The basic process: sideload Kodi through the Silk browser or a file manager

Kodi does not appear in the Amazon Appstore, so you cannot download it the normal way. Instead, you sideload it — install software directly from outside Amazon's official store. The fastest route is to use the Silk browser built into your Fire Stick to download the Kodi installer file, then run it. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires no computer.

Before you start, go to Settings > Apps & Channels > Unknown Sources and toggle it on. This permission lets your Fire Stick install apps that do not come from Amazon. Without it, the installer will not run.

Key Takeaways

  • Kodi is not in the Amazon Appstore, so you must sideload it by downloading the installer file directly through your Fire Stick's browser.
  • You need to enable Unknown Sources in Settings before the installer will run.
  • The Kodi installer file is about 100 MB and takes a few minutes to download over WiFi.
  • Once installed, Kodi works the same way on a Fire Stick as it does on any other device — you add sources and build your library from there.

Step 1: Enable Unknown Sources on your Fire Stick

Press the home button on your Fire Stick remote. Navigate to Settings (the gear icon at the top right). Select Apps & Channels, then Unknown Sources, and toggle it to On. You will see a warning that your device could be harmed by unknown apps — this is a standard security notice. Kodi is a legitimate, open-source media player used by millions, but Amazon requires this warning for any app outside their store.

Once Unknown Sources is on, go back to the home screen. You are ready to download.

Step 2: Open the Silk browser and navigate to the Kodi download page

From the home screen, scroll down and select Apps. Find and open Silk Browser (it looks like a compass). Once it loads, use the on-screen keyboard to navigate to kodi.tv. The Silk browser keyboard is slow — use the remote's directional pad to move between letters and the center button to select.

On the Kodi website, look for the Download button or link. Select Android as your platform. You will see options for different Android versions. For most Fire Sticks (Fire Stick 4K, Fire Stick HD, Fire TV Cube), download the ARMv7a version. If you have an older Fire Stick or Fire TV device, check your device model first — Amazon's support pages list which ARM version each model uses.

Step 3: Download the Kodi installer file

Click the download link for the ARMv7a .apk file. The browser will ask where you want to save it. Select Downloads (the default location). The file is roughly 100 MB, so it will take two to five minutes depending on your WiFi speed. The Silk browser will show a progress bar at the bottom of the screen.

Once the download finishes, you will see a notification. Do not close the browser yet — you need to open the file from the Downloads folder.

Step 4: Locate and open the installer from your Downloads folder

Press the home button to return to the Fire Stick home screen. Go to Apps and look for Downloads or File Manager. Open it and navigate to your Downloads folder. You should see the Kodi .apk file (it will be named something like "Kodi-20.0-armeabi-v7a.apk" or similar). Select it.

A dialog box will appear asking if you want to install this app. Select Install. The installation process takes one to three minutes. You will see a progress bar. Once it completes, select Open to launch Kodi for the first time, or select Done to install it without opening it yet.

Step 5: Launch Kodi and configure your first source

If you did not open Kodi in the previous step, go to Apps on your Fire Stick home screen and select Kodi. The first launch takes longer than usual — Kodi is setting up its database. Wait for the main menu to appear.

Once Kodi opens, you will see an empty library. To add content, go to Settings > Media > Library and add a source — this can be a local folder on your Fire Stick, a network drive, or an external USB drive connected to your Fire Stick. Kodi does not come with built-in content; you provide the movies, TV shows, or other files you want to watch.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the installer fails to run, the most common cause is that Unknown Sources is still off. Go back to Settings and double-check that it is toggled on. If you see an error saying the app is not compatible, you downloaded the wrong ARM version — go back to kodi.tv and try the ARMv8 version instead.

If the Silk browser is too slow or keeps timing out, try using a file manager app instead. Search the Amazon Appstore for "ES File Explorer" or "Solid Explorer" (both are free), install one, then use its built-in browser to navigate to kodi.tv and download the file. The process is the same after that.

If Kodi crashes when you first open it, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears the device's memory and usually fixes startup issues. Once Kodi is running, it is stable on Fire Stick hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a VPN to use Kodi on a Fire Stick?

Kodi itself does not require a VPN. However, if you plan to stream content from sources that may not be authorized in your region, a VPN is your responsibility to set up separately. Kodi is a neutral media player — what you do with it is up to you.

Can I uninstall Kodi if I change my mind?

Yes. Go to Settings > Apps & Channels > Manage All Installed Apps, find Kodi, and select Uninstall. You can also turn Unknown Sources back off in Settings if you want to prevent any sideloaded apps from running.

Will Kodi updates install automatically on my Fire Stick?

No. When a new version of Kodi is released, you will need to download and install it the same way you did the first time. Kodi will notify you when an update is available, but you must manually install it through the Silk browser or a file manager.

What if my Fire Stick model is very old?

Older Fire Stick models (first and second generation) may not support the latest Kodi versions. Check the Kodi website for the oldest version that still receives updates, or check Amazon's support pages to confirm your device's ARM architecture before downloading.