Fire TV Stick users need to exercise caution when adding new applications to their devices following the suspension of the popular tool “Downloader” from Amazon’s Appstore. The removal of Downloader has paved the way for a fraudulent copycat app aimed at scamming users.
The issue arose when Downloader disappeared from Amazon’s online marketplace over the weekend. Downloader, in existence for almost ten years, has been a valuable tool for Fire TV owners to search for and sideload apps not found on official platforms, particularly useful for accessing tools or applications unavailable in specific regions.
Despite its widespread use, Downloader faced a temporary suspension due to a recent update that categorized it as a full web browser, violating Amazon’s policy against third-party browsers on Fire TV devices. Elias Saba, the developer of Downloader and owner of the Fire TV site AFTVnews, clarified the situation and removed the browser identification in an update, awaiting Amazon’s approval for reinstatement to the Appstore.
In the interim, users are cautioned about a fake version of Downloader attempting to deceive Fire TV owners into paying a weekly fee. Saba advises against installing this scam app and suggests reporting it to Amazon. Users with the legitimate Downloader installed should not delete it, as they may not be able to reinstall it until Amazon resolves the situation. They are also advised to disable Auto Offload to prevent automatic removal of the app.
If Amazon approves the necessary changes, Downloader could reappear on Fire TV devices later in the week, with users advised to stay vigilant.