Hey there! Have you ever wondered if you should be uninstalling some of the Kodi repositories connected to your device? In this guide, I‘ll explain exactly what repositories are, the security risks outdated ones pose, and walk you through how to fully remove them. Stick with me—it‘s one of the best things you can do to keep your system malware-free!
Let‘s start with the basics…
Kodi repositories (or repos) are folders hosted online that contain add-ons like video add-ons for streaming, program add-ons, scripts, scraper packages, skins, and more. By installing a repository source in Kodi, you link your device directly to that online folder. This allows Kodi to automatically check for and install any updates published to the repo.
This can be super convenient—but also introduces some security risks. If the original developer abandons a repository without passing on control, there‘s no telling what could end up being published to it. Even worse, if someone with bad intentions takes over, they could potentially push malware directly onto any device with that repository installed!
Recent examples of this happening led to a surge of malware infected add-ons that covertly turned users‘ systems into DDoS bots, mined cryptocurrency, and stole sensitive data. In fact, a 2021 study found that over 18% of third-party Kodi repositories contained malware or suspicious activity.
That‘s why I always recommend periodically "cleaning house" by uninstalling any outdated, abandoned, or untrustworthy repositories. This cuts the connection so no unwanted software can be installed through them.
Warning Signs a Repository Could Be Suspicious
- The developer has left the community without handing off control
- New, unusual, or non-working add-ons suddenly appear
- You get warnings of "unverified" or broken add-ons
- Installation requires disabling safety checks
| Safe Repository | Suspicious Repository |
|---|---|
| Actively maintained | Developer abandoned it |
| Verified add-ons | Non-working or malware add-ons |
| No safety disable requests | Asks to disable security checks |
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the simple process of removing a repository step-by-step. I‘ll demonstrate the steps on a Firestick, but it works nearly the same on any Android device like a smartphone, tablet, or Android TV box.
Let‘s get started!
How to Uninstall Kodi Repositories on Firestick
Step 1 – From the Kodi home screen, click on the settings icon in the top left corner.
See the little gear icon up there? That‘s the one you want to click to get to the settings.
Step 2 – In the settings menu, select "File Manager".
The File Manager allows us to access the source list.
Step 3 – You will see a list of current source locations Kodi is linked to. Highlight the source name you wish to uninstall.
Scroll through and find whichever repository you want to remove.
Step 4 – Bring up the context menu by clicking the menu button on your remote or pressing "C" on a keyboard. Select "Remove Source" to delete it.
This will permanently delete the repository connection.
Step 5 – Confirm you want to permanently remove the repository by selecting Yes.
Almost done! Just confirm you really want it gone for good.
And we‘re finished! I‘d recommend repeating the process regularly for any repositories that are outdated, no longer maintained, or were installed from questionable sources.
To stay on the safe side, I advise checking your installed repository list at least every few months for anything suspicious. It takes just a minute or two to scrub your setup of any abandoned repositories and keeps everything running clean and malware-free!
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help walk through anything Kodi-related. Stay safe out there 🙂
