View source for HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Android

{{mininav| [[Android]] }}
<section begin="intro" />This page describes how to install Kodi, either from an app "store" such as Google Play, or manually from an APK file.<section end="intro" />

= Installing Kodi from the Google Play Store =

== Google Play - stable ==

Kodi is now available on Google Play: 

{{Google Play}}<br />
'''https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.xbmc.kodi'''



Google Play will automatically select which version (ARM(32bit), ARM(64bit) or x86) of Kodi you need, and will also automatically handle updates (unless you change your Google Play preferences). 

{{#widget:YouTube|id=hmO_qVDoXCk}}

{{big|'''Files permissions on Android TV 11 or higher:'''}}

On Android TV 11 or higher by default Kodi dont have local files access permissions,
this means that if you try to open any local files through Kodi, these files although existing will not be visible.

To allow Kodi to have access to local files you need to manually set app files permissions.
On Android TV settings go to "Settings -> Apps - Kodi -> Permissions -> Files and Media" and select "Allow all the time".

== Google Play - beta testing ==
{{see also|Development builds}}

In order to test Kodi nightlies on your Android device, just download them from here: 

http://mirrors.kodi.tv/nightlies/android/

<!-- Keep the words below, in case we will activate beta testing again-->
<!--If you would like to have Google Play automatically install monthly, beta, and RC test builds for the upcoming release of Kodi, you can enable beta testing here:

'''https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.xbmc.kodi/'''-->

{{note|Be sure to '''[[backup]]''' before you install this!

These alpha and beta builds are considered "semi stable", and contain the latest changes to Kodi. They may contain bugs and/or drastically change how the program works.}}

Please report any bugs and issues you come across to the '''[http://forum.kodi.tv Kodi forum]'''.

<!--To exit the beta program and stop beta updates, just go to '''https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.xbmc.kodi/''' and click on '''"Leave program"'''. If you then want to go back to the most recent stable build of Kodi, first uninstall Kodi and then reinstall through Google Play, in order to clear out the test version. This will reset all Kodi settings, so be sure to '''[[backup]]''' your stable Kodi settings before beta testing, and then restore from that backup once you have stable Kodi installed again.-->

If you want to go back to the most recent stable version, uninstall the Kodi nightly first and reinstall Kodi either via Google Play or the manual installation which is explained in this article. Uninstalling the Kodi nightly and reinstalling Kodi will reset all Kodi settings. So make sure to '''[[backup]]''' your stable Kodi settings before testing nightlies and then restore from that backup once you have stable Kodi installed again.

= Manual installation =

== Enabling installation ==
===Android (normal)===
This includes installation instructions for phones, tablets and most boxes running Android.

Here's how to install Kodi from an .APK file. This is commonly known as "sideloading".

<gallery widths="500px" heights="313">
File:Android install step01.jpg|{{big|'''Step 1:'''}} First located the settings menu on your Android device and search for the "security" menu.
File:Android install step02.jpg|{{big|'''Step 2:'''}} Now enable "Unknown sources" option. This will allow you to directly install Kodi as easy as you would install it from Play Store.
</gallery>

=== Android TV ===
<gallery widths="500px" heights="313">
File:Android TV install step01.jpg|{{big|'''Step 1:'''}} From the Android TV launcher, scroll down to and select "Settings".
File:Android TV install step02.jpg|{{big|'''Step 2:'''}} From the "Settings" menu, scroll down and select the "Security & Restrictions" menu.
File:Android TV install step03.jpg|{{big|'''Step 3:'''}} In the "Security & Restrictions" menu, turn on "Unknown Sources".
</gallery>

== Download ==
Download Kodi for Android from the Kodi.tv servers. Official stable builds can be found here: '''http://kodi.tv/download/''' You need to either select the '''ARM''' or '''x86''' version depending on your hardware.

===Android TV===
# From a desktop computer or phone/tablet, go to http://play.google.com using the same Google account as used in your Android TV device.
# Install a browser such as Chrome. Select your Android TV box from the popup menu after clicking the install/get button.
# To make things easy, connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse.
# Open the browser either by voice remote (for example, say "Open Chrome") or from something such as Sideload Launcher.
# Follow the rest of the steps below for "'Normal' Android"

===Android (normal)===
<gallery widths="500px" heights="313px">
File:Android_install_step03.png|{{big|'''Step 1:'''}} Load up '''http://kodi.tv/download/''' in your Android web browser. Most users will want to use the '''ARM''' link, unless you have an Intel or AMD CPU. You may get a warning trying to download the file depending on which browser you use. You should say "OK" to actually download it.
File:Android_install_step04.png|{{big|'''Step 2:'''}} Wait for the "apk" to download.
</gallery>

== Install ==

Installing the Kodi app package is as simple as just finding the .apk you just downloaded and opening it up. You can do this either though the download menu in the web browser or selecting it with a file explorer.

<gallery widths="500px" heights="313px">
File:Android install step05.png| {{big|'''Step 1:'''}} After selecting the Kodi apk file you might be asked to select something to open it with. "Package installer", "Google Play", or some similar option will be what you want.
File:Android install step06.png| {{big|'''Step 2:'''}} You will get another confirmation screen where you will need to select "install".
File:Android install step07.png| {{big|'''Step 3:'''}} Wait for the installation to complete.
File:Android install step08.png| {{big|'''Step 4:'''}} You've now installed Kodi for Android!
File:Android install step09.png| {{big|'''First run:'''}} The first time you run Kodi it will take slightly longer than normal in order to finish some final installation steps. When it is done Kodi will open normally. This is only done once per installation/update, so the next time Kodi will start up a little faster.
File:Android install step10.png| {{big|'''All done!:'''}} Once started you are on Kodi home menu just like on any other platform.
</gallery>



If you are new to Kodi you might wish to check out this section of the wiki: '''[[First time user]]'''.

=== Install on Fire TV ===

{{#lst:HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Fire TV|intro}}
{{See also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Fire TV}}

== Tidy up ==

After Kodi has installed you can delete the downloaded Kodi APK file to save some disk space.

== Update ==
To update Kodi for Android simply follow the normal install steps with the newer version. All your settings and files will be preserved as they are located in a different place in the userdata folder. Be sure to make a backup of the userdata folder when doing updates in case something goes wrong.

{{note|Since Kodi for Android is signed with our own signatures you will be able to install all succeeding versions without a problem. If you are using a non-official version not signed by us you may be required to un-install Kodi and you will loose all your settings due to this. Be warned before trying.}}


== Uninstall ==

To un-install Kodi just go to your Android settings menu and select "apps". From there you will be able to un-install Kodi like any other Android app.

===Android (normal)===
{{note|Unlike other OSes, uninstalling Kodi on Android will also erase your [[Userdata|userdata folder]] and all of your settings.}}

<gallery widths="500px" heights="313px">
File:Android install step13.jpg| {{big|'''Step 1:'''}} Go into your Android "Settings" app and then select "Apps".
File:Android install step14.jpg| {{big|'''Step 2:'''}} Select Kodi from the list.
File:Android install step15.jpg| {{big|'''Step 3:'''}} Select uninstall and confirm.
</gallery>

===Android TV===
<gallery widths="500px" heights="313px">
File:Android TV install step12.jpg| {{big|'''Step 1:'''}} Go into your Android TV '''Settings''' menu and then select '''Apps'''.
File:Android TV install step13.jpg| {{big|'''Step 2:'''}} Go to the '''Downloaded apps''' then select Kodi.
File:Android TV install step14.jpg| {{big|'''Step 3:'''}} Select uninstall.
File:Android TV install step15.jpg| {{big|'''Step 4:'''}} Select Ok.
</gallery>

= See also =
* [[Android]]
* [[Android hardware]]
* [[Development builds]]


{{Updated|16}}

[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Installation|Android]]
[[Category:Android]]
[[Category:How-to]]