Kodi 22 ‘Piers’ vs. Kodi 21 ‘Omega’: The Definitive 2026 Upgrade Guide

Last updated: February 06, 2026

2026 has kicked off with a bang. After months of test builds that we’ve been tracking closely, the Kodi team has finally unleashed the version set to define the future of media centers: Kodi 22 “Piers” is here in its stable release. The wait is over, and the question that lingered in late 2025—“is it safe to upgrade yet?”—has been turned on its head. Now, the real question is: what are you missing out on by sticking with Kodi 21 Omega?

As a Multimedia Engineer, I’ve put Piers through its paces on all kinds of hardware, from a humble Raspberry Pi 5 to the powerhouse NVIDIA Shield Pro. In this definitive guide, we’ll break down the technical upgrades that make this a true generational leap, analyze the current addon compatibility landscape, and give you a clear verdict on why—and how—you should make the jump today.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only. At Tecnoyfoto, we do not develop, distribute, or have any affiliation with the creators of the addons, software, or services mentioned. We are against piracy and the use of illegal content. The user is solely responsible for how they use the information provided herein.

What’s the Current Status of Kodi 22 Piers?

As of February 6, 2026, the development cycle for Piers has reached full maturity. We’ve left the Alpha versions and Nightly Builds behind to welcome the release we’ve all been waiting for.

• Current Status: Stable Release. Kodi 22 Piers is now the official, recommended version for all users. It has passed all testing phases and is considered robust for daily use.
• Stability: Rock-solid. The unexpected crashes from the Alpha phase are a thing of the past. The stability of Kodi 22 is now comparable, and in some cases superior, to its predecessor.
• Availability: You can download Kodi 22 right now from the official website for Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, and more.

The 5 Game-Changing Features in Kodi 22 Piers (Now Stable)

What were just promises in 2025 are now tangible realities. Here are the five technical reasons why Piers blows Omega out of the water and why the upgrade is practically mandatory for modern hardware.

1. Superior Performance with FFmpeg 7/8: Say Goodbye to Buffering

Kodi’s heart—its playback engine—has received a transplant. Piers integrates the latest versions of FFmpeg, resulting in far more efficient video decoding.

• What this means for you: Ultra-smooth playback of high-efficiency formats like AV1 (used by YouTube and Netflix for 4K/8K content) and the emerging H.266 (VVC). In my testing, a high-bitrate 4K HDR file that caused stuttering on Kodi 21 Omega with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max plays back flawlessly on Piers, thanks to better optimization and GPU offloading.

2. A 21st-Century Photo Gallery: Native HEIC/AVIF Support

If you use Kodi to view photos from your phone, this is a life-changing improvement. No more converting images from your new iPhone or high-end Android device.

• The upgrade: Piers natively decodes .heic and .avif formats. Not only does this let you view your family albums directly on your TV, but it also speeds up the UI, as many addon skins and fanart are migrating to these formats to save bandwidth.

3. Perfect Sync on Android 15 and Google TV

The Android TV ecosystem is one of the biggest winners here. Kodi 22 has been rewritten with the latest versions of Google’s OS in mind.

• The upgrade: The code for automatic Frame Rate Matching and audio passthrough (for formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X) is much more robust. This fixes the annoying audio/video desync (lipsync) issues that some users experienced in Omega on devices like the NVIDIA Shield or the latest Fire TV models.

4. True HDR on Linux and Raspberry Pi 5 with Wayland

The Linux community and fans of compact hardware have reason to celebrate. HDR support under the Wayland display protocol is now complete and functional, leaving the old X11 in the dust.

• The upgrade: If you’re running Kodi on a Linux-based mini PC or a Raspberry Pi 5 connected to a 4K TV, you can now enjoy HDR content with vibrant colors and spectacular contrast without complex configurations or patches. It just works.

5. A Snappier Library: The Optimized Database (MyVideos132)

For digital collectors, library speed is everything. Piers introduces the MyVideos132 database version, which is optimized for massive collections.

• The upgrade: Database queries are noticeably faster. If you manage a library with thousands of movies and TV shows, you’ll feel that browsing, searching, and filtering by genre or actor is instantaneous. The entire interface feels much more agile and responsive—or as we like to say, “snappy.”

Head-to-Head Comparison: Kodi 22 Piers vs. Kodi 21 Omega (2026)

To help you visualize the generational leap, here’s an updated comparison reflecting today’s reality:

The Elephant in the Room: Addon & Skin Compatibility with Python 3.13

The main fear holding people back from upgrading in late 2025 was the jump from Python 3.12 to 3.13, which broke nearly every addon. Fortunately, the situation in February 2026 is completely different.

Popular Addons: What Works on Kodi 22?

The developer community has been working tirelessly. While we recommend checking the official repository for your must-have addons, here’s the current status of the ecosystem:

• ✅ Working Perfectly: Most top-tier addons, like Elementum and other community favorites, already have stable versions optimized for Kodi 22 and Python 3.13.
• 🟡 Your Mileage May Vary: Some less popular addons or those maintained by a single developer might still be in the process of updating. If you rely on a niche addon, double-check its status before you leap.
• 🔴 The Risk: If you’re using addons that haven’t been updated in over a year, they are almost certain to be broken on Piers. This is the perfect opportunity to clean up your installation and find modern alternatives.

Skins: Customization is Back

Just like with addons, the most popular skins (Arctic Horizon 2, Aeon Nox SILvo, Titan Bingie Mod) now have Piers-compatible versions. When you first update, Kodi might revert to the default skin (Estuary). Don’t panic—just navigate to the skin’s repository and install the latest version for v22.

Safe Upgrade Guide: How to Move from Omega to Piers Without Losing Anything

Convinced? Great. Now let’s do this the right way to avoid any headaches. The process is simple, but one wrong move could wipe out your library and settings.

Step 1 (Mandatory): Make a Backup

This is the golden rule. Do not skip this step. The database upgrade from Omega to Piers is a one-way trip. If something goes wrong or you want to roll back, you’ll have lost everything without a backup.

1. Install the official “Backup” addon from the Kodi repository.
2. Run a full backup and save the file somewhere safe (a USB drive, a network share, cloud storage, etc.).

Step 2: Direct Installation (The Fast Lane)

On most systems (Windows, Android TV, Fire TV), the process is as simple as installing the new version right over the old one.

1. Download the Kodi 22 Piers installer from the official website.
2. Run it. The installer will detect your existing Omega installation and upgrade it.
3. The first time you launch Kodi 22, you’ll see a “Migrating database…” message. Be patient and do not interrupt this process. This will convert your library to the new format.

Important: Before you begin, ensure you have the “Install from unknown sources” option enabled if you use third-party repositories.

Step 3 (Optional): Portable Mode Install for Testing (Windows)

If you’re extra cautious and on Windows, you can have both Kodi 21 and Kodi 22 installed simultaneously without them interfering with each other.

• Install Kodi 22 in a separate folder (e.g., C:\Kodi22).
• Create a shortcut to the kodi.exe file.
• Right-click the shortcut > Properties. In the “Target” field, add a space and the parameter -p at the very end. The path should look like this: "C:\Kodi22\kodi.exe" -p.
• This forces Kodi 22 to create its configuration files inside its own installation folder, leaving your Omega setup untouched.

Final Verdict: Is Upgrading to Kodi 22 Piers Worth It in 2026?

As a tech expert who has thoroughly analyzed the performance, stability, and addon ecosystem, my professional recommendation as of February 2026 is crystal clear:

🟢 YES, update your main device to Kodi 22 Piers without hesitation.

The performance jump from the new FFmpeg engine, support for modern codecs and image formats, and critical fixes for Android TV and Linux make Kodi 21 Omega feel like a relic. The Python transition has been successfully navigated by the vast majority of relevant addons, so the biggest hurdle is now gone.

The only exception: If your media center relies 100% on a very old addon or a skin that hasn’t been updated in the last year, verify its status before you proceed. For 99% of users, the benefits of Piers far outweigh the minimal effort of upgrading. It’s time to enjoy a faster, smoother, and future-proof media experience!

Disclaimer Regarding Kodi Content on Tecnoyfoto

The addons and plugins featured on Tecnoyfoto (tecnoyfoto.com) are for informational purposes only. Certain addons, especially unofficial ones, may provide access to content that could infringe upon copyright laws in your jurisdiction. We recommend using tools like a VPN to protect your privacy.

Potential Risks of Using Unofficial Addons:

1. Accessing copyrighted content without proper authorization.
2. Exposure to malware or malicious software.
3. Privacy risks, including unwanted tracking or data collection.
4. Performance issues or instability on your device.

At Tecnoyfoto, we do not promote or endorse illegal activities, including piracy or the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material. It is the responsibility of each user to ensure they comply with the copyright laws of their respective country.

Before installing and using any addon, we urge you to research its legitimacy and consider the legal implications of its use. If you choose to install unofficial addons, you do so at your own risk.

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