The official Downloader app by AFTVNews is missing from Amazon App Store.

If you already have Downloader installed on your Fire TV device it will continue working.  This is only a problem for those who are trying to install it.

We are hoping that this is a temporary problem.  Elias, the developer, commented on his website about this earlier today.

Amazon has suspended my Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore for Fire TVs and Fire Tablets. I expect that this is a temporary suspension and that the app will soon be restored.

Amazon’s reason for suspending Downloader was given as: “Amazon restricts the publication of third-party browser apps on Fire tablets and Fire TV devices.” Since Downloader on Fire TVs has had a built-in browser for over 9 years, I suspect the issue isn’t the browser itself, but that the app now registers itself as a browser since the v2 release earlier this month, so that it can open links from other apps.

I’ve submitted a v2.0.2 update for Downloader to Amazon that no longer registers itself as a browser, which matches the behavior it previously had. I’m hopeful that Amazon will approve this version and restore Downloader in the Amazon Appstore. The update was submitted this morning, and it usually takes Amazon a few days to test and approve submissions.

Let’s hope that this is temporary and is reinstated quickly by the Amazon Fire TV team.

If you currently do a search for the Downloader app within Amazon App Store you may stumble upon the following application.  This is not the real Downloader app!  The one you want to install is developer by AFTVNews.  This one is developed by SUPONO HOLDINGS LTD.

The real Downloader logo looks like this.

We suggest waiting a few days to see if Downloader is reinstated and install it at that time.

This adds to the list of ridiculous policing that we’ve seen in the past year by the Amazon powers-to-be.  This is yet another reason why we are now pointing people to Android TV Boxes as they don’t have these ridiculous restrictions.  Downloader is still available for install through Google Play on these devices.

Best Android TV Boxes