Kodi doesn’t update itself on Firestick. Amazon’s App Store doesn’t carry it, which means Fire OS has no way to push updates automatically. If you haven’t touched your Kodi setup recently, you’re almost certainly running an outdated version.
The good news: getting to the latest version takes about five minutes, and you won’t lose a single add-on or saved setting — as long as you follow the right process.
This guide covers everything: checking your current version, downloading Kodi 21.3 Omega, installing it correctly, and fixing common problems if something goes wrong.
Why Kodi Doesn’t Update Automatically on Firestick
Kodi is absent from the Amazon App Store entirely. Because of that, Fire OS has no channel to detect or deliver updates. Every new release has to be sideloaded — meaning you download the APK file directly from Kodi’s official website and install it manually.
This is the same method whether you’re upgrading from 21.1 to 21.3 or jumping from a much older release like Kodi 19. Once you’ve done it once, the process becomes quick and routine.
What’s the Latest Version of Kodi Right Now?
Kodi 21.3 Omega is the current stable release as of June 2026. It was published on December 14, 2025, and includes backend bug fixes, improved media playback stability, better 4K and HDR support, and stronger add-on compatibility across the board.
Kodi 22, codenamed “Piers,” is in active development and expected later in 2026. The installation process on Firestick will be identical when it arrives. For now, 21.3 Omega is what you want.
How to Check Your Current Kodi Version
Before downloading anything, confirm exactly what you have installed:
- Open Kodi on your Firestick
- Select the gear icon (Settings) in the top-left corner of the home screen
- Go to System Information
- Look at Version info → Build
If the build number reads anything other than 21.3, an update is available.
What You Need Before Updating
Two things have to be in place before you can install any APK on Firestick.
Enable Developer Options
If this is your first time sideloading anything, you’ll need to unlock Developer Options:
- From the Firestick home screen, go to Settings
- Select My Fire TV, then scroll down to About
- Highlight Fire TV Stick and click it 7 times in quick succession
- You’ll see a message confirming “Developer Options enabled”
- Go back to My Fire TV and open Developer Options
- Turn on Install Unknown Apps
On older Fire TV models, this option may appear as Apps From Unknown Sources instead.
Install the Downloader App
Downloader is a free app in the Amazon App Store. It’s the standard method for sideloading APKs on Firestick — no computer required.
- On the Firestick home screen, select Find, then Search
- Type Downloader
- Select it from results and install it
Once installed, go back to Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps, find Downloader in the list, and toggle it On.
Pro tip: Entering a URL with the Firestick remote can be tedious. If you have the Amazon Fire TV app on your smartphone, you can use your phone’s keyboard to type the URL directly — significantly faster than clicking through the on-screen keyboard letter by letter.
How to Update Kodi on Firestick — Step-by-Step
This method installs Kodi 21.3 Omega directly over your existing app. Add-ons, builds, skins, and settings all carry over intact.
Step 1: Open Downloader and Enter the Kodi URL
- Open the Downloader app on your Firestick
- In the URL bar at the top, type exactly:
https://kodi.tv/download/android - Click Go
This takes you to Kodi’s official Android download page. Using the official URL is important — never download Kodi APKs from third-party sites.
Step 2: Choose the Right APK — ARMV7A vs ARMV8A Explained
You’ll see two download buttons on the page:
| Option | Architecture | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| ARMV7A (32-bit) | 32-bit ARM | Most Firestick models (1st–4th Gen, Fire TV Cube Gen 1–2, Fire TV Stick Lite) |
| ARMV8A (64-bit) | 64-bit ARM | Newer Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023+), Fire TV Cube Gen 3 |
For the vast majority of Firestick users: select ARMV7A (32-bit). If you’re unsure which model you have, ARMV7A will work. If you accidentally download the wrong version, the installer will fail cleanly — nothing gets corrupted. Just go back and select the other file.
Step 3: Download and Run the Installer
- Click ARMV7A (32-bit)
- A pop-up asks “Would you like to download this file?” — click Download
- Wait for the download to complete (typically 1–2 minutes)
- The install screen appears automatically. Click Install
- Review the permissions and confirm
Kodi detects the existing installation and updates the files in place. Your data is not touched.
Step 4: Confirm the Update Worked
After installation:
- Open Kodi
- Go to Settings → System Information
- Verify that Version info → Build now shows 21.3
If it shows 21.3, the update is complete. You can delete the downloaded APK file when Downloader prompts you — it’s no longer needed.
How to Update Kodi Without Losing Add-ons or Settings
This is where most people go wrong. There is one rule above all others:
Do not uninstall Kodi before updating.
Uninstalling wipes everything — add-ons, builds, skins, local media library, login credentials, and all configuration. The install-over method replaces only the application files. Everything you’ve configured stays where it is.
Back Up Before a Major Version Jump
If you’re moving from Kodi 20 Nexus or earlier to Kodi 21 Omega, back up first. Major version changes occasionally break add-ons or skins that haven’t been updated to support the new release.
To create a backup:
- Install the Kodi Backup add-on from the official Kodi repository
- Run a full backup to your preferred storage location (local or cloud)
- Proceed with the update
If an add-on stops working after a major jump, check its repository for a compatible version. Add-on developers typically release updates within days of a new major Kodi release.
No Backup Needed for Minor Updates
Upgrading within Kodi 21 — for example, from 21.1 to 21.3 — carries no risk to add-ons or skins. Minor updates fix bugs and improve performance. Install over the top and you’re done.
Alternative Method: Update Kodi Using AppStarter
If manually entering a URL feels inconvenient, AppStarter is a reliable alternative. It’s a sideloading tool that lets you search for and install APKs without typing download links.
- Install AppStarter from the Amazon App Store
- Open it and search for Kodi
- Select the latest stable version
- Tap Install and follow the prompts
AppStarter automatically selects the correct APK for your device, which removes the ARMV7A/ARMV8A guesswork entirely.
Troubleshooting Kodi Update Problems
Install Unknown Apps Not Enabled
If the installation is blocked with a security message, Downloader doesn’t have permission to install apps. Go to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options → Install Unknown Apps, locate Downloader in the list, and set the toggle to On.
Wrong APK Downloaded
If the installation fails immediately after the APK launches, you downloaded the wrong architecture file. Return to kodi.tv/download/android in Downloader and select the other option. For standard Firestick models, ARMV7A is always the correct choice.
Kodi Crashes or Shows a Black Screen After Updating
A crash immediately after updating is usually caused by an incompatible custom skin or build. Before your next update, switch to the default Estuary skin inside Kodi, then re-apply your custom skin after the update finishes.
If Kodi opens to a completely black screen after the update, the steps in our guide on fixing a black screen on Fire TV address this directly — several of the causes and fixes apply to post-update Kodi issues.
If the problem persists after trying everything above, a factory reset of your Amazon Fire TV Stick will resolve any deep system-level conflict. This erases all data, so treat it as a last resort only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will updating Kodi delete my add-ons? No — provided you install the new version over the existing app without uninstalling first. All add-ons, builds, and settings remain untouched.
What is ARMV7A and which version should I pick for Firestick? ARMV7A is a 32-bit CPU architecture. Nearly every Amazon Firestick model uses it. When downloading Kodi for Firestick, select ARMV7A unless you know for certain your device supports 64-bit (ARMV8A). If in doubt, ARMV7A always works.
Can I update Kodi without using a computer? Yes. The entire process happens directly on your Firestick using the Downloader app. No PC or laptop is needed at any point.
What comes after Kodi 21 Omega? Kodi 22 “Piers” is the next major release, currently in development with a projected 2026 launch. The Firestick update process will be identical — download the new APK using Downloader, install it over the current version.
My add-ons stopped working after updating. What now? If you jumped from a much older version, some add-ons may need to be reinstalled from their original repositories. Check whether the add-on developer has released a version compatible with Kodi 21. This is most common with skins and third-party builds, less so with standard streaming add-ons.
Beyond Kodi itself, if you want to expand what you can stream on your Firestick, the best IPTV apps for Firestick give you strong alternatives to run alongside Kodi. You can also add local channels to your Amazon Fire Stick for free over-the-air content without a subscription. And if you’re looking to compare streaming options more broadly, the free streaming channel finder tool lets you see what’s available in your area at no cost.
Final Thoughts
Updating Kodi on Firestick comes down to four things: enable Developer Options, use the Downloader app, pull the APK from kodi.tv/download/android, and install over the existing app — never uninstall first.
Pick ARMV7A for standard Firestick models. Back up before major version jumps. Confirm the update by checking System Information inside Kodi after installation.
Five minutes from start to finish, and you’re on Kodi 21.3 Omega with everything intact.