As avid Firestick users, we understand the frustration of not being able to find the Spectrum TV app on our devices. It's a popular streaming app that features live and on-demand content for Spectrum subscribers, yet it's not available on various streaming devices including older Amazon Firesticks and Fire TVs, but why?
If you can't find the Spectrum TV App on your Firestick, update your Firestick and try again. Next, consider simply mirroring content to your Firestick from the Spectrum app on your Android or Apple device. You can use a VPN and sideloading to get the app, but it's a bit technical.
One of the main reasons why the Spectrum TV app isn't available on the Amazon App Store is due to a dispute between Amazon and Spectrum. This has caused inconvenience for Spectrum customers who use Firestick devices to stream their favorite shows and movies. There are workarounds for this that are easy, such as screen mirroring, but there are also some technically challenging ones. And note that the Spectrum app is available on updated Firestick devices in some regions, so, it's not you–this really is complicated and annoying!
The Easiest Option: Screen Mirroring From Your Phone
Here's the easiest solution: screen mirroring from your smartphone using the Spectrum TV app. This is what we recommend for users trying to use Spectrum with their LG TV as well. This will enable you to sidestep any technical or complicated installs on the Firestick, and make is so you can start streaming right away. Here's how you'd do it:
Step 1: Get the Spectrum TV App on Other Devices
Before we dive into how to screen mirror from your phone, it's worth noting that the Spectrum TV app is available on a variety of other devices.
If you have a smart TV, Roku, or Apple TV, you can download the app directly onto those devices. If you have a gaming console like Xbox or PlayStation, you can also download the app onto those devices.
And if you have an iPad, download it there too–you can screencast from your Android or iOS tablets just like you can from your phone, and that may be the simples solution for you.
Step 2: Screen Mirror from iOS or Android to Firestick
To do this, make sure your Firestick and phone or tablet are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then, open the Spectrum TV app on your phone and select the content you want to watch.
Next, access the control center or sharing menu from your phone. Tap the “Screen Mirroring” or “Smart View” option, and select your Firestick from the list of available devices. Your phone's screen will now be mirrored onto your TV, and you can control playback using your phone.
Check out our more detailed iPhone/Firestick mirroring guide here.
Bonus: Try Updating Your Fire Stick
Updating the device to the newest software may enable you to search for and find the app on the Firestick directly. This doesn't work for most people, because the Firestick has likely been keeping itself up to date in the background already, but go ahead and check:
To check if your Firestick is up to date, go to “Settings” > “My Fire TV” > “About” > “Check for Updates”. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
If you really can't get the app, then streaming from your phone, “casting” or “mirroring”, is truly the best option that we recommend. We'll explain more below, but it gets complicated pretty quickly!
Simpler Workaround: Using the Silk Browser To Access Spectrum TV
There is a simple workaround to access Spectrum TV on your Firestick using the Silk browser. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Silk browser on your Firestick and navigate to the Spectrum TV website (https://watch.spectrum.net).
- Log in with your Spectrum TV credentials.
- Once you're logged in, you can access live TV and on-demand content directly from the website.
While this workaround doesn't provide the same user experience as the Spectrum TV app, it's a great option if you just need to access Spectrum TV quickly and don't want to go through the hassle of sideloading the app.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Silk browser is not as optimized for streaming as the Spectrum TV app, so you may experience some buffering or other issues. However, if you have a strong internet connection, you should be able to stream content without any major issues.
Advanced Tactic: Sideloading the Spectrum App And Using a VPN
If you're having trouble finding the Spectrum TV app on your Firestick, you may want to consider sideloading it onto your device. This process involves downloading the app from a third-party source and installing it manually.
It's important to note that sideloading can be a bit intimidating for most people, but if you absolutely want the app on your screen, this is how to do it. And note you'll also need a VPN for this, probably, but we'll start by explaining that and then move through the other steps.
And note that there are other more advanced options, like installing the App from Firestick's developer menu (discussed in a forum here), but we really don't think it's worth that much time and effort when you have mirroring options like we discussed above.
Understanding Sideloading and VPN Use
Sideloading, in simple terms, is a process of installing an app from sources other than the official app store. It can be a bit daunting for some, but when the need to watch your favorite Spectrum TV shows strikes, it’s the best way forward.
And A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, helps bypass geographical limitations on certain content. For this, we recommend ExpressVPN – it's reliable and easy to use. The region locking preventing you from using the Spectrum TV app can be sidestepped with a tool like this.
Setting up ExpressVPN on Your Firestick
To kick off the process, you'll have to install ExpressVPN onto your Firestick. You can do this by looking up ExpressVPN in the Amazon Appstore or sideloading it using the Downloader app, which you'll need to install beforehand.
There are other VPN options on Firestick, and you can download and use any of them. They typically require a paid account, and may slow your internet connection somewhat, but they're worth it for this type of situation. We recommend ExpressVPN for simplicity, but, again, you can choose another option like NordVPN if you like.
Sideloading the Spectrum TV App
Next up, download the Spectrum TV app's APK file from a third-party source. For this, we recommend the Downloader app – it's trustworthy and user-friendly.
With the APK file in hand, you can proceed to sideload the Spectrum TV app onto your Firestick using the Downloader app. Though it might seem challenging, this method can effectively get the Spectrum TV app onto your screen.
Always remember to be cautious when installing third-party apps and ensure the use of a trusted VPN to maintain your privacy and security.
Making Spectrum TV and Firestick Work Together
The Spectrum TV app on Firestick gives you access to live and on-demand content, including your favorite TV shows, movies, and sports events. You can watch these programs on your TV screen, which is much more comfortable than hunching over your phone or laptop.
Another benefit of the Spectrum TV app on Firestick is that it allows you to pause, rewind, and fast-forward through live TV. So, if you need to take a break or catch up on something you missed, you can easily do so without missing a beat.
The app also includes a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to find the content you want to watch. You can browse by genre, channel, or even search for specific titles. Plus, the app supports up to three simultaneous streams, so you can share the experience with your family or friends.
So, these are compelling features right? Especially if you're already a customer of Specturum, it is worth it to figure out this connection and use it. If the Firestick didn't work for you, grab a Roku and install the Specturm app there!
