Last Updated on January 15, 2023
When it comes to affordable and advanced streaming devices in the market, Amazon Fire Stick tends to top the list. The users are always looking for different opportunities to extract the most out of the device. With this thinking, they start to deviate towards jailbreaking and there’s definitely nothing wrong with that but the issue arises when the third party options start coming in between and the question, is jailbreaking Firestick illegal arises.
Once a user jailbreaks a Firestick device, he/she looks for opportunities for sideloading third-party apps like Titanium TV, Kodi, etc.
This is the exact situation where things can escalate and the discussion of whether what the user is doing is legal or illegal starts. Confused? Well, let’s dive a little deeper!
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What’s Exactly Jailbreaking a Firestick?
Before we further begin up with the article, it’s important to get the basics cleared otherwise you may get confused later on. So, the first and the base thing is that what’s exactly a jailbroken Firestick?
Normally, a user has access to all the apps present on the Amazon store in the case of Firestick. But, when one’s entertainment desires don’t seem to be met by the already present apps then that’s when the user starts looking for third-party apps that aren’t usually available in the official Amazon App Store.
Not, let us unfold the truth! There’s nothing known as a Jailbroken Firestick. It’s not that you have to purchase a different device, it’s the same device that you own with some extra unpermitted feature.
Generally, the installation of Kodi on Firestick is known as Jailbreaking Firestick. When we say that the Firestick has been jailbroken, we basically mean to convey that a media server software just like the above one has been sideloaded on the device.
It’s actually sideloading of the app and not jailbreaking. We don’t know how but the jailbreaking term has been popular in recent times whereas it should have been sideloading for Firestick.
Jailbreaking & Sideloading – Different Terms
Jailbreaking is generally used in the case of iOS devices. Haven’t you heard of jailbreaking iPhone? Just like we have to root in Android, similarly, in the world of iOS devices, we have jailbreaking. Rooting gives you access to the restricted features and options, basically giving you full access to your Android device.
On the other side, iOS devices have lesser customization features and the platform has been designed in such a way so that the user can’t do much, and to get rid of all this, jailbreaking was invented.
Sideloading is about installing third-party apps. Henceforth, Sideloading and Jailbreaking are completely two different terms. The Firestick is based on the Android platform and Android OS is known for sideloading apps without having root access. Hopefully, this should have made things clearer for you!
What’s Kodi?
Kodi is completely a different topic in itself and we have already covered about it on our website. But, for the sake of it, let us brief you a bit about the service.
In short and simple words, Kodi is an open-source media player which allows you to stream content from a variety of sources. You are free to stream movies, songs, series, etc using Kodi on your Firestick device.
Kodi gives you access to all sorts of content that isn’t normally available in your region or with the normal version of the device. Kodi can be used for piracy also and probably that’s why it isn’t available on the official Amazon App Store.
is it illegal to Jailbreak a Firestick?
Now, coming to the main question, for which most of you would have been waiting until now. Is Jailbreaking Firestick illegal or not? In one word, NO! Yes, jailbreaking your Firestick isn’t illegal but the way you use it defines the legality part.
If you install Kodi or any similar media player for the sake and decide to stream pirated or copyrighted content through it then you may invite unwanted legal trouble. In the worst cases, you could end up in jail too! The chances are definitely a lot lesser but this doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened with anybody! Jailbreaking Firestick is not and hopefully will never be illegal!
Get a VPN To Stay Safe
Once you set your hands on the outer world of media players, like Kodi, then there’s no looking back, and sometimes in such cases, you may also end up streaming illegal content knowingly or unknowingly. Whenever you use your Internet for anything, everything can be tracked by your ISP and the legal authorities.
If you are found promoting piracy in any manner then you may end up with unwanted trouble. The best and probably the only way to ensure that you are safe while streaming the content is by getting a good and premium VPN service.
The VPN will secure the traffic and everything right from your IP address to the content that you are streaming would be completely hidden away from the eyes of your ISP. After that, even if you end up accessing any content which can be termed as illegal then also you won’t have to worry much about it.
Last Updated on January 15, 2023
Do you know that your internet service provider can snoop on your web activities and sell your personal data to third-party advertisers and government agencies?
A VPN saves you from all these active threats and ExpressVPN is the most popular VPN service for Firestick. We strongly suggest you to Use ExpressVPN before you start streaming on your devices. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When connected to an ExpressVPN server, your network stays encrypted and secure, so that your privacy on the web is protected throughout your streaming sessions. It also replaces your real IP address with a temporary one, which lets you bypass geo-restrictions on particular streaming services and websites as well.
CLICK HERE to Sign up for Express VPN for the best bang for your buck VPN.
Is it illegal to sell Firestick with Kodi on it?
If anytime in the future you decide to sell up your Firestick device then the thing that may bother you is that will it be safe to sell Firestick with Kodi installed on it? As mentioned, Kodi is a free streaming video app and it is totally legal.
So, if you are planning to sell a Jailbroken Firestick with Kodi on it then that’s totally fine. Nothing wrong in that!
But, if your Kodi has got preloaded add ons and you are trying to promote it as a service which provides you free TV and access to pirated content then my friend that’s illegal. You are basically interfering with the copyright laws and selling paid services which are not even your own.
Related
Conclusion
We hope that you would now have the answer to the most commonly asked question, is Jailbreaking Firestick illegal? You are free to use your Firestick in your own way as you have paid for it.
Nobody is, going to put you behind the bars for just jailbreaking your Firestick. But, yes like we mentioned, if you plan to be extra smart by installing all sorts of add ons and builds of Kodi and other similar apps then that may lead to what you don’t want to happen.
So, the best way to avoid that is by installing a powerful VPN. Enjoy your jailbroken Firestick!
