Introduction
Why Delete Addons?
Kodi has transformed how we consume media. It’s a powerful, open-source media player that lets you stream movies, TV shows, music, and more, all from a single, customizable platform. The heart of Kodi’s flexibility lies in its addons. These extensions unlock a world of content, offering access to various streaming services, live TV channels, and specialized functionalities. However, over time, your Kodi setup can become cluttered with addons you no longer use, broken addons, or those that consume valuable storage space. Knowing how to delete addons from Kodi is an essential skill for any Kodi user. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you keep your Kodi experience streamlined and enjoyable.
Reasons for Deleting Addons
A crucial part of maintaining a well-functioning Kodi setup is regularly deleting addons. There are several reasons why this is necessary. Firstly, addons, especially those that are no longer actively maintained by their developers, can become outdated and stop working. Attempting to use a broken addon can lead to errors, buffering issues, or even crashes. Secondly, addons can consume significant amounts of storage space on your device. As you install more and more addons, the available space on your device shrinks, potentially impacting Kodi’s performance and the overall user experience. Thirdly, addons may contain content you no longer wish to access, or even content that may be from less reputable sources. Finally, managing your installed addons allows you to tailor your Kodi setup to your specific viewing preferences, eliminating unnecessary clutter and making it easier to find the content you want.
Before You Begin
Backing Up Your Configuration
Before diving into the deletion process, it’s wise to take a preventative measure: backing up your Kodi configuration. While deleting an addon itself is usually a straightforward process, unexpected issues might occur, such as unintentional removal of crucial files or conflicts with other addons. Backing up your Kodi setup allows you to revert to a previous configuration if something goes wrong. You can use Kodi’s built-in backup feature, or install a dedicated addon for backing up and restoring your settings and installed addons. The exact methods vary depending on your Kodi version and device, but the principle remains the same: create a copy of your Kodi configuration to ensure you can quickly restore your settings if needed. It’s generally a good practice to back up your Kodi configuration before making significant changes, including deleting addons.
Deleting Addons: The Methods
Deleting Addons from the Addon Browser
Now, let’s get to the core of the matter: the steps involved in deleting addons from Kodi. Deleting an addon via the addon browser is generally the easiest and safest method. This is usually the preferred route for most users.
First, start by navigating to the “Addons” section. This section can be found in the main menu of your Kodi interface. The exact location of the “Addons” section might vary slightly depending on your skin, but it’s typically displayed prominently. Once you’ve located it, click on the “Addons” option to proceed.
Within the “Addons” section, you’ll find a list of all the addon types installed on your system. This might include video addons, music addons, program addons, and more. Select the category that contains the addon you wish to delete. For instance, if you want to remove a movie streaming addon, select the “Video addons” option.
Next, you’ll be presented with a list of all the addons of that type. Browse through the list to locate the specific addon you want to remove.
Once you’ve found the addon, you have to interact with it. The interaction method depends on your device. On devices with a mouse and keyboard, right-click on the addon. On touch-screen devices or those with a remote control, you’ll usually need to long-press (press and hold) on the addon.
This action will open a context menu or a set of options specific to that addon. Among these options, you should find an “Uninstall” or a “Delete” option. The exact wording might vary depending on your Kodi version and the addon itself, but the key is to select an option that removes the addon from your system.
After selecting “Uninstall” or “Delete”, Kodi will usually ask you to confirm the action. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental deletions. Carefully review the confirmation message, ensuring you’re deleting the correct addon. Then, confirm the deletion.
After the addon has been deleted, it should no longer appear in the addon list. If the addon is still present, try restarting Kodi. This can help to refresh Kodi’s configuration and ensure that the change takes effect. This simple method is the most common, and usually the most effective.
Deleting Addons from Settings
Another approach to removing addons involves navigating through Kodi’s settings. This method is useful when dealing with dependencies or if you prefer a more detailed management overview.
To begin, access the “Settings” menu. The settings can typically be accessed by clicking on a gear icon in the main menu. Again, the visual may vary depending on your skin.
Within the settings menu, you’ll find various options for customizing your Kodi experience. From the settings menu, you’ll want to navigate to the “Addons” option. This is the central hub for managing all installed addons.
Once inside the “Addons” section, you’ll find several sub-menus. You should look for an option labelled “Manage dependencies” or something similar. This section allows you to manage addons that are dependencies of other addons. This is often where you find components that are essential for the proper functioning of some of your add-ons.
In the dependencies list, you can find the addon you wish to delete. Keep in mind that some of the addons listed in this section may be necessary for other add-ons to work. Ensure that you understand the purpose of the addon before deleting it.
Once you have located the addon or its dependency, interact with it using a right-click (on a mouse/keyboard setup) or a long-press (on touch screen or remote devices) to get the context menu.
Select the “Uninstall” or “Delete” option from the context menu.
As with the addon browser method, Kodi will usually ask for confirmation before removing the addon. Double-check the addon name before confirming the deletion.
This “Settings” method is more useful when you’re trying to deal with issues related to underlying components, or if you want a comprehensive view of dependencies.
Deleting Addons with the File Manager (Advanced)
While generally not recommended for novice users, another method for deleting addons involves using the file manager within Kodi. This provides a more direct way to delete addon files, but it comes with a higher risk of causing errors if not done carefully.
To use this approach, begin by accessing the Kodi File Manager. This is found within the settings menu, usually under the “File manager” section.
In the File Manager, you’ll need to navigate to the Kodi addon directory. The exact path depends on your operating system and Kodi installation, but it usually follows a pattern, for example: Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/addons. The path might be hidden depending on your operating system settings.
Within the addon directory, you’ll find folders representing all the installed addons. These folders will be named based on the addon’s ID. To identify the addon you want to remove, you’ll need to know the addon’s ID.
Carefully locate the folder corresponding to the addon you want to remove. Remember that deleting the wrong folder can cause Kodi to malfunction, so double-check the name and contents before proceeding.
Once you have identified the correct folder, select the “Delete” option.
After deleting the addon folder using the File Manager, restart Kodi to ensure that the changes are applied correctly.
After Deleting an Addon
Verification and Cache Clearing
After deleting an addon using any of the methods described, the first step is to verify that it is no longer present in the “Addons” section of Kodi. Browse through the lists of addons to confirm that the one you deleted has been removed. If you still see the addon, try restarting Kodi to refresh the list.
Deleting addons doesn’t always completely remove all the traces. Some addons might leave behind temporary files, configuration data, or cached content. Clearing the cache can help remove these residual files and free up storage space.
Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing problems after deleting an addon, such as crashes or unexpected behavior, restarting Kodi is often the first troubleshooting step. A restart can resolve temporary glitches and ensure that Kodi refreshes its configuration.
If, after deleting an addon, Kodi starts crashing or behaving erratically, there could be a conflict or corruption of other components. If a simple restart does not solve the problem, consider clearing the cache, or even re-installing Kodi if needed.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Encountering issues during the deletion process can be frustrating. Let’s look at some common troubleshooting solutions.
“Uninstall” or “Delete” Option Not Available
If the “Uninstall” or “Delete” option is not available when interacting with an addon, it might be due to several reasons. It could be the addon itself is a core part of Kodi and cannot be uninstalled.
Addon Persists After Deletion
If the addon appears to persist even after deletion, there might be corrupted files preventing the complete removal. Try restarting Kodi, clearing the cache, and repeating the deletion process. If the issue persists, you might need to manually delete the addon’s files using the file manager or consider reinstalling Kodi.
Kodi Crashes After Deletion
If Kodi crashes after addon deletion, the issue might be related to other addons that depend on the removed addon or some lingering issues. Restarting Kodi, clearing the cache, and if necessary, removing any other related addons, can often fix the problem.
Important Considerations and Tips
Kodi Maintenance
Sometimes, issues are persistent. In these cases, you may need to use a clean install. A clean install, which involves uninstalling and reinstalling Kodi, will remove all settings and addons.
Update and Maintain Addons
Maintaining a clean and optimized Kodi setup is an ongoing process.
Regularly update Kodi and its addons. Updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and improved performance.
Always be cautious about the sources from which you install addons. Only use trusted repositories or official addon sources to minimize the risk of installing malicious or unreliable addons.
Legality
Be aware of the legal implications of using certain addons. Some addons provide access to copyrighted content illegally. It is crucial to respect copyright laws and only use addons that comply with legal guidelines.
Conclusion
In conclusion, managing your Kodi addons is a critical part of maintaining a smooth and enjoyable media experience. By understanding how to delete addons from Kodi, you can streamline your setup, free up space, and keep your Kodi interface running efficiently. The steps involved are generally straightforward, and with this guide, you can confidently delete any unwanted addons.
Regular maintenance of your Kodi setup is crucial.
Remember, keep your Kodi experience clean, efficient, and tailored to your viewing preferences by regularly deleting unwanted or problematic addons.
