How to Install Kodi on Fire Stick Quickly and Easily

How to Install Kodi on Fire Stick Quickly and Easily

/ James Masterson

This guide was designed to help you quickly and easily install Kodi onto an Amazon fire stick using your smart TV. It briefly explains what Kodi is, its features, and why you want to use it. The guide provides background information on the new Amazon Fire Stick with Alexa remote voice commands.

So, What the Heck is Kodi exactly?!

Kodi is open-source home theater and entertainment software. It was once called XBMC, an award-winning, full-a featured application that runs on any device.

Phones, tablets, TVs, and computers can all run Kodi. Open source means anyone can use it, and anyone can improve it. Open source also means, in this case, that— it’s FREE! This is a very robust application, and it was designed to run just about everywhere you would want and need it to.

It can run on Linux, Windows, IOS, Android, and Raspberry Pi. In addition to being free, flexible, and open-source, Kodi has a beautiful user interface. This app is intuitive and straightforward, and it’s an organizational dream for your media.

Once installed, Kodi can do beautiful things with your music, movies, TV shows, and photos. You can use it to watch and record live TV. You can change the look and feel with skins to suit your mood and personal tastes.

It supports hundreds of remote controls. It’s quite a fantastic app, but that’s another guide for another day. Let’s focus on what it does when matched with the fire stick. What can this dynamic duo do for your life of entertainment? Let’s find out!

Does Kodi Supply Content?

No. Kodi doesn’t provide any content, and Kodi uses content supplied from other sources. It is a user interface and a media manipulation tool.

Kodi is a media organizer and an impressive organizational entry point to a flood of third-party media. While Kodi doesn’t provide content, you have a few options when supplying Kodi with media.

You can provide your content on Kodi by uploading your pics. You can add your downloaded or recorded music too, and you can also add you’re downloaded or saved TV shows and movies.

Add your home movies to Kodi and any other media you can think of.

Can I watch TV on Kodi? If so, How?

You can manually point Kodi to third-party content providers like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, and YouTube. With Kodi, you can access hundreds of content providers.

While there are tons of illegal sites, Kodi does not support bootleg videos or illicit media. You should use common sense when deciding what to stream if you plan on getting in your head with unlawful content.

Kodi provides you with a tool for streaming. Kodi does not condone or encourage its product’s unethical or illegal use.

What About Kodi Add-Ons?

One of the significant benefits of using Kodi is that it already has a vast selection of add-ons. Addons can be used for web services such as YouTube, Crackle, PS Vue, SoundCloud, ScreenRant, and Pluto.tv, Tuff.tv Cheddar, and so many more.

In total, there are over 900 addons as of this writing. If Kodi doesn’t already have an addon for something you want, you can create it using Python (yes, this is the very definition of “open source!”).

You can develop an addon and share it with the Kodi community, which is excellent. Maybe you want an add-in that dims your lights when a movie starts; you can use Python, and others might use it too.

If you have zero interest in developing your addon, you could jump on a hiring website and pay someone else to create it! Then you can use it and share it too.

That being said, Kodi will open a whole new world to a plethora of media when it’s downloaded to your firestick. You have to remember that you are jailbreaking your fire stick, which is legal but can be risky. Just like jailbreaking your phone or tablet is permitted but does carry some security risks.

Jailbreaking the fire stick will give you loads of media and access options and a fantastic user interface, so you have to weigh the costs. It will be mentioned in the upcoming section on prerequisites that you can reduce this security risk.

Before adding Kodi, you will minimize security problems by adding ExpressVPN to your fire stick. This will give you an added layer of protection and increase your Device’s speed and safety. But more about that later.

What is the Amazon Fire Stick?

Let’s get to the details now that we know what Kodi is. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick is a small, plug-in device, much like Roku, that is added to your smart TV’s HDMI port. It doesn’t have to be a specific smart TV brand; it can be any manufacturer.

Your Device does have to be a smart TV enabled, however. The fire stick lets you stream a fantastic amount of media, including TV shows, movies, music, and Internet web services and channels.

Some of the channels and services are free; others are not. If you have Amazon Prime, many media, including the new Amazon original TV shows, are included in that subscription.

You will have to pay for some channels if they are omitted.

Do I have to Pay for Channels?

For instance, you will have to pay if your current service provider package does not include channels like HBO, Showtime, or Starz. A monthly subscription cost applies to watch these channels.

If you don’t have a complete ISP package, you can still stream all these channels using the stick, your Wifi, and your smart TV.

Is There a Subscription Charge?

For the stick itself, there is no subscription; you pay one time as you do for any device like your phone, TV, or laptop. The fire stick can be purchased at BestBuy, Target, Walmart, or, of course, directly from Amazon.com.

The cost for the fire stick is anywhere between $25 and 40 dollars. You can buy pre-owned firesticks for less money. You can also purchase previously jailbroken fire sticks, but why would you pay all that extra money when you can do it yourself in under ten minutes!!!??

You wouldn’t! And you shouldn’t! So don’t! We’ll show you how to do it below, so stick around!

Prerequisites To Installing Kodi on FireStick

If you don’t have them already, you are going to need a few things before you get started with the installation of Kodi. For starters, you’re going to need to have a Smart TV, one that has an HDMI port on the back or side.

Additionally, you need to have a fire stick, of course! If you don’t have one, you must purchase one at a retail store or order one online. The newest version of the Device comes with an Alexa voice remote.

What does that mean for you? It means you can kick back and let Alexa do all your TV surfing, channel changing, recording, and playing at your command. You can relax and let your voice do the work after a long day at work, school, or wherever you’ve been.

Amazon’s Voice Command Remote will let you lounge on your sofa and tell Alexa what to do. You can ask her to “launch Netflix,” “play Game of Thrones,” or “pause the show” you’re watching.

It’s like having your maid, the only one that doesn’t clean anything. Having the Alexa remote adds a great deal of functionality to the fire stick that it didn’t have before. With Kodi installed, the possibilities become even more expanded and far-reaching.

Adding a VPN to Secure Your Stick

One last and essential prerequisite you might want to invest in is adding a secure VPN. The best VPN currently on the market is ExpressVPN.

Why would you want to do this? Well, there are several excellent reasons, most of which are lightning-fast speed, privacy, and ultimate security. Using ExpressVPN will keep your Device secure from hackers and safe from prying eyes.

It’s effortless to install and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and it supports Apple TV, Fire TV, Smart TV, PlayStation, Android TV box, and many others.

It’s one of the top-rated VPNs in the world. They have an excellent reputation and a clean track record. You want to amp up security. You can learn more about this technology at www.expressvpn.com.

Why Should I Use a VPN?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, protects your data from third-party snoops, hackers, spies, aggressive marketers, and casual observers. A VPN creates a secure connection that shields all data transfers.

Your computer also uses the VPN’s IP address, giving you privacy online. Your identity remains anonymous and secure. What this means for you is that private data and transfers cannot be intercepted or stolen.

This is particularly important when using open networks such as coffee shops, restaurants, and airports. These connections are often not secured, and anyone can pry into your data. While you don’t need to install a VPN on your stick to use it, you should strongly consider doing so.

With the fire stick, you might have credit card numbers, bank account numbers, images, music, home movies, and other personal data vulnerable to hacking and corruption. Having a VPN on your Device will protect your data.

Install Kodi on firestick – Let’s Go!

Here comes the fun part, installing Kodi on your firestick.

Now, let’s say you have your stick. You installed ExpressVPN and plugged it into your smart TV, meaning you’re ready to install Kodi!

Let’s do this.

Before starting the Kodi installation, ensure you’ve plugged your fire stick into your smart TV’s HDMI port. Turn the Alexa remote on and press the home button.

This will bring you to your TV’s home screen, where you will access your TV’s Settings Menu to start the installation.

Step 1:

Navigate to your smart TV’s settings menu.

smart tv settings menu

Step:2

In the settings menu, click Device.

kodi device option

Step:3

In the Device menu, click Developer options.

kodi developer options

Step 4:

You will see an option to Enable Apps from Unknown Sources; if the setting is turned off, click On it to toggle it.

enable apps from unknown sources

IMPORTANT SECURITY NOTE: You may wonder, could turn on “Apps from Unknown Sources” be a security risk to my system? It sure sounds like a security risk.

You get the tech brownie point award if this is precisely what you thought. It sure is a security risk, and you’re telling your TV that any third-party app from an unknown source can access your TV.

That means it can access your Wifi and potentially all your data. So, keep this in mind as you proceed. If you’re jailbreaking, we assume you know you are willing to take a certain amount of risk.

Just like jailbreaking your phone to access apps and other features puts your phone at higher risk for hacking, so does jailbreaking any device.

Usually, the benefit outweighs any calamity but abort the installation now if you’re uncomfortable. This is another good reason to install that VPN.

Step 5:

Return to your smart TV’s home screen/home menu.

Step 6:

Select Search.

search for kodi

Step 7:

Type Downloader into the search box.

kodi downloader

Step 8:

When the Downloader app comes up, please select and install it by clicking Get.

kodi downloader firestick
downloader app in kodi

Step 9:

Once the installation is complete, click Open.

open downloader app in kodi

Step 10:

If an “Allow Downloader to Access Photos?” box opens, click Allow.

allow downloader access kodi

Step 11:

If a notification opens, click OK.

Step 12:

Click on the HTTP:// address box.

downloader search box kodi

Step 13:

Type https://kodi.tv/download/ precisely as it appears here.

type kodi tv address

Step 14:

Click Go.

Step 15:

If a “Javascript disabled – please read” message appears, click OK.

Step 16:

Scroll to the bottom of the Download page, and click Android.

android option in kodi

Step 17:

In the Release section, find the choice that has 32 BIT, it might have numbers in front or letters, but as long as it says “32 BIT,” that’s the one you want. Click 32 BIT.

Step 18:

After the 32 BIT file downloads, click Install.

Step 19:

When the installation is complete, click Open.

From this point, you can customize the Kodi app how you want. Select the Kodi addons you will often use, such as video, music, program, and pictures. Explanations of each add-in are included in the Menu.

You can scroll through the various options available to download and install whichever Kodi addons you want.

That’s it. You have now installed Kodi on your fire stick; enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to install Kodi on a fire tv stick?

To install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick, follow these steps:
First, ensure that your Fire TV Stick is connected to your television and that both are turned on.
Press the “Home” button on your Fire TV remote to the home screen.
Navigate to the “Apps” section and select the “Search” icon.
Type “Kodi” into the search bar and select the Kodi app from the search results.
Select the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, select the “Open” button to launch Kodi.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Kodi.
That’s it! You should now have Kodi installed on your Fire TV Stick.
Note: Depending on your location and your Fire TV Stick version, you may need to enable the option to install apps from unknown sources to install Kodi. To do this, go to the “Settings” menu, select “My Fire TV,” and then select “Developer Options.” You can enable the “Apps from Unknown Sources” option.

How to install Kodi on a fire tv cube?

To install Kodi on a Fire TV Cube, follow these steps:
Ensure that your Fire TV Cube is connected to your television and that both are turned on.
Press the “Home” button on your Fire TV remote to the home screen.
Navigate to the “Apps” section and select the “Search” icon.
Type “Kodi” into the search bar and select the Kodi app from the search results.
Select the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, select the “Open” button to launch Kodi.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Kodi.
That’s it! You should now have Kodi installed on your Fire TV Cube.
Note: Depending on your location and the version of your Fire TV Cube, you may need to enable the option to install apps from unknown sources to install Kodi. To do this, go to the “Settings” menu, select “My Fire TV,” and then select “Developer Options.” You can enable the “Apps from Unknown Sources” option.

What is Kodi?

Kodi is a free, open-source media player software that allows you to play and view most streaming media, such as videos, music, and podcasts.

Can I install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube?

You can install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube. Both devices support the installation of third-party apps, including Kodi.

How do I install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube?

To install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube, you will need to search for the Kodi app in the Amazon Appstore and install it. Alternatively, you can also side-load Kodi onto your Device by downloading the Kodi APK file onto a USB drive and installing it onto your Device.

Kodi itself is legal to use. However, using third-party addons or builds allowing pirated content access is illegal.

Can I use Kodi to stream live TV?

Yes, Kodi can be used to stream live TV through the use of third-party addons that provide access to live TV streams. However, remember that these addons may be illegal depending on your location and the content being streamed.

Can I use Kodi to watch movies and TV shows?

Yes, Kodi can be used to watch movies and TV shows through third-party add-ons that provide access to streaming services or media libraries. However, remember that these addons may be illegal depending on your location and the content being streamed.

Can I use Kodi to play local media files?

Kodi can play local media files stored on your Device or network. Add the location of your media files to Kodi’s library, and you can access them through the Kodi interface.

Are there any risks to using Kodi?

As with any third-party software, there is always a risk of downloading malware or malicious software. It is essential only to install Kodi from a trusted source and to be careful about the addons and builds you install.

How to update Kodi on firestick?

To update Kodi on a Fire TV Stick, follow these steps:
Ensure that your Fire TV Stick is connected to your television and that both are turned on.
Press the “Home” button on your Fire TV remote to the home screen.
Navigate to the “Apps” section and select the “Kodi” app.
Select the “Menu” button on your Fire TV remote (it looks like three horizontal lines).
From the Menu, select “Settings.”
From the settings menu, select “System.”
Scroll down to the “Software Update” section and select “Update Available.”
Follow the on-screen instructions to update Kodi.
That’s it! Kodi should now be updated on your Fire TV Stick.
Note: If the option to update Kodi is unavailable, it may be because you have installed Kodi using a method other than downloading it from the Amazon Appstore. In this case, you will need to update Kodi manually by downloading the latest version of the Kodi APK file and installing it onto your Device.

How to install Kodi with a downloader app?

To install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube using a downloader app, follow these steps:
Ensure that your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Cube is connected to your television and that both are turned on.
Press the “Home” button on your Fire TV remote to the home screen.
Navigate to the “Apps” section and select the “Search” icon.
Type “downloader” into the search bar and select the Downloader app from the search results.
Select the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, select the “Open” button to launch the Downloader app.
In the Downloader app, enter the URL for the Kodi APK file you want to download. You can find the latest version of the Kodi APK file on the Kodi website or online.
Select the “Go” button to begin the download process.
Once the download is complete, the Downloader app will prompt you to install the Kodi APK file. Select “Install” to begin the installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, select the “Done” button to close the Downloader app.
You should now see Kodi listed in your “Apps” section. Select the Kodi app to launch it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Kodi.

How do I download Kodi on FireStick 2022?

To download and install Kodi on a Fire TV Stick in 2022, follow these steps:
Ensure that your Fire TV Stick is connected to your television and that both are turned on.
Press the “Home” button on your Fire TV remote to the home screen.
Navigate to the “Apps” section and select the “Search” icon.
Type “Kodi” into the search bar and select the Kodi app from the search results.
Select the “Install” button to begin the download and installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Once the installation is complete, select the “Open” button to launch Kodi.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Kodi.
Note: Depending on your location and your Fire TV Stick version, you may need to enable the option to install apps from unknown sources to install Kodi. To do this, go to the “Settings” menu, select “My Fire TV,” and then select “Developer Options.” You can enable the “Apps from Unknown Sources” option.

Can you jailbreak a FireStick in 2022?

It is generally not recommended to jailbreak a Fire TV Stick or any other device. Jailbreaking removes the limitations and restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on a device’s operating system, allowing users to install and use unauthorized software or modifications.
While jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick or any other device may allow you to access additional features and content, it can void the Device’s warranty and potentially expose it to security risks. Additionally, using unauthorized or pirated content may be illegal in some countries.
Therefore, it is generally best to avoid jailbreaking a Fire TV Stick or any other device. Instead, consider using the Device as intended by the manufacturer and only install and use legal and authorized software and content.

James Masterson
Meet the author

James is a software engineer and an information architect with a keen eye for detail. Among his key interests are enhancing the usability of our Windows 10 content, troubleshooting errors, and tech news.