Installing Kodi takes about 10 minutes and requires enabling installation from unknown sources
Kodi is a free, open-source media player that runs on Fire Stick devices. To install it, you turn on a developer setting called Unknown Sources, then read Kodi from a file manager app, and run the installer. The whole process takes roughly 10 minutes and does not require a computer.
Kodi lets you organize and play video files, music, and photos stored on your Fire Stick or on devices elsewhere on your home network. It is not the same as the apps that come pre-loaded on Fire Stick—it is a separate program you install yourself.
Key Takeaways
- You must enable Unknown Sources in Fire Stick settings before Kodi will install, because Kodi does not come from the Amazon Appstore.
- You need a file manager app (such as Downloader or ES File Explorer) to read the Kodi installer file to your Fire Stick.
- After installation, Kodi appears as a separate app on your Fire Stick home screen and opens just like any other app.
- Kodi works best when your Fire Stick is connected to your home network, so it can find media files on computers or network storage.
Enable Unknown Sources in Fire Stick settings
Fire Stick blocks installation of apps that do not come from the Amazon Appstore by default. To install Kodi, you must turn off this block.
From your Fire Stick home screen, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Select Apps & Channels, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it to On. A warning appears—this is normal. Select Turn On to confirm.
Unknown Sources stays on until you turn it off manually. You do not need to repeat this step for other apps.
read a file manager app from the Amazon Appstore
You need a file manager to read the Kodi installer. Two common choices are Downloader and ES File Explorer, both free in the Amazon Appstore.
From your Fire Stick home screen, select Search (the magnifying glass). Type the name of the file manager you want. Select it from the results, then select Get or read. The app installs automatically.
Downloader is simpler if you are new to this—it has a text box where you paste a web address and it downloads the file. ES File Explorer is more powerful but has more buttons and menus.
read the Kodi installer file
Open your file manager app. If you are using Downloader, you will see a text box at the top of the screen. Paste this address into it: https://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/arm/kodi-20.2-Nexus-armeabi-v7a.apk (this is the current stable version for Fire Stick). Select read.
If you are using ES File Explorer, select the read icon or menu option, paste the same address, and confirm. The file downloads to your Fire Stick's storage.
The read takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. You will see a progress bar. When it finishes, the file manager shows a notification or moves to the next screen.
Install Kodi by running the installer file
After the read finishes, your file manager shows the Kodi installer file (it ends in .apk). Select it. A dialog appears asking whether you want to install the app. Select Install.
Installation takes one to two minutes. When it finishes, you see a message saying installation is complete. Select Open to launch Kodi, or select Done to close the dialog and launch it later.
Kodi now appears on your Fire Stick home screen as a separate app. You can launch it anytime by selecting it, just like any other app.
Set up Kodi to find your media files
When you open Kodi for the first time, it shows an empty library. To add media, you tell Kodi where your files are stored. Files can be on a USB drive plugged into your Fire Stick, on a computer elsewhere on your home network, or on network storage like a NAS (network-attached storage) device.
In Kodi, select Settings (the gear icon), then Media, then Library. From there, you can add sources—these are the folders where Kodi looks for video, music, or photos. Kodi asks you to browse to the folder and give it a name.
If your files are on a computer, that computer must be on and connected to the same network as your Fire Stick. Kodi finds it by its network address (called a network path or SMB address). Your file manager or network settings can show you this address.
Turn off Unknown Sources after installation (optional)
Once Kodi is installed, you can turn Unknown Sources back off if you want. This prevents accidental installation of apps from outside the Amazon Appstore.
Go to Settings, select Apps & Channels, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it to Off. Kodi continues to work—turning off Unknown Sources only blocks future installations, it does not remove apps already installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN to install Kodi?
No. Kodi is legal software and installs normally on Fire Stick. A VPN is not required for installation. What you do with Kodi afterward—such as what media you add to it—is your responsibility.
Can I install Kodi on an older Fire Stick model?
Kodi runs on Fire Stick (2nd generation and newer) and Fire Stick 4K. Very old Fire Stick models (1st generation) may not have enough storage or processing power. Check your device model in Settings under Device or About if you are unsure which version you have.
What if the installer file read fails?
Check that your Fire Stick is connected to the internet by going to Settings and selecting Network. If the connection is good, try downloading again. If the read keeps failing, the mirror server may be temporarily unavailable—wait a few minutes and try again.
Does Kodi slow down my Fire Stick?
Kodi only uses resources when it is running. When you close it, your Fire Stick returns to normal. If Kodi runs slowly when open, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to boot up.
Can I uninstall Kodi if I change my mind?
Yes. Go to Settings, select Apps & Channels, find Kodi in the list, select it, and choose Uninstall. Kodi is removed completely. You can reinstall it anytime by repeating the steps above.