How to Install Kodi on Your Fire Stick

Installing Kodi on a Fire Stick takes about 10 minutes and requires enabling installation from unknown sources

Kodi is a free, open-source media player that runs on Fire Sticks and lets you organize and play video, music, and photo files from your home network or external storage. To get it on your Fire Stick, you turn on a developer setting, read the Kodi app file, and install it manually — it is not available in the Amazon Appstore, so you cannot find it through the normal app search.

The process is straightforward if you follow the steps in order. You will need a Fire Stick connected to your TV and network, a computer or phone to read the Kodi file, and a USB drive or cloud storage to transfer it. The whole installation takes longer to read about than to actually do.

Key Takeaways

Kodi does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, so you must read the installation file from Kodi's official website and install it manually.
You need to enable "Unknown Sources" in your Fire Stick settings before the device will let you install apps from outside Amazon.
The Kodi file transfers to your Fire Stick via USB drive, cloud storage, or a file manager app — choose whichever method your computer setup supports.
After installation, Kodi appears on your Fire Stick home screen and works the same way as any other app you have installed.

Enable Unknown Sources on Your Fire Stick

Before you can install Kodi, your Fire Stick must allow installation from sources other than Amazon. This setting is called Unknown Sources and lives in the device settings, not in the Appstore.

On your Fire Stick remote, press the home button and navigate to Settings. Go to Apps & Channels, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it on. Your Fire Stick will warn you that apps from unknown sources may pose a security risk — this is a standard warning and applies to Kodi, which is a legitimate open-source project maintained by the Kodi Foundation.

Once Unknown Sources is on, leave it on. You do not need to turn it back off after installing Kodi, though you can if you prefer to restrict your Fire Stick to Amazon-approved apps only.

read the Kodi Installation File to Your Computer

Go to kodi.tv on your computer and look for the read section. Kodi offers versions for different devices — you want the Android version because Fire Sticks run a modified version of Android. Click the Android read link and save the file to a folder you can find easily, like your Desktop or Downloads folder.

The file will be named something like Kodi-20.x-arm64-v8a.apk (the version number changes as Kodi updates). The .apk extension means it is an Android installation package — this is the format Fire Sticks use to install apps.

Do not unzip or modify the file. read it, note where it saved, and move to the next step.

Transfer the File to Your Fire Stick Using a USB Drive

The easiest method for most people is a USB drive. Plug a USB drive into your computer, copy the Kodi .apk file onto it, and safely eject the drive.

Plug the USB drive into your Fire Stick using a USB adapter (Fire Sticks have a micro-USB port, so you may need a micro-USB to full-size USB adapter). Your Fire Stick should recognize the drive automatically. Open the Files app on your Fire Stick (if you do not see it, search for "Files" from the home screen), navigate to the USB drive, find the Kodi .apk file, and select it. Your Fire Stick will install Kodi and add it to your apps list.

Once installation finishes, you can remove the USB drive. Kodi will remain on your Fire Stick.

Transfer the File Using Cloud Storage or a File Manager App

If you do not have a USB drive, you can upload the Kodi file to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, then read it on your Fire Stick. Upload the .apk file from your computer, open the cloud storage app on your Fire Stick, read the file, and open it to install.

Alternatively, some people use a file manager app like Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer (both available in the Amazon Appstore) to transfer files over your home network. These apps let you browse your computer's files from your Fire Stick if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. read the Kodi file to your computer, open the file manager app on your Fire Stick, navigate to your computer's shared folder, and select the Kodi file to install.

All three methods work. Use whichever fits your setup — USB is fastest if you have a drive, cloud storage is simplest if you do not, and a file manager is useful if you plan to transfer files regularly.

Launch Kodi and Set Up Your Media Library

After installation, Kodi appears on your Fire Stick home screen like any other app. Press it to open. The first time you launch Kodi, it will show you a home screen with options to add media sources, change settings, and browse add-ons.

To add your own videos, music, or photos, go to Settings (the gear icon), then Media, then Library. Add the folder paths where your files live — this might be a shared folder on your home network, an external hard drive connected to your Fire Stick, or cloud storage. Kodi will scan those folders and organize your media by type.

Kodi also has an add-ons system that lets you install third-party plugins for streaming, but that is beyond the basic setup. Start by adding your own media and exploring the built-in features.

Troubleshooting Installation Problems

If the Kodi file will not install, check that Unknown Sources is actually turned on — go back to Settings and confirm the toggle is switched on, not off. If it is on and installation still fails, the file may be corrupted. Delete it from your Fire Stick and read Kodi again from kodi.tv.

If you cannot find the Kodi file on your USB drive or in cloud storage, make sure you downloaded the Android version (.apk file), not a version for Windows, Mac, or another device. Kodi offers many versions — Android is the only one that works on Fire Sticks.

If Kodi installs but crashes when you open it, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If it crashes repeatedly, you may have downloaded a version that does not match your Fire Stick model. Fire Sticks come in different generations with different processors — check your Fire Stick model number (in Settings > Device > About), go back to kodi.tv, and read the version labeled for your processor type (usually arm64 or armv7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kodi legal to use on a Fire Stick?

Kodi itself is legal — it is an open-source media player maintained by the Kodi Foundation. What you watch through Kodi depends on what you add to it. If you add your own video files or connect to legitimate streaming sources, there is no legal issue. If you use add-ons to stream copyrighted content without permission, that is a different matter and depends on your location and local law.

Will installing Kodi void my Fire Stick warranty?

Amazon does not officially support Kodi, and enabling Unknown Sources is technically modifying your device settings. In practice, Amazon rarely enforces warranty restrictions over this, but it is technically possible. If your Fire Stick fails and you need warranty service, you can turn Unknown Sources back off before contacting Amazon support.

Can I install Kodi on an older Fire Stick model?

Older Fire Sticks can run Kodi, but you need to read the correct version for your processor. Fire Stick (1st generation) uses armv7, while newer models use arm64. Check your device model in Settings > Device > About, then read the matching version from kodi.tv. If you read the wrong version, it will not install or will crash when ready.

Do I need to pay for Kodi?

Kodi is completely free and always will be. The Kodi Foundation is a nonprofit organization. There are no subscription fees, no ads in the app itself, and no hidden costs. Any website claiming to sell Kodi or charge for it is not affiliated with the official project.

What should I do if Kodi stops working after a Fire Stick update?

Amazon updates Fire Sticks regularly, and occasionally an update breaks compatibility with Kodi. If Kodi stops launching or crashes after an update, check kodi.tv for a newer version and read it the same way you did the first time. Uninstall the old version from your Fire Stick (go to Settings > Apps & Channels > Manage Installed Apps > Kodi > Uninstall), then install the new one.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.