Installing Kodi to a Fire TV Stick is not difficult and does not require a computer or any other device.
A computer can be used if the main install method does not work for your Fire TV version.
The first method does not require a computer only an Amazon account to get a free App called Downloader.
A free Amazon trial account can be used if needed.
Link to Amazon 30 Day Free Trial Instant Video Page
The Downloader App is used to go to the Kodi Download page and get the necessary install file.
This is the most popular method and the most widely used.
There have been a few updates that have stopped some previous methods from working with the Downloader App method working very well.
The second method uses an App called File Commander which allows a computer to copy files to a Fire TV.
Installing with a computer is not usually used since the first method works very well.
How to use both methods are shown below along with the steps and screenshots. A video is also below each method for a visual walk through if needed.
What is Kodi?
Kodi is a media center that is free to use and install.
Since it is free to use and can play most any video or music file it has become very popular.
It is also very easy to modify and change the interface and other features.
Does Kodi Work Well With the Fire Stick?
Yes, Kodi works well with the Fire Stick.
It does need to be side loaded with another program since it is not available in the Amazon App Store.
While the Fire Stick runs Kodi its low cost hardware can limit it at times with many other options available.
Read Here for Our Picks for the Best Hardware to Run Kodi
What is an Addon?
An Addon is a program that can be added to Kodi to expand its abilities.
There are many popular Addons with the most popular being Video plugins that stream videos.
Read Here for the Current Best Up-To-Date Addons
What is a Build?
A Build is a pre-setup Kodi install that comes with all the best Add-ons and artwork.
Anyone can create a Build by backing up a Kodi setup and sharing it with other users.
While Builds are nice they do come with more code and artwork that can slow down an install on a Fire Stick.
Most will only need a few good Addons. If a Build is used be sure it is made specifically for the Fire TV Stick.
Should You Install a Build or Individual Addons?
While Builds are nice, since they come setup with all the latest Addons, often it is best to simply have 3-5 of the top Kodi Addons installed.
Builds always come with more code and artwork which can slow things down.
Installing a few good working Addons is all that is really needed and makes for a faster performance.
With that said many there are many good Builds that work well.
Using a good VPN with Kodi is always suggested for privacy and security. If you need a good low cost VPN to use with Kodi Try IPVanish it has multiple high speed servers with no throttling or logs, along with an easy to use Fire TV Stick app.
Method 1: How To Install Kodi to a Fire TV Stick without a Computer
1… At the top go to Settings
2… Go to Device
3… Select Developer Options
4… Turn On both ABD debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources
5… Go Back to the Home Screen
6… Click to the left for the search option to come up.
7… Type in Downloader
8… After typing in Downloader scroll to it and click it
9… The Downloader App should come up click it
10… Click Get for the Downloader app to download and install
11… After it installs click Open
12… A notification may come up showing the Apps features and updates click OK
13… Click on the http:// address box section
14… A box will come up Type In http://kodi.tv/download and click Go
15… If this box comes up click OK
16… The Main Kodi Download Page should come up
17… Scroll down on the Kodi page to Android and click on it
18… Select ARMV7A (32BIT)
19… The file will download
20… After it downloads click Install at the bottom right.
21… It will start the Install
22… Kodi 17.6 will now be installed. Click on Open at the bottom right.
23… After Kodi 17.6 is installed Addons will need to be added to watch movies and TV shows.
Popular Add-ons include Magic Dragon, Neptune Rising, Maverick TV and many more.
Add-ons can be installed individually or there is Builds that come with all the best plugins that install everything.
Read Here for the Top Kodi Add-ons and How To Install Them.
Read Here for the Top Kodi Builds.
If Kodi does not show up in Apps after closing it go to Settings–>Applications–>Manage Installed Applications–>Kodi–>Launch application
Using a good VPN with Kodi is always suggested for privacy and security. If you need a good low cost VPN to use with Kodi Try IPVanish it has multiple high speed servers with no throttling or logs, along with an easy to use Fire TV Stick app.
Method 2: How To Install Kodi to a Fire TV with a Computer
Kodi can also be copied to a Fire TV with a computer.
An App is downloaded from the Amazon App store called File Commander.
File Commander allows for files to be copied via a computer Browser over to a Fire TV.
It gives an IP Address to type into a Browser and files can be uploaded to a Fire Stick.
It is easy to do, simply be sure the computer and Fire Stick are on the same network.
1… At the top go to Settings
2… Go to Device
3… Select Developer Options
4… Turn On both ABD debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources
5… Go Back to the Home Screen
6… Click to the left for the search option to come up.
7… Type in File Commander
8… Click on the File Commander icon (FC)
9… Click Get for it to download and install
10… After it installs click Open
11… If a popup comes up click Allow access to Files
12… On the left go to PC File Transfer
13… At the bottom click the green bar that says Start Service
14… An Internal IP Address will show on the screen along with the port used.
The IP Address will be entered into a Browser on a computer to copy files to the Fire TV.
In this example it is http://10.0.0.17:1200 but Each Fire Stick will have a unique IP Address. Be sure to use the IP Address shown on your Fire TV.
15… Go to the Computer open any Browser such as Fire Fox, Chrome and so on.
Type in the IP Address and Port number exactly as shown on your Fire TV Screen.
In this example the address and port http://10.0.0.178:1200 is typed in the Browser.
File Commander should come up.
16… At this point files can be copied over to the Fire TV such as Kodi or other APK files.
To get Kodi use another Browser window and go to the main Kodi Download Page here https://kodi.tv/download
Scroll down on the Kodi page to Android and click on it
Click ARMV7A (32BIT) which is the version to use with a Fire TV
17… Go back to the Browser window with File Commander and click Internal storage
18… Click the Download Folder
19… Files can now be dragged and dropped to File Commander into the Download Folder
Drag the Kodi APK to the Browser window and click UPLOAD on the popup
20… The file will upload to the Fire TV
21… After it uploads it will now be ready to install
22… Go back to the Fire TV and click Stop Service in File commander
23… From the main File Commander menu click Downloads
24… Click the Kodi APK File
25… Click Install at the bottom right.
26… The Install will start
26… Kodi 17.6 will now be installed. Click on Open at the bottom right.
27… After Kodi 17.6 is installed addons will need to be added to watch movies and TV shows.
How To Install Kodi 18 Leia on a Fire TV Stick
Kodi 18 Leia in now in Beta 1 and almost finished.
While not yet fully done the Beta can be installed with new nightly builds created daily.
Kodi 18 has better Android support which is good news for Fire TV Stick owners.
If you are new to Kodi it is best to install 17.6 Krypton version until 18 Leia is fully released.
For those who want to give it a try here is a link to the nightly downloads Android builds which can be installed to the Fire Stick.
Use the Downloader App to get the file with the following link.
http://mirrors.kodi.tv/nightlies/android/arm64-v8a/master/
Follow the instructions above simply replacing the URL in Downloader.
Click Here To Subscribe To WirelesSHack YouTube Channel
I WILL LIKE A FIRE STICK IN TORONTO HOW MUCH IT WILL COST ME INCLUDED TAX.
Carl
It works for me at the first try
I can’t access the download app on my fire stick so it’s pointless
I found the Downloader app under Utilities in the app section. Everything worked from there. I have no search function on the home screen.
followed the non PC version to the letter and it worked perfectly, cannot understand why so many cannot get past certain points. Excellent tutorial.
It is so easy
If you get a low storage message do a system restore make sure you don’t have photos or anything else you want to keep. System restore will wipe it clean you will have to reinstall Kodi but it will free up a lot of space.
Exodus, Covenant and Bennie no longer working
I have 4 firetv’s and installed kodi on all of them . Kodi does not show up as an app ANYWHERE on ANY of them. I have to go in to settings>manage applications>Kodi>Launch every time to launch Kodi. I have long pressed home and went to apps, I have went to the end of my apps and “showed all”. It is not showing up. Anyone have this issue?
all of a sudden i started to get a message popping up low on storage remove apps or manage installed apps i tried both and still got the messages and now my menu won,t come up it just goes back to the kodi app how can i fix this
I have done everything like I was supposed to, but I try to watch something and it says no streaming. Any ideas? Amazon Fire stick.
i’m an amazon customer should i create a new account to download Kodi or is it “safe” to use the existing one?
Sounds like all of you haven’t registered or gotten on wifi yet….
I downloaded kodi 17.6 and it keeps saying version check failed.
I have to Open Kodi as a fresh install every time. Any suggestions?
Wonderful!
Thank you for an incredible step-by-step process that was easy to follow and worked!!