Have you ever tried to install an app on your Firestick only to find it doesn‘t fit the screen properly? Apps made for smartphones often display sideways or zoomed in when sideloaded onto Firestick.
This can render apps unusable.
Luckily, there‘s a simple fix. By installing Set Orientation on your Firestick, you can automatically adjust the orientation of any sideloaded app to perfectly fit your TV.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll show you how to install Set Orientation in just minutes. I‘ll also demonstrate how to use it to orient any app from the Google Play Store, third-party stores, or unofficial APK files.
Let‘s get started!
What is Sideloading and Why Do You Need Set Orientation?
The ability to install apps outside the Amazon Appstore is what makes Firestick so powerful. This process of manually installing apps is called "sideloading".
It opens up thousands of new apps not officially available on Fire TV.
Here are some examples of what you can get through sideloading:
- Apps and games from the Google Play Store
- Third-party app stores like Aptoide TV
- Unofficial video streaming apps
- Ad blockers like Blockada
- Android emulators for gaming
- Kodi and unique Kodi builds
And much more. The possibilities are endless when you go beyond the Amazon Appstore.
But there‘s a catch. Most apps found online are designed for smartphones and mobile devices. When sideloaded onto Firestick, they won‘t display correctly on your TV screen.
You‘ll often see the app sideways, upside down, or zoomed in. This makes many apps unusable until you fix the orientation.
According to a 2022 survey, 93% of Fire TV users sideload apps onto their devices. But without Set Orientation, 61% experienced orientation issues.
This is where Set Orientation comes in. It‘s a simple utility app that rotates any sideloaded app to fit the landscape orientation of your Firestick.
With Set Orientation properly installed, you can sideload practically any app imaginable while retaining perfect visuals on your television.
It‘s an essential tool for any Firestick owner looking to maximize the device‘s capabilities. Let‘s install it together!
Step-by-Step Guide to Install Set Orientation on Firestick & Fire TV
Installing Set Orientation only takes a minute. All you need is the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore to get started.
Here is a foolproof walkthrough:
1. Enable Apps from Unknown Sources
First, we need to enable installation of apps outside the Appstore. This option is disabled by default for security.
Go into your Firestick settings, then select "My Fire TV" or "Device" depending on your model.
From here, choose the "Developer Options" menu. Turn on "Apps from Unknown Sources" and "ADB Debugging".
Enabling these two settings allows installation of third-party APK files using the Downloader tool in the next step.
2. Install Downloader App
The Downloader app provides the ability to directly install APK files onto your Firestick.
Search for "Downloader" in the Amazon Appstore and install it. This is an official Amazon app that is 100% safe to use.
Note: Some newer Firestick models come with Downloader pre-installed so you can skip this step.
3. Open Downloader and Install Set Orientation
Once Downloader is installed, open it and enter the following URL in the text box:
https://bit.ly/Downloader-SetOrientation
This will connect you to the APK file for the latest version of Set Orientation. Click through the prompts to download and install it onto your device.
The entire process takes less than a minute. After installing, you‘ll be able to open Set Orientation from the app drawer.
And that‘s it! Set Orientation is now ready to fix orientation issues with any of your sideloaded apps.
How to Use Set Orientation for Perfect App Alignment
Using Set Orientation is just as easy as installing it. Here‘s how to configure it for your Firestick:
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Launch the Set Orientation app
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Choose Automatic mode
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Click OK to save settings
That‘s all there is to it! Set Orientation will now run silently in the background and monitor any apps you open.
It will automatically adjust the orientation to fit your Firestick‘s landscape screen.
You don‘t need to open Set Orientation again or change settings for each individual app. Just set it and forget it!
To demonstrate the difference Set Orientation makes, here is the Aptoide TV app before and after:
As you can see, apps display perfectly with this handy utility installed.
I recommend setting Set Orientation to run automatically as soon as you begin sideloading apps. This prevents any headaches down the road.
Now let‘s go over some pro tips for getting the most out of Set Orientation.
Advanced Tips for Using Set Orientation Like a Pro
Here are some expert recommendations for flawless app orientation:
Check for updates in Set Orientation – The developer occasionally releases new versions with bug fixes and improvements. Open it periodically to check for updates.
Reboot after installation – After installing Set Orientation for the first time, reboot your Firestick. This ensures the service initializes properly.
Use Mouse Toggle for touchscreen apps – Some apps still require touch even with Set Orientation. Install Mouse Toggle to use your remote as a mouse pointer.
Manually select on a per-app basis – You can also manually choose orientation in Set Orientation for specific problematic apps as needed.
Clear app data if issues persist – As a last resort, clear cache and data for the app itself. This wipes any previous orientation settings.
Following these tips will guarantee all your sideloaded apps work flawlessly with Set Orientation.
Risks of Improperly Oriented Apps
Here are some issues you may encounter without properly aligning sideloaded apps:
- Buttons may be inaccessible making apps unusable
- Content will run off-screen or be cropped
- Video playback may be sideways or upside down
- Games will not display correctly
- You‘ll only see a zoomed-in portion of the app
Misaligned apps ruin the Firestick experience. With Set Orientation, you can avoid these headaches entirely.
But what if you need more advanced orientation functionality? Keep reading for alternatives.
Beyond Set Orientation: Other Orientation Tools for Firestick
Set Orientation will work for most users‘ needs. But there are other tools that provide additional options:
Rotation Control – This app offers granular control over screen orientation. You can set per app, lock orientation, and more.
AutoRotate – Automatically switch between landscape and portrait modes on Firestick. Useful for apps that work better in portrait.
Ultimate Rotation Control – Similar to Rotation Control but with even more settings and customization.
Screen Rotation Control – Open source orientation manager alternative with tasker support.
These tools give you more advanced control compared to Set Orientation. But they are harder to configure for the average user.
I recommend trying Set Orientation first. But if you need more flexibility, explore options like Rotation Control.
Now let‘s wrap up with some frequent questions about this great utility app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about installing Set Orientation:
What devices can I install Set Orientation on?
Set Orientation works with all Fire TV models including Firestick, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Omni, etc. You can also install it on other Android TV devices.
Is Set Orientation available in the Amazon Appstore?
Unfortunately, Set Orientation is not currently distributed in the Amazon Appstore. You need to sideload the APK file using Downloader.
Do I need to setup Set Orientation for each individual app?
No! Just set it to Automatic mode and Set Orientation will orient any app in the background as needed.
What happens if I factory reset my device?
You‘ll need to reinstall Set Orientation using the Downloader method again if you factory reset. Your settings will not be saved.
Can Set Orientation fix HDCP errors?
No, Set Orientation is purely for adjusting app orientation. For HDCP issues, you would need a solution like HDCP Bypass.
And there you have it! You‘re now a pro on using Set Orientation to enhance app alignment on your Firestick.
Follow this guide to get it installed and configured in just a few minutes. Then enjoy perfectly displayed apps and unlimited new capabilities.
Happy streaming!
