How to Watch Now TV on Amazon Fire Stick: A Comprehensive Guide
Now TV, a popular streaming service from Sky, offers a flexible and affordable way to access a wide range of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, sports, and more, without a long-term contract. The Amazon Fire Stick, a compact and powerful streaming device, provides a convenient way to access your favorite streaming services on your TV. Combining these two allows you to enjoy Now TV’s content on your Fire Stick-connected television.
However, unlike some other streaming services, Now TV isn’t directly available in the Amazon Appstore. This means you can’t simply search for and download the Now TV app. But don’t worry! There are still a few reliable methods to watch Now TV on your Amazon Fire Stick. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each method step-by-step, ensuring you can enjoy Now TV on your Fire Stick in no time.
## Method 1: Screen Mirroring from Your Mobile Device or Computer
Screen mirroring is the easiest and most straightforward method to get Now TV on your Amazon Fire Stick. It involves casting the content playing on your smartphone, tablet, or computer directly onto your TV screen via the Fire Stick.
**Prerequisites:**
* **Amazon Fire Stick:** Ensure your Fire Stick is properly connected to your TV and powered on.
* **Now TV Subscription:** You need an active Now TV subscription to access their content.
* **Compatible Device:** You’ll need a smartphone, tablet, or computer that supports screen mirroring.
* **Stable Wi-Fi Connection:** Both your Fire Stick and your mirroring device should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for optimal performance.
**Steps:**
1. **Enable Screen Mirroring on Your Fire Stick:**
* From the Fire Stick home screen, navigate to **Settings** (the gear icon).
* Select **Display & Sounds**.
* Choose **Enable Display Mirroring**.
* Your Fire Stick will now display a screen indicating that it’s ready to connect.
2. **Initiate Screen Mirroring from Your Android Device:**
* **Using Quick Settings (Most Android Devices):** Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the Quick Settings panel.
* Look for options like **Cast**, **Smart View**, **Screen Mirroring**, **Wireless Display**, or similar terms. The exact wording may vary depending on your device manufacturer (Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, etc.).
* Tap on the screen mirroring option.
* Your Android device will scan for available devices. Select your **Amazon Fire TV** from the list.
* **Using Settings (If Quick Settings Don’t Work):**
* Open the **Settings** app on your Android device.
* Navigate to **Connected devices**, **Bluetooth & device connection**, or a similar option related to connections.
* Look for **Cast**, **Screen Mirroring**, or **Wireless Display**.
* Select your **Amazon Fire TV** from the list of available devices.
* **Samsung Devices:** Samsung often uses the term **Smart View** for screen mirroring. You can find it in the Quick Settings panel. Slide the panel down, and look for “Smart View”, and tap it to start casting to your firestick.
3. **Initiate Screen Mirroring from Your Windows Computer:**
* **Open the Action Center:** Click on the notification icon (speech bubble) in the bottom-right corner of your screen, or press the **Windows key + A**.
* **Click Connect:** Look for the **Connect** button. If you don’t see it, you may need to click **Expand** to see all the options.
* **Select Your Fire Stick:** Your Windows computer will scan for available wireless display devices. Select your **Amazon Fire TV** from the list.
* **Grant Permission (If Required):** Your Fire Stick may display a prompt asking you to allow the connection. Click **OK** or **Allow** on your Fire Stick.
4. **Initiate Screen Mirroring from Your macOS Computer:**
* **Open Control Center:** Click on the Control Center icon (two toggle switches) in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your screen.
* **Click Screen Mirroring:** Look for the **Screen Mirroring** button.
* **Select Your Fire Stick:** Your macOS computer will scan for available AirPlay devices. Select your **Amazon Fire TV** from the list. It will appear as “Amazon Fire TV”. Make sure that your macOS and firestick are connected to the same WiFi network
* **Enter AirPlay Code (If Required):** Your Fire Stick may display an AirPlay code. Enter this code on your Mac when prompted.
5. **Play Now TV Content:**
* Once the screen mirroring connection is established, open the Now TV app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
* Log in to your Now TV account.
* Select the content you want to watch and start playing it.
* The content will now be mirrored on your TV screen via the Fire Stick.
**Troubleshooting Screen Mirroring:**
* **Connection Issues:**
* Ensure both your Fire Stick and your mirroring device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
* Restart your Fire Stick and your mirroring device.
* Move your devices closer to the Wi-Fi router to improve signal strength.
* Check for interference from other wireless devices.
* Update the software on your Fire Stick and your mirroring device.
* **Lag or Buffering:**
* A slow or unstable Wi-Fi connection can cause lag or buffering.
* Close any unnecessary apps or programs running on your mirroring device.
* Reduce the video quality settings in the Now TV app.
* **Sound Issues:**
* Ensure the volume is turned up on both your Fire Stick and your mirroring device.
* Check the audio output settings on your mirroring device to ensure the sound is being routed to the Fire Stick.
* **Screen Resolution Issues:**
* Adjust the display settings on your mirroring device to match the resolution of your TV.
## Method 2: Using the Silk Browser (Web Browser)
The Amazon Silk Browser is a web browser pre-installed on most Fire Stick devices. It allows you to access websites directly on your TV. While not ideal for all streaming services, it can be used to access the Now TV website and watch content.
**Prerequisites:**
* **Amazon Fire Stick:** Connected to your TV and powered on.
* **Now TV Subscription:** An active Now TV subscription.
* **Stable Wi-Fi Connection:** Your Fire Stick needs a stable Wi-Fi connection.
**Steps:**
1. **Open the Silk Browser:**
* From the Fire Stick home screen, navigate to the **Apps** section.
* Locate and open the **Silk Browser** app. If you don’t see it in your list of apps, you can search for it in the Amazon Appstore and download it.
2. **Navigate to the Now TV Website:**
* In the Silk Browser’s address bar, type in the Now TV website address: `www.nowtv.com` (or the relevant address for your region) and press **Go**.
3. **Log in to Your Now TV Account:**
* On the Now TV website, click on the **Sign In** or **Log In** button.
* Enter your Now TV email address and password.
* Click on the **Sign In** button.
4. **Browse and Play Content:**
* Once logged in, you can browse the Now TV website and select the content you want to watch.
* Click on the title of the movie, TV show, or sports event you want to watch.
* Click on the **Play** button to start streaming.
**Limitations of Using the Silk Browser:**
* **Performance:** Streaming through a web browser on the Fire Stick may not be as smooth or reliable as using a dedicated app. You may experience buffering, lag, or lower video quality.
* **User Interface:** The Now TV website is designed for desktop and mobile devices, so the user interface may not be optimized for viewing on a TV screen with the Fire Stick remote.
* **Compatibility:** Some features or content may not be fully compatible with the Silk Browser.
* **DRM Issues:** Some content may have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions that prevent it from playing properly in the browser.
**Tips for Using the Silk Browser for Now TV:**
* **Close Unnecessary Tabs:** Closing other tabs in the Silk Browser can free up resources and improve performance.
* **Clear Cache and Cookies:** Clearing the browser’s cache and cookies can sometimes resolve playback issues.
* **Update the Silk Browser:** Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Silk Browser for optimal compatibility and performance.
* **Use a Keyboard and Mouse (Optional):** Connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse to your Fire Stick can make navigating the Now TV website easier.
## Method 3: Using a Third-Party App (Potentially Risky, Use with Caution)
While there aren’t officially sanctioned third-party apps that directly access Now TV content, some unofficial apps may claim to offer access. **However, using such apps comes with significant risks:**
* **Security Risks:** These apps may contain malware or viruses that can compromise your Fire Stick and your personal data.
* **Legal Issues:** Using unofficial apps to access copyrighted content may be illegal in your region.
* **Unreliable Performance:** These apps are often unstable and unreliable, with frequent crashes and playback issues.
* **Privacy Concerns:** These apps may collect your personal data without your consent.
**Therefore, I strongly advise against using third-party apps to access Now TV content. The risks far outweigh the potential benefits.**
If you still choose to explore this option, proceed with extreme caution and only download apps from trusted sources. Always read reviews and check the app’s permissions before installing it.
**Steps (If You Choose to Proceed – at your own risk):**
1. **Enable Apps from Unknown Sources:**
* From the Fire Stick home screen, navigate to **Settings**.
* Select **My Fire TV**.
* Choose **Developer options**.
* Turn on **Apps from Unknown Sources**. You’ll receive a warning message; acknowledge it.
2. **Download and Install a Third-Party App:**
* Use the Silk Browser or a sideloading app like Downloader to find and download the APK file for the third-party app. *Remember the risks involved.*
* Install the APK file.
3. **Use the App (With Extreme Caution):**
* Open the app and follow its instructions. *Be wary of requests for personal information or suspicious behavior.*
**Again, I strongly advise against this method due to the inherent risks involved.**
## Method 4: Sideloading the Android Now TV App (Advanced Users Only)
This method involves downloading the Android Now TV APK (Android Package Kit) file and installing it manually onto your Fire Stick. This is a more advanced method and requires some technical knowledge.
**Prerequisites:**
* **Amazon Fire Stick:** Connected and powered on.
* **Now TV Subscription:** An active Now TV subscription.
* **Downloader App:** Install the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore. This app allows you to download files from the internet onto your Fire Stick.
* **Android Now TV APK File:** You’ll need to find a reliable source to download the Now TV APK file. *Be extremely careful where you download APK files from, as they can contain malware. Use a reputable website that scans APKs for viruses.* A safe approach is to extract the APK from a known safe android device or emulator.
* **ADB (Android Debug Bridge) (Optional):** ADB is a command-line tool that allows you to communicate with your Fire Stick from your computer. It can be used to sideload apps, but it’s not required for this method.
**Steps:**
1. **Enable Apps from Unknown Sources:**
* From the Fire Stick home screen, navigate to **Settings**.
* Select **My Fire TV**.
* Choose **Developer options**.
* Turn on **Apps from Unknown Sources**. You’ll receive a warning message; acknowledge it.
2. **Download the Now TV APK File:**
* Open the Downloader app on your Fire Stick.
* In the Downloader app, enter the URL of the website where you downloaded the Now TV APK file. *Double-check the URL to ensure it’s correct and from a trustworthy source.*
* Click **Go** to start the download.
3. **Install the Now TV APK File:**
* Once the APK file is downloaded, the Downloader app will prompt you to install it.
* Click **Install** to begin the installation process.
* If you receive a warning message about installing apps from unknown sources, click **OK** to proceed.
* After the installation is complete, click **Open** to launch the Now TV app.
4. **Log in to Your Now TV Account:**
* Open the Now TV app on your Fire Stick.
* Enter your Now TV email address and password.
* Click on the **Sign In** button.
5. **Browse and Play Content:**
* Once logged in, you can browse the Now TV app and select the content you want to watch.
* Click on the title of the movie, TV show, or sports event you want to watch.
* Click on the **Play** button to start streaming.
**Troubleshooting Sideloading:**
* **Installation Errors:**
* Ensure you have enabled **Apps from Unknown Sources** in the Fire Stick settings.
* Make sure the APK file is not corrupted. Try downloading it again from a different source.
* Check if the APK file is compatible with your Fire Stick’s architecture.
* **App Crashing or Not Working:**
* The sideloaded app may not be fully compatible with the Fire Stick.
* Try clearing the app’s cache and data in the Fire Stick settings.
* Uninstall and reinstall the app.
* Consider using a different version of the APK file.
* **Compatibility Issues:**
* Some features of the Now TV app may not work correctly on the Fire Stick.
* The app may not be optimized for the Fire Stick’s remote control.
**Important Considerations for Sideloading:**
* **App Updates:** Sideloaded apps will not automatically update. You’ll need to manually download and install the latest version of the APK file when updates are available.
* **Compatibility:** Not all Android apps are compatible with the Fire Stick. Some apps may not work correctly or may have a limited feature set.
* **Security Risks:** Downloading APK files from untrusted sources can expose your Fire Stick to malware. Only download APK files from reputable websites.
## Conclusion
While Now TV isn’t directly available as a native app on the Amazon Fire Stick, there are several ways to enjoy its content on your TV. Screen mirroring is the simplest and safest method, while using the Silk Browser offers a direct, albeit potentially less smooth, experience. Sideloading the Android app is an option for more advanced users, but it comes with risks and requires careful attention to security. Using third-party apps is generally discouraged due to the potential for malware and other issues.
Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and risk tolerance. With a little effort, you can easily access your favorite Now TV shows, movies, and sports on your Amazon Fire Stick and enjoy endless entertainment.
Remember to always prioritize your security and privacy when downloading and installing apps from unknown sources. Regularly update your Fire Stick’s software and be cautious about granting permissions to apps. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy Now TV on your Fire Stick safely and conveniently.
This comprehensive guide provides you with all the information you need to watch Now TV on your Amazon Fire Stick. Happy streaming!