Have you heard about Kodi builds but aren‘t quite sure where to begin? If so, you’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll be walking you step-by-step through installing one of the best Kodi builds available today – the Franks Kodi Build.
We’ll be covering topics like:
- What exactly Kodi builds are and how they work
- Why Franks stands out as a top build
- Steps to safely download and install Franks Build
- Features included with Franks Kodi Build
- Frequently asked questions about Kodi builds
- Legal streaming alternatives to Kodi addons
By the end, you’ll have everything you need to start enjoying the all-in-one Franks streaming experience on your device!
Kodi Builds 101 – What Are They and How Do They Work?
First – a quick Kodi overview in case you’re unfamiliar.
Kodi is a free and open-source home theater software. It allows you to easily access movies, TV shows, music, and more from one centralized interface on devices like your Firestick, Android phone/tablet, computer, and more.
Think of Kodi like a way to consolidate all your media in one place.
Now, Kodi builds take the experience even further. Think of a build like a pre-packaged bundle that comes loaded with everything you need all set up and ready to stream.
Builds include:
- The Kodi player and interface fully customized with a unique skin/theme
- Repositories and addons for movies, shows, sports, etc. pre-installed so they’re ready to use
- Visual menus, categories, and sections tailored to make navigating easy
- Customized settings for the best performance
- Instructions and tools for future maintenance and updates
So rather than manually installing each addon and configuring settings, builds do all that tedious work for you!
It’s a true all-in-one streaming solution. Just install the build and enjoy everything immediately with minimal set up required.
There are thousands of Kodi builds available from various developers and websites. So which one should you choose?
Why Franks Stands Out as a Top Kodi Build
Franks Kodi Build has gained a loyal following for good reason.
Created by the developer "Franks", this build has been popular for years. It recently updated for compatibility with Kodi 20 Nexus.
According to Kodi usage statistics, Kodi usage exploded in 2021 to over 30 million active users and counting.
With this massive userbase, builds need to be efficient, flexible, and easy to use. That‘s exactly what Franks offers.
Some key advantages of Franks Kodi Build include:
- Streamlined interface accessible for new users but still packing power
- Packed with 100+ of the top addons like Fen, Ezra, and The Oath
- Constant updates from the active developer as addons change
- Thousands of satisfied customers and 5-star community reviews
- Compatible with the Firestick, Fire TV, Android, Windows PC, and more
It‘s tough keeping a build working and current as Kodi expands. Many fall out of date as addons come and go.
But Franks‘ continued dedication has made this build a go-to for those who want a reliable one-click setup.
Ready to get Franks installed? Let‘s go over the process.
How to Safely Install Franks Kodi Build – Step-by-Step
While Kodi itself is 100% legal, there can be risks around third party builds. I‘ll cover the legality aspects later in this guide.
For optimal safety when installing Franks or other builds, I recommend these 3 tips:
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Reset Kodi – Start fresh by resetting your Kodi configuration to default settings first
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Scan for malware – Scan any third party repository URLs with a site like VirusTotal before installing
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Use a VPN – Install a trusted VPN on your device to encrypt traffic and hide your IP address
Following these best practices helps minimize any risks.
Now, let‘s get started with the install! I‘ll walk you through each step.
Step 1: Reset Kodi Settings to Factory Default
The first step is strongly advised before installing any third party Kodi build.
Resetting Kodi clears out any old settings, addons, databases, or other cruft. This gives you a fresh start:
On a Firestick or Fire TV:
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From the Home screen, open Settings
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Go to Applications > Manage Installed Applications
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Select Kodi app > Clear Data
On an Android phone/tablet:
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Open your Android Settings
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Tap Apps & Notifications
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Choose Kodi > Storage & Cache > Clear Storage
On Windows PC:
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Open Kodi and click the gear icon in the top left
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Navigate to System > Reset Kodi to Default Settings
Once reset, Kodi will be restored to factory settings.
Step 2: Scan Repository URL
Franks Kodi Build uses the The Crew repository. We should scan the URL just to be safe:
I recommend using VirusTotal to check any third party Kodi repository links.
VirusTotal aggregates results from over 70 anti-virus scanners to catch anything malicious. Here‘s the Franks repository scan:
The scan found nothing suspicious at this URL, giving us the green light.
Of course, scanning does not guarantee safety long-term since things can always change. But it provides an initial check.
Pro tip: I recommend bookmarking VirusTotal to run quick scans on any new repo URL you come across. Better safe than sorry!
Step 3: Install a Trusted VPN
Next up is getting a VPN installed on your device before streaming any content.
Using any Kodi build comes with privacy and security risks:
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Your ISP can see all your streaming activity and sell your data
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Copyright infringement notices are possible if you stream pirated material
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Devices like the Firestick don‘t encrypt traffic by default, leaving you exposed
A VPN like Surfshark encrypts your connection for anonymous browsing. It prevents your ISP from snooping on your activity or passing on your data.
Surfshark also has these advantages:
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Securely stream on public WiFi hotspots without compromising your devices
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Masks your location and IP address to bypass geographic restrictions
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Includes a kill switch feature to cut off the internet if your VPN disconnects
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30 day money back guarantee so you can test risk-free
I won‘t get too off track covering VPNs here, but just know a top-tier VPN is vital for privacy and security in today‘s digital world.
Surfshark offers an 85% discount + free months exclusively for TROYPOINT readers if you want to lock in this limited time deal.
Okay, with your device reset, repository URL scanned, and VPN installed, you‘re all set for a safe Franks Kodi Build installation.
Step 4: Add the Crew Repository
Now we can get started with adding the required Crew repository that hosts the Franks Build:
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Open Kodi and click the "Settings" gear icon
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Select File Manager
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Choose Add Source
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Name this source "Crew"
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Go back to the Kodi home screen
That adds the repository we‘ll install Franks from.
Step 5: Install the Repository
Next, we‘ll install the Crew repo from the zip file:
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Click on Add-ons in the left Kodi menu
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Select Install from zip file
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Go to your Crew repository > repository.thecrew.zip
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Once installed, you‘ll see a notification
This installs the repository locally onto your device.
Step 6: Install the Franks Kodi Build
Now the good stuff! Time to get Franks installed:
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Go back and choose Install from repository
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Select the The Crew Repository
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Go into Program addons
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Click on the Chains Build Wizard and install it
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When prompted, launch the Builds menu
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Select the Franks Kodi Build
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Click Fresh Install
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Be patient and wait for the full build installation process to complete
That‘s it! The Chains Build Wizard will now transfer the entire Franks build onto your device. Give it a few minutes to finish.
Once done, you‘ll be greeted with the exciting "Franks Installed Successfully!" message. Reboot Kodi and you‘re ready to start streaming!
Features and Addons Included with Franks Kodi Build
Part of what makes Franks such an amazing build is all the features baked right in. Let‘s look at what you get:
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Beautiful yet simple interface – Franks uses the Cirrus skin for a clean, minimalist look. Easy to navigate for Kodi beginners and experts alike.
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Content categories – Movies, TV shows, live sports, fitness videos, kids, music, and more. All your media consolidated into one place.
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One-click streaming – Hundreds of the best working addons included so media is instantly ready with no configuration required.
Some of the top addons that come pre-installed with Franks include:
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The Oath – Movies, shows, documentaries, cartoons, anime, and more
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FEN – Media scraper supporting Real-Debrid
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Ezra – All-in-one Exodus fork
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Homelander – Great for live TV including sports
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Crackle – Sony‘s official free TV and movie app
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Pluto TV – Ad-supported streaming TV channels
And tons more! The developer keeps the build updated with new addons regularly so you always have plenty of entertainment options.
If you want a feature-packed Kodi build that combines simplicity with a vast content library, Franks checks all the boxes.
Next let‘s cover some frequently asked questions around Kodi builds and the Franks addon specifically.
Kodi Builds FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions around Kodi builds like Franks:
Is it illegal to install Kodi builds?
Installing third party Kodi builds itself is 100% legal. The build contains the Kodi media player which is open source software.
However, some builds may facilitate piracy by enabling streaming of copyrighted material. Accessing pirated streams would be prohibited.
Are there risks with Kodi builds?
Like any third party app/addon, builds carry some level of risk:
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Potential malware if the repository isn‘t trustworthy
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ISPs may throttle your connection speed if detecting frequent streaming
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You could receive copyright violation notices from your ISP if streaming illegal sources
There‘s no way to guarantee safety since these builds aren‘t official Kodi releases. But you can minimize risks by resetting Kodi, scanning repositories, and using a VPN.
Why choose Franks vs other builds?
Franks stands out thanks to its:
- Proven track record over years of consistent uptime and updates
- Simple but powerful interface – great for beginners and experts alike
- Massive content library with 100+ of the most reliable addons
- Active developer community providing quick support
It finds the perfect balance of usability and streaming power.
What devices support the Franks Kodi Build?
Franks Kodi Build works great on just about any device including:
- Firestick and Fire TV
- Android phones, TV boxes, tablets
- iPhone or iPad (with Kodi installed)
- Windows, Mac, Linux PCs
- Raspberry Pi
- NVIDIA Shield
As long as you can install Kodi itself on the platform, you can install the Franks build.
How do I update the Franks build when new versions release?
The developer pushes out updates periodically. To upgrade:
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On Kodi‘s home screen, navigate to Builds
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Select Chains Build Wizard
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Choose Check for Updates
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If available, install the latest build version
This will fetch the newest maintenance release with fixes and improvements.
I hope this Kodi builds FAQ helps explain some key concepts. Now let‘s quickly cover fully legal alternatives.
Legal and Free Kodi Streaming Alternatives
While Kodi itself and various builds are perfectly legal, I understand some users prefer to avoid any risks and stick with certified legal options.
Here are just a few great streaming apps with 100% free, legal movies and shows:
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Plex – Media server software with a huge selection of free-to-stream media.
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Pluto TV – Ad-supported live TV streaming and on-demand content. Owned by Paramount.
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Tubi – Massive on-demand library of shows and movies for free.
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Peacock – NBCUniversal‘s free streaming app with classics like The Office.
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Roku Channel – Ad-supported free movies and entertainment.
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Crackle – Owned by Sony Pictures, completely free TV & movies.
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IMDb TV – Amazon‘s official free streaming service.
All of these give you free entertainment while sticking to licensed sources.
Conclusion
Getting the Franks Kodi Build set up on your device provides one of the best all-in-one streaming solutions available today.
By now you should have a complete understanding of what this build offers, how to install it safely, included addons/features, and more.
The developer keeps this build constantly updated and packed with great entertainment add-ons. And the installation process is smooth.
As always, be smart by scanning any new repositories, enabling a VPN, and avoiding any illegal streams.
But if you‘re looking for a clean yet powerful Kodi build, Franks earns its reputation as a top choice. Feel free to bookmark or share this guide if you found it helpful!
