You Can Try Out New Amazon Fire TV Features Before They Release - Here's How

Amazon is offering a program that allows Amazon Fire TV owners in the U.S. access to pre-release software updates before they officially launch. The process is a standard tech industry practice known as an open beta, offering public access to pre-release software. Participating may even let you see how Amazon Fire TV is changing its looks. Other TV software makers, including Apple and Google, have offered open-beta programs for their devices over the years, and they're popular among enthusiasts. Now Amazon is, through its Fire TV Beta Access Program, which is the first time the company has is offered such a service.

If you want to gain access to the Beta TV program, there are a few things you must do beforehand. First, you must be in the U.S., Amazon says. Then, go to settings on your Fire TV and select My Fire TV. From there choose About, and Beta Access Menu Item. There should be an option to opt in. Toggle that to on and you should now be part of the Fire TV Beta Access Program.

If you do not see that section for the Fire TV Beta, your Amazon Fire TV may not be compatible. Amazon states that not all Amazon Fire TVs will be able to opt into the program, though that could change over time. 

When Amazon launched its beta program in August 2026, the company did not list what Amazon Fire TVs would be supported. The company also did not provide any details on what operating system was required for the beta test, but users on Reddit and other details point out that it may only be available to TVs running off of its Vega OS, which launched in 2025 to support its latest streaming sticks. As for what you may be able to experience if you use the beta, that could vary.

Amazon hasn't stated what exactly the features will be that beta users will see, but other companies often include visual changes, UI updates, new features, and updates to apps. That would follow other TV-adjacent devices like Microsoft's Xbox Series and Sony's PlayStation 5, which also share features before they release. The way Amazon employees wrote on the company's forum, any feature that could "improve the experience" on Amazon Fire TVs is capable of being added to the Fire TV beta.

Programs like these can seem cool, but you should know they do come with a bit of fine print. The Amazon Fire TV beta program does state that Amazon collects data from users who choose to use it, for example. Such information can include understanding how users navigate the home screen or choose device settings. That's all Amazon claims that is collected when it comes to data from selecting to take part in the beta program. However, Amazon does collect data from other features you use such as display size, WiFi details, and Bluetooth as well as when you open and close apps and services on the Amazon Fire TV.

As it is a beta program, new features that you may gain access to may not always work as intended. Beta is meant to be a near-completed prototype, but still not finished. You may experience issues with new features launched during the Amazon beta program. If you do, Amazon says alert the company on its official forums.

Just like some Apple Watch users are having issues with a new feature, you too may experience problems with Amazon Fire TVs beta. If you decide it's all too much trouble after joining, you can opt out and go back to standard release software.