How to Install Kodi: Install Kodi on Fire Stick, Android and More

If you’ve wanted to know how to install Kodi on your Firestick, Android TV box or Windows HTPC, I’ve pulled together a detailed guide on installing Kodi to step you through the process.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should’ve heard of Kodi – probably the best media center software around today.

Kodi lets you play your movie files, stream videos online and share content to other devices on your network with an elegant 10-foot interface – all for free. It’s an amazing piece of software.

Installing Kodi is dead simple with my comprehensive guide, which steps you through how to install Kodi on your Firestick, Android TV box and Windows HTPC.

If you’re wanting to grab an Android device, you can buy the Amazon Firestick directly from Amazon or check out my Best Android TV box guide for other recommendations.

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How to Install Kodi on Windows

Chuwi HiBox Hero Review Windows 10 Home

There’s two ways to install Kodi on Windows. Which installation method you should use depends on what version of Windows you’re running.

Install Kodi using the Installer

How To Update Kodi Download Windows Installer

If you’re running Windows 7 or earlier, you’ll need to install Kodi using the standard Kodi installer. There’s no automatic updater to keep Kodi up to date. Instead, you’ll need to manually install Kodi using the installer:

  1. Download the Kodi 17 Installer from the Downloads page
  2. Double-click the installer to start installing Kodi
  3. Select a Typical install for the simplest installation experience.
    • A typical install will install Kodi with the most common requirements, offering you the best out of the box experience. If you’re feeling brave, you can do a custom install to select which components you want.

After the brief installation process, select “Run Kodi” to load Kodi for the first time then follow my detailed Kodi setup guide to get everything set up properly.

Install Kodi using the Windows Store

How To Update Kodi Windows Store

If you’re running Windows 10, I recommend installing Kodi using the Windows 10 Store.

By installing Kodi using the Windows 10 store, you’ll get access to automatic updates so you won’t need to update Kodi manually to get the latest features and bug fixes.

When a new Kodi update is released, Windows will automatically download and install the latest version of Kodi for you.

How to Install Kodi on Android Boxes

R-TV Box K99 Front

Before we start installing Kodi on your Android TV box, please note that Kodi 17 Krypton requires Android 5.0 and above.

If your Android box can’t be updated to Android 5.0 or above, I’d recommend upgrading your Android TV box as there’s a number of new features in Kodi 17 that make the update worth it. See my picks for the Best Android TV box for some suggestions.

Otherwise, you’ll need to install Kodi 16.1 Jarvis as this is the last version that supports Android 4.4.

You can install Kodi on Android in a couple of different ways.

Install Kodi using the Google Play Store

How To Update Kodi Android Search Kodi

Installing Kodi on your Android device using the Google Play store is the easiest method and the one I recommend for most users.

Much like the Windows 10 installation, installing Kodi using the Google Play store means that you’ll get access to automatic updates. This means that you’ll always have latest version of Kodi installed and can avoid having to update Kodi manually.

To install Kodi on your Android TV Box (or other Android device) using the Google Play store:

  • Open the Google Play store on your Android device
  • Search for Kodi and open the app’s page
  • Click “Install” to download and install the latest version of the Kodi app

Once it’s downloaded and installed, click open you’ll be ready to setup Kodi.

Install Kodi by Sideloading

You can install Kodi by sideloading the Kodi apk on your Android device. Sideloading is the process of installing the Kodi app (or any other app) manually, without using the Google Play Store.

To Install Kodi by sideloading the Kodi apk:

  • Enable app installs from unknown sources by going to Settings>Security and enable “Unknown Sources”. This lets you install apps from “non-official” sources i.e. not the Google Play store.

How To Update Kodi Android Enable Unknown Sources

  • Download Kodi for Android from the Downloads page. Most users will want the ARMv7A (32bit) file though newer devices may be compatible with the 64-bit version. Those with Intel-based Android devices should opt for the X86 installer.

How To Update Kodi Download Android

  • Open the APK file you downloaded using your Android TV box’s file manager. I’m using ES File Explorer as this is my “go to” file explorer on Android.

How To Update Kodi Android Sideload

  • Select Install to install Kodi on your Android TV box

How To Update Kodi Android Sideload

  • Click open when the installation process is complete to launch Kodi for the first time.

How to Install Kodi on the Firestick

Amazon’s Firestick doesn’t support the Google Play store which complicates installing Kodi on the Firestick.

To install Kodi on the Fire TV stick, we’ll need to sideload the Kodi app using a similar process as we did for Android TV boxes. Before you know it, you’ll be using your Amazon Fire Stick with Kodi in no time!

Before we get started, you’ll need to allow installation of apps from unknown sources.

To do this, go into Settings > Device > Developer Options and enabling “Apps from Unknown Sources”. This’ll let you install Android apps not provided by Amazon’s app store.

Now that you’ve enabled Unknown sources, we can install Kodi on your Firestick:

  • Search and install Downloader from the Amazon app store. Downloader is an that let’s you download files directly to your Firestick. We’ll use it to download Kodi and install it.
  • Once Downloader has been downloaded and installed, open Downloader and enter the following URL:

http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/android/arm/kodi-17.4-Krypton-armeabi-v7a.apk

  • Downloader will download Kodi from the official servers. When it’s complete, accept the prompt to install Kodi app.
  • Open Kodi when the installation is complete and setup Kodi as required.

Conclusion

Kodi is probably the best media center software around today. Whether you’ve using your Android TV box, HTPC or Amazon Fire TV stick with Kodi, you’ll be able to enhance your media experience.

Now you’re up and running, grab the popcorn, hit the couch and enjoy!

If you’re looking for more Kodi guides, I’d recommend checking out my massive Kodi setup guide which walks you through setting up Kodi the right way.

How’d you go installing Kodi? Did you have any issues? Let me know in the comments!

Michael

Michael is a technology expert with over 15 years of experience in IT, Home Theatre and Automation. Feel free to send Michael a message here.

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