How to Update Kodi in 2 Minutes Flat (2023 Method)

Hey there! Keeping your copy of Kodi updated is one of the best things you can do as a media center power user.

New Kodi versions come out every so often with exciting new features, important security patches, and tons of under-the-hood improvements to deliver a smoother experience.

Updating takes just a couple of minutes, so you’ll want to stay on top of each new release.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to quickly and safely update Kodi on all your devices. I’ve also included some pro tips to avoid potential upgrade issues.

So let‘s get right into it!

Why Updating Kodi Matters

Before we jump into the nitty gritty, let’s take a moment to see why staying updated with the latest Kodi really matters:

• Access New Features – With each update, cool new features and capabilities get added to Kodi. By updating quickly, you can start enjoying the latest innovations for your media center.
• Improved Performance – Updates often include under-the-hood tweaks to improve speed, stability, and smoothness of the Kodi interface. Regular updating keeps performance optimized.
• Latest Security Patches – Like any software, Kodi needs constant security fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Updates patch holes to keep your system safe.
• Greater Compatibility – Updates bring compatibility improvements for new playback standards, metadata formats, and devices. This prevents incompatibility issues.
• New Codecs & Formats – Support for cutting edge media codecs and container formats are added in updates. This allows Kodi to play more types of media files.
• Enhanced Library Tools – Updates bring better media scraping, tagging, and library management capabilities to Kodi. This keeps your collection neatly organized.
• Bug Fixes – Updates squash annoying bugs that pop up occasionally. Updating prevents having to deal with unpatched issues.

So in a nutshell, updating gives you the best Kodi experience possible. Now let‘s see how to actually update Kodi quickly and safely.

How to Update Kodi on Windows

Over 40% of Kodi installs are on Windows PCs, making it the most popular platform. Here is how to update Kodi on Windows in 2 minutes flat:

1. Download Latest Installer

   First, head over to the official Kodi website and grab the latest Windows installer executable. Make sure to choose the right 32-bit or 64-bit version.

2. Close Kodi Entirely

   Ensure Kodi is fully closed on your system before running the installer. This prevents potential file conflicts.

3. Run the Installer Executable

   When downloaded, simply double click on the Kodi installer .exe file to launch the update wizard.

4. Use Same Install Path

   During installation, choose to install Kodi in the same folder as your current installation to retain your libraries, settings and add-ons.

5. Confirm Overwrite

   The installer will detect the existing version and ask you to confirm overwriting it – hit yes.

6. Complete the Installation

   Finally, let the setup wizard fully install the update. The progress bar might pause a bit near the end – just wait it out.

Once installed, the Kodi updater automatically imports your previous settings and libraries. After a quick restart, you‘ll be rocking the latest Kodi version in under 2 minutes!

Updating Kodi on Linux

Around 25% of Kodi users run the media center on Linux. The update process depends on the package manager your distro uses:

On Ubuntu/Debian:

Open a terminal and enter:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa 
sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade

This fetches the update through apt.

On Fedora:

Open a terminal and enter:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This updates via dnf.

On CentOS/RHEL:

Open a terminal and enter:

sudo yum update 
sudo yum upgrade

This updates through yum.

For all distros, the package manager takes care of the full update automatically. Just let the process complete, restart Kodi, and enjoy!

Updating Kodi on Android

With over 25% of Kodi users on Android, keeping the app up-to-date on your phone or tablet is super important. Here‘s how:

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Go to My Apps & Games > Installed
3. Find Kodi and tap Update

That‘s all! The Play Store will automatically download and install the latest update. You‘ll be running the newest Kodi Android APK version in under a minute. Super easy!

Alternatively, you can grab the latest official Kodi APK from the Kodi site and manually sideload it for updating. But the Play Store method is simpler for most users.

Updating Kodi on iOS

iOS has strict restrictions that prevent Kodi from being hosted on the App Store. So you‘ll need to rely on the person or channel you used to originally install Kodi since they manage the updates.

The typical process involves:

1. Removing the current Kodi iOS app through Settings
2. Downloading and sideloading the latest iOS Kodi IPA file
3. Approving the new IPA certificate in your iOS utility

It takes a bit more effort than other platforms but gets the job done! This allows you to continue enjoying Kodi on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.

Updating Kodi on Raspberry Pi

Over 20% of Kodi users run it on the popular Raspberry Pi single-board computer. Updating is straightforward:

1. Open a terminal
2. Enter:

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt full-upgrade

This commands use the apt package manager to fetch and install the latest Kodi release.

Once complete, restart your Pi and you‘ll be running the new version! Minimal hassle.

Best Practices for Smoother Updates

While Kodi updates themselves are pretty foolproof, especially on supported platforms like Windows and Android TV, here are some tips to avoid potential hiccups:

• Close Kodi fully before updating – this avoids file conflicts between versions.
• Backup your data beforehand – allows restore if something goes wrong.
• Try the update process on one device first – lets you spot issues before updating other devices.
• Read the release notes – check for compatibility changes or new requirements.
• Verify add-ons work – check if your must-have add-ons work on the new version.
• Update over a fast steady connection – prevents interruption during downloads.
• Be patient and wait it out – even if the update seems stuck near the end.

Following these simple practices will help ensure that your next Kodi update goes smooth as butter!

How to Update Kodi Securely

Media center apps like Kodi offer access to a ton of free streaming sources. But some add-ons or builds can potentially expose you to privacy and security risks.

It‘s important to take precautions when updating to keep your identity and data safe from prying eyes:

Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network like NordVPN or Surfshark encrypts all your Kodi traffic and hides your IP address. This prevents snooping and allows access to geo-restricted add-ons from around the world.

NordVPN offers over 5400 servers in 60 countries, ultra-fast speeds, and heavy encryption. Surfshark also has a huge server network and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.

Enable the VPN Kill Switch

The kill switch feature available in most VPNs instantly cuts off internet if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly during an update. This prevents data leaks.

Use a Smart DNS

A Smart DNS like Getflix changes your device‘s DNS settings to bypass regional blocks. This opens up more geo-restricted add-on sources. But note it does not provide the encryption of a VPN.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Never update Kodi when connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi as it exposes your activity to everyone on the network. Only update over your private home connection.

So be sure to take the necessary security precautions for safe and private Kodi updating!

Troubleshooting Common Kodi Update Issues

For the most part, the Kodi updating process goes smoothly. But occasionally users may encounter problems like:

• Issues launching after updating
• Add-ons not working
• Libraries not being detected
• Failed/incomplete installation

Here are some tips to troubleshoot and fix common Kodi update problems:

• For launch issues, restart your device and clear Kodi app cache/data. Also check for hardware compatibility.
• For add-on problems, re-install them after updating and check they are supported by new Kodi version.
• For missing libraries, scan them into Kodi again and check media source paths are still valid.
• For failed updates, retry using a fresh installer and check for anti-virus conflicts.
• As a last resort, uninstall Kodi completely including app data, then reinstall fresh.

Following this advice should help get things running smoothly again after a troublesome Kodi update.

FAQs about Updating Kodi

Let‘s wrap things up by tackling some frequently asked questions about the Kodi update process:

How often should I update Kodi?

It‘s recommended to update whenever a new stable Kodi version comes out, around every 6 months. Updating regularly ensures you get all the latest features, fixes, and improvements as soon as they are released.

Will Kodi updates remove my library?

Generally, no. Your library and playlists will remain intact when updating as long as you install Kodi in the same location as before. But backups are still a good idea.

Do I need to update Kodi on all devices at once?

No, you can update Kodi on each device on your own schedule. However, for best syncing, devices accessing the same library should run the same Kodi release.

Is it OK to skip a Kodi update?

It‘s generally fine to skip a minor point update, but best not to miss major version updates. Skipping too many releases can cause incompatibility issues down the line.

If I don‘t like a Kodi update, can I revert to the older version?

Yes, you can install an older Kodi release after trying a new update. Just be aware that add-ons and features may no longer work correctly when reverting to much older versions.

Will a Kodi update delete my settings and add-ons?

Most settings and add-ons will be retained when updating Kodi. But some may need to be reconfigured or reinstalled after a major update. Backing up data is always a good idea.

Hopefully these common questions provide some useful insight into the Kodi updating process!

Let‘s Recap…

Phew, that was a boatload of information about updating Kodi! Let‘s recap the key points:

• Updating gives you access to the latest Kodi features, fixes, and improvements
• It just takes a few minutes to update Kodi on any platform using the simple process outlined
• Following best practices like closing Kodi, using VPNs, and backups helps ensure smooth updates
• Troubleshooting tips can help resolve any potential issues you encounter
• Regularly updating Kodi every 6 months or so allows you to stay up-to-date and get the best experience

So that wraps up this comprehensive guide on how to swiftly and safely update Kodi! I hope all the tips and instructions help you keep your favorite media center app running at its best.

Happy media streaming and have fun checking out all the new stuff in the latest Kodi release!