How to Get US Apps on Amazon Firestick UK

You've just settled onto the sofa, Firestick remote in hand, and you want to download Peacock, Paramount+ with all its US content, or maybe the full HBO Max catalogue — the proper one, not the stripped-back version available in the UK. You search the Amazon Appstore. Nothing. Or worse, you find the app but half the shows are missing. Frustrating doesn't quite cover it.

Here's what's actually happening: Amazon's Appstore shows you different apps depending on your account's country setting. US-only apps — like Peacock or the full version of Paramount+ — are simply invisible to UK accounts. And even if you could install them, those streaming services would block you the moment they detect a UK IP address. It's a double lock.

The good news? Both locks can be picked. Here's exactly how.

Why Your UK Firestick Can't See US Apps

Amazon locks its Appstore by region. Your Firestick is tied to your Amazon account, and your account has a country setting — almost certainly set to the UK. So when you browse the Appstore, Amazon filters everything through that lens.

Streaming services add another layer on top of that. Even if you somehow get the Peacock app installed, it checks your IP address when you launch it. UK IP address = blocked. It doesn't matter that you've paid for a subscription or that you're a perfectly legitimate user — geo-restrictions don't care about any of that.

So the fix involves two steps, done in the right order. Skip either one and it won't work.

What You Actually Need

• A US Amazon account (free to create — we'll cover this below)
• A VPN with fast US servers and streaming support — more on why the free ones fail in a moment
• Your Firestick already set up and connected to the internet

That's genuinely it. No jailbreaking, no hardware hacks, no shady third-party app stores required.

Why a Free VPN Won't Cut It Here

We get asked this a lot, so let's be straight about it. Free VPNs have two problems that make them useless for this particular task.

First, streaming services actively block known VPN IP addresses. Netflix, Peacock, Hulu — they all do it. Paid VPNs invest in constantly refreshing their server IPs to stay ahead of those blocks. Free VPNs don't have the budget for that, so their IPs get flagged and blocked almost immediately.

Second, free VPNs are slow. Streaming in HD through a throttled free server is an exercise in misery. Buffering every 90 seconds isn't watching a show — it's punishment.

We'd recommend NordVPN here, specifically because it has dedicated streaming servers optimised for US services, it runs smoothly on Fire TV devices, and its speeds are genuinely good enough for 4K content. It costs $4.99/month (about £3.99 / €4.60) on a two-year plan — less than a single month of most streaming services.

If NordVPN isn't for you, ExpressVPN is a solid alternative (slightly pricier but equally reliable), and Surfshark is worth a look if you want to cover a lot of devices at once.

Step-by-Step: Getting US Apps on Your Firestick

Step 1: Create a US Amazon Account

1. On your computer or phone, go to amazon.com (not amazon.co.uk).
2. Click "Hello, Sign in" then "Start here" to create a new account.
3. Use a different email address from your UK account.
4. When asked for an address, enter a real US address — you can use a hotel address or any publicly available US business address. This is just to set the account's country, not for shipping anything.
5. Don't add a payment method yet — you can do that later if you want to purchase US apps.

Step 2: Install NordVPN on Your Firestick

1. On your Firestick, go to the search bar and type NordVPN.
2. Select it from the results and click "Download." NordVPN is available directly in the UK Appstore, so you don't need your US account for this part.
3. Open NordVPN, log in (or create an account and subscribe if you haven't already).
4. Tap "Quick Connect" — or manually choose a US server if you want to pick a specific city.

Step 3: Switch Your Firestick to Your US Amazon Account

This is the part people often miss.

1. On your Firestick, go to Settings → My Account → Amazon Account.
2. Sign out of your UK account.
3. Sign in with your new US Amazon account credentials.
4. Your Appstore will now show US apps.

Step 4: Download Your US App

1. Make sure NordVPN is still connected to a US server.
2. Search the Appstore for the app you want — Peacock, Hulu, HBO Max, whatever it is.
3. Download and install it.
4. Open the app and either sign in to your existing subscription or create a new one.

That's it. You're in.

Setting This Up on Mobile (iOS and Android)

If you want to set things up from your phone first — or if you want to stream US content directly on your device — the process is slightly different per platform.

On Android

Android is easier because you can sideload apps. But for the cleanest experience: install NordVPN from the Google Play Store, connect to a US server, then create a US Google account to access the US Play Store. Download your app from there. The VPN needs to stay connected whenever you're using the streaming app.

On iPhone or iPad

Apple's App Store is region-locked just like Amazon's. You'll need a separate US Apple ID — create one at appleid.apple.com, again using a US address. Then sign out of your current Apple ID in the App Store only (Settings → [your name] → Media & Purchases → Sign Out), sign into your US Apple ID, and download the app. Install NordVPN first (it's available in any App Store region), connect to a US server, then launch your streaming app.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

"This app isn't available in your country" — even with a VPN connected

Your Amazon account's country setting is probably still UK. Sign out of your Firestick account and sign back in with your US Amazon account. If you're on mobile, make sure you're signed into the US App Store, not your UK one.

The streaming app launches but says "not available in your region"

Your VPN connection dropped, or the server you're using has been blocked. Open NordVPN and try connecting to a different US server — New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago tend to work well. NordVPN's streaming-optimised servers (look for the "Streaming" label in the server list) are usually the most reliable.

Buffering and slow speeds

Switch to a US server that's geographically closest to a major hub. Also check: is your Firestick on WiFi or wired? A wired ethernet connection via a Firestick ethernet adapter makes a real difference for streaming quality.

Your Firestick logs you back into your UK account automatically

Amazon sometimes does this after updates. Go to Settings → My Account and switch back to your US account manually. It's annoying, but it takes 30 seconds.

FAQ

Is it legal to use a VPN to access US apps in the UK?

Using a VPN is legal in the UK. What you're doing by accessing US content may technically breach a streaming service's terms of service — but that's a contractual issue between you and the service, not a legal one. No one has ever been prosecuted for watching TV through a VPN.

Do I need to pay for a US streaming subscription separately?

Yes. Getting access to the app is one thing — you'll still need a subscription to the service itself. Some US services (like Peacock's free tier) don't require a paid subscription, but most do. You'll also need a US payment method for some services, though many accept international cards.

Will this work for Hulu?

Hulu is one of the trickier ones because it requires a US payment method and billing address. But yes — with a VPN and a US Amazon account, you can get the app on your Firestick. You'll need a US card or a prepaid US gift card to actually subscribe.

Can I switch between my UK and US accounts easily?

You can, but it's a bit of a faff — you have to sign out and back in through Settings each time. Most people find it easier to keep a dedicated Firestick set up for US content and use their regular TV or another device for UK services.

Does NordVPN work on all Firestick generations?

Yes — NordVPN has a native Fire TV app that works on Firestick 4K, Firestick Lite, Firestick 4K Max, and older generations running Fire OS 5 or later. If you're on a very old Firestick, check NordVPN's compatibility page just to be sure.

What if I already have a NordVPN subscription on other devices?

Good news — one NordVPN subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously. Just download the app on your Firestick and log in with the same account. No extra cost.

Our Honest Recommendation

If you're serious about accessing US content on your Firestick — not just as a one-off experiment, but regularly — set this up properly once and you'll barely have to think about it again. Create the US Amazon account, get NordVPN running on your Firestick, and connect to a US server before you open any US streaming app. That's your new routine, and it takes about 10 seconds.

NordVPN is what we'd go with because it just works with streaming. It doesn't make you hunt for the right server or troubleshoot constantly. And at around $4.99/month (about £3.99 / €4.60) on a longer plan, it costs less than a round of drinks. Worth it.