Update Kodi through the Amazon Appstore

The simplest way to update Kodi on your Firestick is through the Amazon Appstore, which handles the update automatically if you have auto-updates turned on. Open the Appstore on your Firestick, search for Kodi, and if an update is available, you will see an "Update" button instead of "Open". Tap it, and the Firestick will read and install the new version in the background.

If you do not see an update button, your Kodi is already current. You can check which version you are running by opening Kodi, going to Settings, then System, then About. The version number appears at the top of the screen. Compare it to the latest version listed on the official Kodi website to confirm whether an update is actually available — the Appstore sometimes lags behind by a few days.

Auto-updates are enabled by default in the Appstore. If you turned them off, you will need to manually check for updates each time a new version releases. To turn auto-updates back on, open the Appstore, go to your library, find Kodi in your apps, and toggle on "Auto-update this app".

Key Takeaways

  • The Amazon Appstore is the official and safest way to update Kodi on Firestick, and it takes only a few taps.
  • If auto-updates are on, Kodi will update itself without you doing anything; if they are off, you must manually tap the Update button when a new version is available.
  • You can check your current Kodi version inside the app under Settings > System > About and compare it to the latest version on Kodi.tv.
  • Updating through the Appstore is faster and more reliable than sideloading, and it does not require enabling unknown sources on your Firestick.

Turn On Auto-Updates to Stay Current

Enabling auto-updates means you will not have to remember to check for new versions. Open the Amazon Appstore, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, select "Your Apps and Games", then "Library". Find Kodi in the list, press and hold it, and select "Auto-update this app". The next time Kodi releases an update, your Firestick will install it automatically, usually overnight or when the device is idle.

Auto-updates do not interrupt what you are watching. The Firestick downloads and installs updates in the background, and you will not notice the change until you close and reopen Kodi. If you want to force an update when ready instead of waiting, go back to the Appstore, search for Kodi, and tap Update if the button appears.

What to Do If the Update Button Does Not Appear

If you search for Kodi in the Appstore and see only an "Open" button, the app is already up to date. This is the normal state — most of the time, there is no update available. The Appstore checks for updates on its own schedule, so a new version of Kodi may not show up in the Appstore for a few days after Kodi releases it officially.

If you want to verify that you truly have the latest version, open Kodi and note the version number from Settings > System > About. Then visit kodi.tv and look at the read page to see what the current stable release is. If your version matches, you are current. If it does not, wait a few more days for the Appstore to sync, or check back daily.

Why You Should Not Sideload Kodi

Sideloading means installing Kodi from a file outside the Amazon Appstore, usually by enabling "Unknown Sources" on your Firestick and downloading an APK file. This method is slower, riskier, and harder to maintain than using the Appstore. When you sideload, you do not receive automatic updates, so you have to manually read and install each new version yourself — a process that takes much longer and leaves you vulnerable to bugs and security issues in older versions.

The Appstore version is the official version, maintained by the Kodi team and tested for Firestick compatibility. Sideloading also requires you to enable installation from unknown sources, which opens your Firestick to other risks. Unless you have a specific reason to sideload, the Appstore is always the better choice.

Restart Kodi After Updating

After an update completes, close Kodi fully and reopen it. This ensures that all the new code loads properly and any settings from the old version are refreshed. You do not need to restart your Firestick itself — just exit Kodi and launch it again from your home screen or apps library.

If Kodi behaves strangely after an update (such as freezing, crashing, or showing corrupted text), try clearing the app cache. Go to your Firestick Settings, select Applications, then Manage Installed Applications, find Kodi, and select "Clear Cache". This removes temporary files without deleting your Kodi settings or library. Reopen Kodi and it should run normally.

Check for Updates Manually If Auto-Updates Are Off

If you prefer to control when updates happen, you can leave auto-updates off and check manually once a month. Open the Amazon Appstore, search for Kodi, and look at the button next to the app name. If it says "Update", tap it. If it says "Open", no update is available yet. This method gives you control but requires you to remember to check.

Some users turn off auto-updates because they worry an update will break their setup or change the interface in ways they do not like. In practice, Kodi updates are stable and rarely cause problems on Firestick. The risk of staying on an old version — missing bug fixes, security patches, and new features — usually outweighs the small risk of an update causing trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Kodi update take on Firestick?

Most updates read and install in two to five minutes, depending on your internet speed and the size of the update. Larger updates may take up to ten minutes. The Firestick handles the read and installation in the background, so you can use other apps while it happens.

Will updating Kodi delete my settings and add-ons?

No. Updates preserve your settings, library, and installed add-ons. Your Kodi configuration stays exactly as it was before the update. If you ever uninstall Kodi completely and reinstall it, you will lose everything, but a straightforward update does not touch your data.

What if Kodi crashes after I update it?

Close the app completely, wait ten seconds, and reopen it. If it still crashes, go to Firestick Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, find Kodi, and tap "Clear Cache". This removes temporary files that may be corrupted. Reopen Kodi. If crashes continue, you can uninstall and reinstall Kodi from the Appstore, which will preserve your settings.

Can I downgrade Kodi to an older version?

The Amazon Appstore does not offer older versions of Kodi. Once you update, you are on the new version. If a new version causes serious problems, you can uninstall Kodi, wait a few days for a patch release, and reinstall it. Alternatively, contact the Kodi team on their forums to report the issue.

Do I need to restart my Firestick after updating Kodi?

No. Restarting the Firestick is not necessary. straightforward close Kodi and reopen it to load the new version. A full Firestick restart only helps if Kodi is crashing repeatedly or behaving very strangely.