New Kodi Update: KODI 19.4 - The New Matrix on the Block in 2024

by
Frederik Lipfert
Dr. Frederik Lipfert Founder, vpncheck
Updated on 12 Apr 2022

KODI 19.4 - The New Kodi Update

Kodi initializing screen

Kodi 19.0 was released in February 2021 and replaced the previous 18.9 version. But, like most things in life, there is no such thing as perfect software. Instead, timely improvements and updates assist users in getting the best out of most software. Which lead Team Kodi to release version 19.4 with more fixes and improvements.

How to Update Kodi on Firestick

How to Update Kodi on Android Box

While Kodi’s current upgrade, Matrix 19.4, isn’t “perfect” in the literal sense, it is, nevertheless, an improvement from its predecessors. This new version has improved features and compatibility that ought to provide a seamless user experience never seen before.

However, since this is a bug-fix version, customers should not expect dramatic changes in the functionality. Although there are a few modifications, the main goal is to repair the bugs that plagued previous editions. Ultimately, this upgrade should enhance your experience with the best Kodi addons and builds with Kodi maintaining its spot among the best Firestick apps.

In this guide, you will see the fundamentals of Kodi and the changes incorporated in the latest version of the software.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to guard your online safety by using the best Kodi VPN.

Kodi 19.4: What’s new?

The latest upgrade, Kodi 19.4,  has fixed numerous problems that came with the previous versions and can run 4K content without crashing.    

In Kodi 19.4, the update is that now you can install Python add-ons on Xbox without getting the permission error. Other updates include Windows-specific improvements, a mouse cursor positioning fix, and so on. Kodi 19.4 updates are discussed in detail later in this post.

Watch out Kodi Users!

Government and ISPs constantly monitor your online activity and can basically see whatever you do online. That includes all cases in which you’d access copyrighted material, especially using KODI on your Firestick.

Now currently, your IP is visible to everyone.

I order to keep your KODI behavior private, you should definitely use a VPN to mask what you watch.

I personally use ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is straightforward to install on any device, including Amazon FireStick. You get 3-months free and save 49% on its annual plans. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can always ask for a refund.

Click HERE to get 3-months free and save 49% on ExpressVPN

Kodi 19.4 Installation Guide

Kodi supports a large number of platforms and devices. Moreover, it is simple, user-friendly, and also free on all platforms.

The installation procedure is also quite simple and will hardly take a couple of minutes. An overview of the installation procedure of Kodi on commonly used devices is given below.

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Amazon Firestick/FireTV

Amazon Store currently doesn’t host Kodi. So, you have to download the Kodi app manually from a reliable source and install it on Firestick/FireTV. 

Firesticks are popular Android-based devices that connect to TV through HDMI ports. Once plugged in, they convert usual TVs into Smart TVs. 

Amazon FireStick and Fire TV are more or less the same. Thus, the same installation process of Kodi applies to both devices.  

How to Install Kodi on Firestick

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Windows PC

The Kodi application is now available for download on the app store. If you’re unable to find the latest version of the app, download it from the official Kodi website via the links provided below. 

64 Bit Download link: 64-Bit

32 Bit Download link: 32-Bit

Click on the 64-bit link if you have a 64-bit Windows. If not, use the 32-bit link. 

Once you click on the preferred link, a setup file in .exe format will automatically start downloading. 

Double-click on the file once the download is over and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. In case you still have doubts, check out this installation guide.

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Mac OS

The software is currently not available on Apple’s app store. So, you have to download the software from Kodi’s official website

Click on the “download” link provided below to download it directly from the website.

Download link: Download

This action will download the file of around 95 MB in .dmg format. Double-click on the file once it’s done downloading; you will see a blue-colored screen with the title “Kodi” on it. 

Now, drag and drop the Kodi icon into the “Applications” folder. Both the icon and the folder should be visible on the blue-colored screen. And that’s it! The software is installed.

However, in case you’re still confused, check this guide for detailed instructions.

Installing Kodi on 19.4 on iOS

The installation of the software on the iOS platform is a little more complicated than in Mac OS. Some websites suggest jailbreaking the device to install Kodi. 

Fortunately, there are other techniques to install the app without having to jailbreak your iOS device. There are also third-party apps like TweakBox, which hosts Kodi.  

In any case, we’ve got you covered. All you’re required to do is choose one method which suits you best and follow the instructions mentioned in this guide.

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Android

The easiest installation method available right now is on Android devices. Kodi software is available on Google Play Store. 

All you have to do is open the Play Store from your android mobiles and tablets and search for Kodi. Press on the “Install” option, and the application will automatically get downloaded on the device. 

Another method is to sideload the app by downloading the APK of Kodi. Open a web browser on your device and go to Kodi’s download page. 

On the “Select your platform” subheading, tap on Android. Choose between the 32bit and 64bit versions according to your device’s processor. Click on your preferred version, and it shall download the APK file. 

It is a simple process, but if you find yourself confused, refer to this installation guide.

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Linux

Kodi installation on Linux is simple and only requires the user to enter a few lines of commands. For Linux based on Mint and Ubuntu, the first step is to open the terminal window. 

Use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+T

Then, copy and paste the following line: 

Sudo apt install software-properties-common

Hit ‘Enter’ and input the password. Next, input the following line again and press “Enter”:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

Then finally, copy this line to conclude the process.

sudo apt install kodi

Press “Enter,” and the Kodi will start downloading from the web. 

In case you find the procedure mentioned hard to understand, follow this detailed guide to understand better.

Installing Kodi 19.4 on Xbox One

Kodi is now a native Xbox app, meaning you can install it directly from the official Microsoft store. The process is super simple and will take no more than a few minutes.

Start by switching on your Xbox and wait till it loads the Home Screen. Go to the ‘Microsoft Store’ app and search for Kodi. 

Open the app’s overview and select ‘Install.’ Wait for the installation to complete. And that’s it! Simple!

Generic Installation Guide

As said before, Kodi is supported on a host of platforms and devices. The scope of this short piece doesn’t allow a detailed explanation of the installation guide peculiar to each device platform. 

Therefore, if the before mentioned steps didn’t apply to any of your devices, follow these. This set of generic steps works on almost all platforms.

  • Go to the Kodi page.
  • Select your preferred platform.
  • Once selected, click on the apt option that suits you best. It should download the file on your device locally.

Kodi Add-ons

Kodi is a media player, but its ‘add-on’ feature makes it stand out from other media players. Add-ons are plugins that act as a link between Kodi and the media source over the internet. 

They provide the interface between the media player and the media available on the internet. It does that by fetching links from external sources and streamlining them on the digital player.  

After installation of Kodi, the ideal next step is to install add-ons and start watching your favorite stuff. 

But because there are hundreds of add-ons out there to choose from, it is vital to first find the best Kodi addons for the sort of content you wish to watch.

Installing Add-ons

Often the best add-ons are available on unknown sources, but Kodi restricts downloads from unknown sources. So, before installing add-ons, you need to configure your settings to allow downloads from unknown sources. You can do so by simply allowing the ‘add-ons’ option from the system settings.

Once done configuring the setting, you are ready to install add-ons. You can do this by doing the following steps:

  • Go to the Settings option and click on the File Manager.
  • Double click on ‘Add source,’ then select ‘None.’ This will prompt a wizard to add add-ons media sources.
  • Type or paste the URL of your preferred source media. 
  • Choose a name for this particular source. You should enter a name that contains a part/parts of the source URI character.
  • Click OK and go back to the Kodi home page.
  • Now, click on the ‘Add-ons’ option on the left and select the Package icon on the upper left.
  • Select the option ‘Install from zip file.’ Then navigate to the file provided by the source media. Kodi will automatically install the .zip file.
  • Wait until a notification pops on the upper right, after which click on the option ‘Install from Repository.’  
  • Select the repository you just finished downloading.
  • Click the add-on type. It will include Video add-ons, Program add-ons, and Music add-ons.
  • Scroll up and down to find the add-on you want, then click it.
  • Click the Install button at the bottom of the add-on details page. Then, wait for a while until you see an ‘installed’ notification in the upper right section.

Complete Changelog for Kodi 19.4

Kodi 19.4 Windows Specifics

  • Fix: Flickering with interlaced H.264 SD on AMD GPUs.
  • Fix: Crash on unexpected network configuration (e.g. no MAC address obtained).

Kodi 19.4 Android Specifics

  • Fix: Audio buffers adjusted.
  • Fix: Various TrueHD stutter/dropout issues corrected.

Kodi 19.4 Xbox Specifics

  • New: Passthrough audio via WASAPI.
  • Fix: Permission error preventing installation of Python add-ons.

Kodi 19.4 PVR

  • New: Sort method for recordings based on season and episode.
  • Fix: Crash when navigating an empty guide.
  • Fix: Hiding/deleting channel group now working correctly.

Kodi 19.4 Video Library

  • Fix: EDL mute now working.
  • Fix: ASS subtitles display now working correctly.

Kodi 19.4 Estuary

  • Fix: Home screen context menu fix for when there are more than 10 items in menu.
  • Fix: Seekbar wouldn’t disappear after 5 sec when using remote app e.g. Kore or JSON to pause Kodi.

Kodi 19.4 Input

  • Fix: English keyboard missing semi-colon.
  • Fix: Chinese keyboard character now displaying correctly.

Kodi 19.4 Music

  • Fix: Artist discography export to NFO.

Kodi 19.4 UI

  • Fix: Any Favourites for a restricted/locked media source are now hidden.
  • Fix: Blu-ray ISO title and watched status now displayed correctly.
  • Fix: Wrong language identified from subtitle name corrected.

Kodi 19.4 Linux

  • Fix: Automatic play of DVDs.

Kodi 19.4 MacOS

  • Fix: Mouse cursor positioning in full-screen.

Conclusion

And with that, we come to the end of our piece on Kodi 19.4 Matrix. Besides presenting a step-by-step installation guide for major platforms, this brief introductory article is about making users aware of the changes brought in by the latest iteration of Kodi software. It will help our fellow Kodi users to make an informed decision regarding the software and whether or not updating to the latest version suits them best.