Streaming service compatibility issues continue to affect older hardware as technology advances. In a recent announcement, Netflix has informed customers that several aging Amazon Fire TV devices will soon lose access to the popular streaming platform, forcing users to either upgrade their hardware or lose access to the service.
Support Ending for Older Fire TV Models
Netflix has announced it will end support for first-generation Amazon Fire TV devices starting June 3, 2025. The affected models include the original Fire TV (2014), the first Fire TV Stick (2014), and the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (2016). This decision comes after nearly a decade of service for some of these devices, which have become increasingly outdated as streaming technology has evolved. Users of these devices recently received email notifications from Netflix informing them of the upcoming change.
Affected Fire TV Devices:
- Fire TV (2014)
- Fire TV Stick (2014)
- Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (2016)
Support End Date: June 3, 2025
Upgrade Options:
- Basic Fire TV Stick with voice remote: USD $19.99
- Fire TV Stick 4K: USD $49.99 / GBP £59.99 / AUD $79
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: USD $59.99 / GBP £69.99 / AUD $119 (Often discounted to USD $39.99 or GBP £50)
Technical Limitations Behind the Decision
While Netflix hasn't explicitly stated the reason for discontinuing support, industry experts point to the devices' inability to support modern video and audio codecs as the likely explanation. As streaming services continue to improve video quality and implement newer standards—particularly the AV1 codec for higher-quality streaming on Premium plans—these older devices simply lack the hardware capabilities to keep up. The first-generation Fire TV devices haven't received software updates from Amazon for some time, making them increasingly incompatible with modern streaming requirements.
Affordable Upgrade Options Available
For affected users looking to continue accessing Netflix after the June 2025 cutoff, several upgrade options exist at various price points. The current generation Fire TV Stick with voice remote is available for as little as USD $19.99 on Amazon. For those seeking more advanced features, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers significant improvements over the standard 4K model, including increased storage, a faster processor, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, and Amazon's Ambient experience. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is officially priced at USD $59.99 in the US and GBP £69.99 in the UK, though it frequently goes on sale for around USD $39.99 or GBP £50.
Checking Your Device Generation
Users uncertain about which generation of Fire TV device they own can easily check through the device settings. Navigate to Settings, then My Fire TV, and select About to view the device generation information. If it's identified as a first-generation device, an upgrade will be necessary to continue using Netflix after June 2025. A complete list of Netflix-compatible devices is available on the Netflix website for those seeking confirmation about supported hardware.
Part of a Broader Pattern
This isn't the first time Netflix has discontinued support for aging hardware. Over the years, the streaming giant has ended compatibility with various older DVD players, Blu-Ray players, tablets, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. As streaming technology continues to advance with higher resolutions, improved audio formats, and more efficient compression methods, this trend of leaving legacy devices behind is likely to continue across all streaming platforms.