Fire tablets come with Amazon Appstore, not Google Play Store
Fire tablets run Amazon's version of Android and ship with Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play Store. If you want Google Play Store on your Fire tablet, you need to install it manually — it is not available through Amazon Appstore and Amazon does not pre-load it. The process involves downloading three files from Google and installing them in the correct order.
This is different from a regular Android phone, where Google Play Store comes built in. Fire tablets are designed to keep you in Amazon's ecosystem, so Google's app store requires extra steps. The installation itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes once you have the files.
Key Takeaways
- You need to download three files from Google — Google Services Framework, Google Account Manager, and Google Play Store — and install them in that exact order.
- Your Fire tablet must allow installation from unknown sources, which you turn on in Settings under Apps and Notifications.
- The easiest way to get the files is to download them on your computer and transfer them to your tablet using a USB cable, or download them directly on the tablet using a file manager app.
- After installation, you sign in with a Google account and can download any app available on Google Play Store.
Turn on installation from unknown sources first
Before you install anything, your Fire tablet needs permission to install apps from sources other than Amazon Appstore. Go to Settings, then Apps and Notifications, then Unknown Apps. Find your file manager app (usually called Files or File Manager) and toggle on Allow from this source. This lets you install the Google files once you have them on your tablet.
Without this step, your tablet will block the installation and show an error message. You can turn this setting back off after you finish installing Google Play Store if you want to, though most people leave it on since they may install other apps from outside Amazon Appstore later.
Download the three required files
You need exactly three files in this order: Google Services Framework, Google Account Manager, and Google Play Store. The easiest source is APKMirror or APKPure, which are websites that host Android app files. Search for each file name on either site, download the latest version, and save all three to your computer or directly to your Fire tablet.
If you download to your computer, connect your Fire tablet with a USB cable and drag the three files into the tablet's Downloads folder. If you download directly on the tablet, use your file manager to find them — they will be in the Downloads folder by default. Make sure you have all three files before moving to the next step, because installing them out of order or missing one will cause errors.
Install the files in the correct order
Open your file manager on the Fire tablet and navigate to the Downloads folder. Tap the first file, Google Services Framework, and select Install. Wait for it to finish — you will see a confirmation message. Then go back to Downloads and install Google Account Manager the same way. Finally, install Google Play Store.
Each installation takes about 30 seconds to a minute. If you install them out of order or skip one, Google Play Store will not work properly. After all three are installed, you can delete the downloaded files from your Downloads folder to free up space.
Sign in with your Google account
Open Google Play Store from your apps list. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account. Enter your email address and password. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com. After you sign in, Google Play Store will sync with your account and show you any apps you have downloaded on other Android devices.
The first time you open Google Play Store, it may take a minute or two to load completely as it downloads updates. This is normal. Once it finishes, you can search for and download any app available on Google Play Store, just like on a regular Android phone.
Troubleshooting common installation problems
If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is installing the files in the wrong order or missing one of the three. Go back to your Downloads folder and check that you have all three files. Delete them and download fresh copies if any are corrupted or incomplete.
If Google Play Store opens but shows a blank screen or says "No connection", restart your Fire tablet and try again. If apps will not download from Google Play Store, check that you are signed in with your Google account and that your tablet has an active internet connection. Some apps may not be compatible with Fire tablets even though they appear in Google Play Store — in that case, you will see an error when you try to download them, and you can try a different app instead.
What to do if you want to remove Google Play Store
If you decide you do not want Google Play Store anymore, you can uninstall it like any other app. Go to Settings, Apps and Notifications, Manage All Applications, find Google Play Store, and tap Uninstall. You can also uninstall Google Account Manager and Google Services Framework the same way, though you only need to remove Google Play Store if you want to keep the other two.
Uninstalling does not affect Amazon Appstore or any apps you downloaded from it. If you uninstall Google Play Store and later want it back, you can repeat the installation process using the same three files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing Google Play Store void my Fire tablet warranty?
Amazon does not officially support Google Play Store on Fire tablets, but installing it does not void your warranty. However, if you contact Amazon support about a problem and they discover Google Play Store is installed, they may ask you to uninstall it before they help you further.
Can I use Google Play Store on all Fire tablet models?
Yes, the process works on all Fire tablet models — Fire 7, Fire HD 8, Fire HD 10, and Fire Max 11. The steps are the same regardless of which model you have or what year it was released.
Do I need a Google account to use Google Play Store?
Yes, you must sign in with a Google account to download apps from Google Play Store. You can create a free account at accounts.google.com if you do not already have one. The same account works on any Android device.
What happens if I install the files in the wrong order?
Google Play Store will not work correctly if the files are installed out of order. Uninstall all three apps and reinstall them in the correct order: Google Services Framework first, then Google Account Manager, then Google Play Store.
Can I download apps from Google Play Store that are not in Amazon Appstore?
Yes, that is the main reason to install Google Play Store. Many apps are available only on Google Play Store and not on Amazon Appstore. However, some apps may not work properly on Fire tablets even though they download successfully, because Fire tablets run a modified version of Android.