Once your Firestick is unboxed, connected to Wi-Fi, and signed into your Amazon account, there are a handful of quick steps worth doing right away to make everything that follows easier.

The Checklist

  1. Check for a software update — go to Settings, then My Fire TV, then About, then Check for Updates, so you’re starting on the latest version of Fire OS.
  2. Set up Fire TV Profiles if more than one person will use the device, so everyone gets their own personalized recommendations.
  3. Install your streaming apps through the Amazon Appstore’s search — Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and whatever else you subscribe to.
  4. Sign into each app individually with your existing streaming service accounts.
  5. Rearrange your home screen so your most-used apps are easy to reach instead of buried in a long row.
  6. Turn on Parental Controls if kids will have access to the device, including a PIN for purchases.
  7. Set your screensaver photos through the Amazon Photos app if you want a personal slideshow instead of the default screensaver.
  8. Check your display resolution under Settings, then Display & Sounds, to make sure it matches your TV’s native resolution.
  9. Enable Developer Options now if you think you’ll ever want to sideload an app later, so it’s ready when you need it.
  10. Test your remote’s TV controls (power and volume) under Settings, then Equipment Control, to confirm they’re set up correctly for your TV.

None of these steps take more than a minute or two, but doing them up front saves you from digging through menus later once you’re just trying to watch something.

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