Kodi is one of the best media center apps around, but it’s not always easy to install. If you’re struggling to get it on your Amazon Fire TV Stick, you’ve come to the right place!
Find out how to install Kodi on your Fire Stick and turn your regular TV into an entertainment powerhouse with our handy guide. While you’re at it, discover how using CyberGhost VPN with Kodi adds a layer of security to your streaming, lets you bypass streaming blocks, and helps you access add-ons that are only available in certain countries.
Quick Guide: How to Use Kodi on Fire Stick with a VPN
Access a world of free content, avoid ISP-related slowdowns, and stay safe while streaming!
- Get CyberGhost VPN. It’s fast and easy.
- Connect to a VPN server. Choose a location where your preferred Kodi add-ons are available.
- Watch new and old favorites on Kodi on your TV.
How to Install Kodi on a Fire Stick
Kodi isn’t available to download from the Amazon Appstore, but there is a workaround. To get Kodi on your Fire Stick, you first need to change your device settings so you can sideload unverified apps. The process is the same on all Fire TV devices, including Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Fire TV Cubes.
1. Get the Downloader App
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- On the home screen, open the search bar and search for Downloader. If you see multiple options, choose the one from AFTVNews.
- Click Get to download and install the app on your Fire Stick.
2. Allow Apps from Unknown Sources
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- Before you can use the Downloader app to find and download Kodi, you need to give permission for the app to be installed. To do this, return to the Fire Stick home screen and navigate to the settings menu (this may be via your profile image or a gear icon at the top right corner).
- Choose My Fire TV, then scroll down to Developer Options. If you don’t see this option, it may be hidden. Restore it by selecting About and then clicking the select button on your Fire Stick quickly seven times. A message should appear saying “No need, you are already a developer.” You should then see Developer Options in the My Fire TV menu.
- Turn on ADB debugging. This will allow you to interact with your Fire Stick from your computer or phone as long as they’re on the same network.
- Select Install unknown apps (this setting may also be called Apps from Unknown Sources).
- The Downloader app will show up. Select it to turn it on.
3. Install Kodi
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- Open the Downloader app and select Allow when it asks for permission to access your media files.
- On the home screen, enter the URL http://www.kodi.tv/download, then click Go.
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- The Kodi website will open in the app. Find and click on the Android version of Kodi.
- On the next page, select ARMV7A (32BIT). This is the version that works best on most Fire Sticks.
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- After the download is complete, click Install in the bottom left-hand corner. You’ll get an “App installed” notification once the installation has finished. When the Kodi app shows up, click the OK button to turn it on.
- Open Kodi from your Fire Stick’s home screen like any other app.
- If you want to use Kodi to access your personal media, click Open to run Kodi and Allow so the app can access your media files.
- You’ve officially set up Kodi on a Fire Stick! Enjoy your new app, or learn how to download add-ons below.
How to Install Kodi Add-Ons
If you’re wondering how to use Kodi on Fire Stick, the first thing to know is that you need add-ons. Add-ons are plug-ins that bring extra features and functionality to your Kodi media center. Some of the best options for streaming are:
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- The Crew: Movies, TV shows, live sports, IPTV, adult content, and cartoons.
- Elementum: On-demand movies and TV series in 1080p and 4K.
- Umbrella: High-quality movies, shows, and YouTube content all in one place.
- Popcornflix: 100% free movies and shows.
- Samsung TV Plus: Official add-on to stream live TV from the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries on Samsung TV’s streaming platform.
It’s a good idea to connect to a VPN before downloading and using add-ons. Add-ons don’t always go through the same rigorous testing and updating process as the apps available in the Amazon Appstore, and may put your privacy at risk. Connecting to a CyberGhost VPN server encrypts your data and hides your IP address, preventing your location and activity from being easily tracked.
You can install any add-on using a similar process, but we’ll use The Crew as an example:
- Open Kodi, click the gear icon to access the settings menu, and select System.
- Hover over the Add-ons menu item and turn Unknown sources on, then click Yes to proceed.
- Go back to the System page. Select File Manager, then Add source, and click None.
- Enter the URL for the source repository – in this case, https://team-crew.github.io – and click OK.
- Enter a suitable name for the media source, like “The Crew,” and click OK.
- Return to the System screen and click on Add-ons, then select Install from zip file.
- Choose “The Crew” or the name you assigned to the media source in Step 5, then open the repository zip file.
- Wait for the installation message to pop up in the right-hand corner, then select Install from repository.
- Select The Crew Repo, then Video add-ons, and The Crew. Click Install.
- You’ll get a message that reads: “The following additional add-ons will be installed.” Click OK.
- Once the installation is complete, you’ll get a notification that says, “The Crew Add-on installed.”
- When the Execute setup wizard popup appears, select No.
- Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed The Crew. You can find it in the Add-ons section of your home screen.
Why Are Kodi Add-Ons Blocked?
Most movies, films, and sports are limited by copyright agreements. That means the content holders are only licensed to distribute them to certain countries. If a Kodi add-on features licensed content, it must adhere to these agreements.
This can become limiting if you travel abroad. You might normally access your favorite show using the Popcornflix add-on, but find you can no longer use it if you travel internationally with your Fire Stick.
In some cases, internet service providers (ISPs) may block Kodi add-ons if they contain illegally distributed copyrighted material. Governments may also block Kodi add-ons to censor certain content.
Why You Need a VPN for Kodi on Fire Stick
While Kodi itself is useful, its real value comes from add-ons that provide endless entertainment via movies, shows, sports, and more.
Many Kodi add-ons are limited to select locations, so if you travel abroad with your Fire Stick, you might not be able to access your usual shows. That could mean missing new episodes as they drop and dealing with spoilers on social media. A VPN lets you change your virtual location back to your home country, enabling you to access add-ons and stream content unhindered.
You can stay safer online by pairing Kodi and its add-ons with CyberGhost VPN and a good anti-malware program. A VPN hides your home IP address, which prevents it – and your true location – from being exposed.
A VPN also encrypts your data, so your online activity can’t be tracked or recorded. This stops your ISP from monitoring your activity, which means it can’t selectively slow you down when you stream. It also helps you unblock websites and apps on restricted and public Wi-Fi networks.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Kodi
CyberGhost VPN is optimized for data-heavy tasks like streaming and gaming, making it the best Kodi Fire Stick VPN.
Apps for Major Devices Including Fire Stick
It’s super easy to set up CyberGhost VPN for Kodi on your Fire Stick. Just download the CyberGhost VPN app directly from the Amazon Appstore. This covers all your Fire Stick activity, including Kodi and its add-ons.
Want to connect more devices? A single CyberGhost VPN subscription allows you to connect up to seven devices simultaneously. You can protect every streaming device in your household, from your phone to your smart TV.
VPN Servers Around the World
With servers in 100 countries, you can always find one in the location you need. To boost your privacy and security while maintaining top speeds for streaming, connect to a nearby server. If you want to watch your usual content when traveling abroad, connect to a VPN server in your home country.
CyberGhost VPN even has streaming-optimized servers for many platforms you can access via Kodi to help you access your accounts smoothly and reliably. Need to narrow down your server location? You can choose from servers in different cities or regions to securely watch local news, sports, and other content.
Lightning-Fast Speeds for Streaming
When you settle in to watch your favorite movie, you don’t want to deal with lagging or buffering video. Our servers provide fast VPN speeds so you can enjoy the best streaming experience possible. We even have 10-Gbps servers in busy locations so you don’t have to worry about slowdowns due to overcrowding.
All CyberGhost subscriptions include unlimited bandwidth. That means you can stream for as long as you want – we’ll never slow you down.
Top-Level Security and Privacy
CyberGhost VPN keeps your data private and secure whether you’re streaming at home or on public Wi-Fi. Our powerful encryption makes it hard for cybersleuths, network administrators, and other third parties to see what you’re doing online.
Even we don’t know what you get up to when using our VPN – our strict no-logs policy takes care of that. We never track or store your internet activity, so even if someone requested your data, we’d have nothing to share with them.
FAQ
Kodi is a free, open-source media player that can turn your Fire TV Stick into an entertainment powerhouse. You can use it to stream your personal digital media on the big screen and watch free content with the help of Kodi add-ons. However, Kodi is an unregulated app, as are its add-ons, so you may want to pair it with a VPN service to keep your data private.
Although some of its add-ons have become defunct, Kodi still works well. To load it onto your Fire TV Stick, you’ll need to adjust your Fire Stick settings to enable you to install unknown apps. Our step-by-step guide above talks you through how to do this. To get unrestricted access to add-ons, pair Kodi with CyberGhost VPN.
To download Kodi, you first need to install the Downloader app, then give permission for the app to be installed in your Fire TV Stick settings. You may need to activate Developer Options to do this. Once you’ve turned on the Downloader app, download the Android version of Kodi from this link: http://www.kodi.tv/download. For step-by-step instructions, read the article above.
You won’t get into trouble simply for having Kodi on your device. That said, some of Kodi’s add-ons may distribute illegal copyrighted material, and some third-party add-ons come with malware or spyware. Get CyberGhost VPN to secure your connection. It hides your real IP address and encrypts your data to help you stream privately and securely.
Kodi 21.1, also known as Omega, is the latest version of Kodi. Be sure to download the Android 32-bit version, which works best with Fire TV Sticks. On the Kodi downloads page, this version is called ARMV7A. You’ll also see an Android 64-bit version, which is better suited to Android TVs.
No, Kodi isn’t blocked on Fire Stick. However, it isn’t an official app, so you won’t find it in the Amazon Appstore. To download it, you must get the Downloader app and adjust your settings to allow you to install unknown apps. Then, use the Downloader app to access http://www.kodi.tv/download and download the Android version of Kodi.
If you have Kodi on Fire Stick and it’s not working, it could be because your cache is overloaded with files, you’re using an outdated version of Kodi, or your Fire Stick memory is full. If Kodi won’t open on Fire Stick, try restarting your Fire Stick. If that doesn’t work, clear your cache by going to Settings > Applications > Manage installed applications > Kodi > Launch application > Clear cache. As a last option, you can uninstall and reinstall Kodi.
Kodi itself is completely free, but you may want to pay for premium add-ons to increase its functionality. For example, many users pay for Real Debrid, a service that lets you download premium content at high speeds.
Kodi’s latest version, 21.1 (also known as Omega), is generally considered to be the best version of Kodi for now. Many users report that this update has fixed previous bugs and is working well for them. However, some users say version 20.5 is more stable, though this version lacks some features, like Dolby Vision support.
Leave a comment
Dennis
Posted on 12/01/2023 at 01:19
I have performed each and every step and I always get unknown error has occurred. Check your url and connection.
Every time
Ghostie
Posted on 18/01/2023 at 09:50
Hey Dennis, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble connecting. Your best bet to troubleshoot the problem would be to contact our 24/7 Customer Support team. They’re always ready to help through live chat and email.