How to Update Kodi: Step by step guide

Hey, friends! So, today we are going to learn how to update Kodi. Kodi is like a super cool TV and entertainment buddy that you can have on lots of different things like the Amazon Fire TV Cube, the Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield TV, computers with Windows, and even on Android smartphones and tablets, plus so many more!

Kodi is a really popular thing called a media player and entertainment center software. It’s like a magic box that lets you watch all sorts of cool stuff, and the best part? It’s totally free! One really awesome thing about Kodi is that it can work on almost every type of device you can think of.

It’s really important to keep our buddy Kodi up-to-date. When we update it, we get to see new features, and it works even better! Plus, if there are any little problems or bugs, updating it can fix those too. So, it’s like giving Kodi a little check-up to make sure it’s feeling its best!

I’m going to show you, step by step, how to update Kodi on all your different devices. I’ll help you with every click and tap you need to make, so don’t worry – we’ve got this!

One super important thing to remember: If you have Kodi 18 Leia, don’t jump straight to Kodi 19 Matrix! When moving from one main version to another (like from 18 to 19), it’s always best to do a fresh and clean installation. This means you remove the old version and install the new one from scratch, like giving Kodi a fresh new start!

If you’re wondering how to update Kodi, just follow our guide below. It’s got all the info you need, and it’s here to answer all your questions!

How to Easily Update Kodi on Different Devices

We are going to explore how to update Kodi on different kinds of gadgets. We’re going to go step by step so you can follow along easily!

Updating Kodi on Windows

Updating Kodi on Windows computers is super simple! Here’s what you have to do:

Download the New Version: Go to the official Kodi website and download the setup file of the version you want, like upgrading from Kodi 19 Matrix to 19.5.
Install the Setup File: Open the file you downloaded and follow the instructions. It’ll only take a couple of minutes!
- Remember! Always download the 64-bit version of Kodi.
Automatic Setup: The installation process will find any old Kodi installations and choose the right installation path.

Quick Tip

With Windows computers, updating or installing fresh doesn’t make much difference!

Updating Kodi on Amazon Fire TV

For Amazon Fire TV, like Cube and Stick, it’s a bit different because Kodi isn’t in the Amazon App Store. You’ll have to get the app in a special way called sideloading. Here’s how to do it:

Install Downloader App: First, you need to get the Downloader App on your Fire TV device. If you’re not sure how to do this, we have a guide on how to install the Downloader App.
Open Browser in Downloader App: Start the app and pick “Browser” on the left side.
Go to Kodi Download Page: Type “https://kodi.tv/download/android” and you’ll see the official download page.
Choose the Version: Select “ARMV7A (32BIT)”
Install the APK File: The app will ask if you want to install the APK file. Say “Yes”!
Delete the APK File: After installation, you might want to delete the APK file to save space.

Updating Kodi on Android

If you use Kodi on Android smartphones or tablets, you’re in luck! Since Kodi is in the Google Play Store, your app should update automatically. But if you want to check:

Open Google Play Store: Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Go to Manage Apps & Device: Find “Manage apps & device” and then open the “Manage” tab.
Check for Updates: Here, you’ll see if Kodi or any other apps need updates.

Note for Android TV Boxes Users

If you have Kodi on an Android TV box from a third party, you might have to install the update manually, but if you’re experienced, you should know how to do it!

Updating Kodi on LibreELEC

LibreELEC is a light Linux type only containing Kodi, usually used on Raspberry Pi or other devices. Updating here is also easy!

Go to Settings: From your Kodi home, select the gear symbol.
Select LibreELEC: It’s at the bottom of the settings menu.
Open Updates Tab: Change “Automatic updates” to “manual”.
Choose Your Version: Click on “Available Versions” and pick a newer version.
Confirm the Update: LibreELEC will ask if you want to confirm. Select “Yes”.

After you confirm, Kodi will download and install the update, and then LibreELEC will restart your device to finish the installation. And there you go, all updated and ready to go!

Updating Kodi on Nvidia Shield TV

Nvidia Shield TV uses Android TV, and good news, Kodi is available on the Play Store here! This means your Kodi will update automatically. But if you’re curious or want to check for updates:

Go to Apps: From your home screen, select “Apps” on the left.
Get More Apps: Then select “Get more apps” at the top.
Search for Kodi: Use the search function to find Kodi.
Check or Install Updates: Here, you can see if any updates are pending or install Kodi if you haven’t yet!

Updating Kodi on Xbox One

Xbox One is another cool place to use Kodi. And guess what, Kodi started on the original Xbox! Xbox One updates Kodi, games, and other apps automatically. If you want to check or update manually:

Open the Store: Start from your Xbox One home screen.
Search for Kodi: In the middle of the screen, you’ll see “Search.” Type in “Kodi” here.
Find Kodi in the Results: Click on the Kodi icon.
Update or Install: Here, you can update or install Kodi!

Updating Kodi on macOS

Updating Kodi on macOS is a piece of cake! It’s almost like updating it on Windows.

Go to Kodi’s macOS Download Page: Visit the official page and click on “Installer (64BIT).”
Install or Reinstall: Once downloaded, open the file and drag the Kodi icon into the “Applications” folder.

Fixing Blocked Application Issue

After installing or updating, if macOS blocks Kodi, here’s a quick fix:

Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple icon and select “System preferences.”
Go to Security & Privacy: Find and select “Security & Privacy.”
Unlock and Open: In the “General” tab, click on “Open Anyway.”

Updating Kodi on Linux

If you use Linux, you might be wondering about updating Kodi here. Most Linux users already know that using the Terminal is super speedy for updates.

Open a Terminal Session: Press CTRL + ALT + T.
Type the Update Commands: Type in sudo apt-get update, press Enter, then sudo apt-get upgrade, and press Enter again. Lastly, type sudo apt-get dist-upgrade and hit Enter.

Important Note for Linux Users

Remember, these commands will update all your installed applications. If your Linux distribution has a software and application update utility, you can use that, but these commands work fast and do the same job.

Wrapping Up!

Phew! We went through a lot! Now you know how to update Kodi on almost any device you can think of. Regular updates will make your Kodi experience smoother and more enjoyable. So, have fun exploring all the new things Kodi brings to your screen!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I update Kodi on my device?

Updating Kodi is very simple. You can update it manually or automatically depending on the device you are using. If you are using a PC, download the latest version from the official website, uninstall the older version, and install the new one. If you are using an Android device, you can update Kodi via the Google Play Store.

2. Will updating Kodi erase my add-ons or settings?

No, updating Kodi will not erase your add-ons or settings. Your data will be saved and your add-ons and settings will carry over to the new version. However, it's always a good idea to back up your data before updating Kodi, just in case.

3. How often should I update Kodi?

You should update Kodi whenever a new version is available. This ensures that you have the most up-to-date version with the most recent bug fixes and features. You can check for updates regularly or set your device to automatically update Kodi when a new version is released.

4. What should I do if Kodi won’t update?

If Kodi won't update, there may be several reasons for this. You may have insufficient storage space, a slow internet connection, or a problem with the device itself. Try freeing up some storage space and checking your internet connection. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling Kodi from scratch.

5. How do I back up my Kodi data before updating?

You can back up your Kodi data by using a backup add-on or by manually exporting your data. Many backup add-ons are available in the Kodi repository, such as Backup and Restore, Kodi Backup, and XBMC Backup. To export your data manually, go to the Settings menu, select add-ons, choose My Add-ons, and then click on the option to export data.

6. What are the benefits of updating Kodi regularly?

Updating Kodi regularly ensures that you have the most up-to-date features and bug fixes. This can greatly improve your streaming experience. Additionally, some add-ons require the latest version of Kodi to work properly, so keeping your version of Kodi up-to-date ensures that you can get the most out of your add-ons.