With all the different Amazon Fire TVs, Fire TV Sticks (a.k.a Firesticks), Fire TV Cubes, Fire TV Pendants, Fire TV Edition televisions, and Fire TV Edition soundbars that have been released over the last few years, it’s difficult for some people to figure out exactly which model, version, year, or generation device that they own. This guide will help you easily determine what you have.
Contents
1. Software Method (Recommended Method)
If your Fire TV is turned on, the recommended and easiest way to determine exactly which model you have is to install my Informer app. It’s available for free in the Amazon appstore and it will tell you which Fire TV model you have, what generation it is, when it was released, its specs, and much more. To install the app, simply search for “Informer” right from your Fire TV and the app should come up. Once you launch the app, it will display all the information about your specific Fire TV.
2. Hardware Method
If your Fire TV is turned off and you don’t want to power it on to use the Informer app to identify your device, scroll to the section below that describes the shape of your device to determine which model you have.
2.1 Fire TV Sticks
From top to bottom:
1st-generation Fire TV Stick (2014)
2nd-generation Fire TV Stick (2016)
1st-generation Fire TV Stick Lite (2020)
3rd-generation Fire TV Stick (2020)
1st-generation Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick (2014)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 3.3 inches (84.9 mm) long, including the HDMI connector.
Model Number: W87CUN (Printed on the back)
Released: Novemeber 19, 2014
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick is physically the smallest model. On the side opposite the Amazon logo is a lot of text written in glossy black. It will say “Model No. W87CUN” if it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick. If the tiny text is too hard to read, you can measure the longest side (including the metal HDMI connector). If it’s 3.3 inches (84.9 mm) long, then it’s a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick.
2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick (2016)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, AND has the text “Amazon” logo. The size alone is not unique to this model.
Model Number: LY73PR (Printed on the back)
Released: October 20, 2016
On the side opposite the Amazon logo is a lot of text written in glossy black. It will say “Model No. LY73PR” if it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick. If the tiny text is too hard to read, you can measure the longest side (including the metal HDMI connector). If it’s 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long and has the “Amazon” text logo, then it’s a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick. Amazon also released the 2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick outside of the US as the Fire TV Stick Basic Edition. The Basic Edition hardware is identical to the 2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick Lite & 3rd-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: Alexa Voice Remote Lite, 2020 Fire TV Stick Lite / Fire TV Stick 3, Alexa Voice Remote
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Sticks that are 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, AND have the arrow Amazon logo without the “Amazon” text.
Model Number: S3L46N (Printed on the back)
Released: September 30, 2020
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite and 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick are completely indistinguishable from one another. That’s because the hardware for both is identical. Both devices have “Model No: S3L46N” written on the side opposite the Amazon arrow logo. The only way to definitively tell them apart is to power them on and check their settings. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick has an “Advanced Audio” menu under Settings > Display & Sound > Audio, while the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite does not have this menu. Another way to tell them apart is by the remote that came with the device. If it came with a remote that has a power button, then it is the 3rd-gen Fire TV Stik, but if the remote does not have a power button, then it is the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite. Do note that the remotes can be interchanged between the two, so you must know which remote originally came with the device, not just which remote happens to be working with it.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick 4K
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 4.25 inches (108 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, that also has an Amazon arrow logo. Other Fire TV Stick models with only the Amazon arrow logo that are shorter than 4.25 inches are not a Fire TV Stick 4K.
Model Number: E9L29Y (Printed on the back)
Released: October 31, 2018
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K is the longest Fire TV Stick model, along with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, since both are identical in size. If you measure the length and find that it is longer than 4 inches, including the HDMI connector, and it has an Amazon arrow logo with no text, then it is the Fire TV Stick 4K because the Fire TVStick 4K Max has a logo that says “Fire TV” on it. On the side opposite the Amazon arrow logo is a lot of text written in glossy black where it will also say “Model No. E9L29Y” if it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K. Note that there is only one generation of the Fire TV stick 4K, since a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K has not been released.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2021)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that has a “Fire TV” logo on it. All other Fire TV stick models have either an “Amazon” logo or just the Amazon arrow on them.
Model Number: K2R2TE (Printed on the back)
Released: October 7, 2021
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the only Fire TV Stick that has a logo that says “Fire TV” with the Amazon arrow below it. All other Fire TV Stick models use either a logo that says “Amazon” with an arrow under it or a logo that is just the Amazon arrow without any words. So, if your Fire TV Stick says “Fire TV” then it is without a doubt a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max. A 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max has not been released. The Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and physically the same size, so the logo is the easiest way to tell them apart. On the side opposite the “Fire TV” logo is a lot of text written in glossy black where it will also say “Model No. K2R2TE” in the bottom left corner. Some people incorrectly call the Fire TV Stick 4K Max the “2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K” but that is not correct since it is its own product line.
2.2 Fire TV Cubes, Boxes, & Pendants
1st-Gen Fire TV
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV (2014)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV with an optical audio TOSLINK port.
Model Number: CL1130 (Printed on the bottom)
Released: April 12, 2014
If your Fire TV is a large flat square, take a look at the ports on the back. If the middle port is an optical audio TOSLINK port, which looks like a square with a hinged flap, then it is a 1st-gen Fire TV. On the rubber bottom, you’ll also find “Model No. CL1130” printed.
2nd-Gen Fire TV
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV (2015)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV with a microSD card slot.
Model Number: DV83YW (Printed on the bottom)
Released: October 5, 2015
If your Fire TV is a large flat square and the second port from the right is a micro SD card slot, then it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV. On the rubber bottom, you’ll also find “Model No. DV83YW” printed.
3rd-Gen Fire TV
Image: 3rd-generation Amazon Fire TV (2017)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV that is a hanging pendant/diamond form factor.
Model Number: LDC9WZ (Printed on the bottom)
Released: October 25, 2017
If your Fire TV is a square with a short HDMI cable attached to one corner, then it is a 3rd-gen Fire TV. On the back, you’ll also find “Model No. LDC9WZ” printed.
1st-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2018)
Unique Characteristic: None. You must look for the model number on the bottom.
Model Number: EX69VW (Printed on the bottom)
Released: June 21, 2018
If your Fire TV is a cube and made of shiny black plastic, the only way to physically determine if it is a 1st or 2nd generation model is to find the model number printed on the rubber bottom of the device. If it says “Model No. EX69VW” then it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Cube.
2nd-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019)
Unique Characteristic: None. You must look for the model number on the bottom.
Model Number: A78V3N (Printed on the bottom)
Released: October 10, 2019
If your Fire TV is a cube and made of shiny black plastic, the only way to physically determine if it is a 1st or 2nd generation model is to find the model number printed on the rubber bottom of the device. If it says “Model No. A78V3N” then it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV Cube.
3rd-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 3rd-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022)
Unique Characteristic: The only Fire TV model that is wrapped in fabric.
Model Number: GA5Z9L (Printed on the bottom)
Released: October 25, 2022
If your Fire TV is a cube and it is wrapped in fabric, then it is a 3rd generation model. Previous generations had no fabric and were just hard shiny black plastic. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube is also the only one with two HDMI ports, one for IN and one for OUT. You can also check the bottom for “Model No. GA5Z9L” to be sure.
1st-Gen Fire TV Recast
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Recast (2018)
If your Fire TV is a large rectangular box and it has a coaxial plug on the back, then it is a 1st-generation Fire TV Recast that was released on November 14, 2018. This is not a media player, like all of the other Fire TV models above. It is a network over-the-air (OTA) tuner and DVR that serves as an accessory to all Fire TV devices.
2.3 Fire TV Edition Televisions & Soundbars
Fire TV Edition devices are televisions and soundbars that have the Fire TV operating system / experience built into the device, so there is no need to connect an external Fire TV device to their HDMI ports. Fire TV Edition devices don’t really have generations, so this guide will help you determine the model year of your device.
Note:
Fire TV Smart TV models from 2022 and newer have not been added to this guide yet.
Element TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Element, it is a 2017 model. Element only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Westinghouse TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Westinghouse, it is a 2017 model. Westinghouse only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Toshiba TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Toshiba, it is either a 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 model. To determine which model year your TV is, look on the label on the back of the device for the model number. Example model numbers are TF-32A710U21 and 43LF421C19. If the model number ends in “19” then it is a 2018 model, if it ends in “20” then it is a 2019 model, if it ends in “21” then it is a 2020 model, and if it ends in “22” then it is a 2021 model.
Insignia TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Insignia, it is either a 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 model. To determine which model year your TV is, look on the label on the back of the device for the model number. Example model numbers are NS-24DF310NA19 and NS-55DF710NA21. If the model number ends in “19” then it is a 2018 model, if it ends in “20” then it is a 2019 model, if it ends in “21” then it is a 2020 model, and if it ends in “22” then it is a 2021 model.
JVC TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by JVC, it is a 2019 model. JVC only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Grundig TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Grundig, it is a 2019 model. Grundig only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Onida TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Onida, it is a 2020 model. Onida only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Anker Nebula Soundbar
If your Fire TV Edition soundbar is made by Anker Nebula, then it is a 2019 model. Anker Nebula only made Fire TV Edition soundbars for that one year. Internally, it has the same capabilities as a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K.
TCL Soundbar
If your Fire TV Edition soundbar is made by TCL, then it is a 2019 model. TCL only made Fire TV Edition soundbars for that one year. Internally, it has the same capabilities as a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K.
@AFTVnews
AFTVnews
It sucks for those of us who are rooted and have removed Amazon’s gui from our devices. We do not have access to your apps because they are only on the Amazon app store. It would be cool if you gave us alt links to them.
Informer APK: http://links.aftvnews.com/apk/Informer-v1.0.apk
Downloader APK: http://www.aftvnews.com/downloader/history/
Bookmarker APK: http://links.aftvnews.com/apk/Bookmarker-1-9-APKs.zip
Thank you so much. Hoping you keep these alts updated! Love your work.
Wwe i am so disappointed that I can not watch what I want when I want like I always has since I do pay for wwe. It is not easy to download peacock. I missed nxt this week. And I hate it. Please down make me give up on wwe and just watch RAW and Smackdown on 2 different channels until I can’t anymore. I just don’t like the change. I would like to think I am a valued customer and I want my wwe back the way that it was. How could you all pit wrestlemania on peacock not without knowing if you existing customers are able to watch from peacock. Which is difficult to add to my tv’s. Very disappointed
Excuse the writing and spelling. Just trying to give me opinion, but I am so upset right now.
I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.
I’d be curious to know what GUI you’re using–I assume you prefer to Amazon’s or you’d go back to rbox’s like I did.
I’ve stripped/debloated everything possible. The Amazon launcher and gui is gone. It boots straight into AppLauncher 4.0
You have the steps to do that by chance????
Any drawbacks to doing that?? Like did you lose any functionality?
I would like to know a method please if you could explain one to me
On a side note,today marks an anniversary of sorts for my two Gen 1 Fire TV’s. Three years ago today I blocked updates and they are still working perfectly!(Kudos to Elias for the great tutorials)
And how would I go about that please????
This post is from more than 2 years ago. Sadly I had to retire my Gen 1’s about a year ago. (Traded them in to Amazon towards Gen 2 Cubes) They reached a point where too many apps were no longer functional due to updated OS requirements from the developers.
I would like to know if I would be able to pick the channels I want to be able to watch.
You can literally watch 99% of anything you can think of on demand 100% free. All you need is an internet connection.
Can you please let me in on the secret
Show me ,,, Rickychalk@gmail.com
purchased fire stick with Alexa voice Dec 18
Local xfinity cable service cannot help me connect to some TV shows ie food network which should be free? Any suggestions have tried numerous times to connect with no suscces
That’s up to the cable company and networks to come to an agreement. It has nothing to do with Amazon or the Fire TV. Your only option is to complain to your cable company and/or the channel directly so that they know that you’re annoyed that they can’t come to an agreement to give you access that you’re already paying for.
I have just updated this guide for 2020 to include the new models that have since been released.
I can’t figure this out. MY AMAZON FIRE STICK SAYS
F.9L29Y not E9L29Y. Which model is it and what replacement remote can I get? I want an OEM if possible.
The first character on your Stick is probably either misprinted or damaged. You have a Fire TV Stick 4K. These are the two OEM remotes that it is compatible with:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6WJYD9/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6L2QCF/
If you want to watch hundreds of movies, tv series, and live channels, let me know: jgalvan1825@yahoo.com
Yes I do please help me with the right information to do so….
I have four FireTV Pendant models (2017}. informer true me they’re operating Fire OS 6; Android 7.1 Nougat; APK level 25; 4K resolution at 69fps; and audio support Dolby Atmos among others.
Is there any benefit to me to swap them out for the FireTV 4K Stick (latest gen) or does what I have do the same things?
Did Amazon Intentionally make the new Remotes – with the Volume and Power buttons – not able to Communicate with Older models?? I *Hope* that is not the Case. I bought three new remotes, the Seller stated that they would work “with Gen 2 Fire t.v.’s.” I have been Trying for Two weeks to get them to work. (I bought from Multiple Sellers.) None Work. I press the ‘Home’ button for Several minutes, after a fresh power re-set and it comes back up. I will Lose ‘A Lot’ of respect for Billionaire mr. Bezos…if he Did this deliberately
Anyone have any luck, with getting them to Work with the older Fire t.v.(S)??
You got “taken” because they are now (Specific To The Device.) From the 2nd. Gen. FireStick forward.
This is the remote you need for Fire TV (Gen.1&2)
The Fire TV’s remote used radio waves, whereas all the others(cubes, sticks, and the gen.3 Fire TV) used infrared.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071D41YC3?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Be prepared to lose “A Lot” of respect for Mr. Bezos. They don’t work with older Fire TV’s and are incompatible by design.
Ok so whenever i try to download the informer app it downloads and if i click it in files it just re-downloads and nothing else. I have a bricked amazon fire tv stick and need to figure out what version it is. Any help?
Is there any way to see the old versions of this post? There was an adb code that i need.
I’m trying to figure out witch fire stick I have it says Ly73pr for model number, but is it 1,2,3 or 4th gen??
2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick as stated in the article.
Don’t feed the TROLL!
Will a amazonbasic Gigabit USB 3.0 Ethernet adapter will work with a first Gen amazon TV firestick
NO, Sorry but it will NOT Work with FireStick at all.
Can anyone help with connecting my firestick to my fire cube? Is it possible? I know you can connect an external drive so I think it can be done with the firestick…or am I wrong? I don’t want to mess with it because I had my firestick set up pretty nice and my cube has been sitting on the shelf for a long time unused…ever
Why would you possibly want to do this? If you sign in with the same account on both the apps etc. will be there on the Cube.
Really! Why?
Do you have Fire TV Stick version 217 for sale.? It is the only one which will work for me as I don’t have to much mega bites to play with in my area.
I have had wwe to long not to be able to watch what I want whenever I want since I pay to do so. And because I am not able to download peacock I’ve missed NXT this week. I am so disappointed in wwe that they did not think a head for their customers that has been with them for years… I hope I will not have to give up and let wwe go… I hate this change guys. I’m sorry, but I do.
Does WWE bit work on all devices
Mine works fine in TV box
There are models not mentioned here.
I purchased a Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote.
It’s a 2nd Gen Fire Stick with a 2nd Gen Remote (which is the remote shown in the 3rd Gen Fire Stick and 1st Gen Fire Stick Lite).
You should update the post to reflect this.
The remote that came with the device makes no difference to which model it is. The 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick has shipped with 4 different remotes over the years but it’s still the same Stick, so you don’t need to care which remote came with the device to know which model/generation you have.
My grand lost my fire TV stick with Alexa voice Remote and I need to find the size to purchase another one. The sizes are; tx3, tx6 and cv98.
With all your effort and energy I’m sure you should have just bought a new stick and controller. They’re on sale now at $29. But they’re normally priced at $39. It sound like you used much more than that in energy and time.
Thanks so much for helping me identify my 2nd gen fire tv stick.
Hi thanks for the heads up re informer app. It works! I have an issue with Bluetooth on my Fire stick 1st Gen 4K bought Sept 2021. It did find and pair with my Samsung keyboard and Huawei tablet but now it can find any of them and has lost them in blue tooth devices listing. Any suggestions?
I have an Element Fire TV, which I see had to have been made in 2017. This info aside, even with the information provided I still can’t figure out which remote I will need to purchase as a replacement. The numbers given don’t match my serial number, is that what those numbers are? Or are they different and if so how do I find mine? I lost my remote and have been using an app on my phone and the WiFi isn’t always reliable to use it lol. Please help!!
Hi, thank you for this information, it’s so complete, but I’d like that you include Firestick 4K MAX
You bet! I just updated the guide with information on how to identify the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
Hi, I am confused, I recently purchased Fire stick 3rd generation (not knowing much about them, but trying to move with the times).
I am having very slow downloading, freezing, a remote where the volume buttons don’t work and none of the above remotes are the same as mine. The closest in appearance is the soundbar remote with primevideo, netflix, disney and amazon buttons.
Is this the quality I can expect from my firestick. I purchased at Argos if that makes any difference.
Thanks
Debbie
I need a new power cord for my Amazon 2nd generation fire tv Any suggestions ?
I’m looking for a Fire stick 4K that runs Android 9 as I’m integrating this into my home automation system (www.home-assistant.io/integrations/androidtv
Which 4K edition did ship with Android 9?
Really need this in a chart to easily compare versions.
Yes, I’m shocked I can’t find a chart anywhere ESPECIALLY HERE. I want to know if I should update any of my models but it’s a royal pain trying to understand what I would gain to update.