Why the Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick?
The Amazon Fire TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick is the latest gadget from Amazon, just like many other devices in the market, it allows you to stream Netflix and download tons of channels both free and paid. The greatest thing about the Amazon Fire TV is it has a very fast Quad-core processor, with 2GB of ram and 8GB storage. To truly unlock the potential of this bad boy you need to install XBMC / KODI. There are a lot of manuals on how to do this online but most of them are confusing and hard to follow. I am going to walk you through this step by step and make it easy for you to do this.
What is XBMC / KODI?
Ok so what is XBMC / Kodi, well XBMC is a popular software that people have been using for a while now to watch tons of movies online. They have basically all the movies you can think of, including live streaming, international , and you can probably find any movie you can think of on it. XBMC stands for XBOX Media Center, it is a opensource video player that was originally developed for XBOX. It had grown over the years and now you can use it on many devices including your computer and Amazon Fire TV, it has recently changed its name to KODI and this is why I keep writing XBMC/KODI. This Article will walk you through the entire process of installing XBMC/KODI on your Amazon fire TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick. Unlike other manuals I will make this easy on you and please feel free to comment below if you have any questions, I will get back to you asap. This is one of the first article I am writing for TVHacking.com and there will be many more, please bookmark us and come back in the future to find out a lot more Tips and Tricks about watching tons of movies. Instructions on how to install OK, I am just going to cut to the chase and tell you exactly how to do this, there are other ways of doing this, but I found the instructions below are the best way and you are going to be able to install any app that works with Fire TV in the same way. It is a little more advanced than just downloading a side loading app, but just as easy and 100 times more secure. Ok so if you read any other manuals before this, you heard of the term side load.. “what the hell is that”, It’s a term you see a lot thrown around while talking about Android applications, and it’s simple to explain. It means installing applications without using the official Android Market. Ok so in order to install an app that is not in the Amazon market / sideload the program, we are going use our computer.
- The first thing you need to do is turn on your tv / Amazon Fire TV and on the left hand menu go to Setting — About — Network and write down the Fire TV IP address, your computer should be on the same internet network as your fire tv.
- The second thing that needs to be done is to enable ADB Debugging on Amazon Fire TV. This will allow you to connect and make modifications or sideload XBMC on Amazon Fire TV. To do this go to System -> Developer Options and turn ADB Debugging to ON, also turn on Apps from Unknown, and turn on USB Debugging
- From your computer go to www.kodi.tv and next the Android, click on ARM to download the latest version of KODI for the ARM Processor, here is a direct link
- Once you download it, go into your downloads folder or wherever you downloaded it and rename it to kodi.apk, this will help you later on. (PS – .apk is the extension of the file, if your computer does not show this when you download kodi, then your file extension are hidden and you can just rename it to kodi)
- Now you need to install the the Minimal ADB and Fastboot setup.exe from here. Follow the Installers instructions and select where you would like to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot too (For simplicity I choose to install it to the Desktop)
- After you have chosen where to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot too select whether you would like to create a Start Menu Folder or not for the instalation
- After the Installation Wizard has completed you can select to start Minimal ADB and Fastboot
- You can also start Minimal ADB and Fastboot by navigating to the Start Menu Folder you choose to create during installation or the desktop shortcut you choose to create and selecting Minimal ADB and Fastboot
- Now that you have installed the Minimal ADB and Fastboot, find the folder on you computer, if you did not install it on your desktop open my computer C drive and go to C:\Program Files (x86) in there there will be a folder named Minimal ADB and Fastboot. Open that folder and create a new folder in there named apps.
- Now find the file you downloaded in step 2 that you renamed to kodi.apk and put it in the apps folder. You can use this folder to hold all the apk / apps that you want to install to your Amazon Fire TV.
- Inside the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder is a file named MAF32.exe, click and run that file and a command prompt will start up.
- Type: adb kill-server and then click enter
- Type: adb start-server and then click enter
- Type: adb connect 192.168.1.10 (Important* replace 192.168.1.10 with the FireTV IP you’ve wrote down in step one) and then click enter
- Type: adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk and then click enter
- It should say success, now you can find Kodi installed on your Fire TV under Settings — Applications — Manage all applications .. scroll down to find KODI and then click on launch application
Also there is a trick that you can do to launch KODI from your home screen without having to go into your setting, I will write the instructions for that and you can find them by clicking here.
If you have any questions or comments please use the comments box below and I will respond as soon as I can. Also please read comments for Frequently asked questions, they will help you solve frequent problems with install.
Thank you also please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you would like more videos like this and more tricks for your Amazon Fire TV.
Thank u for this. I have a friend who hired a guy to do this and I googled “Amazon fire free TV hack”. Lol. I’m just a girl who doesn’t know much abt technology but I’m going to follow your instructions and try to install this myself. Will keep u updated!
is this still possible to hack if i get one from shop today or have they updated them to prevent this hack ?? date 14.08.15
No the updates only effect people who rooted the device, you can still install xbmc. 🙂
it’s showing me a invalid command promp.
cannot connect to fire tv stick on default port 5555..what other port can i try to connect?
If you are on the same network you should not be having this issue, did you fix this?
Can I do the same steps for fire stick?
Yes this works on the fire stick as well, you can install it using the same instructions above
the server will not connect with the ip address for my fire stick
make sure you have the correct ip address of your fire stick, also that you are on the same network. Also make sure you have enabled AD Debugging on Amazon Fire TV, look at step 2 above
I encountered the same thing and realized I was putting in the Gateway address instead of the IP address.
Thank you. My daughter lives in a different house than I do. Can I install it on her stick from my house and my computer?
yes you can do it by remotely logging in to her computer and following the instructions above. You can try a free program like TeamViewer to remotely control her computer
Hi I can’t seem to get this link working https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1S0LCuXCnnmOWhnUk1ZWVdQakE/view
Any idea So? Thanks
I have updated the link in the instructions above, I will also in the future start storing the download files on my own server.
I followed all the instructions but then when I tried the adb connect and then my IP from my fire stick, it said unable to connect…help pleaseeee
make sure you have the correct ip address of your fire stick, also that you are on the same network. Also make sure you have enabled AD Debugging on Amazon Fire TV, look at step 2 above
When will you post the instructions on how to add all the channels to XBMC/KODI?
I have added the instruction please take a look http://tvhacking.com/get-channels-kodi-xbmc-install-step-step/
I keep getting invalid apk file error message when I try to run command “adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk how do I fix this??
Are you sure you downloaded the ARM version of XBMC?
the second software i have to install doesn’t work for Mac it says its a windows program any suggestions?
I will write instructions this week on how to install ADB Fastboot on a Mac, will post link as a reply, Thank you
it never says “successfull” when i try to load. it just sits there.
Sometimes it can take a minute
Check your Amazon Fire TV, if XBMC is installed it will be under settings – applications – manage installed applications
You can run XBMC from there , you can also add it to your home screen go to http://tvhacking.com/best-and-fastest-way-to-launch-kodi-xbmc-from-amazon-fire-tv-home-screen/ and follow the instructions.
When I open kodi on my fire stick I get the error that the kodi package is not compatible with my device, arm vs. 86… What did I do wrong!?
You need to download and install the arm version of Kodi
I downloaded the arm version in Kodi but the command prompt says invalid apk file
watch the video and try to do it again from the beginning, redownload kodi arm version for android and rename it to kodi.apk add it to the apps folder and run the command, let me know if you get the same problem
thanks ill restart the process now. Should I delete everything i downloaded?
yea you can reuse minimal adb since you installed it already, and just erase kodi.apk from the apps folder. redownload kodi arm version for android rename it to kodi.apk and add it back in the apps folder, please reply and let me know if it works if not well figure it out. Thanks
Ok I started all over again and it still says Invalid APK file: apps/kodi.apk. When I download the ARM file in the downloads folder it says “kodi-15.2-Isengard-armeabi-v7a” I noticed yours has .apk next to that in your download folder I’m not sue if this has anything to do with it or not it does say in mine under “type” that it is an APK file. Everything else is working up to this point perfectly.
Ok I was gona say this, .apk is the file extension and on your computer you have your file extensions hidden so just rename it to kodi not kodi.apk and it will work currently your file is named kodi.apk.apk let me know if it works.
Thank you. It seems to have worked it is just taking forever to say success but I will keep you updated.
Yes it does that sometimes, hopefully it works out keep me updated, I am gonna upload a video on how to add all the channels, for now there is a post, http://tvhacking.com/configure-kodi-xbmc-so-you-can-install-all-the-channels-and-watch-movies-for-free/ the video should be up tonight soon. Thanks
Success!!! Thank you very much. I will check out the other videos right now.
No problem glad to help, remember using this process you can install any apk file you like to your fire tv, and there is no need to install any shady program. Minimal ADB and fastboot is a part f the android studio. The android studio is a large program and you do not need to install the whole thing just to side load a app so it is a great tool. Have fun watching, make sure you install 1channel.
I’m sure I will have more questions for instance I do not see the hubwizerd 1.1.5 file just 1.2.5, 1.0.5, and 1.1.9.
yes you can just choose the latest one, fusion is always changing and updating. Thanks
Also, should I get a VPN to block my cable company from being able to detect this or is that not necessary?
It says “dependencies not met” when trying to install the hubwizard
Im going to put up a video and instructions on how to do it a different way within 10 min, will link you here. Thanks
I put up a new video take a look http://tvhacking.com/get-channels-kodi-xbmc-install-step-step/
Thank you
Thanks a lot. Should I get a VPN for this? I have Time Warner and I once received an email because I watched a movie on popcorn time on my phone saying that they would cancel my service if I continued.
i get to where it says abd.exe instal apps/kodi and it says missing apk file although ive now replaced the kodi file 4 times inside the minimul abd and fastboot folder
try the same thing as Renee below “When YOU RENAME KODI JUST RENAME IT TO KODI, not kodi.apk, and run the same exact commmand. Seems like the file extension on your computer are hidden so when you rename the file to kodi.apk the file extension.apk is still at the end of the file so you cant see it and its real name is kodi.apk.apk”
I get up to the point where I have to enter in adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk and it says invalid apk file.
When YOU RENAME KODI JUST RENAME IT TO KODI, not kodi.apk, and run the same exact commmand. Seems like the file extension on your computer are hidden so when you rename the file to kodi.apk the file extension.apk is still at the end of the file so you cant see it and its real name is kodi.apk.apk
Sounds like a broken record. But props to you for continuing it and helping each person.
When I did that it says missing apk file. Should I delete kodi and re download it?
Make sure you have your kodi file inside your apps folder, try rewatching the video, if your file extension are hidden on your computer you have to rename the file to just kodi, if they are not then rename the file to kodi.apk. if the command adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk does not work try adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk.apk
Thank you
Got it! Thank you!!!
Good No Problem… Please read http://tvhacking.com/get-channels-kodi-xbmc-install-step-step/ so you can learn how to add all the channels and watch all the free movies,
whenever i come upon the last step it keeps on telling me invalid apk file no matter what i do
I just answered this below http://tvhacking.com/installing-xbmc-kodi-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-and-running-it-from-your-startup-screen-tutorial/#invalid-apk try this
keep getting error: more than one device/emulator
Waiting for device
It may be another app you have installed, also try rebooting your Fire TV Press and hold the Select and Play/Pause buttons at the same time, for about five seconds. and then try again. If rebooting does not work you may have to find the app that is causing the issue and uninstall it
All I keep getting is invalid apk file: apps/kodi.apk and I’ve tried just naming it kodi but I still get the same thing. Can You please help me with this?
I just answered this below http://tvhacking.com/installing-xbmc-kodi-on-the-amazon-fire-tv-and-running-it-from-your-startup-screen-tutorial/#invalid-apk try this
I keep getting apk error message, when I try to download the KODI , do I still type in ( adb.exe install apps/kodi, or just kodi?
You need to make sure that your command has the right file directory. For example adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk looks inside the folder ADB is installed in, inside the apps folder, installs kodi.apk
You need to make sure you have the apps folder in the correct place, please watch video again to make sure, also it may help to make the extensions visible on your computer so you can see the apk.
Click the Start menu. …
Type “folder options” (without the quotes). …
A dialog box with the title “Folder Options” will appear. …
Click to uncheck the box for “Hide extensions for known file types”.
Click the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box.
I cannot fiND the file referenced I step 7
Hello, I want to thank you for taking the time to create your KODI installation guide. I found it very useful but had to make a few minor adjustments that I felt I should share. First, I could not locate the file “py_cmd.exe” you referred to in step 7, but determined that the MAF32.exe command performed the same function. Second, and most likely not something everyone may experience, I had to run the MAF32.exe program twice before KODI was successfully installed on my Fire Stick. Finally I would like to begin adding channels and you mentioned you had written instructions, but the link ( “here” ) within your paragraph below step 12 does not work. I did find the instructions within the comments above.
Anyway Thanks!
Thank you, I added the link you can go here http://tvhacking.com/get-channels-kodi-xbmc-install-step-step/
i was able to complete every step up until the apk file. It gives me the comment that it is an invalid apk file and could not connect – this would be for step 11. What next?
Thanks for this video and tutorial…..I’m at the last step and all I keep getting is
error: device offline
-waiting for device-
Its been waiting for device for over 2 hours
this may be something with your internet, make sure both devices are on you have the right ip address of the device and try again
man ive tried all this .and im stuck with that apk file also ine watched videos and still nothing when I d/l kodi its comes in a zip file ive opened it put in the apps file and nothing .I left as a zip and tried and nothing im just stuck bro
You Need to unzip ADB and install it, try and follow video step by step,
Followed all the instructions quick and easy process Thank You !
how do you download other app other than Kodi, like Popcorn tv, Genesis, Sportsdevil, NBA, NFL redzone, etc…?
Hi I would like to buy a device from you if still available. Please pm for details.
when i click on arm under android it just takes me to 502 bad gateway this happens when i try to download kodi
If you purchase it from you, are international channels (Columbia) included.
Yes we can add any international channel you like, plus we include a addon thats lets you install whichever you like
Yes there is a program that lets you add any international channel you like, its under programs addons and from there you can choose which one you like, I can also add it for you before I mail it out just shoot me a email at [email protected] after purchase
How can I install interantional channels? Or does it have to be done thru you?
You can install any international channel you like, or if you purchase it through us I will install them for you, I can show you how if you tell me what you want exactly. Again all our customers receive the best support, if you buy the Amazon Fire TV through us you will never have a issue cause we will support our product.
Thank you
Hi,
Can you send to the UK if I buy a fully setup FireStick from you?
Thanks
Yes But you will have to pay the extra postage, I can check amount if you like, email me at [email protected] with your address.
Thank you
are we able to watch pay per view?
yes you can watch basically any movie or show you like
When I try to connect to fire stick I get “abd is not recognized as an internal or external command”. Do you have any idea how to fix this?
Enable ADb debugging.. check the instructions
Hi i got to the very last step, but when i type in adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk, it says that it is an ivalid APK file. help please?
The last command points tot he APK file, if it cant find it that what it says. read through the comments there are several reason why this may happen
Hey Guys, I have started selling Amazon Fire TV’s Unlocked with KODI and Firestarter Installed. They have all the Channels and a program that lets you add any channel you like. If you have any friends that need one can you please send them to
this site
http://tvhacking.com/buy-amazon-fire-tv-kodi-xbmc-installed-watch-movie-plus-international-channels/
I ship the item same or next day Priority Mail 1-2 Day Shipping so they will get it really fast. I know people like to buy from eBay , but they are banning the sale of these devices, so chances are if you buy from there and something happens to your item, or it does not work properly it may be a waste. I offer the best support especially to people who buy from this site. I am trying to help everyone including people who want to do the install themselves. Some people do not want to waste the time to learn how to install KODI and get all the channels, and some people just need some support. I promise to offer the best support for the product down the line when something may go wrong and no one else offers that.
Anyways Thank you for your help
TVHacking.com
At first it was saying device offline waiting, so I restarted the fire and wifi, not I finish the commands and nothing happens, no error message or success. What do I do?!
You have to wait a little bit give it a couple minutes it needs to install the app over your network
ok I’ve tried every scenario. replaced kodi several times renamed several times I have been unsuccessful at this point. I’ve watched video several time. I almost have it down by memory. This is my file name: kodi-15.2-Isengard-armeabi-v7a.apk . I need some help been here for hours trying to crack this. thank you for your future help.
Try Renaming the file to kodi.apk and then create a apps folder inside the minimal adb folder so you can run the command that I wrote above
Ive done this several time; there must be something blocking it. just about ready to give it up
I’ve tried everything that I’ve read and I’m still getting the message invalid Apk file apps/kodi.apk
Make sure you download and rename the file to kodi.apk and put it in the right place. Watch the video again, if it not working and you have done everything right it may be because filetypes are not displaying on your computer. For example when you first download Kodi do you see the filetype .apk at the end of the name if you do not then if you rename the file to kodi.apk the real filename will be kodi.apk.apk because the filetype is hidden. In short try running the command with apps/kodi.apk.apk
Are there better instructions for doing this on a mac? Thx.
I have not written this up yet but will soon sorry for the delay
Can you watch any international channels? Thanks
Yes there are tons of international channels, live, movies, shows, anything you like, after purchase email us at [email protected] and let us know what international channel you would like and we will add it for you. We also install a program that lets you add any channel you like including international channels if you would like to add more in the future 🙂
this my error can you help
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>10.0.1.27
‘10.0.1.27’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
this is the ip that the fire stick shows
Look for the IP that starts with 192.168 and run the full command written above
hiya i have downloaded kodi this way lots of times but tonight when i get to the last step and it normally says succesful im getting protocol failure waiting for device. does anybody know what this means and how i fix this?? thanks in advance
Try restarting your firetv and go through the process again happens sometimes.
Thank you
I’m not sure what I am doing wrong. How do I get the file to change from zip to apk? I tried extracting the files with no luck.
When you download the apk from KODI its should download as a APK you may be clicking on the wrong thing
Did you ever post the link on how to download for a Mac? I saw ghost someone else was asking but couldn’t find your reply. Thanks!
You can try and use the program on Cloudpog.com
Will this give me all movies, fights and channels?
I have read ALL the threads here about the invalid apk file. I have done all the suggested steps. renaming without .apk, made sure I downloaded the ARM kodi , unplugged the firestick and restarted. There isn’t a ” py_cmd.exe” so I used the MAF32 instead. Is that the problem?
Yes you need to use MAF32.exe to launch Minimal ADB
hmm, seems my post was deleted or vanished. I’m having same prob with last step with the apk file. I have watched video several times (could be bigger or zoomed more) and followed directions EXACTLY. still getting the invalid apk file message. can not find the ““py_cmd.exe” file so used the “MAF32” file instead. Is that the problem? Is it possible amazon has patched this process? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!
When you open the minimal adb file, click on the MAF32.exe to launch the app, then run the lines of code
if my kodi app won’t open because a message pops up stating I have exceeded the device registration limit, what do I do? It worked fine and I changed nothing prior to this message and now I can’t access my streams
Just register your fire TV under your own Amazon account some sellers use the same account for everyone fire TV and it causes issues,
I seem to be getting 2 errors going on here. First says unable to connect to my ip and puts.5555 at the end of my ip that I took a photo of and copied from that so I know to be correct. Next it says error:device ‘null’ not found waiting for device.
i have the Firestick in both HDMI and SB sockets and have tried different combinations.In devices it comes up as AFTM. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Make sure you are on the same wireless or wired network, make sure you are running all the commands in the right order, also unplug your fire tv and plug it back in, recheck the ip after that.
Thanks
I have no idea what I am doing…I went to the direct link for the ARM and downloaded it but it said “no where to open” or something…I have a MAC. Do I need to download something else first? Thanks!
There is a software you can use to install it with a mac at cloudpog.com, I suggest to buy the box from us and we will configure it for you. got to http://tvhacking.com/buy-amazon-fire-tv-kodi-xbmc-installed-watch-movie-plus-international-channels/ Thank you
When I open the folder Minimal ADB and Fastboot, there is no py_cmd.exe file
You need to launch the MAF32.exe file to run minimal adb, its inside the minimal adb folder
What do I need to get started from scratch?
Do I buy the box from amazon?
You can buy the box directly from us, and we will add KODI and all the channels, just go to http://tvhacking.com/buy-amazon-fire-tv-kodi-xbmc-installed-watch-movie-plus-international-channels/
Thanks
Please read the tutorial and watch the video, you can also buy the box directly from us and we will configure it with all the right software and all the channels. We have the best setup no lag just go to
http://tvhacking.com/buy-amazon-fire-tv-kodi-xbmc-installed-watch-movie-plus-international-channels/
When i run the apps/kodi file I keep getting daemon started successfully and the error after error with messages “starting it now on port 5037” “failed to start” waiting o daemon” I restarted fire stick, re ran the prompts a few times. Please help
Please follow the directions carefully make sure you have the developer options on, and try again Thanks
The re-boot after changing the development options did the trick… Cool Beans for everyone !!
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb.exe install apps/kodi.apk
4587 KB/s (61880531 bytes in 13.173s)
pkg: /data/local/tmp/kodi.apk
Success
I do not have USB debugging in my developer options. Will this still work? I only have ABD debugging and apps from unknown resources.