Have you heard about Kodi? It‘s a super popular free media center app used by millions of people on all kinds of devices.
Kodi lets you play videos, music, podcasts, games and more from your own media library or from streaming add-ons. It‘s kind of like building your own personal Netflix!
The developers are constantly improving Kodi and releasing new versions. Staying up-to-date is important so you get all the newest features and security enhancements.
So in this guide, I‘ll be walking you through how to update Kodi on any Android phone, tablet, TV box or other device. I‘ll try to explain things clearly like I‘m talking to a friend!
Let‘s dive in…
Why should you update Kodi?
Before I get into the how, let me talk briefly about the why…
Here are some excellent reasons to keep your Kodi installation up-to-date:
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Performance improvements – Newer Kodi versions run faster and smoother. You‘ll get better navigation and less lag.
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New features – Updates often add handy new functionality. For example, Kodi 19 Matrix lets you switch audio tracks with gestures!
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Bug fixes – Bug squashing and stability improvements come with each release. Less crashing or freezing.
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Security patches – Developers fix vulnerabilities with updates. Staying current keeps you safer.
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Addon support – New Kodi revisions maintain compatibility with the latest addons.
You can see why it‘s beneficial to update! Now let‘s look at the actual process…
Step-by-Step: Updating Kodi on Android TV
Android TV boxes like NVIDIA Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, etc. are super popular Kodi devices.
Many of these boxes even come with Kodi pre-installed! But the version is usually outdated, so here‘s how you can update it:
1. Remove old Kodi version
First, long press on the Kodi app icon and choose Uninstall. This will remove the current outdated version you have.
2. Get Downloader app
Next, you‘ll need an easy way to install the new Kodi APK file on your Android TV.
I recommend using a handy utility called Downloader. You can grab it from the Google Play Store on your device.
3. Download latest Kodi APK
Once Downloader is installed, open it up and enter this URL:
https://www.androidapkfree.com/apk/23761854/kodi-19-4-matrix/This will download the newest Kodi 19.4 APK file for you. Easy!
4. Install APK
Go to Settings > Security and enable "Unknown Sources". This allows installing apps from outside the Play Store.
Then go back, find the downloaded Kodi APK and tap to install.
5. Enjoy new Kodi!
The latest Kodi 19.4 Matrix will now be ready to use. Open it up and take your upgraded media center for a spin!
That‘s all it takes to update Kodi the easy way on Android TV boxes. Pretty simple right?
Now let‘s look at updating Kodi on Android mobile devices like phones and tablets…
Updating Kodi on Android Phones & Tablets
Did you know over 85% of smartphones run Android? It‘s the most popular mobile operating system.
And Kodi works great on Android phones and tablets! You can easily update it from the Google Play Store with these steps:
1. Remove old Kodi app
First, uninstall the current Kodi app from your Android phone or tablet:
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Find Kodi in the list and tap Uninstall
This will remove the outdated Kodi version.
2. Open Google Play Store
Next, launch the Google Play Store app on your Android mobile device.
Search for "Kodi Media Center" and go to the Kodi app page.
3. Install latest version
You should see the option to update/install the newest Kodi release (currently 19.4).
Tap Install to download and install Kodi 19.4 on your phone or tablet.
4. Enjoy upgraded Kodi!
Once the install finishes, you‘ll find Kodi 19.4 in your apps ready to launch. Open it up and enjoy the improved media center!
See how easy it is to update on Android mobiles? Keeping Kodi current this way only takes a minute.
What‘s New in Kodi 19 Matrix?
Kodi 19 brings a ton of awesome improvements over older versions:
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Faster loading – Up to 25% speed boost loading menus and addons!
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New Estuary skin – Sleek modernized interface with animated backgrounds.
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Audio enhancements – Better sound quality with MP3, FLAC, DTS:X support.
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Improved metadata scraping – Better media scraping and artwork.
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Python 3 support – Future-proofing for add-on development.
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Xbox Series X/S support – Optimization for newest Xbox consoles.
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Bug fixes & security updates – Over 300+ bugs squashed and vulnerabilities patched!
Kodi 19 Matrix has something for everyone – faster performance, design updates, new capabilities and stability/security enhancements.
Staying on top of Kodi updates ensures you always have the best possible experience.
Kodi Usage Statistics
Let‘s look at some interesting statistics that highlight Kodi‘s popularity:
- Over 45 million active Kodi users
- Available in over 74 languages
- Used in around 180 countries worldwide
- 14,000+ free addons to extend functionality
- 85,000+ forum members and growing
With these kinds of numbers, it‘s clear Kodi has staying power. The developers are dedicated to improving it with frequent new releases.
How Kodi Compares to Plex
Kodi and Plex are two of the most popular media center apps out there. How do they compare?
Kodi
- 100% free open-source
- Massive addon repository
- More customization options
- Steeper learning curve
- Targeted at tech enthusiasts
Plex
- Free core with paid upgrades
- Simpler out-of-box experience
- Better remote streaming
- User-friendly interface
- Made for average consumers
Both have their strengths and appeal to different users. Kodi offers extreme flexibility while Plex prioritizes simplicity.
I‘d say Kodi is better for local media playback and customization, while Plex excels at remote streaming. But you can‘t go wrong with either!
Potential Issues When Updating Kodi
Updating Kodi is generally quick and painless. But occasionally you may run into an issue like:
- Old unsupported addons stop working
- Appearance change if upgrading multiple versions
- Library needs to be rescanned after update
- Previous custom settings reset to default
Thankfully these problems are rare, and fairly easy to fix if they do pop up:
- Remove old addons and find replacements
- Re-customize appearance and settings
- Rescan library folder to update content
- Backup settings before updating as a precaution
Following the steps in my guide will ensure the update goes smooth! But know any small hiccups can be remedied.
Final Thoughts
Well, that wraps up this guide on updating Kodi on your Android devices!
I hope all the step-by-step instructions were clear and easy to follow. And that you now understand the benefits of keeping your Kodi install up-to-date.
Updating only takes a few minutes, so I highly recommend grabbing the newest Kodi 19 Matrix release. It will give you a nice speed boost and tons of great improvements.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to talk Kodi and help a friend out.
Enjoy your upgraded media center!
