Amazon launches Linux-based Vega OS for Fire TV
Amazon has introduced Vega OS, a new Linux-based operating system for its Fire TV devices, marking a shift away from Google's Android. The OS debuts on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, emphasizing efficiency and security. This move allows Amazon to reduce reliance on external platforms while maintaining support for its existing Fire OS.
Amazon, a leader in e-commerce and cloud computing through Amazon Web Services, has long succeeded in consumer hardware with Fire TV, which competes against Roku, Google's TV Streamer, and Apple TV. These devices previously ran on a customized version of Android known as Fire OS, integrated closely with Amazon's Prime Video and other streaming services to capture market share via competitive pricing.
On October 7, 2025, Amazon announced Vega OS alongside the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, the first device to adopt the new system. Built with Linux components as its foundation, Vega OS prioritizes performance despite limited details on its technical architecture. Amazon describes it as "highly responsive with an efficient footprint, enabling fast app launches and smooth navigation." This efficiency shines in the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, which operates on just 1 GB of RAM—half the 2 GB in prior 4K models.
To aid developers transitioning to Vega OS, Amazon released Vega Developer Tools in open beta. The toolkit supports React Native 0.72 and web technologies via Vega WebView, enabling reuse of existing code for the platform.
A key change for users is the removal of sideloading options. Vega OS restricts installations to the Amazon Appstore only, as stated in the product listing: "For enhanced security, only apps from the Amazon Appstore are available for download." Despite this, Amazon plans to support Fire OS concurrently, adopting a multi-OS strategy for Fire TV. Whether Vega OS will eventually dominate or coexist long-term remains uncertain.