The fastest way to get Kodi on your Firestick
Kodi is not available in the Amazon Appstore, so you cannot download it directly from Firestick's main menu. Instead, you sideload it — install software from outside Amazon's official store — using the Downloader app or by enabling installation from unknown sources and transferring the file manually. The Downloader method is simpler for most people and takes about 10 minutes.
You will need a Firestick (any generation), a Wi-Fi connection, and either the Downloader app or a computer. Kodi itself is free and open-source software maintained by the XBMC Foundation. Once installed, it works like any other app on your Firestick — you launch it from your apps menu and can uninstall it the same way.
Key Takeaways
- Kodi does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it using the Downloader app or by enabling unknown sources in your Firestick settings.
- The Downloader method is the most straightforward: install Downloader from the Appstore, paste a Kodi download link into it, and let it install automatically.
- You can also enable installation from unknown sources in Settings, download the Kodi file to a computer, and transfer it to your Firestick via USB or network.
- After installation, Kodi appears in your Firestick apps list and works like any other app you have installed.
Sideloading Kodi with the Downloader app
The Downloader app is the easiest route. Open the Amazon Appstore on your Firestick, search for "Downloader," and install the app made by AFTVnews. It costs nothing. Once installed, open Downloader and you will see a text field where you can paste a web address.
Go to the official Kodi website on a computer or phone and find the download link for the Android version. Copy that link, return to Downloader on your Firestick, paste the link into the text field, and select Download. Downloader will fetch the file and then ask whether you want to install it. Select Install, and Kodi will be added to your Firestick within a minute or two.
After installation finishes, you can close Downloader. Kodi now appears in your Firestick's apps list under "Your Apps" or "All Apps," depending on your Firestick model and software version. You can launch it from there whenever you want.
Installing Kodi by enabling unknown sources
If you prefer not to use Downloader, you can enable your Firestick to install apps from sources other than the Amazon Appstore. Go to Settings on your Firestick, select Apps, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it on. A warning will appear — this is normal and expected.
On a computer, download the Kodi Android file (the .apk file) from the official Kodi website. Connect your Firestick to your computer using a USB cable, or use a network file transfer tool like ADB (Android Debug Bridge) if you are comfortable with command-line tools. Copy the Kodi file to your Firestick's storage.
On your Firestick, open the file manager app (or use the Files app if your model has one), navigate to the folder where you copied the Kodi file, select it, and choose Install. The installation will proceed, and Kodi will appear in your apps list when finished. After installation, you can toggle Unknown Sources back off in Settings if you prefer.
What to do after Kodi is installed
When you first open Kodi, it will ask you to configure some basic settings. You can skip most of these and adjust them later. Kodi works as a media player and organizer — it can display videos, music, and photos from your Firestick's storage, from network drives, or from online sources you add.
Kodi does not come with content built in. You add content by pointing it to folders on your Firestick, to external drives, to network locations, or to online repositories. The setup process varies depending on where your media is stored, so you may want to consult Kodi's official documentation or community forums if you need help organizing your library.
Removing Kodi from your Firestick
If you decide you no longer want Kodi, removing it is straightforward. Go to your Firestick's apps list, find Kodi, select it, and choose Uninstall. The app and all its data will be removed. If you enabled Unknown Sources to install Kodi, you can toggle that setting back off in Settings > Apps > Unknown Sources.
Uninstalling Kodi does not affect any other apps or settings on your Firestick. Your Firestick will work exactly as it did before you installed it.
Why Kodi is not in the Amazon Appstore
Amazon does not distribute Kodi through the Appstore, even though Kodi is free and legal software. This is a business decision by Amazon — the company prefers to feature apps it has tested and approved, and Kodi's open-source nature and customization options fall outside Amazon's standard review process. Sideloading is the only way to install it on a Firestick.
Sideloading is a standard feature of Android devices, including Firesticks, and is not against Amazon's terms of service. You are not breaking any rules by sideloading Kodi, though Amazon does not provide support for sideloaded apps if something goes wrong.
Troubleshooting common installation problems
If Downloader cannot find or download the Kodi file, check that your Firestick has an active internet connection. If the download link you pasted is broken or outdated, visit the official Kodi website again and copy the current link. Downloader will show an error message if the link is invalid.
If you are using the manual method and the file will not install, make sure you downloaded the Android version of Kodi (the .apk file), not the Windows or Mac version. Also confirm that Unknown Sources is toggled on in your Firestick settings. If the file is corrupted, try downloading it again from the official source.
If Kodi crashes or behaves strangely after installation, try uninstalling it and reinstalling it fresh. Most issues resolve after a clean reinstall. If problems persist, check the Kodi community forums or documentation for your specific Firestick model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to install Kodi on my Firestick?
No. Using Downloader, you can install Kodi without a computer — just your Firestick and an internet connection. If you use the manual method, you will need a computer to download the Kodi file and transfer it to your Firestick.
Will installing Kodi void my Firestick warranty?
Sideloading apps does not void your warranty. Amazon's warranty covers hardware defects, not software choices. However, Amazon will not provide technical support for Kodi or other sideloaded apps if you contact them.
Can I use Kodi to stream movies and TV shows?
Kodi is a media player and organizer. It can play video files stored on your Firestick, on external drives, or on network locations. It cannot stream copyrighted content from services like Netflix or Disney+ — those require their own apps. Some users add third-party add-ons to Kodi, but that is separate from the core installation.
What happens to Kodi if I factory reset my Firestick?
A factory reset removes all apps and data from your Firestick, including Kodi. You would need to reinstall it using the same method you used the first time.