality in the Google version works fine in the search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct, wireless keyboard doesnt work. Maybe my OS version is too old.
Sent from my Nexus 4

nycelitemaster said:
That is correct, wireless keyboard doesnt work. Maybe my OS version is too old.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be. Maybe you can dump the logs and post them. Someone can take a peek and see if something jumps out.
EDIT: I just thought of something. Are you actually running the version 1.1.1? From the version number, I am imagining that there is probably an older version. If you are getting an older version from Amazon store (because your OS is old), maybe you can try running the 1.1.1. Let me know if you need that apk if that is true.
Or conversely, if you are in fact running 1.1.1, maybe the older version might work with your older OS. But I don't have that version for you to test.

It use to work fine up until 3 weeks ago. It stopped then. Ill update the box over the weekend to see maybe that fixes it. Thank you very much.
Sent from my Nexus 4

i have this issue, non rooted
why? youtube? bbc iplayer

I'll second having this issue with no idea how to fix it.

dbdoshi said:
You can try to install the original YouTube app from the Google store. Link is: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube&hl=en . The YouTube version I have currently is 10.24.57.
I have it on my FTV and runs fine with no issues. My FTV is at the latest rooted version. Note that my FTV does have the Google Play and Google Play Services installed as well. I think I read somewhere that YouTube app (from the Google store) needs Play Services to run.
I have also tried the YouTube for Google TV app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube.tv&hl=en). But that app always gives me an error "Connection to Server lost". Despite multiple cleanups of FTV with regards to data/cache and re-installs and etc etc, it always gives me that error. So I gave up on that and just run the original app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which version of youtube apk are you running? the one designed for the phones and tablet? these run fine on the TV with no issues of screen size?

dk00 said:
which version of youtube apk are you running? the one designed for the phones and tablet? these run fine on the TV with no issues of screen size?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I guess it should be the phone one (I have masked my FTV as a phone in MarketHelper). But no, I see no cutoffs or anything. It renders it fine on my TV. I have attached couple of pictures from my FTV while running the app (playing Steven Colbert in the background). One shows the picture filling the entire TV and the other shows the stats (which you can enable for any clip you are playing in the clip menu) for this video clip (so that it can be read correctly). I did set the "Quality" to 720p in the settings of the app.
The line for "Video format" shows 1280x720 at the end. I am guessing thats what it is rendering at.. But my knowledge is limited as far as that goes
It is interesting that the "Device" is listed as "Amazon AFTB 4.2.2", and not the HTC phone... Hmm...

dbdoshi said:
Yes, I guess it should be the phone one (I have masked my FTV as a phone in MarketHelper). But no, I see no cutoffs or anything. It renders it fine on my TV. I have attached couple of pictures from my FTV while running the app (playing Steven Colbert in the background). One shows the picture filling the entire TV and the other shows the stats (which you can enable for any clip you are playing in the clip menu) for this video clip (so that it can be read correctly). I did set the "Quality" to 720p in the settings of the app.
The line for "Video format" shows 1280x720 at the end. I am guessing thats what it is rendering at.. But my knowledge is limited as far as that goes
It is interesting that the "Device" is listed as "Amazon AFTB 4.2.2", and not the HTC phone... Hmm...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks mate. is markethelper required to make it work? i am thinking about doing this with netflix, have you tried?

dk00 said:
thanks mate. is markethelper required to make it work? i am thinking about doing this with netflix, have you tried?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, my Netflix works fine (always has). I use the stock Amazon Netflix app. So I didn't have a need to try Google's Netflix app.
Regarding MarketHelper, I am not sure. I guess you can try without it (it might work because my FTV is identified as an actual FTV in the stats image above and not as a phone). If not, it should be a cinch to mask your FTV using MarketHelper. I am wondering if the video is rendering correctly because my FTV is NOT identified as a phone.. LOL.

dbdoshi said:
Sorry, my Netflix works fine (always has). I use the stock Amazon Netflix app. So I didn't have a need to try Google's Netflix app.
Regarding MarketHelper, I am not sure. I guess you can try without it (it might work because my FTV is identified as an actual FTV in the stats image above and not as a phone). If not, it should be a cinch to mask your FTV using MarketHelper. I am wondering if the video is rendering correctly because my FTV is NOT identified as a phone.. LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats wierd is for me amzon youtube works fine but amazon netflix does not work at all.
i cant possibly figure out what can cause the difference?
but i CAN suggest that the issue is in the app developement of FireOS apps
Also are you simply using ADBfire to load the APK onto the stick?

dk00 said:
whats wierd is for me amzon youtube works fine but amazon netflix does not work at all.
i cant possibly figure out what can cause the difference?
but i CAN suggest that the issue is in the app developement of FireOS apps
Also are you simply using ADBfire to load the APK onto the stick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I use command line ADB to interact with my FTV ("adb install blahblah.apk"). Glad that YouTube works for you at least. If I were you, I would load the Google's Netflix and see how it goes. If that does not work, start by wiping your FTV clean with no apps (I am not sure about the correct sequencing for reset/data & cache clean/use CWM or not). Install Netflix from Amazon and test it and see if there are errors. You can get a log dump from your FTV and maybe someone here can see an issue. And if Netflix works, start installing one app at a time, testing Netflix and so on.
Also, are there any geographical restrictions that are tripping you up.... Are you in the US or using VPN? I recently read that some content providers are actively blocking VPNs... Not sure if Netflix is playing that game.
I have seen that if Kodi is paused, Netflix will have issues (WatchESPN is another app that I have issues with when Kodi is paused). You can also try going to the latest FTV version (rooted or otherwise) first and testing Netflix before you take on this PITA and begin your installs from scratch.

Thanks for help mate, I may not have to go any further with this.
I have found that if I use the netflix mobile app on a phone to find a video, and then "cast" it to the fire stick, it plays every single time with no problems. Video after video no issues. I can even exit app on phone and it keeps playing in the stick.
You may want to try this with the YouTube app also because it offers the cast functionality as well.
Based on this I know for sure it is not ISP related or hardware related. It is improperly coded app that was not properly tested before it was released.

found the solution for netflix issue
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61668188&postcount=10

Looking to use a VPN on a Firestick running KODI.

OK, I am new to VPNS, so please bare with me. I have an Amazon Firestick with KODI installed on it. Ideally, I would like to have a VPN on this device and all my other devices for that matter. What would be the best way to go about this? Thanks!

Quick question...Are wanting to use VPN for Privacy purposes or to unblock Geo restriction?

Sorry, should of been more specific. Privacy issues.

sandman512 said:
Sorry, should of been more specific. Privacy issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd set the client up on my router then, i'm not sure there is any "baked in" vpn client in the fire tv(stick) devices

Froggy,
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. Being new to this, can you point me in the right direction? I am currently using an Airport Extreme Router. Thanks!

OpenVPN App
sandman512 said:
Froggy,
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. Being new to this, can you point me in the right direction? I am currently using an Airport Extreme Router. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The openvpn app works fine on a my Fire-TV Gen 2 which I rooted yesterday. It shouldn't be a problem on a fire stick. The airport router lacks the ability to use openvpn.
That seems to be the quickest to to accomplish your goal & you could use vpn anywhere like when traveling in a hotel or whatever.

C-Rooted said:
The openvpn app works fine on a my Fire-TV Gen 2 which I rooted yesterday. It shouldn't be a problem on a fire stick. The airport router lacks the ability to use openvpn.
That seems to be the quickest to to accomplish your goal & you could use vpn anywhere like when traveling in a hotel or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me a link to this app? Google link I am looking for a vpn to use on my AFTV2 but can it change my location so I can watch say USA programs in the UK Which would normally be blocked?

deanr1977 said:
Can you give me a link to this app? Google link I am looking for a vpn to use on my AFTV2 but can it change my location so I can watch say USA programs in the UK Which would normally be blocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like there are two apps called "OpenVPN" for the FireTV/Stick...
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...d-keywords=openvpn&sprefix=open,undefined,148
EDIT: Nevermind...looks like not compatible with Fire TV/Stick...sorry

deanr1977 said:
Can you give me a link to this app? Google link I am looking for a vpn to use on my AFTV2 but can it change my location so I can watch say USA programs in the UK Which would normally be blocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google search for openvpn APK (Site wouldn't let me post a link until I post more) this is what i found with a google search. I downloaded it from the play store on my Nexus 7 and used an apk extractor app.
2 notes.
1. It will require an openvpn config there are links within to private tunnel. I good choice for some because you pay by the data you use. not a good choice for me because I work on an offshore faucily where I live for a week at a time. The web is heavily monitored and blocks sites such as this one for some unknown reason. So I use VPN on all devices 24/7 while at work, it is more cost effective for me to pay for a service. There are also free vpn options seperate apps, not sure how they work on fire tv, you may have to experiment. popular choices are tunnel bear, vyprvpn & cyberghost.
2. The Netflix problem. Netflix put out an update a while back that causes Netflix not to work with some VPN. It has something to do with the DNS I'm still trying to find a solution for this myself. Maybe a pro can step in & fill us both in on that part of the equation. This is my 2nd time posting on this forum.
Hopefully something I said was helpful, and not to wordy. I am an XDA noob myself. playing with a rooted AFTV 2nd Gen trying to install youtube + playstore.

froggymike911 said:
I'd set the client up on my router then, i'm not sure there is any "baked in" vpn client in the fire tv(stick) devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A single router VPN or double router (vpn/non-vpn) setup was the best option under Fire OS 3 (For all 1st Gen FireTV's & FireTV Sticks).
https://vpntips.com/fire-tv-vpn-install/
https://vpntips.com/how-to-unblock-any-digital-media-player/
C-Rooted said:
The openvpn app works fine on a my Fire-TV Gen 2 which I rooted yesterday. It shouldn't be a problem on a fire stick. The airport router lacks the ability to use openvpn.
That seems to be the quickest to to accomplish your goal & you could use vpn anywhere like when traveling in a hotel or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for confirming this. I've been asking if Fire OS 5 fixed the VPN shortcomings in FireTV OS 3. Glad to know it has been resolved. Root shouldn't be a factor at all.
jbl0ggs said:
Looks like there are two apps called "OpenVPN" for the FireTV/Stick...
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...d-keywords=openvpn&sprefix=open,undefined,148
EDIT: Nevermind...looks like not compatible with Fire TV/Stick...sorry
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There won't be any FireTV listed app for OpenVPN. It's more of a universal device android app.
Found this link for the PlayStore version of one of the OpenVPN apk: http://plai.de/android/
(I would choose the latest non Pre version. Not sure why they charge for the exact same app on the Amazon Store when it's free on the PlayStore)
Here is a Amazon review with how to use a PIA setup on a Fire device with Fire OS 5 using the OpenVPN app above. Since PIA hasn't updated their PIA app in a long while. ( http://www.amazon.com/review/R29NVV...D=2350149011&store=mobile-apps#wasThisHelpful )
C-Rooted said:
Google search for openvpn APK (Site wouldn't let me post a link until I post more) this is what i found with a google search. I downloaded it from the play store on my Nexus 7 and used an apk extractor app.
2 notes.
1. It will require an openvpn config there are links within to private tunnel. I good choice for some because you pay by the data you use. not a good choice for me because I work on an offshore faucily where I live for a week at a time. The web is heavily monitored and blocks sites such as this one for some unknown reason. So I use VPN on all devices 24/7 while at work, it is more cost effective for me to pay for a service. There are also free vpn options seperate apps, not sure how they work on fire tv, you may have to experiment. popular choices are tunnel bear, vyprvpn & cyberghost.
2. The Netflix problem. Netflix put out an update a while back that causes Netflix not to work with some VPN. It has something to do with the DNS I'm still trying to find a solution for this myself. Maybe a pro can step in & fill us both in on that part of the equation. This is my 2nd time posting on this forum.
Hopefully something I said was helpful, and not to wordy. I am an XDA noob myself. playing with a rooted AFTV 2nd Gen trying to install youtube + playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully someone with a FireTV Stick with voice remote that comes pre-loaded with Fire OS 5 can test a VPN setup to let us know if 1st Gen devices wont have problems with VPN anymore. My best guess is that it wont. Thanks for the confirmation.
Can someone please confirm that a PIA OpenVPN setup works on FireTV or FireTV Sticks on Fire OS 5 ???

Running OpenVPN on the stick might not work, at least the way you hope. OpenVPN encryption is handled by the cpu which is really weak on the fire stick. Even if it does work you might not be able to get enough throughput to maintain a video stream.
Running OpenVPN on a router is a far better idea.

Thanks for the reply. The issue is that I have an Apple Airport Extreme which it seems like it 's going to be difficult to do. Thanks!

If its just a VPN for kodi then you can download a VPN addon through kodi. Ive not persoanlly used it but seen it mentioned a couple of times.
Heres a link http://www.dathovpn.com/index.html

Vpn
Anyone that can help set up vpn on netgear to access geoblocked streams on firestick please message me ....thanks in advance

Sideload this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blinkt.openvpn
Works. (Tested with Kodi and other apps on 5.0.5.)
Also - this is an Open VPN client - so you have to get a VPN subscription elsewhere.
Also a thread full of people that have "heard things" but far and few between, that have actually tried out an app for themselves... Oh I'm sure the CPU is the issue here - not. *sigh*

What kind of errors are you getting here?

You can always do a double router setup. Running an APN through your router will slow your speeds but it will keep you safe. It will also give you the option on what devices to connect to what router.

If you're running a VPN for privacy reasons, running it on the fire is a bad idea. There's simply too many ways for something to go wrong. If the app crashes or the VPN disconnects, your connection will leak - and you might not notice in time. Or if the power blipped in the middle of the night, the fire would just reboot and you'd never realize the vpn app had gone down unless you make it a habit of checking it every single time. Which is a PITA.
This isn't an issue if you're running it for geo-unblocking, since a connection leak just means your video pauses. Not the end of the world.
It's much better to do this upstream in the network on a device that can implement firewall rules and keep your connection 100% secure and give yourself peace of mind. If your router supports OpenVPN natively (few do), you can probably do this with no problem at all. If it doesn't, you might be able to install OpenWrt, which can 100% do exactly this. I know that for a fact because it's what I have set up right now. My old ISP throttled youtube traffic. (Yeah. Youtube. I could watch 1080p through the VPN, but without it I could only occasionally watch 720p without buffering. I was mostly stuck on 480p. That sucked.)
Placing the tunnel upstream also makes it a snap to add additional devices to the "VPN only" group.
If your main router doesn't support either option you can use a networking device as a man in the middle between your fire and your router. To do this you can use an old router in your closest or a $15 one from craigslist that supports OpenWrt. Another good option is to use a raspberry pi. Worst case, a regular old computer can do the job, although it's not power-efficient and isn't elegant or pretty.

I have the firetv box as far as a VPN I adb linked ipvanish. Apk to the fireTv. Runs great.

TuSpockShakur said:
Running OpenVPN on the stick might not work, at least the way you hope. OpenVPN encryption is handled by the cpu which is really weak on the fire stick. Even if it does work you might not be able to get enough throughput to maintain a video stream.
Running OpenVPN on a router is a far better idea.
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canemaxx said:
Anyone that can help set up vpn on netgear to access geoblocked streams on firestick please message me ....thanks in advance
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What VPN are you using? Did you flash DD WRT I can send you a command script if your using PIA, copy, paste and reboot.

Possible to set specific DNS or VPN for Netflix only?

I've been scouting round looking for solutions that mean (as an expat) I can continue to use a DNS or VPN service for most things (UK TV, amazon prime etc.) while still retaining access to Netflix. No joy so far. What I'm wondering is if anybody has a way to set a specific DNS (or VPN if that works) for Netflix services, while using the default on the router for everything else?
A bit optimistic probably, but thought I'd ask ...

urbanespaceman said:
I've been scouting round looking for solutions that mean (as an expat) I can continue to use a DNS or VPN service for most things (UK TV, amazon prime etc.) while still retaining access to Netflix. No joy so far. What I'm wondering is if anybody has a way to set a specific DNS (or VPN if that works) for Netflix services, while using the default on the router for everything else?
A bit optimistic probably, but thought I'd ask ...
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There are certain VPN-Services specialized in providing access to Netflix like ExpressVPN or you use a tool like NordVPN which will choose a VPN-Service for you.
Greetings
Medizinmann

As an expat, I use Unotelly's Dynamo DNS service which allows you to switch regions on the fly. By sideloading the unotelly.apk app to the Amazon fire tv, I can use the fire tv remote to easily switch from U.K content and then quickly switch back to Netflix U.S by going through the unotelly app and picking another region. Takes seconds to do this.
P.s using firestarter ( actually firestopper which is now called appstarter, but that new version isn't as functional) as a U.I overlay making it much easier for quick access to bbc iplayer, itv player, skygo, netflix, etc, and the unotelly app.

This what the unotelly app looks like within the fire tv

callanish said:
As an expat, I use Unotelly's Dynamo DNS service which allows you to switch regions on the fly. By sideloading the unotelly.apk app to the Amazon fire tv, I can use the fire tv remote to easily switch from U.K content and then quickly switch back to Netflix U.S by going through the unotelly app and picking another region. Takes seconds to do this.
P.s using firestarter ( actually firestopper which is now called appstarter, but that new version isn't as functional) as a U.I overlay making it much easier for quick access to bbc iplayer, itv player, skygo, netflix, etc, and the unotelly app.
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Thanks Callanish, for this information about unotelly!
I am aware that Netflix has started blocking all these DNS Services, to use the different Netflix regions Netflix... So I would like to know if you are fully sure that the unotelly service really works??
I am asking because, I already have tried with "Unblock-US" and also with
"Blockless" DNS Services, and unfortunately none of these two are working anymore:
https://www.blockless.com
https://www.unblock-us.com
I already have contacted "Unblock-US" and also "Blockless", to let them know that they service has been blocked and has stopped working...
However after more than 2 month, they only replied and said that they are currently working to fix the problems with Netflix, and that we could still use their service to access others sites like "HBO" and "Amazon-Prime"!
I also have found other DNS Service called "Uflix", that recommends to use a*TP-LINK MR3020 or a MR3420V2, to prevent more effectively the blocking that Netflix is ​​implementing...
https://uflix.com.au/setup/urouter/
However, since I have not received a new TP-LINK MR3020 that I bought from Amazon, I can not test if this "Uflix" DNS Service works or not yet!
Since, I don't find in the Google Play Store the Unotely APP that you have mentioned, I would appreciate if you post the link to download the "Unotely" APP to change the Netflix Regions.
Thanks for helping!

In all honesty, from my experience, Netflix outside of your own region has become a hit and a miss. I was only using Netflix U.K from the U.S through unotelly about a week ago as well as ongoing for the last few months and have had no issues whatsoever. I just went to test Netflix U.k again right after you mentioned getting access and it's been blocked again. With my situation, I mostly use Netflix U.S, along with running all the U.K apps and kodi U.K web streams. Netflix currently seems to be in aggressive blocking mode. I'll contact unotelly and find out what the latest is. My DNS proxy address might be the cause since it's no longer on the unotelly list of servers, but still works really well for all U.K content outside of Netflix U.K. I was connected to the BBC iPlayer news channel during the referendum, and it must have been on for 12 hours without a hiccup and in HD, so it’s pretty reliable.
Netflix u.k consistency aside, I can vouch for the stability of unotelly as I've been using it for about 4 years and I've rarely had a problem. If Netflix U.K is a priority, then I don't think there's a VPN or DNS service out there that isn't going to have its temporary blackouts when connecting from a different region. Added to that, there's the hassle of waiting for them to provide a workaround for the block. If Netflix U.S is what you mostly use, and are juggling between that and streaming with all the UK apps and U.K links from kodi, I can't recommend unotelly high enough, but there’s just no guarantee that if you're anywhere outside of the U.K NetfliK U.K will be working 100% of the time even with Unotelly, which from my experience, their customer service is really on the ball with solving issues.
Anyway, I sound like I work for the damn company. Here’s an apk attachment for the unotelly app I had in a backup folder.
P.S My only reservation about going down that router road with uflix is the speed and reliability of their VPN. Erratic streaming speeds could come into play potentially causing buffering, whereas a DNS Proxy is a pass through system giving you the maximum bandwidth of your internet service rather than using a VPN which can hamstring streaming speeds, but it's your call and if it works, then forget I mentioned it.

I have been using Unotelly for years also and is still working well for everything...except Netflix which everyone of those 'DNS unblockers' are having problems with. But did you get a reply from them? There business model is now broken, i.e. Netflix region switching, they don't reply anymore, don't think they will be around much longer unfortunately...

Hill16 said:
I have been using Unotelly for years also and is still working well for everything...except Netflix which everyone of those 'DNS unblockers' are having problems with. But did you get a reply from them? There business model is now broken, i.e. Netflix region switching, they don't reply anymore, don't think they will be around much longer unfortunately...
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The only reply I got was that they were working on it, as per the notice on their website which was basically "Region Picker Status: USTest 5: Down, Other Regions: Down (We will update our region picker status as soon as we get an update from our engineers)". So, Netflix is the elephant in the room for all Proxy server or VPN providers which, in my opinion, has taken their aggressive blocking to the next level. I just don't foresee us getting any consistency here when viewing other regions without there being a cycle of blocking, waiting for it to be unblocked and expecting the worse for it to be blocked again. From a selfish perspective, I get a lot more use out of my Netflix U.S region than I ever did out of Netflix U.K viewing. It was the odd show here and there I was watching on Netflix U.K and so far, crosses fingers, all the other content coming out of the U.K continues to work without any issues. Like you, I believe that Netflix was a core reason for a lot of these proxy and vpn providers being in business in the first place. For someone like myself, there is a wealth of free content coming out of the U.K that still makes it viable for me to continue to use a proxy, but for others that subscribed to a proxy or vpn for the sole purpose of getting Netflix U.S content or other region content, I can see those customers abandoning companies like Unotelly in droves.
I do think Unotelly is still fighting the fight, but they've got a huge mountain to climb here. I just think they don't know what to tell their customers and don't really know how to provide a consistent unblocking business model with Netflix, so either they are capable of surviving without guaranteeing Netflix or like you mentioned, they'll fold due to customers abandoning them.