Published on: February 17, 2025 Updated 2 times since publishing
It’s possible to use Kodi on FireStick, but you can’t directly install it. That’s because you can’t find the Kodi app on the Amazon app store — the app store just doesn’t support it (yet).
Fortunately, the Kodi setup process isn’t complicated. You really only need to download a third-party app from the Amazon app store, enable your FireStick’s developer options, and use the third-party app to install Kodi. On average, the whole process shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
I covered all the steps you need to follow in this guide. It provides step-by-step instructions, plus screenshots, to make the whole setup process more straightforward. I also discuss other relevant issues, like which Kodi version you should install, and whether Kodi is actually safe to use.
Pro Tip: I strongly recommend using a VPN (like ExpressVPN) with Kodi on your FireStick. A good VPN will make your Kodi traffic completely unreadable by encrypting it. This way, your internet service provider (ISP) won’t be able to spy on your streaming traffic or selectively slow it down when you use too much data.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Install Kodi on a FireStick
Kodi isn’t available on the Amazon app store, but there is a workaround to install it on your FireStick. Basically, you’ll need to get the Downloader app from the Amazon app store (it lets you install third-party apps), enable your device’s developer options, and use the Downloader app to install Kodi. I cover all the necessary steps in the guide below.
Part 1: Get the Downloader App
- On your FireStick homescreen, pick the search icon and select the search bar. The search icon is a magnifying glass, so you can’t miss it. Once you select the search icon, the search bar will show up.
- Look up “Downloader” in the search bar. You’ll see a few matched search suggestions. The Downloader app suggestion should be the first one, so select it.
- Now, download the app. Pick Download or Get (this varies depending on your FireStick version). Next, just wait for the app to be downloaded and installed on your FireStick.
Part 2: Jailbreak Your FireStick
I know this sounds intimidating, but don’t worry — it’s a pretty straightforward process. You’re not actually “jailbreaking” your FireStick device. You’re just enabling its developer options so that you can sideload (manually install) third-party apps like Kodi.
To enable the developer options, open the settings menu and select My Fire TV. Then, go to About > Fire TV Stick (or Fire TV Stick 4K), and click on it 7 times. That will make the Developer options category show up in the My Fire TV menu.
After you access the developer options, turn on ADB Debugging (if it’s available). Afterwards, depending on your FireStick version, do one of the following:
- Select Install unknown apps. Now, locate the Downloader app and turn this setting on for it.
- Select Apps from unknown sources. You’ll see a prompt warning you about enabling this setting. Just ignore it and select Turn On.
I also wrote this guide on how to jailbreak your FireStick. It provides step-by-step instructions, and it also has screenshots. So, it’s pretty easy to follow along. The whole process shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes.
Part 3: Use Downloader to Install Kodi
Downloader allows you to download and install third-party apps. But to do that, you’ll need the download code or link for the third-party app. After reading numerous setup guides and Reddit threads on r/FireStickHacks, I found out that you can use either a download link or a code to get Kodi. The download link is “https://kodi.tv/download”, and the download code is “35625.”
For this guide, I went with the download link. Here’s the whole process:
- Open the Downloader app. Since you just installed it, the app should be on your home screen. If it isn’t, select the Applications icon, since it will open up your whole list of apps. When you open Downloader, make sure to approve any permissions it requests.
- Type the download link in the URL text box. After you enter it, select Go, and then scroll down the page until you find the Android app. Then, download it.
- On the next window, select ARMV7A (32Bit). This will start downloading the Kodi app on your device.
- Select Install after the download finishes. Once the installation finishes, select Open, and then complete any setup prompts that Kodi asks of you.
Alternative Ways to Install Kodi on Your Firestick
Using the Downloader app is the most straightforward method for installing Kodi on a Firestick, but there are some other ways. However, I don’t really recommend them, as none of them are as simple or convenient as the Downloader method. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for an alternative approach, you could try:
ES File Explorer.
AppStarter.
Using a PC or Android device.
Manual APK download.
Using cloud storage.
With this method, you upload the Kodi APK to cloud storage and download it to your Firestick. This requires a cloud storage account, involves additional steps, and might be a slower process overall.
Basically, I recommend you follow my steps above for the easiest and smoothest installation process.
Why Install Kodi on Your FireStick?
The main reason most FireStick users use Kodi is to stream local and online content. Kodi acts as an entertainment hub, allowing you to enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, and videos in one place.
True, the Amazon app store has tons of great streaming apps. However, having to switch between apps to watch your desired content is pretty inconvenient. With Kodi, you could use add-ons to access your accounts on popular streaming apps inside the Kodi platform.
Also, it’s very convenient to use Kodi to play local media files. Normally, you’d need to copy-paste the files on an external drive, which you then hook up to your smart TV to access the files — this is both annoying and time-consuming.
Is Kodi Safe to Use?
Kodi itself is safe to use. It’s a media player that’s open-source, which means anyone can inspect the app’s code to make sure there are no security vulnerabilities.
But to make the most of Kodi, you install add-ons on it. And some add-ons can be malicious, to the point where they contain malware and infect your FireStick. That’s why I strongly recommend only installing Kodi add-ons from trusted repositories, like the official Kodi repository for example.
Is Kodi Legal?
Kodi is legal to use. However, there are ways to use Kodi that could cause legal issues. Many of the add-ons available for Kodi break copyright regulations by illegally streaming or downloading copyrighted content without permission.
That’s why I strongly recommend only using Kodi add-ons to watch copyright-free content, like public domain movies, or using add-ons that you legally own to stream TV shows and movies on Kodi.
Which Kodi Version Should I Install on My FireStick?
I strongly recommend installing the most recent version of Kodi. As of the writing of this article, the most up-to-date Kodi version is Kodi 21.2 “Omega.” Normally, when you use a third-party app like Downloader, it will give you the option to install the most recent Kodi version.
It’s possible to also install older Kodi versions, but I don’t think it’s worth it. First of all, it might be hard to find download codes and links for them that actually work on FireStick devices. What’s more, if you use older versions, you’re more likely to experience bugs when using the Kodi app. Plus, popular Kodi add-ons might not work with older Kodi versions.
Can I install Kodi on other devices?
Yes, Kodi also works on other devices. It has apps that you can download and install on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. And since it has an app for Android, that means you can also download and install Kodi on an Android TV.
It’s also possible to install and use Kodi on iOS and Apple TV devices. However, it’s not really worth it since you’ll need to perform a manual setup using various third-party apps. What’s more, there’s no guarantee that Kodi will work well on those platforms, so you might often experience errors or bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install Kodi on a FireStick?
Installing Kodi on your FireStick is pretty straightforward — you just need to get the Downloader app, jailbreak your FireStick, and use the Downloader app to install Kodi. The whole process shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes.
What’s the best Kodi build on FireStick?
This mostly depends on your preferences and which Kodi add-ons you want to use. I personally recommend the Estuary Switch build since it comes with all popular add-ons, and it’s also extremely lightweight and easy to use. To learn about other good Kodi builds, check out this guide.
What’s the best Kodi add-on on FireStick?
This depends on your streaming preferences. There are tons of good, safe add-ons that allow you to use streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer on Kodi. There are also add-ons that provide access to video-sharing platforms, live TV, and music. I recommend reading this Kodi add-on guide to see which add-ons would be right for you.
Can I Install Kodi on a Fire TV Cube?
Yes, as the Fire TV Cube has more or less the same interface as all FireStick devices. So, you just need to follow the same steps I covered in this guide, and you should be able to install Kodi on your Fire TV Cube without any issues.