How to Install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K?

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Well, this is something new and exciting, we have been waiting for this for a long time. Now you can install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K, more precisely the 2018 Fire TV Stick 4K, codenamed ‘mantis’. That means now you can enjoy the Fire OS features like Alexa, Amazon Appstore in a full-fledged Android TV ROM running on Android Nougat, i.e, 7.1.2​.

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This was made possible because of an XDA member named ‘burcbuluklu’. Who continuously tried until succeeded. He posted the full story on this XDA page, scroll down for the link.

Disclaimer: This tutorial contains many tech-savvy procedures that you may or may not be familiar with. At any stage, you must avoid doing something about which you have no idea otherwise you will end up bricking your Fire TV Stick 4K, so proceed cautiously and the exact steps mentioned.

Ported Android TV ROM

The following installation is just a port of Android TV ROM you may find/face unknown glitches as well. Here are a few functionalities that are working and also a few know functionalities that aren’t working.

Working Functionalities
  • Alexa
  • Voice Input of Amazon keyboard. (need to enable FireTV IME Keyboard from settings) (long press menu button for the quick switch)
  • Amazon Settings
  • Fire TV Remote App (I highly suggest this app. Works perfect for navigation and keyboard input)
  • Amazon Appstore (You can install your previous paid apps from here. Search function in the Amazon app store only works with Alexa)
  • Google Play Store and Services
  • Magisk
  • Xposed
  • Recommendations on launcher
  • Widevine DRM (Netflix, PrimeVideo, etc. works fine)
  • Kodi Audio Passthrough
  • Android Screen Cast
Non-Working Functionalities
  • Google Assistant
  • Google Voice Search

Screenshots:

Click/tap on the screenshot(s) to see in full size.

Install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K (mantis)

Step 1: Unlock Bootloader and Install TWRP

Note: Devices with serial numbers containing VM190 or higher being shipped with DL-Mode disabled in BROM. These devices cannot be unlocked using kamakiri.

The below-guided steps for unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, are the courtesy of XDA Senior Member ‘k4y0z’.

Requirements and Downloads
  • Download the ISO file and create a bootable flash drive using any tool like Rufus or UnetBootin.
  • Restart your PC, and while booting, before the Windows logo, tap the Boot Menu key,
BrandAssigned Boot Menu Key
AcerF12
AsusEsc or F8
DellF12
HPEsc or F9
LenovoF12, F8, F10
OtherEsc or F1-F12
  • You see a screen with a list of drives, choose the one you inserted/plugged in, and hit Enter.
  • And then Boot into the ISO.
  • Now, download the Kamariki Mantis Zip and extract it.
  • After that, open the terminal and go to the extracted directory using the terminal.
cd /path/to/extracted/directory/
  • Now, use the following command to run the script,
./bootrom-step.sh

Now, things are going to be more tough and complicated, follow the below steps only if you are compatible with these procedures.

  • You will need to open the Fire TV Stick 4K device and remove the heatshield on the side without the antennas (2 square bricks).
  • Short one of the points in the attached photo to the ground (the cage of the shielding). Ideally, you want to use DAT0, since that is tiny it might be easier to short the point marked CLK instead.
Note: It is very important that you use a piece of soft wire or aluminum foil or something similar for shorting. Don’t use tweezers as that makes it incredibly easy to knock the capacitor off the PCB and kill the board!
Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K
Courtesy: XDA
  • Now, connect the Fire TV Stick 4K to one of your PC’s USB port. (While keeping the device shorted)
  • Now, in a few moments, the script running in the terminal will tell you to release the short, hit Enter after that.
  • Once completed, use the following command to boot into TWRP,
./fastboot-step.sh

That was all, follow the next step to finally install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K (mantis).

Step 2: Install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K

The below-guided steps for unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, are the courtesy of XDA Member ‘burcbuluklu’.

Requirements and Downloads
  • Download the rar file and extract it to the following location on the USB stick,
TWRP > BACKUPS > G070VM0984752N1Q
  • Now use the otg adapter to connect keyboard and mouse to do a factory reset via TWRP.
  • Restore from TWRP backup that you prepared.
  • Reboot to system.
  • Connect to wifi and log in to your amazon account. (still using keyboard or mouse to navigate)
  • Go to Settings > Fire OS > Controllers and Bluetooth Devices and pair your Fire TV remote. (now you can ditch the keyboard)
  • Enjoy.

General FAQs

  • Will it void the warranty?

    Yes it will, although if you are using a 2018 Fire TV Stick 4K then there is good possibility that the warranty period is already over.

  • Will I be able to use both Google and Amazon services?

    Yes, you will be able to use the full Android TV along with a few Amazon services like Alexa and Amazon App Store.

  • Is Google Assistant Working?

    No, unfortunately, Google Assistant isn’t working along with Google Voice Search.

Final Verdict

That was all, we tried to cover everything in very straightforward steps to install Android TV ROM on Fire TV Stick 4K (mantis). If you are into tech, then you will be able to install it on your Fire TV Stick 4K and enjoy the Android TV experience.

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We told you before starting the article that this guided-article contains much tech-savvy procedure, so if you are not into tech that much then stay away from this, otherwise you will end up bricking your Fire TV Stick 4K.

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