🕒 Time Needed: 14 minutes
In this guide, I’ll show you how to update Kodi on any device without losing data, including installed addons and settings. Kodi 21.2 Omega is the latest version. I’ve included the steps to update Kodi on FireStick and other Fire TV devices, Android TV boxes and smart TVs, Windows PC, and Android smartphones.
Why Update Kodi?
Kodi developers frequently release new updates to enhance performance, introduce new features, and address existing issues. While downloading Kodi updates on Windows and Android is simple, it isn’t as straightforward on Fire TV.
Since the Kodi app isn’t available on the Amazon App Store, updates don’t install automatically on Fire OS devices. You must update Kodi manually.
Here are some reasons why you should update Kodi on FireStick regularly:
- Fixing Bugs
- Minimal Lags3.
- New Features
- Security Updates
- App Stability
- Compatibility with new or updated Kodi addons
- It may help reduce buffering issues.
Attention FireStick Users
Governments and ISPs across the world monitor their users' online activities. If you use third-party streaming apps on your Fire TV Stick, you should always use a good FireStick VPN and hide your identity so your movie-viewing experience doesn’t take a bad turn. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone.
I use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device, including Amazon Fire TV Stick. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 4 months free and save 61% on the 2-year plan.
Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick
How to Update Without Losing Data Tips
Before updating Kodi, keep these tips in mind to ensure your addons, builds, and settings remain intact:
- Do not uninstall Kodi: Always install the new version over the existing one. Uninstalling wipes all your data.
- Back up your data: Use the Kodi Backup add-on or manually copy the userdata folder so you can restore your setup if needed.
- Watch out for major version updates: Moving from an older release (e.g., Kodi 19 to 21) may break some addons, builds, or skins if they’re not compatible.
- Check compatibility: Confirm that your favorite addons or builds support the version you’re updating to.
- Use official sources: Download updates only from the official Kodi website or trusted app stores to avoid corrupted installs.
How to Update to the latest Kodi 21.2 Omega on FireStick (Updated Dec 08, 2025)
Below are the complete step-by-step instructions for updating Kodi on FireStick.
Step 1: Prepare FireStick for Kodi Update
Here are the quick steps to update Kodi on your FireStick. You may also follow our step-by-step instructions to prepare FireStick.
1. From the FireStick home screen, click Find>Search. Type Downloader in the search bar and select the relevant result in the suggested results. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Downloader app on your device.
2. Go to Fire Stick Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options. You should see Install Unknown Apps. Open it and select Downloader to turn it ON.
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.
Note: On some Fire TV devices, you will see the option Apps From Unknown Sources instead of Install Unknown Apps. Navigate to this option and turn ON the toggle.
Updating Kodi on Fire TV Stick
The latest update available as of this writing is Kodi 21.2 Omega. Follow the steps below to update Kodi on FireStick:
1. Navigate to All Apps on the FireStick home screen.
2. Launch the Downloader app from Your Apps & Channels window.
3. Click the input box.
4. A pop-up keypad box will open. For the latest version of Kodi 21.2 Omega, visit kodi.tv/download/android. Then, click ARMV7A (32BIT).
Note: FireStickTricks.com does not own any APKs. This URL points to an external location.
5. The FireStick will automatically start downloading the APK file. Once the download is complete, you’ll be prompted to install the Kodi application. Click Install.
6. Wait for the Kodi APK to install.
7. The App Installed message means Kodi has been updated on FireStick. Click Done.
8. The Kodi app on Fire TV Stick has been updated to the latest version. Launch Kodi and go to Settings > System Information to verify the new update. The version information is displayed at the bottom.
How to Use Kodi on FireStick Safely
Everything you stream on Kodi is visible to your ISP and other third-party entities.
So, before you stream any content on FireStick with Kodi, let’s find out 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 for free for the first 30 days, and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can request a full refund.
Step 2: On your Fire TV / Stick, go to Find > Search. Type Expressvpn in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it appears in the search results.
Step 3: Click the Download button to install the ExpressVPN Fire TV / Stick app.
Step 4: Open the app and enter the login credentials you created when buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Then 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.
Kodi Update Failed on FireStick?
If you are unable to update Kodi using the methods above, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the application. This will update Kodi; however, uninstalling the app will result in the loss of your data. Try it as a last resort after exhausting all other options.
Follow the steps below to uninstall Kodi:
Step 1: Uninstall Kodi from the Fire TV Stick
First, we need to uninstall the current version of Kodi from your Fire TV Stick. Follow the steps below.
1. Go to FireStick Settings> Applications>Manage Installed Applications.
2. Navigate to Kodi and click it.
3. Click Force Stop to ensure Kodi is not running in the background.
4. Now click Uninstall.
Step 2: Reinstall the Kodi App on the Fire TV Stick
If you have removed Kodi from your Fire TV or Stick, you can reinstall Kodi 21.2 Omega, the latest stable release. The installation steps are similar to those discussed in the manual update method earlier.
How to Update Kodi on Android TV
You can update Kodi on Android TV boxes, Google TV, and other smart TVs without losing your installed addons and personalized settings. Follow the steps below:
- Go to the Google Play Store and click on the search bar.
- Type Downloader in the search.
- Select Downloader (by AFTVNews) from the suggested results.
- Click Install to install the Downloader app.
- Click Open once the installation is complete.
- Choose OK to allow Downloader to access your files.
- Launch Downloader, then click the URL field.
- Type the following URL: firesticktricks.com/kapk, and click Go.
- The latest Kodi APK will start downloading.
- Click Update when prompted.
- Wait as the app is installed.
- Click Open to launch the Kodi app.
You have successfully updated Kodi on Android TV.
How to Update Kodi on Windows PC
Kodi is available on the Microsoft Store. If you have downloaded it from the store, it will update automatically. However, if you downloaded Kodi from the Kodi website, here are the steps to update it without losing data:
1. Go to https://kodi.tv/download/windows.
2. Choose the appropriate installer for your Windows PC (64-bit or 32-bit). You can also use the Windows Store option.
3. The Kodi installer file will start downloading. Wait as the file downloads. Once the download is complete, locate the file in the Downloads folder and run it.
4. Click Next on the setup window.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions, like agreeing to the License Agreement, selecting the components to install, and selecting the installation location. Click Next.
6. Choose Yes when prompted to overwrite the existing installation.
7. Click OK on the next window.
8. Select Install to install the new Kodi version.
9. Wait a few moments as Kodi installs.
10. Click Finish to complete the installation and set up.
11. Run Kodi. Go to Settings>System Information to verify the Kodi version.
That’s how you update Kodi on Windows.
How to Update Kodi on Android Mobile
There are two ways to install Kodi on Android. First, you can install it directly from the Play Store. If an update is available, you’ll see an Update button. Secondly, you can install the latest Kodi APK for Android from the Kodi website to replace the older version.
Let’s discuss the two methods below.
Method #1: Update Kodi from the Google Play Store
Follow these steps:
1. Open the Google Play Store and type Kodi in the search bar.
2. Select Kodi in the suggested results. Click Update.
3. The latest version will be downloaded.
4. Tap Open to launch the app once the installation is done.
5. Tap Settings>System Information to see if the update was successful. The latest version is Kodi 21.2.
You have successfully updated Kodi without losing your data.
Method #2: Update Kodi By Installing the Latest APK File
Follow these steps:
1. Open your browser and go to kodi.tv/download/android.
2. Navigate to the download links. Select ARMV7A (32BIT).
3. Choose Download Anyway.
4. The APK file will begin downloading. Click Open once the file has been downloaded.
5. You’ll see a prompt to install an update to the existing application. Choose Install.
6. The latest Kodi version will be installed.
7. Tap Open once the app has been installed.
8. Navigate to Settings>System Information to verify the update (latest Kodi version is 21.2)
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The Amazon FireStick automatically updates apps downloaded from the Amazon App Store. However, since Kodi is unavailable on the official store, the automatic update doesn't apply. Therefore, you need to update Kodi on FireStick manually. You can use a downloader app like the Downloader or ES File Explorer to manually install Kodi's latest version.
A: As of now, the latest stable version of Kodi is 21.2 Omega, which was released in August 2024.
A: Kodi is available on popular app stores like Google Play and Microsoft Store. This indicates the application is legal and safe because such stores vet all apps before hosting them. However, the free media player depends on various official and unofficial addons to stream content. Some addons, especially third-party ones, may distribute pirated content, making them illegal. They may also contain malware, putting your device at risk.
A: Kodi is an open-source media player that serves as a one-stop entertainment hub. It lets you watch a wide range of content through official and third-party addons. This content includes movies, TV shows, live TV, sports, kids' shows and films, cartoons, anime, news, and adult stuff. You only need to download the relevant addon that offers your desired content.
Wrapping Up
This guide explained how to update Kodi on any device without losing data. The easiest way is to sideload the latest Kodi APK on your device. When you run the app, it will automatically update to the new stable version. This method works for Kodi on FireStick, Android TV boxes, smart TVs, and Windows. Updating Kodi on an Android device is the easiest, as you can do so directly through the Google Play Store.
Have you updated Kodi on your device? Did you encounter any issues? Please share your experience in the comments below.
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I updated to 17.6 and it still does not stream any movies
Hi Desi, did you install any addons? You will need addons to stream movies and shows. Here is our list of top addons: https://www.firesticktricks.com/best-kodi-addons.html
When I get to the step where i enter the URL idoesnt give me the option to input the name. It says “type” and there is a drop-down menu that gives me the selections of “http(web), file(local), https(web),” or “samba(LAN) I’ve tried them all and I just get a blank white screen. Not sure what to do.
HI Brittany, before clicking +New, make sure you have click Tools on the left sidebar (it is one of the menu items). When Tools is expanded, click Download Manager. Once you have done that, click +New on the bottom right.
I have around 1400 movies on an external hard drive. I would like to know if there is a scraper(i think that’s what its called) that I can use to categorize my movies. I used to use XBMC on an apple TV. It quit working. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Perry
Hi Perry, first, connect your external hard drive to the computer on which you are using Kodi. Now, launch Kodi and follow the steps below:
– Highlight Videos on the left of Kodi home-screen
– Click Files under Categories on the top (on the right)
– Click Add videos
– Click Browse button on the left
– Navigate to the folder in which you have saved your 1400 movies on the external drive
– Click OK
– Enter any name you like in the Enter a name for this media source field
– Click OK
– A new window titles Set content will pop
– Click the option This directory contains
– Another popup window opens with the title This directory contains
– Click the type of content from one of the three available options – Movies, Music Video, TV Shows (Movies in your case)
– You should be back to the Set content window. Now click Choose information provider
– Select the scraper from the list you would like to use to categorize your movies (click Get more… button to install more scrapers)
– That will be all!
Our library is now gone. Updated to the 17.6 and can’t remember what was on our library. How do we get it back?
Hi Leah, unfortunately, if you did not back up Kodi before updating, there is no way to get the data back. If you have updated from one major version to another (say Kodi Jarvis to Kodi Krypton 17.6), again you will lose the data and sadly there is no way to restore it.
Thank you so much for telling me Kodi update guide.
I’ve just updated to 17.6 but it now says I have no library and there is nothing there to watch.
Hi Janet, which version did you update to 17.6 from? Some version updates require Kodi to be reset. You may need to reinstall addons and builds.
wont let me download es file explorer without a payment
Hey Shameka, ES File Explorer is a free app. It should not charge you anything. Alternatively, you can also use the Downloader App instead of ES Explorer.
How do I navigate to the + in ES? My FireStick controller will only let me scroll the left menu and the options at the top
Hey Kevin, it should take you to + when you click Navigation key on the right side. Is that not working?
It worked wonderfully. Really needed to update our app and this was super easy to follow.
worked GREAT except I need to adjust my screen size, any idea where to do that??
Thanks
Ray