Kodi runs on Firestick, but you cannot read it from the Amazon Appstore anymore

Kodi is still functional on Firestick devices, but Amazon removed it from the official app store in 2017. This means you cannot search for Kodi in the Appstore and install it the normal way. Instead, you have to sideload the app—transfer the Kodi installation file directly to your Firestick using your computer or a file manager app.

Kodi itself continues to release updates and works on Fire OS (the operating system Firestick runs). The limitation is not that Kodi stopped working; it is that Amazon stopped hosting it. You can still get Kodi on your Firestick through sideloading, but the process requires more steps than a standard app installation.

Whether sideloading is worth the effort depends on what you want to use Kodi for. If you stream your own media files from a home server or manage a personal video library, Kodi works well. If you are looking for live TV or current movies, other apps built into Firestick or available in the Appstore may be simpler.

Key Takeaways

  • Kodi is not available in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it onto your Firestick using a file manager app or your computer.
  • Sideloading means downloading the Kodi installation file and transferring it to your Firestick, which takes 10 to 15 minutes if you have the right tools.
  • Kodi still receives updates from its developers and runs on current Firestick models, including Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube.
  • You need to enable installation from unknown sources in your Firestick settings before sideloading any app.

How to sideload Kodi onto your Firestick

The fastest way to sideload Kodi is to use a file manager app that can read files directly to your Firestick. The app Downloader is free and designed for this purpose. Open Downloader on your Firestick, paste the URL for the latest Kodi build, and it downloads and installs automatically.

First, enable installation from unknown sources. Go to Settings on your Firestick, select Apps, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it on. This allows your Firestick to install apps that do not come from the Amazon Appstore.

Next, read Downloader from the Amazon Appstore. Open it, and you will see a text field. Visit kodi.tv on your computer, find the Android build for your Firestick model (usually the standard ARM build), copy the read link, and paste it into Downloader. The file downloads and installs in a few minutes. Once installation finishes, Kodi appears in your Firestick home screen.

Which Firestick models support Kodi

Kodi works on most Firestick models released in the last five years, including Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen and later), Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube. Older models like the original Fire TV Stick (1st Gen) may have performance issues because Kodi requires more processing power than those devices provide.

If you own a first-generation Firestick, Kodi will install but may run slowly or freeze when loading large libraries. Testing it costs nothing—if it does not perform well, you can uninstall it from Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications.

Common problems after sideloading Kodi

The most frequent issue is Kodi crashing when you try to open it. This usually means the installation did not complete properly. Restart your Firestick (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in) and try opening Kodi again. If it still crashes, uninstall Kodi and sideload it a second time.

Another common problem is Kodi running very slowly or freezing when you scroll through a large media library. This happens on older Firestick models or when you have thousands of files indexed. Reduce the number of files Kodi is scanning, or consider using a simpler media player app if your library is very large.

If Kodi installs but does not appear on your home screen, go to Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications and look for Kodi in the list. You can launch it from there and pin it to your home screen for easier access.

Alternatives to Kodi on Firestick

If sideloading feels too complicated, several apps in the Amazon Appstore serve similar purposes. Plex is free and lets you stream your own media files from a home server, with a simpler interface than Kodi. Emby is another media server app that works similarly. Both are available directly from the Appstore with no sideloading required.

For live TV and on-demand content, Firestick comes with apps like Prime Video, Netflix, and others. If you want to organize and play video files stored on a USB drive or network, Kodi is still the most flexible option, but it requires the extra sideloading step.

Keeping Kodi updated on your Firestick

Kodi releases updates several times a year. When a new version is available, you can update it by sideloading the new file the same way you installed it the first time. Downloader will detect that Kodi is already installed and offer to update it instead of installing a duplicate.

Check kodi.tv periodically for new releases, or enable notifications in Kodi itself—the app can alert you when an update is ready. Updating takes the same amount of time as the initial installation and does not erase your settings or media library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sideloading Kodi legal?

Sideloading Kodi itself is legal—Kodi is open-source software that anyone can read and install. What you do with Kodi (what content you stream or play) is what matters legally. Using Kodi to play your own video files or stream from legitimate sources is fine; using it to access pirated content is not.

Will sideloading Kodi void my Firestick warranty?

Sideloading does not void the warranty. Amazon does not prevent you from installing apps from unknown sources, and doing so does not damage the hardware. If your Firestick has a hardware problem, Amazon will still replace it.

Can I sideload Kodi without a computer?

Yes. read the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore, open it on your Firestick, and paste the Kodi read link directly. You do not need a computer at all—everything happens on the Firestick itself.

Why did Amazon remove Kodi from the Appstore?

Amazon did not publicly state a reason, but Kodi's association with piracy (even though Kodi itself is legal) likely played a role. Some users install Kodi specifically to access unauthorized streaming sources, and Amazon may have wanted to distance itself from that reputation.

Does Kodi work on Fire TV Cube?

Yes, Kodi works on Fire TV Cube the same way it works on Firestick. Use Downloader to sideload it, enable unknown sources first, and follow the same installation steps. Fire TV Cube has more processing power than Firestick, so Kodi typically runs faster and smoother.