How to update Kodi on macOS step by step

Kodi is one of those apps that turns any computer into an all-terrain multimedia center, and keeping it up to date is key to making sure everything runs smoothly. Updating Kodi on macOS and other platforms prevents errors, improves performance, and ensures compatibility with add-ons. that, if you fall behind, they could stop working overnight.

Below is a very complete guide to doing it without headaches: Detailed steps on macOS, alternatives for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV (tvOS) and Fire TVTips to avoid losing your settings, solutions to common problems, and a review of the new features in the latest Omega version released by the project.

Which version of Kodi to download and from where

The Kodi team releases stable versions and, for those who want to be ahead, also pre-releases and development builds. The current branch is Kodi 21 Omega, and revision 21.2 is available with relevant fixes.You can download it from the official website by selecting your system in the downloads section.

If you use a compatible app store, such as the Microsoft Store on Windows or Google Play on Android and Android TV, Updates can arrive automatically When there is a new version, provided you have system or store updates enabled.

On platforms without an official store or not directly supported, such as Fire TV or tvOS, You will need to manually reinstall the app with the corresponding package and repeat the process every time there is an update.

Those who want to try out features before anyone else can install pre-builds from the official website. Please note that pre-releases may include bugs or incompatibilities with some plugins.So it's worth assessing the risk if your equipment is the one you use daily in the living room.

Before updating: protect your library and add-ons

Updating is usually a simple process, but there are scenarios where settings or add-ons are lost. For peace of mind, create a backup of your Kodi profile. before touching anything.

You have two options. On one hand, you can save the Kodi user folder from your file system. Alternatively, and more conveniently, there is the Backup add-on available in the official repository., which packages your settings, library database, and add-ons into a restoreable file.

To install Backup, go to Settings and access Add-ons. From there, go to Install from repository and choose the Kodi repository to locate Backup within the programs category. After configuring it, select the backup location and run the copy. to keep everything safe.

With this done, even if something goes wrong during installation, You'll be able to recover your settings in a few minutes. without having to rebuild your media center from scratch.

How to update Kodi on macOS step by step

On macOS the process is straightforward and does not require uninstalling anything. The update involves downloading the latest DMG package and replacing the old app. in the Applications folder; if you need detailed instructions on how to install Kodi on a Mac, please refer to the macOS installation guide on our website.

1. Open the official Kodi website and go to the downloads section. Select macOS from the list of supported platforms.
2. Download the 64-bit installer in DMG format. Save it to your downloads folder so you have it handy..
3. Double-click the DMG to mount it and you'll see the Kodi icon. Drag Kodi to Applications to copy and replace the previous version when the system asks you.
4. When the copy is complete, eject the image and open Kodi from Launchpad or Spotlight. Check that your library and add-ons are intact.
5. If macOS displays a security warning for an identified developer app, go to System Preferences, Security & Privacy, General tab, and click Open Anyway. This only appears the first time you open a newly installed app.

This method does not erase your data: Replace the app while preserving the user profile and databasesTherefore, your settings will remain as they were. For maximum security, keep the DMG file in case you need to reinstall quickly.

Update on other platforms

Windows

On Windows there are two ways. The most convenient is through the Microsoft Store: If you installed Kodi from the store, new versions will arrive automatically.If you prefer the classic installer, go to the official website, download the 32-bit or 64-bit executable depending on your system, and run it without uninstalling the previous version.

Another alternative is the Windows Installer add-on within Kodi, which can help you update from within the app itself. Whichever method you use, your settings will be preserved when installing over the existing software..

Linux

In Debian and Ubuntu-based distributions, you can update from the terminal using the package manager. Use the official repositories or the Team Kodi PPA on Ubuntu and derivatives if you want the latest version.

Indicative commands for systems with APT: First update the index, then Kodi..

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade kodi

If you prefer to compile, the project publishes the code in its repository and you can build it with the appropriate dependencies. It's an advanced method that ensures you get the latest version compatible with your environment..

Android and Android TV

On mobile phones, tablets, and televisions with Android TV or Google TV, Google Play usually manages the updates. If you installed Kodi from the store, with automatic updates enabled you don't need to do anything..

If you installed via APK, repeat the process with the new version: download the APK from the official website and install it over the previous one. To test pre-releases, you can also manually upload the APK., useful when the version is not yet available in the store.

iOS, iPadOS and tvOS

On Apple devices you won't see Kodi in the App Store, so you have to resort to alternative methods. You can use tools like AltStore or Cydia Impactor to sign and install the IPA file. Connecting your device to your computer; if you prefer to avoid jailbreaking, follow the guide to install Kodi on iOS without jailbreak.

Another option is jailbreaking, which opens the door to alternative stores like Cydia. Installing from these methods requires repeating the process for each update. and accept the limitations of certificates and signatures, in addition to the restrictions inherent to iOS and tvOS.

Amazon Fire TV and Fire OS

Fire OS is based on Android, but Kodi is not in the Amazon store. Installation and updates are done via sideload: Activate developer options, allow apps from unknown sources, and transfer the official APK to install over the existing version.

Xbox

On Xbox, the system usually takes care of keeping apps up to date. If something is stuck, go to My games and apps and check the updates section. to force the download when it becomes available.

Smart TV without Android and other platforms

On TVs with webOS or ecosystems without official support, there are alternative methods and third-party projects. Availability and stability vary, so it's more practical to rely on a stick or TV box. with Android TV or Fire TV to enjoy Kodi with update support.

Raspberry Pi with LibreELEC

If you use Kodi integrated into LibreELEC or OpenELEC, the system itself updates with its version manager. By installing the latest edition of LibreELEC you will also receive the latest version of KodiYou can enable automatic updates or force them from the system settings.

Nvidia Shield and Chromebook

Shield TV is Android TV, so Google Play handles updates just like on any Android TV. The same applies to Chromebooks with the Play Store.If you don't have the store, you'll have to resort to alternative methods such as using compatible APKs and reinstalling when necessary.

Common problems and how to fix them

You may occasionally encounter some surprises during or after the update. These are the common mistakes and their quick fixes so that panic doesn't spread.

• Add-ons that stop workingCheck if there's a compatible version of the add-on in its repository or look for temporary alternatives. Sometimes version upgrades break APIs until the developer releases an update.
• Loss of settings or libraryRestore the backup made with the Backup plugin or your manual profile copy. Avoid uninstalling before installing the new version if you want to keep your profile.
• Errors in installationDownload the installer again from the official website and try again. On Windows, close Kodi before running the installer. On macOS, make sure you replace the file correctly within Applications.
• Linux with outdated repositoriesIf your distro doesn't offer the latest version, add the Team Kodi PPA on Ubuntu or use the build method. You can also run just the Kodi update with APT to avoid major changes.
• Android with black screen or crashesClear the app's cache, restart your device, and check your free space. If you're using an external player with streaming add-ons, check its settings.

Remember that, if you keep your backups organized, Returning to the previous state is just a matter of a couple of clicks. even if something goes wrong halfway through the process.

Key new features and fixes in Kodi 21.2 Omega

Omega revision 21.2 focuses on polishing bugs and improving stability and compatibility. These are the most important changes, organized by area. so you can see at a glance what has been improved.

Library, sources and management

• Images of actors and artists are properly respected, leaving behind folders that are obsolete for each season. The portraits are centralized in the series folder to avoid duplications.
• Performance is restored when adding movies to the library. returning to levels of branch 20.
• Playback from UPnP servers like UMS or Gerbera is faster, and the linked videos play consecutively without skipping.
• Special characters are preserved in the names of extras associated with films, avoiding unwanted changes when scanning or adding.
• The option to select art from the context menu is back. not just miniatures, regaining flexibility.
• The missing marking operations such as seen or not seen in specific menus have been corrected. refining the consistency of the interface.
• The read receipts and resume points defined in advancedsettings.xml are respected. ensuring synchronization between advanced settings and behavior.

Institutional

• Improvements to HDR pass-through on GL and GLES platforms when metadata is partial or nonexistent. Image quality in irregular environments benefits.
• Adjustments to HDR to SDR mapping in the absence of complete metadata, reducing luminance mismatches.
• Fixed potential incorrect image metadata when jumping between different HDR videos without stopping the previous one. avoiding artifacts.
• Solution to BD-J menu items that were not displaying correctly due to multithreaded synchronization, improving Blu-ray navigation.
• Removing bookmarks from videos with chapters no longer causes inconsistencies. cleaning up jump behavior.

Music

• The duration of the last track in certain albums within MKA containers has been corrected. refining the information in the music library.

Add-ons

• Context menu entries that were missing from add-on items are now present again. standardizing the experience.

File System

• It is once again possible to enter credentials when exploring SMB resources on POSIX platforms. simplifying access to network drives.
• cURL has been updated to version 8.10.0 to resolve issues with FTP TLS sources. improving secure connectivity.

PVR

• Corrections to EPG guide searches, resulting in more reliable results.
• The recording resume points are respected correctly, making it easier to pick up where you left off.
• Fixed user or server access error in time-shifted broadcasts. improving stability.
• The default action "Show Information" is working fine again for PVR items. avoiding unnecessary clicks.

Interface and skins

• A donations tab has been added to the system settings. facilitating support for development.
• Mass update of translation strings in 78 binary plugins, including one year of improvements and fixes.

Android

• Great improvement in joystick support, Refining the gaming and navigation experience.
• Fix for a potential bug where getInterfaceName returned null, avoiding unexpected closures.
• Resuming paused playback using the play or pause key is now working again. improving ergonomics.
• Fixed black screen issue when returning to the app from minimized state. making the return smoother.

Linux

• Memory corruption fixed with high-quality video scalers, gaining stability in demanding scenarios.
• An infinite loop in GBM is avoided when the Atomic Commit DRM function fails. reducing startup hang-ups.
• In Wayland with a scale factor, the window no longer grows at each start, respecting the size settings.

MacOS

• Fixed a bug in detecting optical media. improving the reading of physical discs.

Windows

• A problem accessing via Remote Desktop has been resolved. improving remote administration and use.
• Server power-on issues with integrated Wake on LAN functionality are repaired. making it easier to start up networked equipment.
• Solutions for environment variables with very long names that could cause errors, reinforcing the robustness of the system.
• HDR fixes for Windows 11 24H2 in specific cases and improvements to WCG support, fine-tuning color and dynamic range.

Maintenance tips and how to find out about new versions

To stay up to date, enable automatic updates in the Microsoft Store and Google Play whenever you use those platforms. If you install manually from the web, check the official website and its social media channels.You can also subscribe to the project's RSS feed.

Before each version jump, especially if you're coming from a previous build, Make a quick backup with the Backup add-onAnd if you have a critical device in your living room, consider waiting a few days after launch to see if any bugs are detected on your specific platform.

Keeping Kodi up to date is not complicated: On macOS, simply drag the new app onto the old one.On Windows, Linux, and Android, the process is just as straightforward, and in more closed ecosystems, there are alternatives. With a backup and this guide at hand, updating becomes a quick operation that guarantees performance, compatibility with your plugins, and access to all Omega improvements.