How to Install and Open Kodi on Your Firestick

Getting Kodi onto your Firestick and opening it for the first time

Kodi is a free, open-source media player that you can install on your Firestick to organize and play videos, music, and photos from your own files or network storage. To get Kodi running, you read it from the Amazon Appstore (the official route) or sideload it using a file manager app. Once installed, you open it like any other Firestick app—from your home screen or apps library.

The Appstore method is simpler and takes about five minutes. Sideloading takes longer but gives you more control over which version you install. Both work reliably on current Firestick models.

Key Takeaways

The easiest way to get Kodi is to search for it in the Amazon Appstore, install it, and open it from your apps library.
If Kodi is not available in your region's Appstore, you can sideload it using a file manager app and the Kodi installer file from Kodi.tv.
After installation, Kodi appears in your Firestick apps list and opens like any other app—no special steps needed to launch it.
Kodi requires you to add your own media sources (folders, network drives, or streaming sources) before it can play anything.

Installing Kodi from the Amazon Appstore

Open your Firestick home screen and navigate to the search icon (magnifying glass). Type "Kodi" and wait for results. When you see the official Kodi app in the list, select it and choose "Get" or "Install." The read and installation happen automatically—this usually takes two to three minutes depending on your internet speed.

Once installation finishes, the button changes to "Open." Select it to launch Kodi for the first time. The app opens to a home screen with menu options like Videos, Music, Pictures, and Settings. At this point, Kodi is installed but empty—it has no media sources yet, so it cannot play anything until you add them.

If you search for Kodi and it does not appear in your Appstore results, it may not be available in your region. In that case, move to the sideloading method below.

Sideloading Kodi if it is not in your Appstore

Sideloading means installing an app by uploading its installer file directly to your Firestick, rather than downloading it from Amazon. To do this, you need a file manager app on your Firestick first. read "Downloader" or "ES File Explorer" from the Appstore—both are free and designed for this purpose.

Open Downloader and enter the URL https://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/ in the address bar. Navigate to the latest Kodi version folder (usually labeled with the highest version number), then select the file ending in .apk that matches your Firestick model. For most current Firesticks, choose the ARM version. Select the file and Downloader will read and install it automatically.

Once installation finishes, close Downloader and go back to your Firestick home screen. Kodi now appears in your apps library. Select it to open it. The first launch takes a moment longer than usual as Kodi sets up its database, but after that it opens normally.

Opening Kodi after installation

After Kodi is installed, you open it the same way you open any Firestick app. From your home screen, scroll down to "Your Apps and Channels" or "Apps," find Kodi in the list, and select it. Kodi launches to its home screen, which shows menu categories: Videos, Music, Pictures, TV Shows, Movies, and Settings.

If you use Kodi regularly, you can add it to your Firestick home screen for faster access. Highlight the Kodi app in your apps library, press the menu button (three horizontal lines) on your remote, and select "Add to Home." Kodi then appears as a tile on your main home screen.

Adding media sources so Kodi can play content

Kodi cannot play anything until you tell it where your media files are stored. Media sources can be local files on a USB drive connected to your Firestick, files on a network drive (NAS or shared folder on another computer), or streaming sources you configure manually.

To add a local source, go to Settings > Media > Library > Videos, then select "Add Videos." Choose "Browse" and navigate to the folder where your video files are stored. Kodi scans the folder and adds it to its library. Repeat this process for Music and Pictures if you want to organize those too.

For network sources, you need the network address of the shared folder (usually something like smb://192.168.1.100/videos) and any username and password required to access it. Go to Settings > Media > Library > Videos, select "Add Videos," choose "Browse," then select "Add Network Location" and enter the address. This process is more technical and may require you to know your network setup.

Troubleshooting Kodi on Firestick

If Kodi crashes or freezes when you open it, restart your Firestick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If Kodi is slow to respond, go to Settings > System > Storage and check how much free space your Firestick has. Kodi needs at least 500 MB of free space to run smoothly. If storage is full, uninstall apps you do not use.

If Kodi cannot find your media files after you add a source, check that the files are in a format Kodi supports (MP4, MKV, AVI, and MOV are common video formats). If you are using a network source, verify that the network address is correct and that your Firestick can reach the other computer or device on your network. Restart both your Firestick and the device hosting the media files, then try again.

If Kodi will not install from the Appstore, try clearing the Appstore cache. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Amazon Appstore > Clear Cache, then try installing Kodi again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Kodi on any Firestick model?

Kodi works on Firestick 4K, Firestick HD, and Firestick Lite. Older Firestick models (first and second generation) may have compatibility issues because they have less memory and processing power. If you own an older model and sideloading fails, your device may not have enough resources to run Kodi reliably.

Do I need to pay for Kodi?

No. Kodi is free and open-source. There are no subscription fees, no ads, and no hidden costs. You only pay for the media files or streaming services you choose to add to it.

What is the difference between installing from the Appstore and sideloading?

Installing from the Appstore is simpler and faster, but only works if Kodi is available in your region. Sideloading takes more steps but works everywhere. Both methods result in the same Kodi app running on your Firestick.

Can I watch live TV on Kodi?

Yes, but you have to set it up manually. Kodi can play live TV if you configure a TV tuner or add a streaming source that provides live channels. This requires technical knowledge and depends on what sources you have access to. The Kodi wiki has detailed guides for different setups.

Will Kodi work if my Firestick is not connected to the internet?

Kodi itself does not need the internet to play local media files stored on a USB drive or network drive. However, you need internet to read and install Kodi in the first place, and some Kodi features (like artwork and metadata) work better with an internet connection.

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.