How to update Kodi to the latest version: 11-step guide

Kodi is an open-source home theater, favored by the users due to its capabilities to unlock a vast range of different kinds of media, such as music, TV series, and sports. Also, it’s a great way to upgrade your Amazon Firestick without having to rely on multiple subscriptions. Plus it's completely free.

If you are already using Kodi, yet debating whether updating to the newest version is worth it, I recommend upgrading. While sticking with an older version is convenient, you might miss out on some great new features and improvements that can enhance your user experience.

Since Kodi releases updates periodically, its latest Kodi 21.1 Omega version comes with useful bugfixes and improvements that prevent frequent app crashes. Therefore, to get the most out of your Kodi app, I prepared a step-by-step guide on how to update Kodi on Firestick.

6 reasons to update Kodi

If you are still not sure whether updating Kodi is the way to go, there are several reasons that might change your mind:

• Better stability. Older Kodi app versions might start to have some issues, such as app crashes, and overall make the performance poorer.
• Add-ons may stop supporting the older version. Some add-ons eventually stop supporting older Kodi app versions. Therefore, you might have problems streaming content and fewer options for stream links.
• Avoid app crashes. Older Kodi app versions might crash due to several problems: its hardware has more limitations, newer add-ons are no longer compatible with the old app version, or installations are corrupted.
• Bugfixes. All newer versions come with bugfixes for problems prevalent on the old app. Therefore, if you want a better user experience, consider updating your app.
• New features. New Kodi features can enhance user experience and the app’s performance for better streaming.
• Updated keyboard shortcuts. Added and updated keyboard shortcuts let you manage Kodi faster and more efficiently.

While there’re more reasons to update your Kodi app to a newer version than not, it might have some downsides too. For example, some Kodi updates may break its compatibility with older add-ons. Also, if you have a heavily customized Kodi setup with specific skins and configurations, a major update might require redoing this setup. Therefore, having all risks in mind and being prepared before-hand can be helpful.

What updates will you get with update to Kodi 21.2 Omega

Kodi 21.2 Omega release comes with a variety of updates. However, this time the emphasis is mainly on bugfixes, not new features.

Compared to the previous Kodi 21.0 and 21.1 versions, the latest release comes with major subtitle improvements, like positioning and rendering from right-to-left. Also, video acceleration API (VAAPI) and HDR playback issues for Mac were resolved.

For Android, Windows, and Linux, fixes include memory corruption when high-quality video scalers are used, improved joystick support for Android, and a fixed HDR feature on Windows 11, to name a few. For more detailed information regarding updates carried out in Kodi 21.0, 21.2, and 21.2 versions, refer to the table below.

As it’s evident from the comparison table, Kodi 21.2 is a bugfix release, which addressed problem areas of older Kodi app versions. Therefore, upgrading to the newest Kodi version will definitely improve your experience while streaming media using this app.

How to check my Kodi version

If you are not sure which Kodi app version you currently have, you can check this information in a few simple steps:

1. Open the Kodi application
2. Click Settings to open the tab
3. Then, click the System Information tab
4. In the open tab, you can see the information about the current version of your Kodi app

How to revert to the default skin, Estuary

If you use a custom build on Kodi, you might want to revert to the default skin, Estuary, before updating. The reason behind this is that reverting to default skin can help you avoid potential compatibility issues.

To revert to the default skin, Estuary:

1. On your home screen, locate and click Settings (the gear icon) on the top of your Home screen menu
2. Click on Interface
3. In the Interface settings, click on Skin, and then Skin under the Look and Feel section
4. In the window from installed skins, select Estuary
5. Your skin is now reverted to the default Estuary skin

Why you should use a VPN with Kodi

Since Kodi is not available on the official Amazon Appstore, downloading the app or updating it might come with some risks. Even though Kodi is a safe application, some of its add-ons might not be. Therefore, when updating Kodi on your Firestick, you should use a VPN to ensure the security of your personal data and device.

Using one of the best VPNs for Kodi, like NordVPN, can help you protect your device from data leaks, malware, and other potential risks. Also, NordVPN has a vast fleet of servers, which is great for streaming your favorite content. Moreover, you can try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Android users.

How to update Kodi on Firestick: quick guide to update to the latest version

There is more than one way to update Kodi on Firestick. However, due to the nature of the Kodi app, you need to have additional apps on Amazon Firestick for the update – a Downloader or AppStarter app. Further, I prepared simple guides for using both methods, which you can find below.

Update Kodi version with Downloader app

To update Kodi to the latest version with the Downloader app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Downloader app
2. Enter the URL of the latest Kodi APK in the Home tab
3. After you enter the URL (usually it’s kodi.tv/download), click Go to enter the Kodi download page
4. In the Kodi download page, scroll down
5. Locate the Android icon and click on it
6. From multiple download links, make sure to choose the ARMV7A (32BIT) or ARMV8A (64BIT) version depending on your Firestick model. If you’re not sure which version to pick, select the 32BIT version
7. Once the download is complete, click Install
8. When installation is complete, click Done
9. Click Open to launch the updated Kodi version and give it the necessary permissions to run the app
10. Relaunch the Kodi app
11. Enjoy your updated Kodi app version

Update Kodi version with AppStarter

If you have AppStarter instead of the Downloader app, the process is the following:

1. Open the AppStarter application on your Firestick
2. Navigate to the Updates section (depending on your Firestick version, it can be called the Sideload section) on the left side of the menu
3. In the Updates section, you can see the list of apps and their information
4. Locate the Kodi App and click Check for Update. Here you’ll find information regarding which version of the application you currently have
5. After you click on Check for Update, AppStarter runs a quick scan to look for available updates
6. If the version you have is not the latest, click Update to latest Version and follow the instructions
7. Once the installation is complete, the updated Kodi can be opened from AppStarter or your Firestick's app list

Final thoughts on updating Kodi to latest version

Kodi APK is an open-source app, which is great for expanding your Amazon Firestick capabilities. However, it’s frequently updated for better user experience. While updating the Kodi app to its latest 21.2 Omega version is worthwhile, it comes with a few considerations.

Since the Kodi app is not available on the official Amazon Appstore, you have to know safe ways how you can update Kodi on Firestick. Also, it's essential to ensure the safety of your data and device when choosing a reliable source for the Kodi’s download. I highly recommend using a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN, which can protect you from malware and other potential risks associated with open-source apps.

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