Amazon removed Downloader by AFTVnews from its Appstore after an update caused the app to register as a web browser. The decision put Amazon's restrictions on third-party browsers for Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices under scrutiny.
Why Downloader Was Removed
Version 2.0 allowed Downloader to identify itself to the operating system as a browser and open links from other apps. Amazon reportedly flagged the change under its policy restricting third-party browser apps on Fire devices.
A Policy That Raises Questions
Amazon's policy restricts third-party browser apps while its own Silk browser remains available. Critics argue that this favors Amazon's browser and limits user choice. The Downloader case has renewed concerns about how much control Amazon exercises over the apps people can access through its TV ecosystem.
The Bigger Concern: Vega OS
The dispute takes on greater significance as Amazon moves some Fire TV devices from Android-based Fire OS to Vega OS. Unlike Fire OS, Vega OS does not support installing Android APK apps through the familiar sideloading process. Users of those devices are limited to apps available through Amazon's Appstore, cutting them off from a much wider library of software.
That change gives Amazon tighter control over the apps available on its devices and keeps more user activity and spending within its ecosystem. Amazon may benefit from that control, but users lose flexibility without an equally clear benefit in return. If sideloading or access to apps outside Amazon's store matters to you, check which operating system a Fire TV device uses and what apps it supports before buying. A Vega OS device may not be the right choice for users who want the freedom offered by Android-based Fire TV models.
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