How to Update Kodi 19.4 on Firestick [Latest Method 2024]

Updating your Kodi app to the latest version, such as Kodi “Matrix” 19.4, is always advisable. New releases come with new features, bug fixes, stability and performance improvements, and security updates. These updates greatly enhance Kodi’s performance and patch any security loopholes that the developers may have identified.

But there’s a caveat! Kodi updates can only be done manually since the app is not available on the Amazon App Store. On top of that, Kodi doesn’t have an in-built update system like most Firestick and Android apps. The good news is that updating Kodi 19.4 on Firestick takes just a few minutes if you have the correct information.

In this guide, we’ll show you two ways to update Kodi 19.4 on Firestick and how to use ExpressVPN to stay hidden.

TL;DR: How to Update Kodi on Firestick to the Latest Version in 6 Easy Steps

Short on time? Updating Kodi 19.4 Matrix on Firestick only requires a few steps:

  1. Install Downloader from the Amazon Store
  2. Allow installation from “Unknown Sources”
  3. Download Kodi through Downloader
  4. Install Kodi on Firestick when prompted
  5. Install ExpressVPN and connect to a server
  6. Enjoy safe streaming on Kodi!

How to Update Kodi 19.4 on Firestick: A Step-By-Step Guide

Since Kodi is not available on the Amazon Store, you’ll need to update it by downloading the Kodi 19.4 APK and then installing it. You can do so through several methods, but the pick of the bunch is by using Downloader.

Step 1: Install Downloader

Just as its name suggests, Downloader allows users to download files on Firestick. It also provides the ability to install an app and delete the downloaded file. 

Here’s how to install Downloader on Firestick:

  1. From the Firestick main screen, go to Find and then click Search.Firestick home page with prominent Find and Search buttons
  2. On the Search window, type Downloader. The device will suggest a few options when typing. Click Downloader to search. Amazon Firestick search function with Downloader highlighted
  3. The app should be the first suggestion. Click on it.
    Amazon Firestick Home menu with Downloader highlighted
  4. Finally, click Download. The app will install automatically after the download process is complete. Don’t open it yet.
    Clickable option to install Downloader on Firestick

Step 2: Prep your Firestick

Now, you need to make Firestick allow the installation of third-party apps. It is also advisable that you disable data sharing options to prevent Amazon from collecting data on how you use your apps and device.

Allow “Unknown Apps”

Follow the procedure below.

  1. While at the Firestick home screen, go to Settings, then select My Fire TV.
    Amazon Firestick Settings menu with My Fire TV highlighted
  2. Choose Developer options
    Developer options highlighted in the My Fire TV menu, find Developer options.
  3. If you are using Firestick Gen 2, Firestick 4K, or Fire TV Cube, just click Apps from Unknown Sources, and it will change from Off to On.
    Apps from Unknown Sources categorized under Developer Options in My Fire TV settings
  4. If you are using Firestick Lite or Firestick Gen 3, you can only give permission per app. Click Apps from Unknown Sources, and you’ll see Downloader. Click on it to toggle the button to On.

Your device should now allow you to install third-party apps. Note that the above process only needs to be done once, so you can skip it when installing another app through Downloader.

Turn Off Amazon Data Collection Settings

Amazon collects data on how you use your device and the apps you use. The company does so supposedly to improve marketing and service delivery, but it also means that they process several of your personal data.

If you want to enhance your privacy, you can do so using the steps below. 

  1. While at the home page, go to Settings and click Preferences.
    Amazon Firestick Settings menu with Preferences highlighted
  2. Select Privacy Settings
    The Amazon Firestick Preferences menu with Privacy Settings highlighted
  3. Click “Device Usage Data” and “Collect App Usage Data” to turn them off.
    Amazon Firestick Privacy Settings menu with Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data highlighted

Step 3: Download & Install Kodi

The prerequisites are now complete, and we can update the latest Kodi 19.4 Matrix version.

  1. Go to your applications library and open Downloader. The app will ask for storage access during the first run. Grant it by clicking Allow.Permission dialog asking to allow Downloader to access photos, media and files on your device with Allow and Deny options
  2. Now, we need to download the Kodi 19.4 installation file. Type https://kodi.tv/download in the URL bar and click Go.
    Downloader form has a field below Enter a URL or Search Term to type the Kodi download URL
  3. The Kodi download page should open. Scroll down to the “Select your Platform” section and select Android.
    In the Kodi download page, choose Android among Windows, Linux, Raspberry and Apple icons
  4. You’ll find two versions of Kodi 19.4 Matrix. Choose the 32-bit version as it works best with all Firestick and Fire TV Cube versions.
    In the Kodi Android Recommended settings page, options under Kodi v19.1 (Matrix) include Google Play, Huawai App Gallery, ARMV7A (32BIT) and ARMV8A (64BIT)
  5. The installation file should start downloading.
    Kodi 19.1 on Firestick dialog box shows File download progress with Cancel button
  6. Once the file has finished downloading, you get an option to install the app. Click it.
    Dialog box with Install option for Kodi 19.1 on Firestick
  7. After the installation, click Done.
    Kodi 19.1 dialog box confirms App installed with Done and Open options
  8. Downloader allows you to save space on Firestick by giving you an option to delete the installation. Click Delete and then Delete once more to confirm the action.
    Confirmation dialog box with Delete and Cancel buttons asks if you want to delete /sdcard/Downloader/kodi-19.1-Matrix-armeabi-v7a.apk

You should now have the latest Kodi version.

When you launch the app for the first time, it will ask for storage access. Grant it by clicking Allow.

Permission dialog with Allow and Deny options asking to allow Kodi to access photos, media and files on your device

Kodi 19.4 Matrix should then launch. If you want to further enhance your streaming experience using Kodi on your Firestick, consider installing a Kodi Build. Check out which ones made it to our top list here: The Best Kodi Builds for Amazon Firestick 2024  

Kodi 19 Matrix Home Page on first launch appears with Enter files section and Remove this main menu item buttons

Kodi is now ready to use, but you may need to ensure your safety first!

How to Use Kodi on Firestick Safely with ExpressVPN

The reason Kodi is not available on the Amazon Store is that it facilitates illegal content streaming. The program by itself is entirely legal, but it allows the installation of third-party addons that provide links to pirated files and streams. These addons are the reason behind Kodi’s popularity as they let users stream for free.

We’ve written a complete guide on installing and using Kodi on different devices in another post: How to Use Kodi

Unfortunately, several Kodi users have gotten in legal trouble or received DMCA notices as the consumption of such content is illegal in almost every other country. Although not everything on Kodi is illegal, differentiating between legal and illegal content on the platform can be virtually impossible. For this reason, you need to make sure that you use a VPN service to stay hidden. We recommend ExpressVPN to be the best option. Our comprehensive ExpressVPN review by industry experts best explains why ExpressVPN is our top recommendation.  

The VPN will encrypt your activities using the AES-256 standard to ensure that all your activities are hidden. It will also change your IP address to make you anonymous, and since the VPN doesn’t keep any logs of your connection or online activities, what you do online can’t be traced back to you.

Here’s how to set up ExpressVPN on Firestick.

Step 1: Sign Up with ExpressVPN

To get started, you first need to create an account with the VPN service. This should only take you a few minutes, and it is risk-free, thanks to the VPN’s no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee.

Step 2: Install ExpressVPN

Installing ExpressVPN is quite straightforward as the VPN provides an app on the Amazon Store. 

  1. While at the Firestick main screen, go to Find and then click Search.
    Amazon Firestick Find menu with Search highlighted
  2. To search for ExpressVPN, start typing, and you’ll see a suggestion. Click on it.
  3. Firestick should now give you ExpressVPN as the first option. Click it.
    Amazon Firestick Express VPN highlighted on home screen
  4.  You can now install ExpressVPN by clicking Download.
    ExpressVPN installation option on Firestick

Step 3: Sign In & Connect to a Server

After the installation is complete, you’ll get an Open option. You can click it to launch ExpressVPN or start the app from your applications gallery.

From there:

  1. Select Sign In to use the credentials for the account you have created.
    Sign In option on ExpressVPN
  2.  After that, enter your email address and password, then click Log In. Firestick will warn you that the app wants to set up a connection that can monitor your traffic. This is not a concern as a VPN basically tunnels your traffic through its network to make it private. Click OK to acknowledge.
    Amazon Firestick connection request screen
  3. From there, you can use the magic button to connect to the optimal server and secure your connection.

ExpressVPN provides 160 VPN server locations in 94 countries, so you can also choose the location you’d like to connect to (or from).

ExpressVPN VPN Locations screen

Apart from the location, you can also customize your connection through the features provided by the ExpressVPN app. These include auto-connection, protocol selection, kill switch, and split tunneling. Note that the settings you use and the location you choose should depend on what you want to stream. For general privacy and security, choose the server closest to you to ensure optimal performance.

ExpressVPN menu with the on/off button highlighted

You can now use ExpressVPN to stay hidden!

How to Update to the Latest Kodi Version Using the ES File Explorer App

If you’d like an alternative method for updating to Kodi 19.4 Matrix on Firestick, you can use ES File Explorer. The app is a file manager that helps organize and clean up Firestick and other Android devices, but it also provides functionality for downloading and installing apps. 

You can follow the procedure below to update Kodi 19.4 using File Explorer. Note that the process is quite similar to that of Downloader.

Step 1: Install File Explorer

File Explorer is available on the Amazon Store.  You can install it using a procedure similar to the one we used for Downloader. Head to Find> Search > File Explorer > Download. The app will then install.

Step 2: Enable Unknown Sources

If you are using Firestick Gen 2, Firestick 4K, or Fire TV Cube, enabling unknown sources needs to be done only once using the procedure we provided earlier. For Firestick Lite or Firestick Gen 3, go to Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > Apps from Unknown Sources > File Explorer.

Step 3: Download and Install Kodi

Now, open File Explorer. The app will ask for storage permission, which you can grant by clicking Allow. From there:

  1. Click Tools and then Download Manager from the left-side menu bar.
    Download Manager on File Explorer
  2. Click New.
    Adding new download file on File Explorer
  3. Now, you’ll need to provide a direct download link for Kodi 19.4. Below is the official download link for Kodi 19.4 ARMV7A 32-bit in a shortened form.
    URL: https://bit.ly/3kRbUf1
    Enter the URL under “Path.” You don’t need to provide a name for the file. Click Download Now.
    Kodi 19.1 download URL on File Explorer
  4. The installation file should now be downloaded.
    Dialog box indicating download progress of Kodi 19.1 on File Explorer
  5. Click Open File after the download process is complete.
    Open File option on File Explorer upon successful Kodi 19.1 download
  6. Now, click Install.
    File Explorer Kodi install option
  7. Click Install once more, and the installation process should begin.
    Kodi 19 install option
  8. You can then click Done to go back or Open to launch Kodi.
    Kodi dialog box confirming App installed with Open and Done options

You have updated your Kodi to version 19.4!

Kodi 19.4 Matrix Update Failed?

In the odd case that your Kodi update has failed:

  1. Confirm that you are installing the 32-bit version of Kodi.
  2. Uninstall your previous version of Kodi and install Kodi 19.4 afresh.
  3. Restart your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kodi safe and is it legal to use Kodi on Firestick?

Kodi is completely safe and legal to download and use on Firestick or any other device. However, streaming pirated content is illegal in many countries. As a rule of thumb, always use a VPN to stay safe when streaming on Kodi.

What is the latest version of Kodi on Amazon Fire TV Stick?

The latest available version of Kodi is Kodi “Matrix” 19.4. The update was released in October 2021, and it is the third update since the release of Kodi 19 earlier in 2021.

How do you update Kodi on Amazon Firestick and Fire TV Cube?

The best way to update Kodi on Amazon Firestick and Fire TV Cube is by using Downloader. You can follow the procedure given above to install the latest version of the program.

What can you watch on Kodi?

You can use Kodi to watch pretty much anything available on the internet. This includes sports (live & replays), movies, TV shows, live TV, documentaries, kids’ content, and more. Note that you will need to install a suitable addon to get what you are looking for. You can check our updated list of top addon choices here: Best Kodi Addons

Conclusion

Updating to Kodi 19.4 will let you take advantage of Kodi’s latest features and enhancements. The guide above shows two methods you can use to update Kodi 19.4. It also explores the legal concerns surrounding Kodi and shows how to use Kodi safely with ExpressVPN.

We hope this guide on how to update Kodi on Firestick was helpful!