Fire TV Stick users are advised to exercise caution, particularly when adding new applications to their devices. Recently, a widely-used tool called “Downloader” was removed from Amazon’s Appstore, leading to the emergence of a fraudulent copycat app aimed at defrauding users.
The issue arose when Downloader disappeared from Amazon’s online marketplace over the weekend. For almost ten years, Downloader has enabled Fire TV owners to search for and install apps not found in official marketplaces, allowing access to additional tools and applications not readily available in certain regions or official software versions.
Despite its popularity, Downloader faced a temporary suspension due to an update that classified it as a full web browser, violating Amazon’s policy against third-party browsers on Fire TV devices. The developer, Elias Saba, disclosed that Amazon’s restriction was likely triggered by this browser identification rather than the app’s functionality. Saba has released an update, v2.0.2, to rectify this issue and is awaiting Amazon’s approval for the app’s reinstatement in the Appstore.
During this period, users are warned about a fake version of Downloader attempting to deceive Fire TV owners by charging $6.99 weekly. Saba emphasized the importance of reporting this scam app to Amazon. Users with the legitimate Downloader installed should refrain from deleting it, as they may not be able to reinstall it until Amazon resolves the situation. Additionally, disabling Auto Offload in the device settings is recommended to prevent automatic removal of the app.
If Amazon greenlights the fix, Downloader may reappear on Fire TV devices later in the week, necessitating vigilance from users.