Hey there! Looking for a way to stream live TV for free? If so, STIR is a great option worth checking out.
STIRR offers 200+ free live channels covering news, sports, movies, shows, and more. The app is available on tons of devices too – Firestick, iPhone, Android, Roku, you name it!
In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to download and install STIR on all your devices. You’ll learn how to:
- Get STIR on Firestick in just minutes
- Install the STIR app on your iPhone or Android
- Watch STIR online on your computer
- Use STIR‘s features like local channels, DVR and VOD
- Fix any issues with streaming or app performance
Plus I’ll provide background on who owns STIR, how it stacks up to other free services, its channel lineup and more.
So whether you‘re a cord cutter, want to reduce monthly bills, or just looking for more content options, STIR delivers free live TV worth checking out. Let‘s dive in!
Overview of STIR – A Free Streaming Contender
First, what exactly is STIR? STIR is an ad-supported free streaming TV service owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
You may be familiar with Sinclair from local broadcast affiliates like ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX that they own across the country. STIR represents their entry into the free streaming space.
Launched in 2019, STIR has quickly grown its channel lineup to over 200 channels spanning:
- Local News
- Sports like NFL, NBA, MLB
- Movies and Entertainment
- Lifestyle, Cooking, Comedy
- Viral Videos
- And more!
STIR is totally free and doesn‘t require any login or subscription. Of course, it does show ads during programming like most free services.
The concept of free live TV streaming has exploded in popularity in recent years. Services like Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Xumo and more now deliver free content supported by ads.
In fact, ad-supported video on demand grew 40% in 2020 to reach 136 million monthly active users in the U.S. according to research from Comscore.
As high cable bills drive consumers to cut the cord, free streaming providers fill the gap. STIR joins this movement to capture market share with its large broadcast owner Sinclair behind it.
Compared to other free competitors, STIR comes out strong:
- Wider range of content beyond just movies and viral clips
- Focus on local programming based on your location
- Cloud DVR capability in select markets
- Broad device availability like Fire TV, Roku, computers, iOS, Android
While STIR lags rivals in total channels, its local content and name recognition with Sinclair gives it an edge. STIR also faces less risk of content being removed compared to apps aggregating third-party channels.
The bottom line is STIR makes for a competitive free option to supplement your streaming lineup. And best of all, it costs nothing to try!
Now let’s walk through installing STIR on all your devices.
Detailed Guide to Getting STIR on Firestick
Firestick remains one of the most popular streaming devices – and for good reason. It‘s affordable, easy to use, and grants access to tons of apps and channels.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to install STIR on any Firestick model including the Firestick 4K:
Step 1) From the Firestick home screen, use the search icon to search for “STIRR”
Step 2) Select the STIR app from the search results
Step 3) Choose "Download" to install STIR on your Firestick
Step 4) Once the app download completes, pick "Open" to launch it
Step 5) STIR will open right away so you can start browsing free channels!
Here’s a quick visual guide of the process:
And that‘s all it takes to get up and running with STIR on Firestick in about 1 minute!
Pretty painless right? Now just kick back and start watching free live TV.
Fixing STIR App Issues on Firestick
Hopefully you get STIR working on your Firestick without any hiccups. But if you face issues, here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
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Can‘t Find App – Double check spelling and try searching again. Or find STIR through the Amazon App Store categories.
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App Not Installing – Check your internet connection and restart your Firestick. Also make sure you have enough storage space.
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Buffering/Lagging Streams – Slow internet speeds are the main culprit. Try disconnecting other devices using your internet or watch STIR during off-peak hours.
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No Sound – Go to STIR settings > Audio Options and change/fix the sound output. Troubleshoot the TV audio setup if needed.
Taking a minute to address any Firestick problems will typically get you streaming STIR again. But feel free to contact their support if issues persist.
Now let‘s move on to phones and tablets…
Install STIR Easily on Your iPhone or Android
In addition to Firestick, you can install STIR as an app on your iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet.
This gives you live and local TV access on all your mobile devices. We‘ll cover both platforms:
Get STIR on Your iPhone or iPad
Thanks to the Apple App Store, installing STIR on iOS devices like iPhone or iPad only takes a moment:
Step 1) Open the App Store on your iPhone/iPad
Step 2) Search for "STIRR" in the search bar
Step 3) Tap "Get" to download and install the STIR app
Step 4) Enter your Apple ID password if asked
Step 5) Once installed, tap the STIR app icon to open it
Here‘s a view of downloading STIR on an iPhone:
And that‘s all it takes – you‘ll be watching free channels on your iPhone or iPad in under a minute.
Download STIR on Your Android Device
You can also add STIR to your Android phone or tablet quickly using the Google Play store:
Step 1) Open the Play Store on your Android device
Step 2) Search for "STIRR"
Step 3) Tap "Install" to download STIR
Step 4) Tap "Open" once the install completes
Step 5) STIR will open up ready to start streaming channels
Here is the STIR download process on an Android tablet:
Just like that, you can access and watch STIR‘s free live TV on any Android device.
Having the app on your mobile devices lets you take live channels, local news and more on the go wherever you are.
Troubleshooting Mobile App Issues
Hopefully STIR downloads and runs smoothly on your Apple or Android device. But here are some quick troubleshooting tips if you encounter issues:
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Can‘t Login – STIR does not require any login or signup. If it‘s prompting you, try reinstalling the app.
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Missing Channels – Make sure your location access is enabled so STIR can provide local content.
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App Crashing – Try force closing the app and clear cache/data if needed. Updating the app can also help.
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Buffering/Lagging – Check your wifi or cellular data connectivity. Also close other apps using bandwidth.
As with any app, addressing basic connectivity and settings issues will typically resolve problems. But feel free to contact STIR support if your app problems persist.
Now let‘s cover watching STIR on your computer.
How to Stream STIR on Your Windows PC or Mac
Part of what makes STIR so versatile is it‘s available for streaming directly on your Windows or Mac computer.
You can visit STIR‘s website stirr.com and start watching online in seconds:
Step 1) Open your preferred web browser on your computer
Step 2) Go to stirr.com
Step 3) Pick your closest city for local programming
Step 4) Browse channels and click on a program to start watching
Step 5) STIR will open the live stream directly in your browser
Here‘s an example of STIR playing live TV through its website on a laptop:
No apps to install or configure – just directly watch STIR web streams on any computer.
Plus you get the full channel lineup and ability to pause/rewind live TV through the website.
Having access online makes it easy to pull up STIR at work, school, or anywhere with a computer and internet connection. It serves as the perfect complement to mobile and living room viewing.
Now let‘s explore STIR‘s features and functionalities across platforms.
STIR Features and Capabilities Overview
Once you have STIR set up on your devices, here is an overview of core features and how to use the service:
Huge Channel Lineup
STIRR offers over 200 free live channels covering:
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Local News – Get broadcast news tailored to your market. Change location to access news from other cities.
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Sports – NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports, tennis and more. A sports fan‘s dream!
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Entertainment – Movies, shows, comedy, lifestyle, travel, culture, viral videos and more.
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Kids – Family friendly channels for children‘s programming and cartoons.
You can browse the full channel guide online anytime. Sports nuts will love the huge array of sports programming. Families can enjoy kids‘ content free. And news junkies can get 24/7 local coverage.
Location-Based Programming
One unique aspect of STIR is how it uses your location to provide local programming tailored to where you live.
Examples include:
- Local news broadcasts
- Regional sports coverage of local teams
- Events, politics and happenings in your city
- Hyperlocal weather reports
- Local affiliate channel feeds like ABC, NBC, FOX and more
This localization really delivers relevant content to users. You can always change your location within STIR‘s settings if you want to access channels and news from other cities.
But out of the box, it dials into channels for where you are to mix national and regional programming – pretty cool!
Cloud DVR to Record Shows
Here‘s a killer feature that really sets STIR apart from other free options: built-in cloud DVR functionality.
This allows you to record live shows and save them to watch later. Just use the record button on mobile apps or website to save anything airing currently.
Recorded shows are then conveniently stored in My Library > Recordings to play on-demand anytime.
Cloud DVR expands STIR‘s functionality and value tremendously. Unfortunately it‘s only available in select markets right now.
But definitely check your app‘s settings to see if you can use cloud DVR in your location. If so, put it to work recording any shows, news, movies or games you want access to later!
Huge On-Demand Library
In addition to 200+ live channels, STIR gives you access to a vast on-demand library with:
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Movies – Thousands of movies spanning action, drama, comedy, family, horror and more
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TV Shows – Binge previous seasons of shows and network series
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Clips – Viral videos and highlights from events, sports, and pop culture
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News – Local and national news segments and special reports
The on-demand catalog has something for all tastes – free! It‘s a great supplement to live channels.
Works on All Your Devices
As discussed earlier, STIR offers broad device compatibility spanning:
- Fire TV, Firestick
- Roku
- Apple TV
- iPhone, iPad
- Android phones, tablets
- Computers – PC and Mac
You can install the STIR app across all your mobile, TV, and computer devices. This makes it easy to pick up where you left off when switching screens.
Say you start watching a movie on Firestick, then continue it later on iPad while commuting. Or checkout a game on iPhone before seeing it on the big screen at home.
This seamless device switching maximizes convenience and flexibility!
Completely Free
Lastly, the obvious but great benefit is STIR is 100% free. There are no subscriptions, fees or logins required.
Of course it includes ads just like other free streaming platforms. But the ability to access this massive content library without paying a dime is huge.
In an era of endless streaming subscriptions, STIR delivers a no-cost complement. And you‘ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try!
Now that you‘re an expert on STIR‘s capabilities, let‘s go over some common issues and troubleshooting.
STIR Troubleshooting Help and Tips
Hopefully you get STIR up and running across all your devices without issues. But problems can pop-up occasionally just like with any app or streaming service.
Here are some troubleshooting tips to address common STIR issues:
Can‘t load channels or streams fail – This is typically caused by slow internet connectivity. Try restarting your modem and router if the issues persist. Or connect your device directly to the router via ethernet if possible for faster speeds.
App crashing or freezing – For mobile apps, force close and clear app cache/data. Uninstall and reinstall as a last resort. For website, refresh browser and clear cookies/cache. Also check for browser plugin conflicts.
Buffering and lagging – Similar to channels not loading, this results from insufficient bandwidth. Try closing other internet-connected apps and consider upgrading your internet plan if buffers continue.
No sound – Go into app/website settings and change the audio output method being used. Also check the volume on your TV or device isn‘t muted.
Can‘t login – STIR does not require a login or subscription. If it‘s asking for credentials try reinstalling the app or clearing cookies on the website.
Missing channels – Ensure STIR has location access so you get customized local content. You can also change location in app settings if needed.
Addressing connectivity issues or app conflicts typically resolves most STIR problems. But don‘t hesitate to contact their customer support if troubleshooting doesn‘t work.
Now let‘s recap everything we‘ve covered.
Summary and Next Steps
In this comprehensive guide you learned all about STIR and how to install it across various devices like:
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Firestick – Download app from Amazon store
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iPhone/iPad – Get STIR from the Apple App Store
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Android – Install via Google Play Store
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Computers – Watch immediately at stirr.com
I also walked you through STIR‘s key features like:
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200+ free live TV channels
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Local programming based on your location
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Cloud DVR (select markets only)
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Massive on-demand library with movies, shows, news
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Accessible across all your mobile, streaming, and computer devices
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100% free streaming
And provided troubleshooting help for issues like:
- Buffering, lagging streams
- App crashing or freezing
- No sound
- Missing channels
- And more!
The bottom line is STIR makes an excellent free addition to your cord cutting streaming lineup. With their wide device access and solid channel offerings, it‘s worth tuning into STIR.
I hope this guide helps you get STIR installed and streaming smoothly so you can enjoy free live TV. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy streaming!