If you enjoy streaming tons of free movies, TV shows, and other media on your favorite devices, chances are you use Kodi. This open-source media center software has become massively popular thanks to its versatile addons and customization options.
Kodi 19.3 is the latest maintenance update aimed at squashing bugs and improving stability across platforms like Fire TV, Windows, Android, Raspberry Pi, and more.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about the new Kodi 19.3 update as a beginner or experienced user.
Overview of Kodi 19 Matrix
First, let‘s quickly recap what‘s new in Kodi 19 Matrix compared to the previous Leia version. The Matrix overhaul brought some major changes under the hood:
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Revamped Python 3-based addon system for better stability and cross-platform support. However, this meant many existing addons needed updates.
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Improved GPU-based playback for smoother performance on low-powered devices like the Fire Stick.
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Better standards support including full AV1 decoding.
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Enhanced music library with new import features, rating systems, and tags.
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Unified search across multiple addon catalogs.
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Refreshed Estuary skin with performance optimizations.
According to Kodi usage statistics, Kodi now has around 30 million active users worldwide. This open-source platform turns devices like Amazon Fire TV into powerful home media centers.
Now on version 19.3, the Matrix update delivers a more robust and polished media center experience. Let‘s look at what‘s new.
What‘s Improved in Kodi 19.3
While Kodi 19.2 launched in December 2021, the team quickly rolled out 19.3 in January 2022 to address lingering issues.
Some of the key fixes and updates in 19.3 include:
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Xbox launch fixes – Resolved compatibility issues blocking the Xbox app release like 4K/HEVC playback.
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Expired Xbox certificate fix – Patched an expired cert that prevented Kodi 18.9 from working on new Xbox installs.
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Atmos audio fixes – Addressed long-standing Atmos surround sound bugs during TrueHD passthrough on supporting devices.
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Restored Airplay – An issue in 19.2 broke Airplay streaming which is now fixed.
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Gaming improvements – Controller and graphics shader fixes for the Retroplayer.
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Spoiler thumbnail fixes – Annoying bugs showing watched episode thumbnails when hiding spoilers are resolved.
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Better Linux metadata – Improved app store descriptions for cleaner installs and upgrades on Linux platforms.
Kodi 19.3 changelogs aren‘t as exciting as major version releases. But these critical patches solve frustrations experienced by users across devices. Upgrading provides a more stable and polished media viewing experience.
Kodi 19.3 Download Instructions
If you want to upgrade to the latest version, here are links and steps to install Kodi 19.3 on your device:
Windows
- Go to Kodi.tv and click the Windows installer download.
- Choose the 64-bit or 32-bit version matching your Windows OS.
- Run the installer .exe and follow the setup wizard prompts.
Mac
- Go to Kodi.tv and download the macOS Intel 64-bit DMG file.
- Double click the DMG file then drag the Kodi icon into your Applications folder.
- Launch Kodi from the Apps folder.
Linux
In your Linux terminal, use the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
Raspberry Pi
Follow the official Raspberry Pi install guide with OS-specific instructions.
Android/Fire TV
- Open Downloader on your Fire TV or Android TV box.
- Enter
https://kodi.tv/download
to download the ARM 64-bit APK. - Select the APK to install Kodi from Downloader.
Will My Kodi Addons Still Work?
The Python 3 transition in Kodi 19 caused many add-ons to break. But most popular ones now work again if updated to Matrix compatible versions.
Some working options include:
- The Crew – Movies, shows, sports streams
- Venom – Multi-source scraper for Movies/TV
- Seren – Streams from Real-Debrid and Premiumize
- Ezra – Exodus fork focused on ease of use
- Fen – Clean movie and TV interface
Check KodiVPN‘s compatibility list before updating. Also see WirelessHack‘s list of working builds.
In general, we recommend enabling auto-updates in your addon settings so they stay on the latest supported Matrix versions.
Safely Updating Kodi in 5 Steps
When installing Kodi 19.3, use these best practices:
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Back up your data – Save your library databases, playlists, settings etc. in case issues pop up.
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Note build risks – Standard Kodi updates can break customized builds. Do a fresh build install.
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Use a repository – Updating via repository is safer than clean APK installs which may cause data loss.
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Use Downloader on Fire TV – This is safer than sideloading APKs directly.
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Clear caches – After updating, force close Kodi and clear all caches from the app interface.
Following these tips minimizes chances of issues when moving to Kodi 19.3.
Troubleshooting Problems Updating Kodi
Some common problems people encounter when upgrading Kodi:
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Missing addons – Try reinstalling from original source. Also update addons to latest Matrix version.
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Interface issues – Could be related to old skins not working. Install fresh skin.
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No sound – Double check Kodi audio output device settings match your hardware.
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Buffering or crashes – Clear all Kodi caches and force close the app. Check advancedsettings.xml.
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Won‘t open – Try Kodi safe mode by holding Shift on launch. Update graphics drivers.
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Serious issues – Uninstall Kodi completely using a cleaner tool then do a fresh install.
For other problems, Google the exact error message and you can usually find fixes from the active Kodi user community.
Frequently Asked Kodi Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using Kodi:
Is Kodi legal?
Kodi itself is 100% legal open-source software. However, some addons provide links to pirated content. Use caution when installing third-party addons.
How do I install addons?
Enable unknown sources in Kodi settings. Then install from a repository source or ZIP file. Always opt for official repository installs when possible.
Why does Kodi buffer?
Buffering is usually due to slow internet speeds or an underpowered device. Try wired connections, adjust cache settings, disable HQ Scalers, or lower stream quality.
How do I customize Kodi appearance?
Kodi‘s interface is controlled by skins. Estuary is the default, but tons of great skins exist like Arctic Zephyr 2, Titan, Aeon Nox, etc.
What hardware runs Kodi smoothly?
For 4K and HDR, NVIDIA Shield TV is ideal. Fire TV Stick 4K and Cube also work well. On PCs, Kodi needs at least 3-4 GB RAM and fast processors.
Is there a Kodi app for iOS/iPhone?
There isn‘t an official iOS Kodi app, though some Android emulator workarounds exist. For iPhones, use AirPlay to mirror Kodi from another device.
Can I use a VPN with Kodi safely?
Yes, combining a good VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN with Kodi is recommended to keep your streaming activity private.
Kodi 19.3 fixes some of the most annoying issues reported by users across platforms. Upgrading takes just a few minutes and provides a much smoother media center experience overall.
We hope this guide gave you all the information needed to safely download, install, and update Kodi 19.3 on your device of choice. Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments!