Independent guides to legal streaming in Ireland.

On Air Ireland team Last updated: November 5, 2026

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Quick Facts

  • The RTÉ Player app is free to download from the Amazon Appstore on Fire TV
  • Setup takes a few minutes, and you'll be asked to sign in with an RTÉ account
  • Amazon's newest sticks run a different system called Vega OS, so check the app is listed on yours
  • Some programmes aren't available to stream, or are limited to viewers in Ireland, because of broadcast rights

RTÉ Player is one of the first apps most Irish households want on a new Fire TV Stick. It gives you RTÉ’s catch-up programmes and selected programmes live, all through your broadband. Setting it up only takes a few minutes, but there are a couple of things worth checking first, especially if you’ve bought one of Amazon’s newest sticks.

What you need

  • A Fire TV Stick or Fire TV smart TV, set up and connected to your Wi-Fi. If you’re still shopping, see our budget streaming sticks guide or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
  • An Amazon account signed in on the device, ideally with its country set to Ireland so you see the Irish app selection.
  • An RTÉ account, or an email address to create one during setup.
  • A steady broadband connection. RTÉ Player streams everything, so it won’t work offline.

Check your Fire TV model first

Not every Fire TV runs the same software, and that affects which apps you can get.

  • Fire OS models get their apps from the Amazon Appstore, where RTÉ Player is listed. According to Amazon’s developer pages these include the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st and 2nd generation), the Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd generation, 2023), the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025), the Fire TV Stick (3rd generation), the Fire TV Stick Lite, the Fire TV Cube and most Fire TV smart TVs.
  • Vega OS models run Amazon’s newer system, with its own app catalogue. Amazon’s developer pages list three: the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025), the Fire TV Stick 4K (3rd generation, 2026) and the Fire TV Stick HD (2026).

At the time of writing (November 2026), we couldn’t confirm on RTÉ’s or Amazon’s own pages whether RTÉ Player is available on the Vega OS models. If you have one, follow the steps below and search for the app. If you’re about to buy a Fire TV Stick and RTÉ Player matters to you, check with the seller which model you’re getting, or look at our Fire TV hub for other options.

To see which model you have, look in the About section of your Fire TV’s Settings menu.

How to install RTÉ Player on Fire TV

  1. Turn on your Fire TV and go to the home screen. Press the Home button on the remote if you’re somewhere else.
  2. Open search. Select Find, then Search, from the menu bar. On some models search is a magnifying glass icon at the left of the menu.
  3. Type “RTÉ Player”. If the fada is awkward to type with the remote, try “RTE”. If your remote has a voice button, you can hold it and say “RTÉ Player” instead.
  4. Select the RTÉ Player app from the results. Make sure it’s the official app from RTÉ.
  5. Select Get or Download. The app installs in a minute or so, depending on your connection.
  6. Select Open once it’s installed. RTÉ Player will also appear with your other apps, so you can find it from the home screen next time.
  7. Sign in or register. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your RTÉ account. Some TV apps show a short code and a web address to visit on your phone or computer instead of making you type your email and password with the remote. If you don’t have an account yet, choose the option to create one.
  8. Start watching. Browse catch-up programmes by category, or pick a live channel. If a live programme isn’t showing, it may not be one of the selected programmes RTÉ streams live.

Menu names can change slightly between Fire TV software updates and models, but the steps stay broadly the same.

Keeping the app up to date

Amazon says Fire TV devices download software updates automatically when they’re connected to the internet, and apps usually update in the background too. If RTÉ Player starts misbehaving after a long time unused, leave the Fire TV switched on and connected for a while so it can catch up, then restart it.

Programmes that aren’t available

RTÉ doesn’t have the streaming rights to everything it broadcasts. The app itself notes that some programmes may not be available because of rights restrictions, and catch-up programmes are available for a limited time after they air (up to 21 days, according to the app’s listing).

Some programmes, especially sport, are licensed for viewers in Ireland only. The app works out where you are from your internet connection, so if you’re away from home you may find some programmes won’t play. Ofcom has also reported that viewers in Northern Ireland can find Irish broadcasters’ programmes blocked, mainly because of territorial rights and the limits of working out a viewer’s location from their internet address. For more on these messages, see our guide to fixing “not available in your country” errors.

Common problems and fixes

  • App won’t install: restart the Fire TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try again. If storage is full, uninstall apps you no longer use from the Applications section of Settings.
  • Can’t find the app: check your Amazon account’s country is Ireland, try searching “RTE” as well as “RTÉ Player”, and check whether your model runs Vega OS (see above).
  • Sign-in keeps failing: check the email address and password on the RTÉ website on your phone or computer first. If they work there, sign out of the app, close it, and sign in again.
  • Buffering or blurry picture: usually a Wi-Fi issue rather than RTÉ Player. Move the router closer if you can, reduce the number of devices streaming at once, or use a wired connection with an Ethernet adapter for Fire TV. If the stick sits behind the TV, an HDMI extender can move it clear of the set and improve reception.
  • App freezes or won’t open: find RTÉ Player in the Applications section of Settings, where you can force stop it or clear its cache. If that doesn’t help, uninstall and reinstall the app. You’ll need to sign in again afterwards.

For more help, see our guide to RTÉ Player problems and where to get help, and if you’re using RTÉ Player on a TV’s own apps rather than a Fire TV, our RTÉ Player smart TV fixes. If nothing works, use the help and contact options in the RTÉ Player app or on the RTÉ Player website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is RTÉ Player free on Fire TV?
The app is free to download, and you'll be asked to sign in with an RTÉ account to watch. For whether you need a TV licence, see our TV licence and streaming guide.
Which Fire TV models can I use RTÉ Player on?
Fire TV Sticks and Fire TV smart TVs running Fire OS get their apps from the Amazon Appstore, where RTÉ Player is listed. Amazon's newest sticks, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025) and the 2026 Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick HD, run Vega OS instead, which has its own app catalogue. Search for RTÉ Player on the device, and check before buying one of those models if RTÉ Player matters to you.
Why can't I find RTÉ Player when I search?
Check your Amazon account's country is set to Ireland, make sure the Fire TV is up to date, and try searching 'RTÉ Player' and 'RTE'. If it still doesn't appear, your model may not have the app yet, which is most likely on Vega OS devices.
Why does RTÉ Player say a programme isn't available?
Some programmes can't be streamed, or can only be streamed in Ireland, because of broadcast rights, especially sport. Catch-up programmes are also only on the Player for a limited time after they air.
Can I use RTÉ Player on Fire TV in Northern Ireland?
You can install the app, but some programmes may be blocked. Ofcom says content is geo-blocked in Northern Ireland mainly because of territorial rights, especially for major sport, and because internet addresses can't always show where a viewer is.

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