In 2011, Amazon released its first tablet, a budget device intended to bring the new tablet form factor to the masses. That Kindle Fire was pushed as the first iPad alternative. While that comparison never really held up, it was successful enough for Amazon to release a selection of the best Amazon Fire tablets, expanding the range to include various streaming and smart home devices.

Fire OS is 11 years old, but confusion surrounding what it is has continued to persist. Is Fire OS a version of Android? Can I download Android apps on Fire tablets? Do Google services work on Amazon's tablets? These are questions some have asked since the inception of Fire OS.

Is Fire OS based on Android, and will my apps work?

Answering the first question is easy—yes. Fire OS is a forked version of the Android operating system. Although Google makes Android, it is an open source operating system. Any person or company is free to take Android and use it as they wish in a variety of applications. That's what Amazon is doing with Fire OS. Amazon takes the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and modifies it into its own operating system for tablets, streaming devices, and more.

Can you download Android apps, and will your Google services work? Fire OS devices run Android apps, but only the ones that are downloaded via the Amazon App Store or sideloaded via an APK file. Officially, Google services like the Play Store and Gmail aren't available. While Google allows companies like Amazon to create a forked version of Android based on AOSP, there are some heavy limitations if they do so.

What is an Android fork?

An Android fork is based on AOSP but is not maintained by Google. In the case of Fire OS, Amazon created a new Android project that it maintains and tweaks to its liking. The company regularly upgrades Fire OS with the latest AOSP changes, so it's not completely removed from Google's development cycle. Think of Fire OS as a custom ROM like Lineage OS, but with a company working on it instead of volunteers.

A tablet sits in tent mode on a wooden table.
Source: Amazon

How does this differ from an Android skin, like Samsung's One UI? In many ways, they are the same. Samsung takes Android and adds its design and features. The difference is that an Android skin must be certified by Google to ensure that no modifications break the APIs that developers rely on and that all of Google's apps and features work correctly.

Because Google doesn't verify Android forks to work with its APIs and features, Google doesn't allow Google Mobile Services (GMS) to be used. That's why Fire OS devices don't have official access to the Play Store, Gmail, or even YouTube.

Amazon chose this route with Fire OS for a simple reason—money and control. When manufacturers include Google's GMS package, there are plenty of terms and conditions they must agree to. Certain Google apps must come preinstalled, and Google Search must be the device default. As well as giving up that level of control, most users prefer to use the Play Store instead of Amazon's alternative.

By cutting out Google and making its own Android fork, Amazon can retain control over its OS and the devices it runs on and enjoy the profits from the Amazon App Store without sharing them with anyone.

There is a way to get Google Mobile Services running on Fire OS devices, but it isn't official and could easily break if Amazon or Google changes something. If it's something you want to try, check out our guide to installing the Google Play Store on every Amazon Fire tablet.

Show Mode transforms your Fire HD tablet into a smart display

One benefit of using an Android fork is the ability to integrate new features with your existing services. One example is Show Mode, which turns a Fire HD 8 or Fire HD 10 (7th gen and newer) into an Echo Show.

Swipe down your quick settings panel, and in the upper-right corner is a toggle marked Show Mode. When it's enabled, the tablet adopts the same UI as an Echo Show, turning your tablet into a smart display, and you can use it the same way. One use case would be propping the tablet up in your bedroom while plugged in and having it act as your alarm clock for the morning. Once you wake up, you can carry it into the kitchen and have it help you try a new breakfast recipe. After that, deactivate Show Mode, and you have a conventional tablet again.

We'd like to see more companies adopt this smart feature, which may happen if rumors regarding Google's next tablet are to be believed.

Fire HD Show Mode

Another example is the device dashboard, which can be accessed via the button in the lower-left corner of your navbar. Opening it gives access to smart home devices linked to your Alex account, letting you quickly turn off your lights or pause any media playing in your home.

The Fire Tablet device dashboard displaying several smart plugs.

Will I be happy with an Amazon Fire tablet?

Fire OS is a successful product for Amazon. It's a well-optimized operating system that runs well on slower hardware, allowing the company to ship inexpensive devices that perform well despite their modest spec sheet. The 2022 Amazon Fire 7 we reviewed earlier this year can be a bit sluggish but performs well enough for the price and makes a decent media consumption device.

But there are caveats customers should be aware of before buying a Fire Tablet. Despite Amazon's best efforts, the number of apps available on the Amazon App Store pales compared to the Google Play Store. You'll find big named apps like Facebook and Twitter, but the Google apps are missing, including YouTube. Installing Google Services is possible with sideloading, but it's far from a polished experience.

If you can live with those limitations, an Amazon tablet could be a good fit for you, especially if you make some tweaks once you have it. But if you rely on Google apps and services and don't want to sideload them, a tablet running a Google-certified version of Android may fit your needs better.