If you’re still using a first-generation Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, it might be time to move on to newer and better hardware. Netflix has announced that its app will stop working on some of Amazon’s ancient hardware.
Starting on June 3, 2025, Netflix will no longer support these older streaming devices, which means they won’t be able to access the streaming service anymore. This decision isn’t entirely unexpected, considering how much streaming technology has improved since these devices were first released in 2014 and 2015.
The main reason that Netflix chose to drop support is that early Fire TV devices are very old. They haven’t received software or security updates in years, making them less secure and unable to work with newer streaming technology. Amazon itself stopped supporting these devices a long time ago, which shows how outdated they are.
Another big reason is Netflix’s focus on improving streaming quality. The company is now using newer technology like the AV1 video format, which has better picture quality, especially for users who pay for the Premium plan. This format lets users get higher-resolution streaming while using less internet data.
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Unfortunately, the first-generation Fire TV devices don’t have the right hardware to use AV1, so they can’t keep up with Netflix’s latest improvements. To be fair to the company, those who bought the first devices likely upgraded or were able to get alternatives like a Fire TV, Roku, or even gaming consoles to watch Netflix. Basically, there are other methods around.
If you’re not sure whether your device is affected, check Amazon’s support page about identifying your Fire TV model. The “Amazon Fire TV (1st Generation)”, “Fire TV Stick (1st Generation)”, and “Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote” are the only models that Netflix is dropping right now.
Unfortunately, this is just another reminder of how quickly technology changes and upgrades. While these older Fire TV devices worked well for many years, they can’t handle modern streaming standards anymore, so they’re becoming obsolete. Unfortunately, technology is always evolving, so devices always have an expiration date, even if it’s not stated up front.
The good news is that Amazon sells newer models, like the Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. These updated devices have much better hardware, support 4K resolution, and can handle modern video formats like AV1, so they’ll work with the latest streaming technology.
If you are planning on upgrading your Amazon Fire TV Stick but have another device you can use, I recommend waiting for Amazon Prime Day in July. While the exact day hasn’t been mentioned, you can normally get a 4K Fire TV Stick for $20 off the regular price. You can also watch Netflix with any modern Roku streaming stick, some Android TV-based players like the Onn 4K Plus, and many game consoles.
The Netflix app is already marked as incompatible with these older devices in the Amazon app store, so new installations are blocked. If you already have the app installed, it will keep working until June 3, 2025. After that date, Netflix will no longer be available on these devices.
