The short answer is yes, you can get Facebook Watch on Firestick. There are a few different methods you can use to access Facebook Watch on your Amazon Fire TV Stick. The easiest options are to use the Silk or Firefox web browsers that come pre-installed on Firestick devices. You can also download and install the Facebook Watch app directly from the Amazon Appstore. Additionally, sideloading the Android version of the Facebook app with Facebook Watch support is an option for tech-savvy users. Keep reading for more details on how to watch Facebook Watch on Firestick.
Use Silk or Firefox Browsers
One of the simplest ways to get Facebook Watch on your Firestick is by using the web browsers that come pre-installed on the device. The Amazon Silk browser and Mozilla Firefox browser can both be used to access Facebook Watch. Here is how:
- From the Firestick home screen, select the “Silk” or “Firefox” app icon.
- Once the browser is open, navigate to www.facebook.com and log into your Facebook account.
- From your Facebook News Feed, look for the “Watch” tab in the left side menu.
- Selecting this tab will bring you to the Facebook Watch section where you can browse videos.
The advantage of using Silk or Firefox is that no additional downloads or installations are required. However, there are some limitations to watching Facebook Watch from a mobile browser:
- Video quality may not be ideal or consistent
- Browser navigation can feel clunky with a remote
- Limited ability to “cast” videos to a big screen
Overall though, the browsers do provide a quick and easy way to start watching Facebook Watch on Firestick.
Download the Facebook Watch App
In addition to web browsers, you can also download the official Facebook Watch app for Fire TV. Here are the steps to get the app from the Amazon Appstore:
- From your Firestick home screen, select the “Search” option.
- Search for “Facebook Watch” and select the app result.
- Choose “Download” to get the Facebook Watch app.
- Once downloaded, select “Open” to launch the app.
- Log into your Facebook account in the app to start watching videos.
Downloading the Facebook Watch app provides a much better watching experience compared to web browsers. Benefits include:
- Smoother video playback quality
- Integrated TV controls for play/pause, etc.
- Ability to “cast” videos to TV
- Persistent login so you don’t have to sign in each time
The one catch is that the Facebook Watch app is not available worldwide. If you see a “device not compatible” error when trying to download, the app unfortunately is not available in your country.
Sideload the Facebook App
For Firestick users comfortable with more advanced options, another method is to sideload the full Facebook for Android app. This requires downloading the APK and enabling app installs from “Unknown Sources”. Here are the general steps involved:
- On a PC browser, search for “Facebook APK” and download the latest version.
- Save the APK file to a USB drive or upload it to a cloud storage service.
- Plug the USB into your Firestick or install a cloud file manager app like ES File Explorer.
- In Firestick settings, enable installation of apps from “Unknown Sources”.
- Use the file manager to install the Facebook APK.
- Launch Facebook and log in to use Facebook Watch!
Going the sideloading route takes more effort but provides the full Facebook experience. Pros of sideloading Facebook include:
- Access to full Facebook app features beyond just Watch
- Optimized video quality and performance
- Casting and notification support
- Workaround for users who can’t get the Watch app
The downside is that sideloading complex apps like Facebook carries risks. You may encounter issues like crashing, bugs, or apps not working properly. Sideloading is best approached with caution.
Use Screen Mirroring as Another Option
One additional option for getting Facebook Watch on a big screen TV is using screen mirroring. This wirelessly mirrors your phone or tablet screen to your Firestick and TV display. Here is how it works:
- On your mobile device, open Facebook Watch and start playing a video.
- Swipe down from the top and select the Screen Mirroring function.
- Choose your Firestick as the device to mirror to.
- The Facebook Watch video will now be displayed on your TV screen.
The advantages of screen mirroring include:
- Quick and easy to set up
- Provides full mobile experience on the big screen
- Can mirror anything from your device, not just Facebook
Potential downsides include:
- Drains your phone or tablet battery faster
- Some loss in video quality
- Not optimized specifically for TV viewing
But overall, screen mirroring does give yet another handy option for those looking to get Facebook Watch working on Firestick.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are several feasible ways to access Facebook Watch on your Amazon Firestick streaming device:
- Use the Silk or Firefox web browsers
- Download the official Facebook Watch app
- Sideload the full Facebook APK
- Mirror your mobile screen with Facebook Watch
Each approach has its own pros and cons to weigh, but any of these methods should enable you to start enjoying Facebook Watch on the big screen. The simplest options to get up and running quickly are likely using the pre-installed browsers or downloading the Facebook Watch app if available in your region. But sideloading and screen mirroring provide alternative options for those looking for the full mobile experience. With a range of solutions now at your disposal, there is no reason you can’t get Facebook Watch working on your Firestick.