How to Load Kodi onto Your Firestick in Five Steps

The fastest way to install Kodi on Firestick

You can load Kodi onto a Firestick by enabling installation from unknown sources in the device settings, then downloading the Kodi app file directly through a file manager. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and requires no computer — everything happens on the Firestick itself.

Kodi is open-source media software that plays video, audio, and photo files from your local network or storage. It is not sold in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it — meaning you install it outside Amazon's official channel. This is legal and does not void your warranty, but it does require you to turn on a setting Amazon keeps hidden by default.

The steps below work on all current Firestick models, including the 4K Max, 4K, and standard Firestick. You will need a Firestick connected to power and your home Wi-Fi network, and you should have a remote or phone with the Alexa app to navigate menus.

Key Takeaways

Kodi does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, so you must enable "Unknown Sources" in Firestick settings before you can install it.
You read the Kodi installer file using a file manager app like Downloader or ES File Explorer, both available free in the Appstore.
After the installer runs, Kodi appears in your Firestick home screen and works like any other app you have installed.
Kodi requires setup inside the app itself — you must point it to where your media files live on your network or storage device before it can play anything.

Enable Unknown Sources in Firestick settings

Go to Settings on your Firestick home screen. Scroll down and select Apps, then Unknown Sources. Toggle the switch to On. Amazon will show a warning that apps from unknown sources may pose a security risk — this is standard language and does not mean Kodi is unsafe, only that it did not come through Amazon's store.

This setting stays on permanently once you enable it, so you only do this step once per Firestick. If you later decide to turn it back off, you can return to the same menu and toggle it to Off.

read a file manager app from the Appstore

Go back to your Firestick home screen and select Search. Type "Downloader" and select the app by AFTVnews. This is the most straightforward file manager for Firestick and is free. Select Get to install it, then Open once installation finishes.

Downloader appears on your home screen after installation. If you prefer a different file manager, ES File Explorer is another common choice, but Downloader is simpler for this task because it has a built-in browser for downloading files directly.

read the Kodi installer file

Open Downloader. You will see a text box at the top of the screen. Tap it and enter this URL: https://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/arm/kodi-20.2-Nexus-armeabi-v7a.apk

This is the direct link to the latest stable version of Kodi for ARM-based devices like Firestick. Downloader will read the file to your Firestick's storage. The read takes one to three minutes depending on your internet speed. Once it finishes, you will see a notification asking whether you want to install the app.

If that URL no longer works when you try it, visit kodi.tv, go to read, select Android, and copy the link for the ARM version. Paste it into Downloader the same way.

Install Kodi and complete setup

When Downloader finishes downloading, select Install on the notification. Firestick will run the installer and add Kodi to your apps. This takes about one minute. Once installation completes, select Open to launch Kodi for the first time.

Kodi will open to a home screen with several menu options. Before you can watch anything, you must tell Kodi where your media files are stored. This happens inside the app under Settings > Media > Library. You can point Kodi to files on your home network (through a shared folder on a computer or NAS), a USB drive connected to the Firestick, or online sources you add manually.

Add your media sources to Kodi

Inside Kodi, go to Settings (the gear icon), then Media, then Library. Select Videos or Music depending on what you want to add. Choose Add Videos or Add Music, then select Browse.

If your files are on a computer or network drive, select Network Location (Samba) and enter the network address of the shared folder. If you are using a USB drive, select Browse for New Share and navigate to the USB storage. Once you select a folder, Kodi scans it and adds the files to its library. Scanning can take several minutes if you have many files.

After Kodi finishes scanning, your media appears in the Videos, Music, or Pictures sections of the home screen, organized by title, actor, or folder depending on how you set it up.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the installer file will not run, go back to Settings > Apps and confirm that Unknown Sources is still toggled On. Sometimes the setting resets after a Firestick update. If Kodi installs but will not open, restart your Firestick by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If Downloader cannot reach the Kodi URL, check that your Firestick is connected to Wi-Fi and that the connection is stable. You can test this by opening the Silk browser (Amazon's built-in browser) and visiting any website. If the browser works but Downloader does not, try restarting Downloader or downloading the file again.

If Kodi scans your media but does not display it, the most common cause is that Kodi cannot reach the network location where your files are stored. Check that the computer or NAS sharing the files is turned on and that your Firestick is on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are using a USB drive, make sure it is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS — some older formats are not readable by Firestick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does installing Kodi void my Firestick warranty?

No. Sideloading apps does not void your warranty. Amazon's warranty covers hardware defects and normal use, not software restrictions. If your Firestick has a hardware problem, Amazon will replace it regardless of what apps you have installed.

Can I uninstall Kodi if I change my mind?

Yes. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage Installed Applications, select Kodi, and choose Uninstall. You can also leave Unknown Sources turned on or turn it back off in settings — turning it off does not remove Kodi, it only prevents you from installing new apps the same way.

What if I want to update Kodi later?

Kodi does not update automatically through the Appstore because it is not listed there. To update, read the newest installer file using Downloader the same way you did the first time, and run the installer. It will overwrite the old version and keep your settings and library intact.

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 online sources and add-ons to Kodi, but that setup is beyond the scope of this guide. Start by getting Kodi working with your local media, then explore add-ons through Kodi's settings if you want to expand what it can do.

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.