Kindle Fire Smart DNS Services Compared
Note: Due to limitations with the Amazon AppStore, access to some apps will require a valid credit card from a specific region. For example, the BBC iPlayer requires a UK credit card, while Hulu Plus requires a US credit card. Smart DNS technology cannot work as a solution to this particular issue.
The Kindle Fire, developed by Amazon, is a tablet computer and e-reader, which utilises a version of Android, known as Fire OS. In addition to it providing access to e-books, users are able to run various internet-based streaming video apps, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu Plus.
Access to some apps is limited to people living in select countries, while services like Netflix offer completely different content from region to region. Unfortunately, due to the fact that they use automatic region detection, customers are unable to manually switch regions and access blocked content. This is where Smart DNS comes in.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Kindle Fire
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Kindle Fire- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromebook,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Linux,
- Mac OS X,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sony Smart TV,
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- 1 Month: $4.90
- 3 Months: $12.90
- 12 Months: $39.90
- 24 Months: $49.90
- Life Time: $150
- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Mac OS X,
- Nexus Player,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
- WDTV,
- Wii,
- Wii U,
- Windows,
- Windows 10,
- Windows Phone 8,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
30 Days Moneyback Guarantee
- 1 Month: $4.95/Mo
- 6 Months: $4.58/Mo
- 12 Months: $4.16/Mo
- 24 Months: $3.29/Mo
Smart DNS
By signing up for a Smart DNS service, Kindle Fire users are able to switch their internet region and circumvent geographical blocking. This process involves connecting to a proxy server in another part of the world, which obscures the user's true location and makes it seem as if their internet connection stems from that server.
So, to give an example, a Netflix customer in the United Kingdom would usually have access to the UK content library only. However, by connecting to a Smart DNS server in the United States, their internet connection would be made to seem as if it was coming from the US, and Netflix would load its US content library instead.
The redirection of DNS queries only occurs when visiting a supported website or using a supported app, so all other online activity remains as normal. Smart DNS does not cause any noticeable slowdown, making it ideal for use with streaming services. Moreover, there is no need to install software and it can be used on a large number of devices.
Step-By-Step Smart DNS Setup
Once you have found a Smart DNS service which suits your needs and have registered for an account, you should be given DNS settings to use. These settings need to be entered on the device you wish to use the service with. To do this on a Kindle Fire, follow the steps below:
- From the home screen, click on the 'Settings' icon in the top right.
- Go to 'More...', followed by 'Wireless Network'.
- Click once on your active network, write down the number next to 'IP Address' and then click 'Cancel'.
- Press and hold on the same network, then select 'Advanced Settings'.
- Tap on the box next to 'Use Static IP'.
- In the field next to 'IP Address', enter the IP address you wrote down in step 3.
- For the 'Router' field, enter the same number again, but delete everything after the final dot and replace it with a "1". For example, xxx.xxx.x.115 would become xxx.xxx.x.1
- Set your 'Subnet Mask' to 255.255.255.0.
- In the 'DNS 1' and 'DNS 2' fields, enter the DNS settings you were given when you signed up for your Smart DNS account. Then click 'Next' or 'Home' to finish this stage of the setup.
After completing the above steps, it is essential that you restart your Kindle Fire. You can also sign in to your Smart DNS client area from the device's web browser and check that the setup has been successful. However, there is one more significant step to take before actually making use of the service.
IP Address Entry
This last step involves adding your IP address to the approved database managed by your Smart DNS service. Depending on the provider you have registered with, it may be possible to do this by going to your account and clicking on an authentication link. Yet, with other providers, you might need to enter the address manually.
As you already wrote down your IP address during the setup process, this should be relatively straight forward. Simply visit the provider's web page and follow their instructions for adding the address. You will need to repeat the process whenever your IP address changes, regardless of which IP address entry method you used.
You are now ready to make use of Smart DNS. Sign in to your account to double check that the settings are correct and to select your desired region. The next time you use a supported service, you should benefit from the re-routing process and have access to region-restricted content.