Amazon Fire Stick streaming device setup
Depending on how you use it, Kodi can be the most feature-filled app on your Firestick.
Steve Heap/Business Insider
  • You can install Kodi on a Firestick by first installing the third-party "Downloader" app.
  • Once you've installed Kodi onto your Firestick, you'll need to enable the "Install unknown apps" setting.
  • Although Kodi is a legitimate app, enabling this setting on your Firestick can cause security issues.
  • Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Kodi is an interesting app – it's one of the most popular video- and music-playing apps around, and yet it's not freely available to download on any streaming device. Instead, you have to install it using a workaround.

On an Amazon Fire TV Stick (also known as a Firestick), this workaround involves downloading a separate app called "Downloader" and changing your Firestick's settings. It might seem confusing, but it should only take a few minutes.

Here's how to get Kodi on your Firestick.

How to install Kodi on a Firestick

First, you'll need to download the "Downloader" app. This app is a web browser for your Firestick that'll let you download Kodi from its official website.

1. On your Firestick's homepage, click Find, then Search, and look for "Downloader."

2. Select the Downloader app when it appears in the results, and install it by clicking Get.

The Fire TV App Store page for Downloader.
Get Downloader from your Firestick's app store.
Amazon; William Antonelli/Insider

Next, we'll install Kodi.

3. Open the Downloader app and select Allow when it asks to access your media files.

4. Select the Home option in the left sidebar, and use the Enter a URL or Search Term box to look for: https://www.kodi.tv/download.

The Downloader app on a Firestick, with the Kodi website entered into the search bar.
Use Downloader to open the Kodi website.
Amazon; AFTVnews; William Antonelli/Insider

5. When the Kodi website loads, scroll down and select the Android option (all Fire TV devices run using Android).

The Android option on the Kodi website.
The Android option on the Kodi website.
Amazon; AFTVnews; Kodi; William Antonelli/Insider

6. On the next page, select ARMV7A (32BIT). This is the version of Kodi that runs best on Firesticks.

The page on the Kodi website that lets you pick which version of the Android app to download.
Download the 32-bit version of Kodi.
Amazon; AFTVnews; Kodi; William Antonelli/Insider

7. Kodi will try to download, but you'll be told that your Firestick's security settings are blocking it. Select Settings to go change them.

A menu warning the user that they're not allowed to download unknown apps. The Settings option is highlighted.
When prompted, open your Firestick settings.
Amazon; William Antonelli/Insider

8. You'll be brought to your Firestick's Developer Options menu. On this page, enable both ADB Debugging and Install unknown apps.

The Settings page on a Firestick that lets you install "unknown apps."
Enable both of these settings.
Amazon; William Antonelli/Insider

9. Go back to the Downloader app (you can just press back on your remote a few times) and download Kodi again. When you're asked if you want to install Kodi, click Install.

Now you can launch Kodi from your Firestick's home screen, just like any other app. You'll find it under the Recently Used Apps heading, or on the page with all your apps.

The Kodi app on a Firestick.
When you first open Kodi, it'll be empty.
Amazon; Kodi; William Antonelli/Insider

Once you open Kodi, you'll have to import all your movies and music. Unlike other Fire TV devices though, you can't import media onto a Firestick with a USB flash drive. Instead you'll need to set up a remote media server using an add-on like Emby and import your files wirelessly.

How to stream content from the Kodi player onto your Roku deviceHow to get HBO Max on an Amazon Firestick to watch shows like 'The Sopranos' or 'Insecure'6 ways to fix your Amazon Firestick remote when it won't connectHow to update your Amazon Firestick

Read the original article on Business Insider