If you are using an older Kodi version (the latest as of date is 20.1 Nexus) on your Fire TV / Stick, this guide is for you. I will show you how to update Kodi on FireStick or Fire TV. The instructions apply to any device running on Fire OS, including FireStick 3rd Gen, 4K & 4K Max, FireStick Lite, Fire TV Cube, and TVs with preloaded Fire OS.
Why Update Kodi?
Kodi developers keep updating the Kodi app from time to time. The updates usually bring enhancements, improvements, and bug fixes. Therefore, keeping Kodi up to date is essential for the best experience.
Even though Kodi is available through many official channels, such as Microsoft Store or Google Play Store, it is not listed on Amazon Store. Therefore, it does not update automatically on FireStick. Instead, it must be done manually.
This guide outlines the steps to update Kodi on FireStick. With the method covered in this article, you will learn how to update Kodi on Fire TV without losing any existing addons or Builds.
We will use the Downloader app to update the Kodi app. Downloader is a free app easily available via the Amazon App Store.
If you are a new user and haven’t installed Kodi yet, it is one of the best Amazon Fire Stick apps you can install on your device. Follow this guide to learn how to install Kodi on FireStick.
Note: If you are facing buffering problems on your Kodi, there are chances that it will be fixed with the new update. However, you can also check out our guide on Kodi buffering issues.
Attention, FireStick Users!
Governments and ISPs constantly monitor your online activity, and accessing copyrighted content on your Fire TV Stick could lead to serious trouble. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. I strongly recommend getting the best FireStick VPN to mask your IP address and securely stream your favorites.
I personally use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN available. Not only is it easy to install on any device, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, if you're not 100% satisfied, you can always get a refund. ExpressVPN is currently also offering a whopping 3 extra months free on their annual plan!
Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick
How to Update to the latest Kodi 20.1 Nexus on FireStick
Below are the complete step-by-step instructions to update Kodi on FireStick.
Step 1: Prepare FireStick for Kodi Update
Here are the quick steps to set up FireStick to update Kodi (you may also follow our step-by-step instructions to prepare FireStick).
1. Go to the FireStick home screen and then navigate to Find > Search.
2. Search for the app named Downloader and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your device.
3. Go to Fire Stick Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options. There you should see Install Unknown Apps. Click it!
Note: If your FireStick hasn’t updated to the latest interface, click Apps from Unknown Sources and turn it ON instead.
Now, select Fire TV Stick and click it 7 times to enable Developer Options. If you’re still not sure how to do it, here’s a step-by-step guide to enable developer options.
4. Click and turn ON the unknown sources for the Downloader app.
5. (Optional) Go back to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings > Collect App Usage Data. Now turn OFF the option Collect App Usage Data.
Step 2: Download Kodi Update on Fire TV Stick
The latest update available on the date is Kodi 20.1 Nexus.
1. Press and hold the Home key on your remote and click Apps on this popup.
2. Open the Downloader app on the Your Apps & Channels window.
3. Click the input box.
4. A popup keypad box will open. For the latest Kodi 20.1 Nexus, enter firesticktricks.com/kapk
Click GO and wait for the update to download.
Note: If the latest version, Kodi 20.1 Nexus, does not work great for you, you may uninstall it and reinstall Kodi 19.5 Matrix from the URL firesticktricks.com/old.
Step 3: Update Kodi on Firestick / Fire TV
Now that we have downloaded the latest Kodi update file on your FireStick. Let’s start with the final step of installing the new Kodi update on FireStick.
1. Once the update file is downloaded, click Install.
2. Wait for Kodi APK to install.
3. When the App Installed message is displayed, Kodi has been updated on FireStick.
4. Congratulations! The Kodi app on Fire TV Stick has been updated to the latest version. To verify the new update, launch Kodi, and go to Settings > System Information. You will find the version info at the bottom.
How to Use Kodi on Fire Stick Safely
If you are not using a FireStick VPN, I would like to warn you that everything you stream on Kodi is visible to your ISP and Government. This means streaming free movies, TV shows, and Sports might get you into legal trouble.
I always connect ExpressVPN on my FireStick, which is the fastest VPN for streaming. I suggest you do the same. A good VPN for Fire Stick helps you bypass Online Surveillance, ISP throttling, and content geo-restrictions.
We do not encourage the violation of copyright laws. But what if you end up streaming content from an illegitimate source unintentionally? It is not always easy to distinguish between a legit and illegal source.
So, before you stream any content on FireStick with Kodi, let’s see how to use ExpressVPN to keep your streaming activities hidden from prying eyes.
Step 1: Get ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use it freely for the first 30 days, and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.
Step 2: On your Fire TV / Stick, go to the Find > Search option. Type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it shows up in the search results
Step 3: Click the “Download” button to install the ExpressVPN app for Fire TV / Stick.
Step 4: Open the app and enter your login credentials which you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click “Sign in”
Step 5: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.
You can also read more about using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.
Video Guide: How to Update Kodi on FireStick
How to Update Kodi Using the ES File Explorer App (Alternate method)
You may also sideload and update Kodi on FireStick using the ES File Explorer App. This is an alternate method. If you have already used the Downloader app for this purpose, there is no need to follow this method.
Note: ES File Explorer is no longer free. To sideload apps, you will need to pay $9.99 per month. That is why I recommend using the Downloader app.
Install the ES File Explorer app and follow these quick steps below:
- Launch the ES File Explorer app
- On the right, select and then click the Downloader icon
- Click +New at the bottom
- Enter this URL https://www.firesticktricks.com/kapk in the Path field and any name in the Name field
- Click Download Now
- Wait for the Kodi APK file to download
- Click Open File
- Click Install
- Wait for a few seconds while Kodi installs on your device
- Click “Open”
- That’s all. You have the latest Kodi update on your Fire Stick / Fire TV.
Kodi Update Failed on FireStick?
If the above method to update your Kodi app isn’t working, follow the steps below. In this method, we will go for a clean install, and your existing data will be lost.
Step 1: Uninstall Kodi from Fire TV Stick
First of all, we need to uninstall the current version of Kodi from your Fire TV Stick. Follow the steps below.
1. Go to Fire Stick Settings and open Applications.
2. Open Manage Installed Applications.
3. Navigate to Kodi and click it.
4. Click Force Stop to ensure that Kodi is not running in the background.
5. Now click Uninstall.
Step 2: Reinstall Kodi App on Fire TV Stick
Now that you have removed Kodi from your Fire TV/Stick. We will reinstall Kodi 20.1 Nexus, which is the latest stable release as of date. The steps are similar to the update method, as shown above. However, you can also follow this link to check several other ways to install Kodi on Fire TV Stick.
FAQs
I have provided the complete instructions to update Kodi on Amazon FireStick in this guide. These instructions work on all Fire TV devices, including FireStick 3nd Gen, FireStick 4K, 4K Max, Fire TV Stick Lite, and Fire TV Cube.
The latest version of Kodi is 20 Nexus. This version was released in March 2022.
Kodi is totally legal and safe. You can download Kodi from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and the Google Play Store on Android mobile devices. These stores do not host any apps without thorough scrutiny. In fact, they would never host an illegal or unsafe app.
What you need to remember is that Kodi uses third-party addons for streaming. So if you are streaming copyrighted content, then it could be both illegal and unsafe.
On Kodi, you can watch everything you can think of. You can install official and third-party addons on Kodi for all sorts of content, including movies, TV shows, kids’ content, live TV, sports, documentaries, and much more. The idea is to find the right add-on for the content you wish to stream.
Wrapping Up
This post demonstrated how to update Kodi on FireStick. Let me know if you found the method easy to follow using the comments box below.
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