What Kodi is and why people install it on Fire Sticks
Kodi is free, open-source media software that plays video, music, and photos from your computer, external drives, or streaming sources. It runs on Fire Sticks alongside Amazon's built-in apps, so you can use both. Many people install it because Kodi organizes large personal media libraries better than Fire Stick's native interface, or because they want a single app to manage content from multiple sources.
The installation process takes about 10 minutes and requires only your Fire Stick remote and a willingness to enable one setting Amazon doesn't advertise. You do not need a computer or USB cable. The steps below walk you through exactly where to find each menu and what to tap.
Key Takeaways
- You must first turn on "Unknown Sources" in your Fire Stick settings to allow installation of apps outside the Amazon Appstore.
- The easiest path is downloading Kodi through a file manager app, which handles the installation automatically without needing a computer.
- After installation, Kodi appears as a regular app on your Fire Stick home screen and works alongside your existing Amazon apps.
- The first time you open Kodi, it will be empty — you then add your own media sources or streaming add-ons inside the app.
Enable Unknown Sources on your Fire Stick
Amazon blocks installation of apps outside its store by default. You need to turn this off first. On your Fire Stick remote, press the home button, then navigate to Settings (the gear icon at the top right). Go to Apps & Channels, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it to On. A warning will appear — this is normal and expected.
This setting only allows your Fire Stick to install apps you choose. It does not automatically install anything or change how your Fire Stick works otherwise. You can turn it back off after Kodi is installed if you prefer, though most people leave it on in case they want to install other apps later.
read and install Kodi using a file manager
The simplest method uses an app called Downloader, which is free and available in the Amazon Appstore. From your Fire Stick home screen, search for "Downloader" and install it. Open Downloader once it finishes installing.
Inside Downloader, you will see a text field at the top. Tap it and enter this address exactly: https://kodi.tv/read. Downloader will fetch the Kodi read page. Look for the link labeled Android and tap it. A file will begin downloading — this takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed. Once the read finishes, Downloader will ask if you want to install the file. Tap Install.
The installation will run automatically. When it completes, you will see a message saying Kodi is installed. You can now close Downloader. Kodi will appear as a new app on your Fire Stick home screen, and you can open it like any other app.
What to do if the read fails or stalls
If Downloader cannot reach the Kodi website, your internet connection may be the issue. Restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully boot. Then try the read again. If it still fails, restart your router the same way — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two minutes before trying again.
If the read starts but stalls partway through, close Downloader entirely and try once more. Downloader will resume from where it left off rather than starting over. If you see an error message about storage space, your Fire Stick may not have enough room. Go to Settings, then Apps & Channels, then Manage Installed Apps, and uninstall apps you no longer use to free up space.
Open Kodi and add your first media source
When you open Kodi for the first time, it will be empty — no movies, music, or channels will appear. This is normal. Kodi is a container that you fill with your own content. You add content by pointing Kodi to where your media lives: a folder on your computer, an external hard drive connected to your network, or a streaming service.
To add a local folder (media stored on your computer or a network drive), go to the Kodi home screen and select Videos or Music depending on what you want to add. Choose Add Videos or Add Music. Kodi will ask you to browse to the folder where your files are stored. Navigate to the correct location and select it. Kodi will then scan that folder and display everything it finds.
If you want to use streaming add-ons instead (third-party apps that play content from the internet), that is a separate process that happens inside Kodi's settings. The basic setup is the same regardless of what you add — Kodi is just the player, and you decide what goes into it.
Troubleshoot common issues after installation
If Kodi crashes when you open it, your Fire Stick may not have enough memory. Close other apps running in the background by pressing the home button, then going to Settings, Apps & Channels, Manage Installed Apps, and force-closing any apps you are not using. Then try opening Kodi again.
If Kodi opens but cannot find your media files, check that your computer or external drive is turned on and connected to the same network as your Fire Stick. Kodi can only see files on devices that are powered on and reachable. If you are trying to add a folder from your computer, make sure that folder's sharing settings allow network access. On Windows, right-click the folder, choose Properties, go to the Sharing tab, and click Share. On Mac, go to System Preferences, Sharing, and enable File Sharing for the folder you want to use.
If Kodi plays video but the picture is stretched or cut off, go into Kodi's Settings, then Display, then Screen Resolution, and try a different resolution. Most Fire Sticks work best at 1080p or 4K depending on your TV.
Uninstall Kodi if you change your mind
If you decide Kodi is not for you, removing it is straightforward. Press the home button on your Fire Stick remote, find Kodi in your app list, press and hold it, and select Uninstall. Kodi will be removed completely. You can also turn Unknown Sources back off in Settings if you want to prevent any app installation outside the Amazon Appstore.
Uninstalling Kodi does not affect your other Fire Stick apps or settings. Everything else continues to work exactly as before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to install Kodi on my Fire Stick?
No. The Downloader method works entirely on the Fire Stick itself using only your remote. You only need a computer later if you want to add media files stored on that computer to Kodi.
Will installing Kodi break my Fire Stick or void the warranty?
Installing Kodi does not damage your Fire Stick or void Amazon's warranty. You are straightforward adding an app the same way you would add any other app. Your Fire Stick will continue to work normally, and all your existing apps remain unchanged.
Can I use Kodi and Amazon Prime Video at the same time?
Yes. Kodi is just another app on your Fire Stick. You can switch between Kodi and Prime Video, Netflix, or any other app whenever you want. They do not interfere with each other.
What happens if I turn off Unknown Sources after installing Kodi?
Kodi will continue to work normally. Turning off Unknown Sources only prevents you from installing new apps outside the Amazon Appstore in the future. Apps you have already installed are not affected.
Why is Kodi empty when I first open it?
Kodi is software that plays media — it does not come with any built-in content. You must tell it where to find your movies, music, or photos by adding media sources inside the app. This is by design and gives you complete control over what appears.