Activating PBS on Amazon Fire TV Stick

Amazon Fire TV is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the United States, and getting PBS set up on it is a simple process. Whether you have a Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick Lite, or a Fire TV Cube, the steps below apply to all models. Let's get started.

Before You Begin

  • Your Fire TV Stick must be plugged in, powered on, and connected to the internet.
  • You'll need a free PBS account. If you don't have one, create one at pbs.org before starting.
  • Have a phone, tablet, or computer nearby to complete the activation at pbs.org/activate.
  • Optionally: a PBS Passport membership linked to your PBS account for extended content access.

Step 1: Find and Install the PBS App

  1. From the Fire TV home screen, use the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top of the screen, or press the microphone button on your remote and say "PBS".
  2. Select PBS from the search results. Make sure you're choosing the official PBS app, not a third-party clone.
  3. On the app's detail page, select Get or Download. The app will install automatically.
  4. Once downloaded, select Open to launch the PBS app.

Step 2: Access the Sign In / Activate Screen

  1. When the PBS app opens, you'll see the main home screen with featured content.
  2. Navigate to the menu (usually by pressing left on the remote's navigation ring) and select Sign In.
  3. Choose Sign In on Web or Activate Device — the exact wording may vary slightly by app version, but both lead to the same result.
  4. An activation code will appear on your TV screen. Note it down — you'll need it in the next step.

Step 3: Activate at pbs.org/activate

  1. On a separate device, open a web browser and navigate to pbs.org/activate.
  2. If you're not already signed in to your PBS account, do so now (or create a free account).
  3. Enter the activation code exactly as it appears on your TV — codes are case-sensitive.
  4. Click Activate. The website will confirm that activation was successful.

Step 4: Return to the PBS App

Switch back to your Fire TV. Within a few seconds, the PBS app should automatically detect the successful activation and log you in. If it doesn't refresh on its own, press the back button on your Fire TV remote and relaunch the app — you should be signed in.

Using Alexa to Find PBS Content

One advantage of Fire TV is Alexa voice control. Once PBS is activated, you can use voice commands to find content quickly:

  • "Alexa, open PBS" — launches the PBS app directly.
  • "Alexa, play NOVA on PBS" — navigates to NOVA content in the PBS app.
  • "Alexa, find Masterpiece on PBS" — searches for Masterpiece within the app.

Note that Alexa's deep integration with the PBS app may vary. If a voice command doesn't take you directly to content, it will at minimum open the app so you can browse from there.

Setting Up PBS Passport on Fire TV

If you have a PBS Passport membership, it activates automatically as long as your Passport is linked to the same PBS account you used to sign in. To verify:

  1. In the PBS app on Fire TV, go to Settings or your account profile.
  2. Look for a membership status indicator. If Passport is active, Passport-labeled content throughout the app will be unlocked.
  3. If it shows as inactive, sign out of the app and sign back in — this often refreshes the membership status.

Keeping the PBS App Updated on Fire TV

Amazon Fire TV devices generally update apps automatically, but you can manually check by going to Settings > Applications > Appstore > Automatic Updates and ensuring this is enabled. Keeping the PBS app current ensures you have access to the latest features, content libraries, and bug fixes.

Quick Recap

  1. Search for and install the PBS app on your Fire TV.
  2. Open the app and navigate to Sign In / Activate.
  3. Note your activation code.
  4. Go to pbs.org/activate on another device and enter the code.
  5. Return to Fire TV — you're signed in and ready to watch.