If you own a Firestick, Fire TV, or Fire TV Cube, you can install the Bookmarker app to instantly access your favorite websites with just one click. This handy utility allows you to bookmark sites and launch them directly within the Silk or Firefox web browsers.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through the full process of:
- Downloading and installing Silk and Firefox browsers
- Getting the Bookmarker app from the Amazon Appstore
- Setting up your first bookmark
- Customizing bookmarks
- Removing Bookmarker
I‘ll also provide tips on getting the most out of Bookmarker based on my experience as an IT and cybersecurity professional. Let‘s get started!
An Introduction to the Amazon Fire TV Ecosystem
Before we dive into Bookmarker, let‘s briefly discuss Amazon‘s Fire TV products. The Fire TV streaming stick and Fire TV cube plug directly into your TV‘s HDMI port. The standalone Fire TV box connects your TV to your wired or wireless network.
According to market researcher Park Associates, Amazon Fire TV is now the #2 streaming platform in the US with over 50 million active users as of 2022.
Fire TV Device Ownership
| Device | % of Owners |
|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick | 67% |
| Fire TV Cube | 15% |
| Fire TV Edition Smart TV | 11% |
| Fire TV (box) | 7% |
The Fire TV interface provides access to over 30,000 apps and channels featuring movies, shows, music, games, and more. It‘s similar to Roku, Apple TV, or other streaming platforms.
Now let‘s look at getting Bookmarker running on these popular devices.
Step 1: Install Silk Browser on Your Fire TV
The Silk browser from Amazon comes preloaded on Firestick and Fire TV models manufactured after 2015. But if you have an older device or Silk disappeared, use these steps to download it:
-
Press the home button on your Fire TV remote and select the "Search" option. This opens a text input screen.
-
Use the on-screen keyboard to type in "Silk Browser". As you type, a dropdown will show the Silk Browser app. Highlight it and press Select.
-
You‘ll be taken to the Silk Browser app page. Choose the orange "Download" button.
-
A download progress bar will appear. Wait for the installation to complete fully. This takes less than a minute on most connections.
-
When finished, choose "Open" to launch the Silk Browser.
You can now use Silk to browse the web on your Fire TV. Next let‘s look at another option, Firefox.
Step 2: Install Firefox Browser on Fire TV
While Silk is decent, I recommend also installing Firefox on your Firestick or Fire TV device. Here is how:
-
From the Home screen, open the Search function again.
-
Type "Firefox" and select the Firefox app from the search results.
-
Choose the orange Download button on the Firefox app page.
-
Monitor the download status bar until Firefox finishes installing.
-
Select Open to launch Firefox for the first time.
Now you have two excellent browser choices for web surfing on your television. Next, let‘s look at the Bookmarker app which makes accessing sites even easier.
Firefox vs Silk Browser: Which Should You Use?
Before moving on, you may be wondering which of these browsers is better for browsing from Fire TV devices. Here is a quick comparison:
Firefox
- Open source browser from Mozilla
- Includes tracking protection
- Supports extensions like uBlock Origin
- Provides privacy options
- Syncs browsing history across devices
Silk
- Developed by Amazon for Fire OS
- Lightning quick page loading
- Integration with Amazon services
- Provides access to Amazon content
- More limited extension support
Both browsers allow you to successfully use Bookmarker. However, Firefox is generally considered more secure and private. I typically recommend using Firefox when possible for sensitive browsing and online shopping.
But it‘s perfectly fine to have both installed and switch between them as needed. Now let‘s move on to getting Bookmarker setup.
Step 3: Install the Bookmarker App on Fire TV
Bookmarker is an unoffical utility available on the Amazon Appstore that lets you bookmark sites for quick access. Here is how to install it:
-
On your Fire TV device, open the "Search" function from the Home screen again.
-
Type in "Bookmarker" and select the "Bookmarker 1" app from the search results.
-
Highlight Bookmarker 1 and press the Select button.
-
On the Bookmarker 1 app page, choose the orange "Get" button to download it.
-
Once the installation finishes, select "Open" to launch Bookmarker for the first time.
The initial Bookmarker setup only takes a minute or two. Now let‘s configure your first bookmark.
Step 4: Setup Your First Bookmark in Bookmarker
When you open Bookmarker for the first time, you‘ll be prompted to enter a website URL:
-
Use the on-screen keyboard to type in the full address of the site you want to bookmark. For example,
https://www.myfavoritesite.com. -
Next, choose either Silk or Firefox for opening this bookmark.
-
Finally, select the "Save Settings" button.
Bookmarker will confirm your first bookmark is saved. Now let‘s look at using it.
Step 5: Launching Websites Using Your Bookmark
Once you‘ve set up at least one bookmark in Bookmarker, opening those sites is simple:
-
From the Home screen on your Fire TV device, select the Bookmarker app.
-
Bookmarker will automatically open either Silk or Firefox, depending on what you chose during setup.
-
The browser will immediately load the website you bookmarked.
Just like that, you have one-click access to your favorite sites from the Fire TV interface!
Step 6: Customizing and Removing Bookmarks
Over time, you may want to manage your bookmarks by adding new ones, modifying existing ones, or deleting those you no longer need.
Here is how to update Bookmarker settings:
-
From the Home screen, go to "Settings" > "Applications" > "Manage Installed Applications"
-
Select the Bookmarker app you want to modify.
-
Choose "Clear data" to reset it. This removes any existing bookmark.
-
Type in a new URL and pick Silk or Firefox.
-
Select "Save Settings" to apply your changes.
To uninstall a Bookmarker entirely:
-
Go to "Settings" > "Applications" > "Manage Installed Applications"
-
Pick the Bookmarker app you want to remove.
-
Select "Uninstall" and confirm deletion.
And that‘s all there is to it! Now let‘s dive into some pro tips for using Bookmarker effectively.
Expert Tips for Managing Bookmarks on Fire TV
As an IT professional with over 5 years of experience, here are my top recommendations for bookmarking best practices:
-
Categorize your bookmarks – Use multiple Bookmarker apps to group sites logically. For example, have one for news, another for shopping, one for social media, etc. Makes finding bookmarks easier.
-
Use bookmarks sparingly – Don‘t go overboard. Stick to your 5-10 most frequently accessed sites. Too many bookmarks creates clutter.
-
Review your bookmarks periodically – Reevaluate your list yearly and prune unused or outdated bookmarks. Keeps things clean.
-
Use Bookmark Folders browser extensions – If you really want lots of bookmarks, use the Folders extensions in Firefox or Silk to neatly organize them there. Integrates with Bookmarker.
-
Clear bookmarks before lending your device – Other users don‘t need access to your personalized bookmarks. Wipe Bookmarker apps when sharing your Firestick or Fire TV temporarily.
Following these tips will help you get the maximum benefit out of bookmarking while avoiding common pitfalls like clutter.
Troubleshooting Bookmarker Issues on Fire TV
Despite being handy, Bookmarker is an unofficial utility so occasionally you may encounter glitches like:
- App crashing or freezing
- Bookmarks not loading properly
- Certain sites don‘t work
- Errors saving settings
Here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
- Reboot your Fire TV device
- Reinstall the Bookmarker app having issues
- Try a different web browser
- Enable apps from unknown sources
- Check for OS or Bookmarker app updates
- Try connecting via Ethernet instead of WiFi
- Clear app cache and data
- Use a VPN service to change regions
With a bit of trial and error, you should be able to sort out any hiccups. But overall, when working properly, Bookmarker is very convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bookmarker
Here are answers to some common questions about the Bookmarker utility:
How many Bookmarker apps can I have on my Fire TV device?
You can install up to 9 Bookmarker apps to bookmark different sites.
How much storage does each Bookmarker app use?
Very little – each one is only 1.7MB in size.
What Fire OS version does Bookmarker require?
It needs Fire OS 5.0 or newer. Older versions are not supported.
Can I restore my bookmarks if I uninstall Bookmarker?
No, removing a Bookmarker app deletes its bookmark. You would need to set it up again from scratch.
What web browsers work with Bookmarker?
It supports Silk and Firefox. Other 3rd party browsers may also work but are not officially compatible.
Why doesn‘t Bookmarker work with some websites?
It may fail to load sites due to an invalid URL, system issues, network problems, or regional restrictions. Using a VPN often resolves geographic blocks.
Can I use Bookmarker on non-Fire TV devices?
No, it is only available as an app on Firestick, Fire TV and Fire TV Cube devices. It does not work on other platforms.
How long does Bookmarker take to setup with the first bookmark?
Just a minute or two to download and configure the app with your initial site.
I hope these troubleshooting tips and FAQs help you get the most out of the Bookmarker utility! Let me know if any other questions come up.
Conclusion
If you own an Amazon Fire TV streaming device, take the time to get the Bookmarker app installed. It only takes a few minutes to start enjoying one-click access to your favorite sites.
The ability to instantly launch bookmarks without fiddling with browsers can save you time everyday. Just be sure to follow bookmark management best practices, and don‘t be afraid to tweak bookmarks or try troubleshooting steps if you encounter issues.
Here‘s wishing you happy surfing on your Firestick or Fire TV! Feel free to reach out if you need any help getting Bookmarker configured.
