This guide is for those users who are still banging their heads with older versions of Kodi on their respective devices which includes fire TV or Fire Stick. The latest stable version of Kodi is 17.6 Krypton and this simple step by step guide mentioned below will teach you how to update Kodi on Fire Stick or fire TV to their respective latest versions. You will also learn How to update to Kodi 18.1 Leia on your Firestick.
The procedure is very simple, you just need to follow the steps carefully mentioned below.
The guide which you be going through very soon will not only teach you how to update Kodi on Fire TV Stick but also focuses on how to update Kodi without losing any data or any existing add-ons or builds.
Apart from several other methods, we will be using ES File Explorer app to update the Kodi. If you are not aware of ES File Explorer then I must bring this in your notice that it is a free app and can be easily downloaded via Amazon App Store. The ES file explorer can be downloaded and installed using a Fire Stick search option.
The step by step guide mentioned below uses the Amazon Fire Stick with Alexa voice Remote to update the Kodi.
Key Instructions before Updating Kodi on Fire TV Stick
Before you start to update the Kodi on your Fire TV or Fire Stick, read the important instructions below.
Instruction 1
In order to update Kodi version from Jarvis to Krypton, you have to clean install the new version of Kodi Krypton.
Some users might face some issues after updating Kodi from Jarvis to Krypton. The issues are obvious since an upgrade from Jarvis to Krypton is a heavy one. Some of the files may not get installed appropriately during your upgrade process. To avoid such issues, follow the suggested steps.
1 – First, Uninstall your current Kodi version
2 – Secondly, reinstall latest Kodi app on Fire Stick
Instruction 2
In order to update any version of Kodi 17 Krypton to Kodi 17.6 Krypton, then this step by step guide is just meant for you.
This method will ensure that you do not lose any data. To learn how to update Kodi 17 to Kodi 17.6 on Fire TV, Simply scroll below to the steps.
Instruction 3
It is strongly suggested to switch your skin to default Kodi skin that is “estuary” if you are upgrading from Kodi 16 to Kodi 17. If the skin you are currently using does not support the new version Kodi, then you will see an only black screen. The fix to this issue is just a complete reinstall of Kodi.
For switching to the default Kodi skin, you need to go to the settings and select the interface settings. Then, click on the skin option. Within this option, you will see all your Kodi skins. You just need to switch to Estuary. You may also select “Confluence” or “Estouchy” since they too support Kodi 17.6.
Make sure that you follow all 3 instructions so that you can easily update or upgrade Kodi on Firestick.
How to Update Kodi on Fire Stick [Kodi 17.6 Krypton]
Simply follow our steps and you will be able to update Kodi version on Firestick or Fire TV stick.
Step 1. Prepare Fire Stick for Kodi Update
To get started, Go to the Fire Stick Settings and click on the Device option and then, click on the Developer Option. There you will find an option named “Unknown Sources”. You need to turn ON this option if it is turned OFF.
Now, again go back to the Settings and click on the Applications and then, finally click on the “Collect App Usage Data” option. Here you need to turn OFF the “Collect App Usage Data.”
Step 2. Download Kodi Update on Fire TV Stick
The latest version of Kodi is 17.6 Krypton and is available for all devices. Therefore, you can download the latest version of Kodi on your Amazon Fire Stick device directly.
1 – Go to the Fire Stick Search menu and type “ES File Explorer”. Then, click on the suggested name that appears on the screen.
2 – Then, you need to Download & install the “ES File Explorer”. Once done, click to open it.
3 – Here, you need to navigate to the tools option and then click on the download manager option. Finally, click on the ‘+’ option as shown in the screenshot below.
4 – Copy paste the URL mentioned below once the pop up appears. http://bit.ly/firekodi176 (Simply copy the URL)
Then, name the media source as per the name suitable to you or name it as “Kodi176” (It simply means Kodi 17.6 version). Now, click on the “Download Now” option.
The size of the update is nearly 90MB and it will not take more than 10 minutes on a stable connection. Once you have the file, you will be ready to update Kodi on your Fire TV Stick.
Step 3. Update Kodi 17.6 Krypton on Fire Stick / Fire TV
After downloading the latest version of Kodi 17.6, update the file on your Fire Stick. The final step involves installing the new Kodi update on Fire Stick. Well, follow the steps.
1 – After the file is downloaded, click on the “open file”.
2 – Then, Select the “Install” button.
3 – Then, a window will pop up with a message “Do you want to install an update to this existing application? Your data will not be lost”. Just hit the “Install” button.
4 – Finally, your Kodi app has been updated on Fire TV or fire Stick.
To verify whether the new update has been installed properly, launch the Kodi home screen and go to the Settings. Within the settings menu click the System Info and check for the latest version of Kodi displayed on your screen at the right bottom of your screen.
That’s it. Simple right??
Updating to Kodi Leia on Fire Stick
After the latest version of Kodi 17.6, Kodi has now officially released the ‘alpha’ version. Kodi 18 (alpha version) is codenamed as Leia. The alpha version is still under development stage even though its release has been public.
The version was made public only for real-time testing. Leia version or the alpha version can be unstable, declared by the Kodi team itself. So, while using the alpha version or the Leia version you may experience crashes.
Anyways if you still want to update to Kodi 18 Leia on your firestick, we will help you.
How to update to Kodi 18 Leia on Firestick [2019]
The methods to update your Kodi Jarvis/Krypton to Kodi Leia is kinda different.
Since Kodi 18 is altogether a new release, it is recommended that you do a fresh install of Kodi Leia on Firestick.
The steps are as follows;
- Download ES FileExplorer on your FireTV Stick. The method is given above.
- Install and open ES File Explorer.
- Go to its Download Manager. (Just as shown earlier)
- Copy and paste this URL https://thevpn.guru/kodi18.apk to download Kodi 18 to your Fire Stick. (Alternative 18.1 APK link: http://mirrors.kodi.tv/nightlies/android/arm/master/kodi-20180715-97cbdb18-master-armeabi-v7a.apk)
- Once the APK file is downloaded, simply open it.
- Your Firestick will ask to install it.
- Install the APK and done. You have successfully updated your Firestick to Kodi 18 Leia.
- Open the Kodi 18 file to access the latest version of Kodi Leia on your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Wasn’t it easy??
Conclusion
Go ahead and update Kodi on firestick. (The choice of version should be yours)
Note: We recommend you to use Kodi Krypton. Kodi Leia is still new and may not function properly.
If the bugs and crashes do not bother you and you are out of the people who are among the early adopters then you can download and install the Leia version on your Kodi. There is no such reason to stop you from using the updated version Kodi Leia 18 on Fire Stick.
Anyways, if you are still facing difficulties, let me know in the comments below. KodiBuddy will help you update Kodi on Firestick.