How to Add Removable Storage to FireStick

Despite its immense popularity due to several convenient features, storage is one of the major drawbacks of Amazon FireStick. 

Typically, a Fire TV Stick has 8GB of storage, of which only 5GB is available. This storage quickly becomes full as you add apps and download data to the FireStick, including videos and images.

Since FireStick’s internal storage cannot be upgraded, the only alternative is to add external storage. Today, all USB drives are supported, including the Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 3, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and more recent versions. 

This article will discuss how to increase the storage on your Amazon FireStick.

“Not Enough Space on FireStick” Error

You’ll get a “critically low storage” error when your FireStick does not have enough free capacity to sustain normal functioning. If you install an app and your FireStick runs out of storage, you will also receive this warning. 

In both situations, clearing some storage space is the best solution. In certain instances, the low storage alert might still appear even after you’ve emptied the device’s cache, deleted extra content, and uninstalled useless applications. 

Resetting the FireStick generally resolves the issue when that occurs. For this, the only option is that you must have to add additional storage to your FireStick.

Increase Storage Space with a Removable Storage

The limitation of internal storage on the Amazon FireStick is the main complaint regarding the device. 

Although it has 8GB of internal storage, only 5GB is usable because of the pre-installed Amazon applications and the Fire OS operating system. After you have installed all your favorite apps, the remaining 5GB is swiftly consumed.

Yes, we can attach a USB flash drive via an OTG cable, but up until now, this has prevented us from putting apps on the external storage. 

A USB flash drive or portable hard drive can be used to increase the storage capacity of your FireStick. Amazon advises that your USB drive be USB 3.0 and no more than 128 GB capacity for best performance.

You’ll need an OTG cable to configure your FireStick with your USB disk. This is due to Amazon FireStick’s lack of a USB port. By adding a USB-A interface, an OTG cable allows you to connect USB external storage to your device. You can follow these steps.”

1. Connect your USB drive to the end of the cable that is compatible with a standard USB.
2. Connect the male micro USB end of the OTG cable to the FireStick.
3. Connect the FireStick to the HDMI connector on your TV.
4. By attaching the female end of the micro USB cord to a typical 10W wall charger, like the one you use for charging your phone, you can enjoy expanded storage on FireStick.

Set Up your USB drive

There are two ways FireSticks can utilize external storage after your USB drive is connected to the device;

• As external storage
• As internal storage 

The USB drive can be used only for storing and reading data, like files, videos, audio, etc., while it is used for external storage. Using a USB drive, you may create a local media library and enjoy your content without an internet connection. 

However, you cannot install apps when the USB device is utilized as external storage.

You may download new applications or transfer those downloaded from FireStick’s storage to the USB Drive when it is utilized as internal storage. This is crucial when adding demanding programs to the device, such as games.

A USB drive cannot be configured to function as both internal and external storage simultaneously. Depending on how you plan to utilize your USB drive, you must select one option only.

To set up your USB drive with your FireStick, you can follow these steps: 

• Go to Settings
• Open My Fire TV
• Select the USB Drive option
• Choose to format it as either external or internal storage. 

Any data already available on the USB drive will be deleted, so create any backup if necessary.

The formatting will begin. Stopping this procedure by disconnecting the USB disk from your Fire TV is not advised. 

To download media files on the USB, you may disconnect it from your FireStick and then connect it to your computer. You can reconnect the USB disk to your FireStick after you’re finished.

Always use a VPN with FireStick

There are several reasons why you should always use a VPN when using your FireStick. Your ISP may be limiting your connection if you feel your internet speed is limited or your bandwidth has been reduced. 

You may use a VPN to disguise your internet activities from your ISP to avoid that from happening. Additionally, many websites and applications have geographical limits. 

However, you can get a VPN to alter your IP address to a location where the content is available.

Another important justification for utilizing a VPN is that unauthorized or copyrighted information is often accessible through free streaming apps, making it illegal. Using a VPN when using free streaming apps can help you in avoiding any legal issues and will assist in stopping trackbacks. 

Furthermore, because there may be several trackers or spyware that might monitor your online activity or steal your data and identity, VPN also safeguards the security of your data.

Best VPN for FireStick

A large range of smart home devices is supported by ExpressVPN, which offers VPN servers in over 30 countries worldwide. It is exempt from data retention rules even though it is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, a colony of the United Kingdom. 

Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a huge selection of streaming and file-sharing services. This also includes the flexibility to choose which connections flow through the VPN and which don’t, as well as dedicated servers for P2P and other file-sharing programs. A kill switch prevents unprotected internet traffic if your VPN connection is lost. 

Also, it provides DNS leak protection, preventing your DNS requests from being revealed even while connected to a VPN.

Another feature is that hard disks used to store and wipe data are no longer necessary, thanks to ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology. 

As an alternative, it uses so-called “volatile memory,” which does not keep any data, lowering the chance of hacking. Thus if you possess smart TVs or streaming devices such as FireStick, ExpressVPN is the ideal option.