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How to Install Kodi on the New Updated Fire TV Stick (Easy Guide)

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Kodi, a versatile and powerful media center software, offers an unparalleled experience for organizing, managing, and enjoying your digital media. From streaming movies and TV shows to playing music and viewing photos, Kodi puts you in complete control of your entertainment. And when you combine Kodi with the convenience and affordability of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, you unlock a world of possibilities. The Fire TV Stick has become a household name for streaming content, and now you can elevate your viewing experience even further. This guide will walk you through a simple, step-by-step process for installing Kodi on the latest, updated Amazon Fire TV Stick.

It’s important to acknowledge that installing Kodi on the Fire TV Stick requires a process known as side-loading. This means installing an application from a source outside of the official Amazon Appstore. While this may seem a bit technical, don’t worry! This comprehensive guide is designed with beginners in mind, making the entire process smooth and straightforward. Get ready to transform your Fire TV Stick into a powerful media hub.

What You Need to Get Started

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s gather the necessary components. You’ll need a few things to ensure a successful installation of Kodi on your Fire TV Stick:

  • The Star of the Show: The New Updated Amazon Fire TV Stick. This guide is specifically tailored for the latest model, so ensure you have the most recent version for optimal performance.
  • A Reliable Internet Connection. A stable internet connection is crucial for downloading the Kodi software and any necessary applications.
  • Your Amazon Account Credentials. You’ll need to be logged into your Amazon account on your Fire TV Stick to access the Appstore and settings.
  • A Computer or Smartphone (Optional, but Recommended). While you can technically download the Kodi installation file (APK) directly on the Fire TV Stick, using a computer or smartphone to download it initially can sometimes be faster and more reliable.

With these items in hand, you’re ready to begin the journey of installing Kodi on your Fire TV Stick.

Preparing Your Fire TV Stick for Installation

Before we can install Kodi, we need to make a few adjustments to your Fire TV Stick’s settings to allow for the installation of applications from outside the Amazon Appstore. This involves enabling Developer Options and allowing installations from unknown sources.

Enable Developer Options

Enabling Developer Options unlocks advanced settings that are normally hidden. Don’t worry; we’re not going to be doing anything too complicated. Here’s how to enable it:

  1. From the Fire TV Stick home screen, navigate to Settings.
  2. Scroll down and select My Fire TV.
  3. Select About.
  4. Now, repeatedly click on the About selection. Keep clicking until a message appears at the bottom of the screen that says, “No need, you are already a developer!”. This may take several taps, so keep going until you see the confirmation message.

Congratulations, you’ve unlocked Developer Options!

Allow Apps from Unknown Sources

Now that we have Developer Options enabled, we need to allow the installation of applications from unknown sources. This is what will allow us to side-load Kodi.

  1. Go back to Settings on your Fire TV Stick.
  2. Select My Fire TV.
  3. Select Developer Options.
  4. You should see an option labelled “Install unknown apps”. Select this option.
  5. Find the app “Downloader” and turn it ON. If you do not install Downloader from this point, you cannot install kodi from an external APK file.

By enabling this setting, you’re giving your Fire TV Stick permission to install applications from sources other than the Amazon Appstore.

Installing the Downloader App

The Downloader application is a crucial tool for side-loading applications onto your Fire TV Stick. It allows you to download files directly from the internet onto your device. It’s a free and readily available application in the Amazon Appstore.

Here’s how to install Downloader:

  1. From the Fire TV Stick home screen, navigate to the Amazon Appstore.
  2. Use the search function (the magnifying glass icon) and type in “Downloader”.
  3. You should see the Downloader application, developed by AFTVnews. Select it.
  4. Click the “Get” or “Download” button to install the Downloader application.

Once the Downloader application is installed, you’re ready to proceed with downloading and installing Kodi.

Downloading the Kodi Installation File

Now comes the exciting part: downloading the Kodi installation file (APK). This is the file that contains all the necessary components to install Kodi on your Fire TV Stick.

Launch the Downloader App

  1. Go to your list of installed Apps by navigating to the right on the Fire TV Stick home screen.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the apps and select the newly installed “Downloader” app.
  3. Launch the Downloader application. You may be prompted to grant it permissions to access files; click “Allow”.

Download Kodi

Within the Downloader application, you’ll see a text field where you can enter a URL. This is where we’ll enter the web address for downloading the Kodi APK.

  1. In the Downloader app, click on the URL field.
  2. Enter the following web address: kodi.tv/download This is the official Kodi download page.
  3. The Kodi website will open within the Downloader app. Navigate the webpage to the android section.
  4. Important: Select the 32Bit version of Android. It is compatible with the Firestick.
  5. The download will begin automatically. The download progress will be displayed within the Downloader application.

Alternative Download Method (Use with Caution)

If, for any reason, you have trouble accessing the Kodi website through Downloader, you can try downloading the APK directly using a direct link. However, exercise extreme caution when using this method. Only use direct links from reputable sources to avoid downloading malicious files. If you are unexperienced it is best to not use this method.

(Note: I am intentionally omitting a direct link here to prioritize user safety. I strongly recommend using the official Kodi website as described above.)

If you choose to use a direct link, paste it into the URL field in Downloader, and the download will begin.

Installing Kodi from the APK File

Once the Kodi APK file has finished downloading, the Downloader application will automatically prompt you to install it.

  1. After the download is complete, you should see a prompt with an option to “Install”. Click on it.
  2. Your Fire TV Stick will now begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to scroll down to see the “Install” button.
  3. Once the installation is complete, you’ll see an option to “Open” Kodi immediately or “Done” to launch it later.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Kodi on your Fire TV Stick.

Launching and Configuring Kodi

Now that Kodi is installed, let’s take a quick look at how to launch and configure it.

Finding Kodi on Your Fire TV Stick

Kodi will now be available in your list of installed applications on your Fire TV Stick.

  1. From the Fire TV Stick home screen, navigate to the right and select “See All” Apps.
  2. Scroll through your list of applications until you find Kodi. It should be listed alphabetically.

Basic Kodi Overview

When you launch Kodi for the first time, you’ll be greeted with a clean, customizable interface. The main menu typically includes sections for:

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Music
  • Add-ons
  • Pictures
  • Programs

These sections allow you to access and manage your media library. To populate these sections, you’ll need to add media sources, which are locations where your media files are stored (e.g., local hard drives, network shares, streaming services). Adding media sources and installing add-ons are topics for another guide, as they can be quite involved.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some common issues you might encounter during the Kodi installation process and how to resolve them:

“App Not Installed” Error

  • Possible Cause: You may have downloaded an incompatible APK file.
    • Solution: Double-check that you downloaded the correct architecture (32-bit) from the Kodi website.
  • Possible Cause: Insufficient storage space on your Fire TV Stick.
    • Solution: Delete unnecessary applications or files to free up space.

Kodi Crashing or Freezing

  • Possible Cause: Corrupted data or too many add-ons.
    • Solution: Clear Kodi’s cache. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Kodi > Clear Cache.
    • Solution: Uninstall and reinstall Kodi.
    • Solution: Consider using a lighter Kodi build (a pre-configured version of Kodi with essential add-ons and settings).

Downloader Not Working

  • Possible Cause: Internet connection issues.
    • Solution: Check your internet connection and ensure you can access websites on other devices.
  • Possible Cause: Developer Options or “Install unknown apps” is disabled.
    • Solution: Double-check that you followed the steps in “Preparing Your Fire TV Stick for Installation” and that both settings are still enabled.

In Conclusion

Installing Kodi on your new, updated Fire TV Stick is a fantastic way to unlock a world of entertainment possibilities. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can transform your Fire TV Stick into a powerful media hub, capable of streaming your favorite movies, TV shows, music, and more. Kodi’s versatility and customization options are truly remarkable, allowing you to tailor your viewing experience to your exact preferences. Don’t be afraid to explore Kodi’s features and experiment with different settings and add-ons. With a little bit of effort, you can create the ultimate home entertainment setup. Enjoy your new and improved Fire TV Stick experience.

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