In the fast-paced world of digital entertainment, streaming devices like the Amazon FireStick have completely changed the way people consume movies, TV shows, live sports, documentaries, and more. Among the countless apps available for the FireStick, Kodi stands out as one of the most popular and powerful open-source media platforms.
Kodi allows users to stream and manage their media libraries from various sources. What truly makes Kodi shine, though, is its vast library of add-ons. These add-ons expand the functionality of Kodi, offering access to both free and subscription-based content. If you’ve recently installed Kodi on your FireStick and are wondering how to install add-ons, this comprehensive guide is for you.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about Kodi add-ons, their types, and how to install them safely and efficiently on a FireStick in 2025.
What Are Kodi Add-ons?
Kodi by itself is just a media center platform. It lets you organize and play content from your local or network storage. However, with add-ons, you can access external content such as movies, TV shows, live TV channels, sports events, documentaries, and music directly through Kodi.
Think of add-ons as plug-ins or extensions that enhance Kodi’s capabilities by connecting it to online sources or third-party services.
There are two broad categories of Kodi add-ons:
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Official Add-ons: Approved by the Kodi team and available through the official Kodi Add-on Repository.
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Third-Party Add-ons: Created by independent developers and hosted in external repositories.
Why Use Kodi Add-ons on FireStick?
The FireStick is already a capable streaming device with access to many apps, but pairing it with Kodi and its add-ons offers several benefits:
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Access to additional content sources.
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Customizable user experience.
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Live TV, sports, documentaries, and music in one app.
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Compatible with a wide variety of file formats.
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No need to rely on multiple apps.
Because the FireStick runs on Android-based software, it makes an excellent companion for Kodi and its add-ons.
Preparing FireStick to Install Kodi Add-ons
Before you can install third-party Kodi add-ons, a couple of settings need to be adjusted on your FireStick to enable sideloading content safely.
Step 1: Enable “Apps from Unknown Sources”
This step allows you to install applications and repositories from outside the Amazon App Store.
How to enable it:
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Go to the FireStick home screen.
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Select Settings.
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Click on My Fire TV.
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Choose Developer Options.
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Turn Apps from Unknown Sources to ON.
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Confirm your choice if prompted.
This setting is necessary for installing external Kodi repositories and add-ons.
Installing Kodi on FireStick (If You Haven’t Already)
If Kodi isn’t installed on your FireStick yet, you’ll need to sideload it since it isn’t available directly through the Amazon App Store. This typically involves using a sideloading tool like Downloader or ES File Explorer to fetch the Kodi APK file.
Once installed, Kodi is ready to be customized with add-ons.
How to Install Official Kodi Add-ons
Official add-ons are verified and maintained by the Kodi development team. These are safe, legal, and easy to install directly from within the Kodi interface.
Steps to Install Official Add-ons:
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Launch Kodi on your FireStick.
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Go to the Add-ons menu from the sidebar.
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Click on the Download option.
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Choose the category (e.g., Video Add-ons, Music Add-ons).
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Browse through the available add-ons.
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Select the add-on you want and click Install.
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Wait for the notification confirming that the add-on is installed.
You can now access this add-on through the Add-ons section on your Kodi home screen.
How to Install Third-Party Kodi Add-ons
Third-party add-ons are not available through the official Kodi repository and must be installed through external repositories. This requires a few extra steps.
Step 1: Enable “Unknown Sources” in Kodi
Just like the FireStick, Kodi requires you to manually enable third-party installations.
Steps:
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Open Kodi.
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Click on the Settings (gear icon).
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Go to System Settings.
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Scroll to Add-ons.
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Toggle the Unknown Sources option to ON.
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Confirm if prompted.
Step 2: Install the Add-on Repository
Most third-party add-ons are hosted inside a repository (repo). You need to install the repository first before accessing the add-ons within it.
How to Install a Repository:
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Open Kodi.
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Click on Settings.
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Select File Manager.
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Choose Add Source.
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Click <None> and enter the URL of the repository.
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Name the source for easy identification and click OK.
Example: If you were installing a hypothetical sports add-on repository, you’d enter its URL here.
Step 3: Install the Add-on from the Repository
Once the repository is installed, it’s time to install your desired add-on.
Steps:
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Go back to Kodi’s Settings.
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Select Add-ons.
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Choose Install from zip file.
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Locate and select the source you added.
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Select the repository’s ZIP file.
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Wait for the notification confirming the repository is installed.
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Click Install from repository.
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Choose the installed repository.
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Navigate to Video Add-ons (or other appropriate categories).
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Select your desired add-on.
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Click Install and wait for the confirmation message.
Your add-on is now ready to use.
How to Access Installed Add-ons on Kodi
Once installed, you can access your add-ons from the Kodi home screen:
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Open Kodi.
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Navigate to the Add-ons menu from the sidebar.
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Select Video Add-ons, Music Add-ons, or other relevant categories.
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Click on the installed add-on and start streaming content.
Keeping Add-ons Updated
Maintaining up-to-date add-ons ensures you enjoy the latest features, improved performance, and security patches.
How to update:
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Go to Kodi Settings.
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Click Add-ons.
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Select My Add-ons.
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Choose the category (e.g., Video Add-ons).
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Highlight the installed add-on.
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Click Update if an update is available.
You can also set Kodi to update add-ons automatically through the System Settings.
Should You Use a VPN with Kodi?
When using third-party add-ons, it’s advisable to use a trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your online activity, protects your privacy, and hides your IP address from potential snooping.
Benefits of a VPN:
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Prevents ISP throttling.
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Hides streaming activity.
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Secures data on public Wi-Fi networks.
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Access geo-restricted content safely where permitted.
While official add-ons from the Kodi repository are safe, using a VPN adds an extra layer of security for all your streaming.
How to Remove or Uninstall Kodi Add-ons
If an add-on no longer serves your needs or isn’t working properly, you can uninstall it easily.
Steps:
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Open Kodi.
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Navigate to Add-ons.
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Choose My Add-ons.
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Select the category and find the add-on.
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Click on it and select Uninstall.
This keeps your Kodi setup clutter-free and running smoothly.
Troubleshooting Common Kodi Add-on Issues
Like any software, Kodi add-ons can sometimes run into problems. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:
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Add-on won’t install: Check your internet connection and ensure the repository URL is correct.
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Add-on not working: Clear the add-on cache or reinstall it.
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Streaming issues: Adjust the video quality settings or try a different server if available.
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Repository offline: If the repository is down, you may need to find an updated version or alternative.
Keeping Kodi and your add-ons updated also reduces the chances of errors.
Final Thoughts
Installing Kodi add-ons on your FireStick is one of the easiest and most effective ways to unlock an incredible world of free and legal streaming content. Whether you want to watch live news, classic movies, documentaries, or stream music, there’s an add-on to suit your preferences.
While official add-ons are the safest route, third-party add-ons offer more variety but should be used responsibly and with caution. It’s always wise to verify the legality of the content you access and protect your privacy with a reliable VPN.