Are you an Xfinity subscriber interested in cutting the cord? Want to reduce cable box fees and get more flexibility in how you watch live TV? If so, you‘ll be excited to learn you can now install Xfinity Stream on your Amazon Firestick.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to get Xfinity up and running on your Fire TV streaming device. We‘ll cover:
- The benefits of streaming Xfinity vs. using a cable box
- Steps for installing the Xfinity app on Firestick
- Activating with your Xfinity account credentials
- Tips for customizing streams and managing your account
- Troubleshooting guide for common Xfinity on Firestick issues
- How Xfinity Stream fits into the cord-cutting landscape
By the end of this tutorial, you‘ll be able to eliminate cable box rentals and watch your full Xfinity TV package on your Firestick. Let‘s get started!
Why Stream Xfinity on Firestick?
Traditional cable boxes can be expensive, rigid, and frustrating to use. According to Consumer Reports, the average cable TV subscriber pays $144 per year just to rent a set-top box! With Xfinity Stream, you can bypass cable boxes entirely and stream all your live and on demand content directly through a Firestick.
Here are some key benefits of using Xfinity Stream on Firestick:
- Save money – No cable box rentals, which cost an average of $12/month
- Watch anywhere – Stream on any TV with a Firestick, not just where your cable box is
- More flexibility – Xfinity Stream allows 3 simultaneous streams per account
- Intuitive interface – Easy to browse and search catalogs for finding content
- Built-in cloud DVR – Record your favorite shows to watch on your schedule
- On demand access – Huge library of shows, movies, and news available instantly
- Better control – Pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV
According to Parks Research, over 50 million U.S. households now use streaming devices like Firestick regularly. Xfinity Stream is the best way for Xfinity subscribers to join the streaming TV revolution while keeping their existing cable packages.
Xfinity Stream Compatible Firestick Models
Xfinity Stream can be installed on any Amazon Firestick and Fire TV model, including:
- Fire TV Stick (1st and 2nd Gen)
- Fire TV Stick 4K
- Fire TV Cube
- Fire TV Stick Lite
Of these, I recommend the Firestick 4K for the smoothest Xfinity streaming experience. With its faster 1.7 GHz processor and support for 4K HDR content, the Firestick 4K can handle the demands of streaming live cable TV with less lag and higher quality.
Fire TV devices with Ethernet ports like the Firestick 4K allow for wired internet connections via Ethernet adapter. This is useful if your WiFi is prone to buffering when streaming large amounts of data.
According to tests from Tom‘s Guide, the Firestick 4K delivered the fastest load times for apps like Hulu and Netflix versus other Fire TV models. This speed advantage applies to Xfinity Stream as well.
No matter which Firestick model you choose, just make sure your home internet speeds meet Xfinity‘s minimum requirements:
- Minimum 10 Mbps download for HD quality
- 25 Mbps recommended for multi-device streaming
Faster download speeds will enable the highest Xfinity Stream video quality with minimal buffering issues.
Step 1 – Installing Xfinity Stream from the Appstore
To install Xfinity Stream on your Firestick, follow these steps:
- From the Firestick home screen, select the "Find" option
- Use the on-screen keyboard to search for "Xfinity Stream"
- Choose the Xfinity Stream app from the search results
- Click the "Get" button to begin the install process
- Wait 2-3 minutes for the app installation to fully complete
The Xfinity Stream app is free to download from the Amazon Appstore. Once installed, you‘ll see the Xfinity Stream icon added to your Firestick‘s apps library:
With the app installed, it‘s time to link your Xfinity account and activate streaming.
Step 2 – Activating Xfinity Stream with Your Account
Opening the Xfinity Stream app for the first time triggers the activation process for linking your Xfinity account. You‘ll be asked to generate an activation code that looks like "A1B2C3D4".
Important: Write this code down or take a photo of it with your phone. You‘ll need to enter it on the Xfinity website to complete activation.
Next, grab a phone, tablet, or laptop and visit xfinity.com/authorize. Enter the activation code from your Firestick when prompted.
Finally, log in with your Xfinity credentials when redirected to the sign in page. Use the same account details you‘d use to sign into your Xfinity account online.
Once you enter your code and sign in, your Xfinity Stream app will be successfully linked to your Xfinity account. The whole process takes just a few minutes.
With activation complete, it‘s time to start streaming your cable favorites!
Step 3 – Streaming Xfinity Cable Content on Firestick
The Xfinity Stream interface makes it easy to browse and play all the live TV and on demand content included in your Xfinity package.
Here are some tips for customizing Xfinity Stream on your Firestick to maximize your experience:
- Add favorite channels to the home screen for quick access
- Set up unique user profiles for each person in your home
- Manage parental controls and restrictions for kids‘ profiles
- Record shows to the cloud DVR by selecting the record option
- Download content to watch offline when internet access is limited
- Stream to 2 devices simultaneously (3 streams allowed for X1 subscribers)
Xfinity Stream truly delivers the full cable TV experience. With your subscription, you get the same live channels, DVR, video on demand, and more without the need for any cable boxes.
Combine it with free over-the-air TV via an HD antenna or streaming services like Netflix for the ultimate cord-cutting setup.
Troubleshooting Xfinity Stream on Firestick
While Xfinity Stream is generally quick and easy to set up, you may encounter occasional issues like:
- Activation failures
- Missing channels
- Playback errors and buffering
- Poor video quality
- Problems with subtitles or closed captioning
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into any streaming problems:
Can‘t activate app – Double check your internet connection, re-enter activation code, restart app/Firestick
Channels missing – Check account status online, restore licenses in app menu, reauthorize Xfinity account
Buffering or lag – Ensure internet speeds meet 25Mbps minimum, use wired connection or Ethernet adapter
Poor quality – Lower quality setting in app, restart Firestick, check coaxial cable connections
Subtitle issues – Adjust subtitle options, enable closed captions in device settings
For any persistent Xfinity Stream problems, you can contact Xfinity customer support or consider switching to a competing device like Roku that may provide better performance.
Xfinity Stream and Cutting the Cord
While Xfinity Stream requires an existing Xfinity TV subscription, it can still be an important part of a broader cord-cutting strategy.
Rather than paying for 150+ cable channels, many savvy cord-cutters are opting for cheaper "skinny bundles" with just 20-40 key channels. Popular options like YouTube TV ($65/month) and Hulu Live TV ($70/month) offer the flexibility of streaming paired with a targeted channel lineup.
Xfinity Internet customers can add a similarly sized channel bundle and then use Xfinity Stream on Firestick to deliver it. This eliminates massive cable bills while still providing access to critical live sports, news, and entertainment.
Pair skinny bundle streaming with free over-the-air TV, Netflix, and other digital entertainment sources. Xfinity Stream on Firestick seamlessly brings key cable channels into this mix.
While Xfinity availability is limited by region, competitors like Spectrum and Optimum offer similar apps for their subscribers. Test a free trial of DirecTV or YouTube TV to compare.
Get Xfinity Working on Your Firestick Today
Thanks to Xfinity Stream, Firestick owners can now ditch cable boxes and stream live TV flexibly across different rooms and devices. Just download the app, activate with your Xfinity account, and enjoy cable content from the comfort of your Firestick.
In this guide, I covered everything from setup instructions to customization tips to troubleshooting advice. Now you have the knowledge to turn your Firestick into the ultimate Xfinity streaming device.
Stop paying cable box fees and enjoy your favorite shows on your terms. Pair Xfinity with OTA antenna broadcasts and streaming services to maximize your entertainment.
Let me know if you have any other questions about watching Xfinity on Firestick! I‘m happy to help you get set up.
