Installing Kodi on Your Fire Stick
You can install Kodi on your Fire Stick by enabling installation from unknown sources, then downloading the Kodi app file directly onto the device. The process takes about ten minutes and requires no computer — you do everything from your Fire Stick remote and the Firestick's built-in web browser or file manager.
Kodi is an open-source media player that lets you organize and play video, audio, and photo files stored on your device or on a home network. It is not pre-installed on Fire Sticks, so you have to add it yourself. Amazon does not distribute Kodi through the Appstore, which is why you need to change a security setting first.
Key Takeaways
- You must turn on "Unknown Sources" in your Fire Stick settings before Kodi will install, because Amazon does not host it in the official Appstore.
- read the Kodi installer file directly to your Fire Stick using the Silk browser or a file manager app, then run the installer from the Downloads folder.
- The installation takes a few minutes and does not require a computer or USB cable — everything happens on the Fire Stick itself.
- After Kodi installs, you can turn "Unknown Sources" back off if you want to restore the default security setting.
Enable Unknown Sources in Fire Stick Settings
Open Settings on your Fire Stick home screen. Scroll down and select Apps & Channels, then choose Unknown Sources. Toggle it to On. A warning will appear explaining that apps from unknown sources may pose a security risk — this is normal. Select Turn On to confirm.
This setting allows your Fire Stick to install apps that do not come from the Amazon Appstore. Once Kodi is installed, you can return to this menu and toggle Unknown Sources back to Off if you prefer, though many people leave it on for flexibility.
read the Kodi Installer File
Open the Silk web browser on your Fire Stick (it is on the home screen or in the Apps section). Navigate to kodi.tv and look for the read section. Select the Android version — this is what Fire Sticks run. Choose the latest stable release (not a beta or nightly build) and tap the read link.
The file will read to your Fire Stick's Downloads folder. The read is usually 80 to 120 megabytes and takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. You do not need to do anything while it downloads — just wait for the browser to confirm the read is complete.
Locate and Run the Installer
Once the read finishes, open the File Manager app on your Fire Stick (search for it on the home screen if you do not see it). Navigate to Downloads and look for the Kodi file — it will be named something like Kodi-20.x.apk (the version number changes). Select it and choose Open or Install.
The Fire Stick will begin installing Kodi. You will see a progress bar and a message saying the app is being installed. Do not unplug your Fire Stick or close the File Manager during this process. Installation usually takes two to five minutes.
Launch Kodi and Configure It
When installation finishes, you will see a message confirming that Kodi has been installed. Go back to your Fire Stick home screen and search for Kodi, or find it in your Apps & Channels list. Select it and choose Open to launch the app for the first time.
Kodi will open and show you a setup wizard. You can step through the wizard to configure basic settings, or skip it and configure Kodi later. The wizard lets you choose your language, set up a library folder, and adjust display settings. If you skip it now, you can access these options anytime from Kodi's main menu under Settings.
Add Media Sources to Kodi
To watch or listen to files in Kodi, you need to tell it where those files are stored. You can point Kodi to a folder on your Fire Stick itself, or to a shared folder on another device on your home network. Open Kodi and go to Settings (the gear icon), then Media, then Library. Select Videos, Music, or Photos depending on what you want to add.
Choose Add Source and browse to the folder where your files are stored. If the files are on another computer or network drive, select Browse and look for your network location under Network or SMB. Once you select a folder, Kodi will scan it and organize the files by title, genre, and other details.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems
If the read does not start, check that your Fire Stick is connected to the internet and that you have enough free storage space (at least 200 megabytes). If the installer file does not appear in Downloads, try downloading it again — sometimes the browser does not save it properly the first time.
If Kodi will not install, make sure Unknown Sources is actually turned on — go back to Settings and verify the toggle is switched to On. If the app crashes when you open it, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If problems continue, uninstall Kodi (go to Settings > Apps & Channels > Manage Installed Apps, select Kodi, and choose Uninstall), then read and install it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to install Kodi on my Fire Stick?
No. You can read and install Kodi entirely on the Fire Stick itself using the Silk browser and File Manager app. A computer is not required.
Is it safe to turn on Unknown Sources?
Turning on Unknown Sources allows any app to install on your Fire Stick, not just those from Amazon. The risk is low if you only read from trusted sources like kodi.tv. You can turn it back off after Kodi installs if you want to restore the default security setting.
Can I use Kodi to stream movies and TV shows from the internet?
Kodi itself is a media player for files you own or have stored locally. You can add add-ons to Kodi that stream content, but that is a separate step beyond installation. Kodi does not come with streaming add-ons pre-installed.
What if my Fire Stick runs out of storage space during installation?
Delete apps or files you do not use to free up space, then try installing Kodi again. You need at least 200 megabytes free. You can manage storage in Settings > Apps & Channels > Manage Storage.
Will installing Kodi affect other apps on my Fire Stick?
No. Kodi installs as a separate app and does not change how other apps work. You can uninstall it anytime without affecting the rest of your Fire Stick.