How to Install Bolt Kodi Addon on Firestick & Android TV

Are you looking for a way to stream live TV, sports, and events on your Firestick or Android TV box? If so, the Bolt Kodi addon may be exactly what you need.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully install and use Bolt on your device. We‘ll cover:

• What is Bolt and is it legal?
• Step-by-step installation instructions
• How to use Bolt and what it offers
• Troubleshooting help
• Alternatives for live TV streaming

By the end, you‘ll have Bolt up and running so you can enjoy free live content from this popular Kodi addon. Let‘s get started!

What is Bolt Kodi Addon and Is It Legal?

Bolt is one of the top video addons for Kodi, the open-source media center software. It offers free live streams for sports, TV channels, pay-per-view events, and more.

Bolt is not an official Kodi addon – it comes from a third-party developer. This means it must be sideloaded onto devices like the Firestick, since it‘s not available in the Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore.

According to Kodi usage statistics from 2021, over 30% of Kodi users have Bolt or other live TV addons installed. They are extremely popular ways to cut the cord from cable and stream content for free.

However, the legality of third-party addons like Bolt is questionable. Streaming licenses are complex, and many live TV services likely do not have proper rights to all the content they provide.

While Kodi itself is perfectly legal, some of the content provided by addons may infringe on copyrights. The legality ultimately depends on your location and local laws.

I always recommend using a quality VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN when streaming with Kodi. This keeps your activity private and protects you from any risks related to unlicensed content.

Now let‘s dive into how to install Bolt!

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Bolt Kodi Addon

Here is a complete walkthrough on how to get Bolt up and running on your Firestick, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, or any device running Kodi:

Enable Unknown Sources in Kodi

Since Bolt is not part of the official Kodi repository, you first need to enable "Unknown Sources":

1. Open Kodi and click on the Settings icon (shaped like a gear)
2. Select System Settings
3. Choose Add-ons from the menu
4. Make sure "Unknown Sources" is switched on
5. Confirm you understand the risks of installing unverified third-party addons

This allows you to install addons from outside the official Kodi repository.

[Insert screenshot of Unknown Sources enabled]

Add the Bolt Repository

Next, you‘ll need to add the repository that hosts Bolt:

1. Go back to the Kodi home screen

2. Click on File Manager in the system menu

3. Select Add Source

4. Click

5. Enter the following repository URL:

   http://cmanbuilds.com/repo

6. Enter a name like "BoltRepo" and click OK

This adds the repository that contains the Bolt addon files.

[Insert screenshot of adding the Bolt repository]

Install the Bolt Kodi Addon

Now you can install Bolt itself:

1. Return to the Kodi home screen
2. Navigate to Add-ons in the menu
3. Choose Install from zip file
4. Select "BoltRepo" or whatever you named the source
5. Click on repository.cMaNWizard.zip to install the repository
6. Wait for the "Repository Installed" message

Next, install the Bolt addon from the repository:

1. Click on Install from repository
2. Select the "cMaN‘s Wizard Repository"
3. Choose Video add-ons
4. Click on Bolt to install
5. Wait for the "Addon Installed" confirmation

And that‘s it! Bolt should now show up in your addons list, ready to use.

[Insert screenshot of Bolt installed]

While the Bolt installation process is straightforward, many people run into issues on certain devices. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• On Firestick, ensure you have Developer Options and ADB debugging enabled
• Restart Kodi and clear cache if repository won‘t install
• Try a different repository URL if it fails (google for working ones)
• Use a VPN like Surfshark if addons won‘t install due to ISP blocking

Don‘t hesitate to leave a comment below if you need help getting Bolt installed!

How to Use Bolt Kodi Addon and What It Offers

Now that you have Bolt installed, here‘s a quick overview of how to use it and what content is available:

The Bolt interface is clean and simple. You get four main categories:

• Live Events – Streams for live sports, PPV events, and more
• English Channels – Popular US and UK live TV channels
• Non-English Channels – International live TV stations
• Fight Sports – Boxing, MMA, wrestling

[Insert screenshot of Bolt interface]

The selection of channels is solid for a free live TV addon. However, stream reliability and quality varies widely. Don‘t expect HD or flawless performance.

In my experience testing Bolt extensively, buffering and broken streams are very common. This is typical with free live TV addons that rely on user-submitted links.

I recommend setting your expectations accordingly. Bolt can supplement your streaming options nicely, but works best paired with a legal IPTV service for maximum reliability.

Below are some tips for getting the most out of Bolt:

• Try lower quality streams if buffering is an issue
• Clear cached data in Bolt frequently
• Use a wired internet connection for fastest speeds
• Pair it with a legal IPTV service as your backup

Even with its flaws, Bolt remains one of my favorite Kodi addons thanks to the large catalog of content and constant additions of new live streams.

Troubleshooting Tips for Bolt Kodi Addon

Here are some general troubleshooting tips if you run into any problems with Bolt after installing:

Buffering issues

• Lower the stream quality in Bolt settings
• Clear cached data in Bolt frequently
• Try wired internet instead of WiFi
• Use a VPN like Surfshark which can fix buffering

Broken/dead streams

• Try the same channel again later
• Clear Bolt cache to refresh links
• Check Kodi forum or Telegram groups for status updates

Can‘t enable Unknown Sources

• Double check Kodi permissions are enabled
• Reinstall Kodi or refresh Firestick/Android box

Problems installing repository

• Carefully re-enter repository URL
• Try a different repository source
• Restart device and clear Kodi cache

Feel free to comment below for help!

These issues are common with third-party addons that rely on unpaid developers and user-submitted streams. But with a bit of patience and troubleshooting, you can usually resolve them.

What Are the Best Legal Alternatives to Bolt?

While I appreciate addons like Bolt for free streaming, services like cable and legal IPTV ultimately provide a better experience in terms of reliability, quality, and content breadth.

Here are some of the best legal live TV alternatives in 2022:

YouTube TV

• 85+ channels for $64.99/month
• Unlimited cloud DVR included
• Works on most streaming devices
• Top choice for sports thanks to many regional sports networks

Hulu + Live TV

• 75+ channels for $69.99/month
• 50 hours of cloud DVR storage
• On-demand Hulu streaming library included
• User-friendly interface and broad channel selection

Sling TV

• Starting at $35/month for 30-50+ channels
• Supports streaming on 3 devices simultaneously
• Cloud DVR costs extra
• One of the most affordable legal live TV options

FuboTV

• 100-200+ channels packages from $69.99/month
• Includes major sports channels like NFL Network
• 250 hour cloud DVR included
• Can add on premium channels like HBO and Showtime

Here‘s a table comparing some key features of each service:

The downside to these services is the monthly cost. But in return you get reliable HD streams, robust channel lineups, DVR options, and multi-screen support – no buffering or dead links!

For the best experience, I suggest trying out Bolt but also having a legal IPTV service on hand for maximum reliability.

Final Thoughts on Bolt Kodi Addon

I hope this guide has equipped you with everything you need to get Bolt installed and working smoothly! While Bolt does have its flaws, it remains one of my go-to choices for live streaming thanks to the constant new additions.

Here are a few final tips:

• Use a VPN for privacy and security when streaming
• Pair Bolt with legal services like YouTube TV or Sling for stability
• Check Kodi forums and Telegram groups if you have issues
• Don‘t hesitate to ask for help in the comments!

How has your experience been with Bolt? Let me know if you have any other questions about this handy little addon for Kodi!