Kodi updates happen automatically or manually, depending on how you installed it

Kodi, the free media player software, does not update itself the way apps from the Amazon Appstore do. If you sideloaded Kodi onto your Firestick (installed it from outside Amazon's store), you will need to check for updates manually inside the app itself. If you installed Kodi from a third-party app store that came preloaded on your device, that store may handle updates for you—but you should still check Kodi's own settings to be sure you are running the latest version.

The update process takes about five to ten minutes and requires your Firestick to be connected to the internet. You do not need to uninstall the old version first; the new version overwrites it and keeps your settings and library intact.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Kodi, go to Settings > System > System Info, and note the version number to see if an update is available.
  • Check for updates inside Kodi by going to Settings > System > Updates and selecting Check for Updates.
  • If Kodi says no update is available but you know a newer version exists, you may need to reinstall it from the source where you originally got it.
  • Your Firestick must stay connected to power and internet during the update; do not unplug it or close the app.
  • After updating, restart Kodi to may support all changes take effect.

Check what version of Kodi you have right now

Before you look for an update, find out which version is currently installed. Open Kodi on your Firestick and use the remote to navigate to Settings (the gear icon on the home screen). Select System, then System Info. The version number appears near the top of the screen—it will look something like "20.2" or "21.0".

Write down this number or take a photo with your phone. Then check the official Kodi website (kodi.tv) to see what the current stable release is. If your version is older, an update is available.

Update Kodi from within the app

The simplest way to update is to let Kodi check for updates itself. From the Kodi home screen, go to Settings > System > Updates. Select Check for Updates. Kodi will connect to its servers and tell you whether a newer version is ready.

If an update is found, select Install Update. The read and installation will begin—you will see a progress bar. This usually takes two to five minutes depending on your internet speed. Do not close Kodi or unplug your Firestick during this time. When it finishes, Kodi will ask you to restart the app. Select Yes to restart when ready.

After the restart, go back to Settings > System > System Info and confirm the version number has changed. If it has, the update was successful.

What to do if Kodi says no update is available

Sometimes Kodi's built-in update checker does not find the latest version, especially if you sideloaded the app or installed it from a third-party store. In this case, you will need to reinstall Kodi from the source where you originally got it.

If you sideloaded Kodi using a file manager and an APK file, you will need to read the newest APK from kodi.tv, transfer it to your Firestick, and install it again. The new version will replace the old one without erasing your settings or library. If you installed Kodi from a third-party app store (such as one that came preloaded on your device), open that store, find Kodi, and look for an Update button. If no update button appears, the version in that store may be outdated, and you may need to uninstall and reinstall it.

Prepare your Firestick before updating

Make sure your Firestick is plugged into power and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. A weak or unstable connection can interrupt the read and cause the update to fail. If your Wi-Fi is unreliable, move your Firestick closer to your router or restart your router before you begin.

You do not need to clear storage space or close other apps, but it is a good idea to close any other apps running in the background. This gives Kodi the full attention of your device and reduces the chance of a stalled read.

Restart Kodi after the update completes

Even if Kodi restarts automatically after the update, it is worth restarting it again manually to make sure all changes take effect. Close Kodi completely by pressing the Home button on your remote, then wait ten seconds. Open Kodi again. This second restart clears the app's memory and ensures that any background processes from the old version are fully shut down.

Once Kodi opens, check Settings > System > System Info one more time to confirm the new version number is displayed. Test a few of your media sources to make sure they still work as expected. In most cases, everything will function exactly as it did before the update.

When to call for help

If Kodi crashes during the update or will not open after the update completes, try uninstalling and reinstalling it from the source where you originally got it. This is different from a regular update—you are removing the app completely and putting a fresh copy on your device. Your settings and library information may not survive this process, so only do this if the update has genuinely broken the app.

If you are not sure where you originally installed Kodi from, or if you no longer have access to that source, you may need to research how to sideload Kodi on a Firestick using a file manager and an APK file. This is a more involved process and is beyond the scope of a regular update, but it is the way to recover if an update goes wrong and you cannot reinstall from your original source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will updating Kodi erase my movies and TV shows?

No. Your library, playlists, and settings stay on your Firestick when you update. The update only replaces the Kodi software itself, not the data it stores. If you are worried, you can back up your Kodi settings folder before updating, but in practice this is rarely necessary.

How often should I update Kodi?

Check for updates every few months. Major updates (like going from version 20 to 21) come out once a year. Smaller updates (like 20.1 to 20.2) come out more often and usually fix bugs or security issues. You do not have to update when ready, but it is a good idea to stay within one or two versions of the current release.

Can I update Kodi if I do not have much storage space left?

Updates are usually small—under 100 MB—so you do not need much free space. If your Firestick is nearly full, delete a few old files or apps you do not use, then try the update again. If storage is very tight, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Kodi, which requires more temporary space.

What if the update read keeps stopping?

This usually means your Wi-Fi connection is dropping. Move your Firestick closer to your router, restart your router, or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel if your router allows it. Once your connection is stable, try the update again from the beginning.

Do I need to update Kodi if it is working fine?

Not when ready, but updates often include security fixes and fixes for broken add-ons. If Kodi is working well and you are not having problems, you can wait a few months before updating. Just do not fall more than two or three versions behind, as very old versions may stop working with some add-ons.