To upgrade to Kodi Omega, just download the latest version of the app from Kodi’s website. If you previously used Kodi 19 or later, you can install version 21 on top without losing any of your add-ons. However, if you’re updating from Kodi 18 (Leia), it’s best to perform a clean install.
Below, you’ll find a novice-friendly guide explaining how to install Kodi 21 in under five minutes.
Installing a new version of Kodi: Your quick and easy guide
You can usually install a new version of Kodi right over the top of an old one. That said, if you’re returning to Kodi after some time away, it’s a good idea to start over fresh. That’s because in 2021, Kodi 19 (Matrix) became the first version of the software to use Python 3. This helped modernize the codebase, but means any addons that weren’t updated will no longer work.
To be clear, you won’t break Kodi by going directly to version 21 without uninstalling older versions first. However, you’ll have to manually delete all of your non-functioning addons, which is why a clean install is usually easier.
Follow these steps to install Kodi 21 (Omega):
- Are you trying to update a very old Kodi release? For compatibility reasons and to avoid having to manually remove broken addons, it’s usually better to uninstall these first.
- Visit Kodi’s website and click the Download button at the top of the screen. I strongly advise against downloading Kodi from anywhere else since there’s no easy way to tell if the files have been tampered with.
- Scroll down and choose the platform you’d like to install Kodi on.
- Choose the version of Kodi you need. The first option is usually the one best-suited to most users so pick this if you’re unsure. Kodi should begin downloading automatically.
- Wait a few seconds, then click the file in your downloads folder to start the installation.
- Move through the installation process, confirming that you want to overwrite previous installations if prompted. Click Finish. Congratulations – you’ve successfully upgraded to Kodi 21!
How to install Kodi Omega on almost any device
One of the biggest advantages of Kodi over other media center apps is that it runs on virtually any device. Kodi’s website has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS, and WebOS, but that’s not every supported platform. I’ve managed to run Kodi on Xbox consoles, Amazon Firesticks, and even Chromecasts, so the sky’s the limit.
Installing Kodi on desktop (Windows, MacOS, Linux)
There’s no special trick to installing Kodi on desktop systems. Users simply have to choose the version that matches their device’s specifications and move through the setup process. Here’s a quick guide explaining which to use based on your hardware and needs:
| Operating system | Download option | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Installer (64bit) | You have a relatively modern PC |
| Installer (32bit) | You’re using legacy hardware | |
| Windows Store | You’d like the easiest installation experience | |
| MacOS | Intel (x86_64) | You’re using an older Mac computer |
| Apple Silicon (ARM64) | You have a relatively modern MacOS device | |
| Linux | Flathub | You’re using a popular Linux distro |
| LibreELEC | You want to run Kodi on low-powered devices like a Raspberry Pi | |
| OSMC | You need a lightweight Debian-based distro exclusively for running Kodi |
Installing Kodi on mobile (Android and iOS)
If you have an Android phone, you can simply install Kodi directly from the Google Play store or Huawei App Gallery. Alternatively, Kodi’s website offers .APK files that can be manually sideloaded onto your device if you can’t access these storefronts.
You’ll have to tell your phone to allow installation of unknown apps beforehand, though. The exact steps vary by manufacturer, but searching the settings menu for “unknown apps” should get you where you need to be.
Allowing Firefox to install unknown apps on a Google Pixel phone
Unfortunately, Kodi isn’t included in the iOS app store because it’s highly extensible, which doesn’t fit with Apple’s sandboxed, walled-garden ecosystem. It’s technically possible to install Kodi on iOS, but the process is extremely involved and requires you to reinstall the app every week (or pay for an iOS developer account. If you have a jailbroken iPhone, though, you can install Kodi fairly easily from Cydia’s default BigBoss repository.
Installing Kodi on other platforms
Even if you’re trying to install Kodi 21 on a less-popular streaming device, setup is usually quite simple. Here’s a brief rundown of how you can start using Kodi on various other systems.
- Xbox One (Series S and Series X): Search for Kodi in the Microsoft store and click the Get button. You can then access Kodi from your Home screen.
- Nvidia Shield: Install Kodi using the Google Play Store.
- Chromecast: Hold the microphone button on your remote, say “Open the Google Play Store”, then search for and install Kodi.
- Amazon Firestick or Fire TV: Sideload Kodi on your Firestick by installing the Downloader app. Enter Kodi’s direct download link in the URL field, then hit Download and follow the steps to complete installation.
- webOS (LG Smart TVs): Create an LG developer account and sideload the Kodi IPK file to your TV using another computer on the same network.
What next?
You should now have Kodi up and running, so it’s time to start installing some addons, trying a custom build, or syncing your watch history. Alternatively, if you’d like access to the latest features and optimizations, consider trying one of the nightly builds or maybe even an alpha version of Kodi 22 (Piers) – just be aware that these are a little less stable than the official releases.
Frequently asked questions
Are old versions of Kodi still supported?
Technically, you can use any version of Kodi you like. However, most modern addons won’t work on Isengard, Jarvis, or Krypton. Additionally, older versions aren’t available to download on the Kodi website anymore, which means you’d have to rely on third-parties to actually get these. Given the risk, reduced usability, and lack of bug-fixes, we’d strongly advise against using outdated versions of Kodi.
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To install older Android (or Amazon Fire Stick) versions of Kodi, follow the steps listed under “for Amazon Fire stick.” However, instead of using “https://kodi.tv/download” as the path source, use this page: http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/.
Unfortunately, 17.6 hasn’t been posted to the archive yet. So the most current version you can get other than 18 is 17.2 or 17.3, depending on the version of Android that you have. I hope Kodi.tv will add 17.6 to the archive soon.
If you would like to see 17.6 added to the old versions page, you may want to contact Kodi.tv and let them know. They may not be aware that this many people are looking for it.
When I wrote this article, Kodi 17.6 was the current version, so there was no need to use the archive at that time.
You can’t install Kodi 17.6 from Google Play anymore. Just 18.0, which sucks. On my TV box Kodi 18 is as slow as a fat cow. And I can’t get rid of it.when
I experienced the auto switchover too. Now I cannot get my Real-Debrid account to stick. I keep losing authorization. I would like to go back to 17.6. Any ideas?
I followed the above instructions above – on how to download and install KODI 17.6 on Firestick and it worked for me. You have to go to OLDER RELEASES TO find 17.6. Good Luck
I like everyone else was switched over to 18.0 without any warning. I want 17.6 back but of course the play store only has 18.0 now. I have tried es explorer and it does not seem to work for me. None of the apk’s will install. I am not really that experienced with Nvidia shield, but I do manage to find my way around, Is there any help at all out there. The builds I have tried with Kodi and 18.0 or Leia, are just plain awful. I had misfitmods, atomic, and that won’t load on 18.0 something about the skin. Should I just not even have Kodi on my device and stick with the free stuff, that by the way as far as movies go, work very well.