The only way I can watch UK TV is via the internet. I can watch the main channels on my PC without problems using a VPN, Recently I was persuaded to buy a Firestick. An impressive piece of kit which just plugs in to an HDMI port on the TV and gives me French TV as well. The only problem is ITV. I can watch it on my PC but the Firestick displays a message saying I must install the app but when I try it says it is not avaiiable. Looks like some sort of blocking. Have I got it wrong? Is there a way around?
I have the same problem. I have a Firestick with NordVPN loaded on it and I can watch iPlayer and Channel 4 with no problem. I’ve managed to get the ITVX loaded but not to work.
I find the ITV X gives the most problems. Especially after adverts.
Things to try are – restarting the Firestick and/or clearing the cache in the app.
Assuming you are watching in France a VPN is essential but you often need to try different UK locations until it is working smoothly.
If it is displaying that the app is unavailable it could be that you are buying digital media on an Amazon.fr account and not Amazon.co.uk account. You will need to change the country settings in manage digital content / preferences.
I hope this is helpful?
Edit - Just because some apps are working with your VPN location does not mean that ALL apps will work with the same location. You may need to change your UK location depending on the app you are using.
By default an Amazon Firestick allows you to install apps via trusted sources, i.e. the Play Store, Amazon’s app store, etc…
However you can enable “Developer mode” very easily by repeatedly pressing one of the options in the “About Firestick” menu (can’t remember off the top of my head which one but Google will help explain it). Once it’s enabled, you can install apps from untrusted sources. You can then download a copy of the itvx installer (an “.apk” file) from the internet and install it manually.
However, be careful where you download it from because with developer mode comes great responsibility… The Firestick will happily let you install a malicious app.
After immense frustration with the firestick, it now sits in the cupboard unused, and now use ipad/iphone or macbook connected to the tv and works perfectly. Next step is firestick to the bin
I was helping a friend set up his Firestick and sideloading UK apps which seemed to be working OK. Then we tried ITV X and it upset the picture aspect ratio making it unwatchable, not just on itvx but all the other apps as well. Deleting the app still left the same problem with all the other apps. We did a factory reset, changed country settings to UK then we were ablw to download from the app store and all worked well.
I confess it was a case of the blind leading the blind (with the help of some Youtube advice) because we are both in our dotage.
The key is as Mik Bennet said - in your amazon account make sure the firestick’s location is set to UK and turn on firestick only when you’ve got the vpn set up so that it thinks it’s in the UK - then all UK apps will be available
What makes using a Firestick better than just plugging in a phone or laptop is that you can link it to a pair of Echo Dots plus a subwoofer and enjoy superb home cinema sound with your videos and control everything using voice commands ( e.g. “Alexa, play Morse on i-player , volume 6”)
My favourite command is “Alexa, mute” when the adverts come on.
Of course it is no strain to push mute on the remote but by the time I have put down whatever I was doing at the moment the adverts start, and got up to switch on the light, then hunted down the side of the sofa with my arthritic fingers to locate the remote, then searched for my glasses to be able to read which button to press – the adverts have finished.
Sorry, I exaggerated the bit about getting up to switch on the light. I ask Alexa to do that
Hi. Do you have a VPN app installed on the TV?
We use NORDVPN and it works very well with Firestick and ITV / BBC etc is no issue.
Just set location to UK on VPN and off you go.
.