So yous have a brand-new Burn Tablet, and at present you're wondering — what do you do first? Underneath some Amazon-branded software, the visitor's slate of tablets run Android, making them perfect for all sorts of customization. If you don't know where to kickoff, here are the seven things you should practice right away with your Fire device.

1. Install the Play Store

The Amazon Appstore is fine, especially when combined with web apps through the Silk browser. Only let's exist honest — there'due south no replacing the Play Store, especially when y'all're trying to install must-take apps like Gmail and YouTube. You won't find any of Google's applications on the Appstore, making this an essential step for power users and Android newcomers alike.

Luckily, installing the Play Shop on any of Amazon's Burn tablets is super simple, only requiring virtually 10 minutes of your time and iv downloaded APKs. We have a super-handy walkthrough that takes you through every step of the process, so make sure to check it out later unboxing your tablet. The Amazon Appstore works in a pinch, but for most of the states, the Play Store is admittedly essential.

2. Get all of your favorite apps and games

Once you have the Play Store installed, information technology's fourth dimension to start downloading apps. Whether this is your beginning Android device or you're a seasoned adept, you probably have a adept idea of what software yous want on your tablet.

Google apps are a no-brainer — YouTube, Gmail, Chrome, and Google Photos are all twenty-four hours-one downloads for u.s., but y'all might take your ain list too. If you're using a Fire Tablet for school, make sure to grab apps like Bulldoze, Docs, and Sheets. Meanwhile, Google See and Calendar are essential for anyone working from dwelling. Don't forget to catch Google Opinion Rewards, which tin can cyberspace you some free Play Store credit simply by filling out some surveys.

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That said, you know what's meliorate than some boring former productivity apps? Games — and the Play Store is chock full of them. We have no shortage of guides rounding upward the best games on Android right now, with selections like Baba is You and Dead Cells that you lot'll never find on Amazon'southward Appstore. If you're out of Play Store credit, no worries — in that location are plenty of incredible free-to-play games worth checking out besides, including Pokemon Unite and Among United states of america.

3. Switch up your abode screen

Amazon's dwelling house screen doesn't look much like any other Android device — but it doesn't have to stay that mode. The Play Store is filled with launchers, perfect for bringing that classic look and feel back to your new tablet.

If you're looking for as close to a "stock Android" experience as possible — whatever that ways in 2022, anyway — Nova Launcher might be worth your time. Lawnchair is also a fan favorite, thanks to its Pixel-inspired design. Even so, if you're looking to effort something new, Niagara Launcher is well worth your fourth dimension. Its simplified take on the home screen works actually well on a tablet-sized display.

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Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't permit you to set a default launcher within its settings carte du jour, which ways some actress steps are necessary to get this to work. Using ADB commands to set a default launcher on Fire tablets isn't super difficult, and our guide walks you lot through every footstep of the process. It uses Lawnchair to demonstrate how to replace your dwelling screen, just with an additional third-political party app, moving to services like Nova or Niagara is super simple as well.

4. Make the well-nigh of Amazon'south experience

Setting a default launcher is a lot of work, and if you aren't comfy using ADB commands to modify your Fire Tablet, it might not exist worth it. Amazon'southward home screen feel may not feel similar archetype Android, but if y'all take a few minutes to customize it, it'southward actually not too bad — especially if yous're a Prime subscriber.

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With three tabs — For You, Home, and Library — Amazon'southward setup is perfectly simplified for a big-screen experience. You can get rid of whatever advertisements or suggested content on the top of the Home tab by tapping, holding, and selecting "Not Interested," leaving just your list of installed apps. It might non exist immediately apparent, but y'all can easily create folders past dragging apps on peak of each other or uninstall unwanted (near) unwanted software by pressing and holding on an icon.

The Library tab is where you'll spot synced Kindle purchases, apps and games from the Appstore, Prime Video content, and even Audible selections — and you can customize it all using the button at the bottom of this folio. There'southward also a filter to only display downloaded content, just in instance yous're offline for an extended catamenia.

For You offers suggested content from Amazon-owned services, along with trending videos and app suggestions. Y'all'll either detect this page extremely useful or never use it, with virtually no in-between. Ultimately, your habitation screen is what you make of information technology, and fifty-fifty without a third-party launcher, there'south enough of room for customization.

Brand sure you head into the settings menu to toggle off domicile screen content you might non want to run across. This list includes calendar events, news, photo highlights, recipes, and more. Some of it might be of involvement to you, but if it's non, there'south no reason to continue it on your home screen. And hey, while you're in the settings menu, it's a swell time to check off some basic adjustments, like font size and blue light filters.

5. Sync your smart home gadgets

You might've noticed a piffling icon showing upward in the lower-left corner of your brandish. This toggle lets you access Amazon'southward "Device Dashboard," the perfect method for controlling all of your Alexa-compatible smart home gadgets. If you've already synced some devices with Alexa, they'll evidence up here, ready for your use. Everything else can exist added in the pre-installed Alexa app, no thing whether it's another Amazon-made device or a 3rd-party utility from companies like TP-Link.

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Y'all can assign favorites, browse through specific categories, build routines, and fifty-fifty control all of your lights with a single toggle. Device Dashboard is a must-use for anyone obsessed with making their home a little smarter, and it merely takes a couple of minutes to set.

vi. Gear up profiles

Amazon does a neat task with profiles, offering a personalized feel no matter how many people share the device. You can prepare profiles in the settings menu of your tablet, calculation both adult and child-friendly accounts. Family Library makes information technology easy to sync purchased content with one another, while Amazon'south handy screen time tools help to keep your kid focused without too many distractions.

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Unfortunately, the Play Shop isn't shared betwixt profiles, though you tin can fix that with some spare time and a little scrap of elbow grease. We have some easy-to-follow instructions on how to get the Play Shop working on all accounts, just exist warned — this process is not for the faint of middle.

7. Make it the perfect Repeat Bear witness alternative

Last just certainly not to the lowest degree, Burn down Hd viii and Burn HD x devices can double as Repeat Show alternatives, making them the perfect gadget to throw in the kitchen, living room, or anywhere else effectually your firm. Just grab a represent your tablet to prop information technology upwardly on the surface of your choosing, then swipe downwards from the meridian of the device to open up the quick settings menu. Toggle on "Show Mode," and right before your eyes, your Fire Tablet will transform into an Echo Show.

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To use "Show Manner," yous must enable Alexa on your device. It works best when "Easily-Free Mode" is likewise turned on — otherwise, issuing vox commands is a whole lot harder. Y'all can admission Evidence-specific settings by tapping on the gear icon in the notification panel while this fashion is enabled.

If you already have an Echo Show in your business firm, yous'll feel right at home with this UI. A swipe to the right opens a control panel with quick commands while your home screen rotates between the clock, conditions, news, and more than. Whether y'all're trying to load up a Prime number Original or look for cookie recipes to start baking, "Show Mode" gives you everything yous demand to use your Burn Tablet hands-free.


We're merely scratching the surface on what your Fire Tablet is capable of accomplishing — for its cost, information technology'southward i of the best Android tablets effectually. As limited as this experience might seem from the beginning, a whole world of possibilities open up up with just a couple of extra steps. Who knows — you lot might even forget it's not running stock Android afterward just a few days.

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