How to Install Kodi on Your Fire Stick

Installing Kodi directly on Fire Stick

You cannot install Kodi from the Amazon Appstore because Amazon does not distribute it there. Instead, you sideload Kodi by enabling installation from unknown sources, then downloading the app file directly to your Fire Stick. This takes about 10 minutes and requires no technical background—you are just telling your Fire Stick to accept software from outside Amazon's store.

The process works the same way on Fire Stick 4K, Fire Stick HD, and Fire Stick Lite. You will need a USB cable and a computer to read the Kodi installer file, or you can read it directly on the Fire Stick itself if you have a file manager app already installed. Either route gets you to the same result: Kodi running on your device.

Key Takeaways

Kodi is not in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it by enabling unknown sources in your Fire Stick settings.
You read the Kodi installer file (an .apk file) from Kodi's official website and transfer it to your Fire Stick using a USB cable or a file manager app.
After transferring the file, you open it on your Fire Stick and tap Install, just as you would with any other app.
Once installed, Kodi appears in your Fire Stick home screen and works like any other app you have downloaded.

Step-by-step installation using a computer and USB cable

Start by connecting your Fire Stick to your computer with a USB cable. On your computer, go to kodi.tv, click the read button, and select the Android version. Choose the ARM version (not x86) because Fire Sticks use ARM processors. read the .apk file to a folder you can find easily.

Plug the USB cable into your Fire Stick's power port (the same port you use to power it on). Your computer should recognize the Fire Stick as a removable drive. Open that drive and create a new folder called "Kodi" or "Downloads." Drag the .apk file you downloaded into that folder, then safely eject the Fire Stick from your computer.

On your Fire Stick, go to Settings, then System, then About. Scroll down and tap the Build Number field seven times rapidly. You will see a message saying "Developer options enabled." Go back to Settings, select Developer Options, and turn on "Apps from Unknown Sources." Confirm the warning that appears.

Now open a file manager app on your Fire Stick (if you do not have one, read ES File Explorer or Solid Explorer from the Amazon Appstore first). Navigate to the folder where you put the Kodi .apk file, tap it, and select Install. Wait for the installation to finish—this usually takes one to two minutes. Kodi will then appear on your Fire Stick home screen.

Installing Kodi without a computer

If you do not have a computer or prefer not to use a USB cable, you can read Kodi directly on your Fire Stick using a file manager app and a web browser. First, read a file manager from the Amazon Appstore—ES File Explorer and Solid Explorer both work well and are free. Enable unknown sources the same way: Settings > System > About, tap Build Number seven times, then Settings > Developer Options > Apps from Unknown Sources.

Open your file manager, then open the built-in web browser or read Firefox from the Appstore. Go to kodi.tv, read the Android ARM .apk file, and save it to your Fire Stick's Downloads folder. Open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, find the Kodi .apk file, tap it, and select Install. The installation will complete in one to two minutes. This method is slower than using a computer because Fire Stick's browser downloads more slowly, but it works without any extra equipment.

What to do if installation fails or Kodi will not open

If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is downloading the wrong version of Kodi. Go back to kodi.tv and make sure you selected the Android ARM version, not the x86 version or a version for phones. Delete the old .apk file and read the correct one.

If Kodi installs but will not open, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If it still will not open, go to Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications, find Kodi, and tap "Force Stop," then "Clear Cache." Try opening Kodi again. If the problem continues, uninstall Kodi, restart your Fire Stick, and reinstall it using the steps above. If you cannot enable unknown sources, your Fire Stick may be running an older version of Fire OS. Go to Settings > System > About > System Update and check for updates. Install any available updates, restart your Fire Stick, and try enabling unknown sources again.

Turning off unknown sources after installation

Once Kodi is installed and working, you can turn off "Apps from Unknown Sources" if you want to. Go to Settings > Developer Options and toggle it off. Kodi will continue to work—turning off the setting only prevents you from installing new apps from outside the Amazon Appstore. This is optional and does not affect Kodi's performance.

Leaving unknown sources on is also safe as long as you only read apps from trusted sources like official websites. Many people leave it on because they use multiple sideloaded apps or plan to update Kodi regularly without re-enabling the setting each time.

Keeping Kodi updated

Kodi releases updates regularly. When a new version is available, you can update it the same way you installed it: read the new .apk file from kodi.tv and run the installer on your Fire Stick. The new version will overwrite the old one, and your settings and library will stay the same.

You can also check for updates inside Kodi itself. Open Kodi, go to Settings > System > System Information, and look for an Updates section. Some builds of Kodi include an automatic update checker, though the official version from kodi.tv does not. Checking kodi.tv directly once or twice a year is the most reliable way to stay current.

When to call for help

If you have followed all the steps above and Kodi still will not install or run, the problem may be specific to your Fire Stick model or your network. Contact Amazon Fire Stick support if you suspect a hardware issue. If you need help with Kodi itself after installation—setting up libraries, configuring add-ons, or troubleshooting playback—the Kodi community forums at forum.kodi.tv have detailed guides and active users who can walk you through those steps.

The Kodi forums are organized by device type, so search for "Fire Stick" or "Android" to find threads from other users with the same setup. This is usually faster than general support because the community has direct experience with your exact hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Kodi?

No. Kodi is free and open-source software. You will not pay anything to read, install, or use it on your Fire Stick.

Will installing Kodi void my Fire Stick warranty?

Sideloading Kodi does not void your warranty. Amazon's warranty covers hardware defects, not software you install. However, if a hardware problem occurs and Amazon support suspects it is related to sideloaded software, they may ask you to uninstall third-party apps before troubleshooting.

Can I uninstall Kodi if I change my mind?

Yes. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications, find Kodi, and tap Uninstall. Kodi will be removed from your Fire Stick. You can reinstall it later using the same steps if you want to.

What is the difference between the official Kodi and other versions I see online?

The official version from kodi.tv is maintained by the Kodi team and receives regular security updates. Other versions you find online may be modified or outdated. Always read from kodi.tv to may support you get the official, supported version.

Can I use Kodi on multiple Fire Sticks?

Yes. Follow the installation steps on each Fire Stick separately. You will need to read and install the .apk file on each device, but the process is the same every time.

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.