Never Lose Your Kodi Setup Again: The Ultimate 2026 Kodi Backup Guide

Updated February 7, 2026

Picture this: you’ve spent hours perfecting your Kodi setup. You’ve dialed in the best addons, customized the skin, and organized your media library down to the last detail. Then, a failed update or a system crash wipes it all away. As a Media Systems Engineer, I’ve seen this nightmare scenario play out far too many times. That’s why creating a Kodi backup isn’t just a recommendation—it’s an absolute necessity. This is your definitive 2026 guide to bulletproofing your media center, whether you’re using the rock-solid Kodi Backup addon, manual methods for total control, or advanced alternatives.

I’ll walk you through not only installing and configuring the addon but also automating the process, troubleshooting common errors, and understanding which method is right for you. You’ll learn how to restore Kodi from scratch, migrate your entire Kodi setup to another device without losing a single setting, and save your Kodi addons with all their data intact, whether you’re running Kodi on a PC, an Android TV Box like the Fire TV Stick, or a Raspberry Pi.

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

Why a Kodi Backup is Mission-Critical in 2026

Years ago, a Kodi installation was simple. Today, in the era of Kodi 21 Omega and the emerging Kodi 22 Piers, our setups are complex, personalized ecosystems. We’re talking about skins with custom widgets, shared databases, advanced addon configurations for tools like Elementum or Alfa, and hundreds of tiny tweaks that define our experience. Losing all that means throwing hours, or even days, of work down the drain.

A solid backup allows you to:

• Restore your complete setup in minutes after a critical failure.
• Clone and migrate Kodi to a new device (e.g., from an old TV box to a new Nvidia Shield Pro).
• Experiment with new beta builds or addons without fear of corrupting your main installation.
• Save Kodi addons and all their associated data, like watch history, favorites, and custom settings.

Personally, I’ve migrated my primary setup across three different devices in the last year, all thanks to a robust backup. It is, without a doubt, the most important maintenance tool for any serious Kodi user.

Backup Methods: At-a-Glance Comparison

Before we dive deep, here’s a quick table to help you choose the best method for your needs.

Method 1: The “Backup” Addon (The Easy & Recommended Way)

For 99% of users, the “Backup” addon from Kodi’s official repository is the perfect solution. It’s reliable, easy to configure, and most importantly, allows you to automate the process so you can set it and forget it.

Compatibility Check: Does it Work with Kodi 21 Omega & 22 Piers?

Yes, as of today, the “Backup” addon maintains excellent compatibility. However, as an engineer, I have to warn you: restoring a backup from a newer version to an older one (e.g., from Piers to Omega) is a recipe for disaster. It can cause instability due to changes in databases or Python dependencies. My advice is to always use backups from the same major Kodi version.

Step-by-Step: Installing the “Backup” Addon

The addon lives in the official Kodi repository, so installation is 100% safe and straightforward:

1. From the Kodi home screen, navigate to Add-ons.
2. Click the open box icon (Add-on browser) in the top-left corner.
3. Select Install from repository.
4. Choose the Kodi Add-on repository.
5. Go to the Program add-ons section.
6. Find “Backup” in the list, select it, and hit Install.
7. Wait for the notification in the top-right corner confirming the installation is complete.

You do not need to enable “Unknown sources” for this process, as you’re installing from Kodi’s official source.

Initial Setup: Your First Kodi Backup

Once installed, proper configuration is key. Navigate to Add-ons > Program add-ons > Backup and open its Settings (long-press or right-click on the addon).

General Tab: Where to Save Your Backups

This is your most important decision. You have several excellent options:

• Local Folder: Perfect for quick backups on the same device. Use “Browse Path” to select a folder on your internal hard drive or a connected USB drive.
• Network Path (SMB): The best choice if you have a NAS (like a Synology) or a private cloud. This lets you centralize backups from all your Kodi devices. You’ll need the server’s IP address, shared folder name, username, and password.
• Cloud Storage (Recommended): For maximum security and accessibility, a cloud service is unbeatable. The addon supports Dropbox and Google Drive.
  • To set up Google Drive/Dropbox: Select the service under “Remote Path Type.” Click “Authorize” and follow the on-screen instructions. It will typically show you a code or a link to open in a web browser, where you’ll sign in to your account and grant the addon access.

File Selection Tab: What Exactly to Save

Here you decide which elements to include in your Kodi backup. To be able to fully migrate Kodi to another device, I recommend checking everything. However, if you want lighter and faster backups:

• Thumbnails: These take up a massive amount of space (several GB) and can be regenerated automatically. Unchecking this option drastically speeds up the process and is my personal recommendation for scheduled backups.
• Profiles: If you don’t use user profiles in Kodi, you can safely uncheck this.
• Addon data: This is the most critical item! Make sure it’s checked to save the configuration and data for all of your addons.

Scheduling Automatic Backups

True peace of mind comes from automation. In the Scheduling tab, you can set backups to run on their own.

1. Enable the “Enable scheduler” toggle.
2. Set the frequency. My personal recommendation is a weekly backup (“Weekly”).
3. Set a time with low activity, like 4:00 AM, so it doesn’t interfere with your streaming.
4. You can limit the number of backups to keep (under “How many backups to keep”). A value of 3 or 4 is usually more than enough to avoid filling up your storage.

How to Restore Kodi from the Backup Addon

If disaster strikes, the process to restore Kodi is very simple:

1. On a fresh Kodi installation (or the one you want to overwrite), install the “Backup” addon using the steps above.
2. Open the addon’s settings and configure the exact same remote location where you saved your backups.
3. Exit the settings, and from the addon’s main menu, select the Restore option.
4. Choose the backup file you want to restore from the list that appears.
5. Kodi will ask for confirmation. Accept, and wait for the process to finish. It will prompt you to restart to apply all the changes. You’re back in business!

Method 2: Manual Backup (Full Control for Power Users)

If you prefer absolute control and don’t want to rely on addons, you can manually copy the Kodi userdata folder. This is where absolutely everything is stored: addons, settings, databases, and skins. This technique is the purest way to clone your system.

Step 1: Locate the Kodi Data Folder

First, make sure Kodi is completely closed. Next, find the data folder, which varies by operating system. These folders are often hidden, so you’ll need to enable “Show hidden files” in your OS.

%APPDATA%\Kodi

Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi

~/.kodi

/storage/.kodi

/Users/<your_username>/Library/Application Support/Kodi

Step 2: Perform the Backup

1. Shut down Kodi completely. Don’t just go back to the device’s home screen; force-stop the app from the task manager if necessary.
2. Navigate to the path shown in the table above. On devices like the Fire TV, you’ll need a file manager app like “X-plore File Manager” to access the Android/data/ path.
3. Compress the folder. Select the entire folder (.kodi or Kodi) and use a compression tool (like 7-Zip on PC or the file manager’s built-in function) to create a single .zip file. This makes it easier to handle and saves space.
4. Save the ZIP file somewhere safe: a USB drive, an external hard drive, or your NAS.

• Pros: It’s a perfect 1:1 clone. It requires no addons and is lightning-fast when done locally.
• Cons: It can create very large files (tens of gigabytes if you include thumbnails). On Android, and especially on locked-down devices like the Fire TV, accessing the data folder can require special permissions, complicating the process.

Step 3: How to Restore the Manual Backup

This process is ideal for migrating Kodi to another device or recovering a corrupted installation.

1. Install a clean version of Kodi on the target device. It is crucial that it’s the same major version (e.g., Omega 21.x) as the backup.
2. Run Kodi once and then close it completely. This creates the necessary folder structure.
3. Navigate to the Kodi data folder on the new device.
4. Delete the entire .kodi or Kodi folder that was just created.
5. Copy your backup ZIP file to the device.
6. Unzip the file in the same location where you deleted the folder. Make sure the result is a folder named .kodi or Kodi, not a folder nested inside another (e.g., .kodi/.kodi/).
7. Launch Kodi. Your setup, addons, and library should be exactly as you left them!

FAQ: Common Errors and Solutions

Even the best tools can have hiccups. Here are solutions to the most common issues I’ve encountered in tech support.

Why does the Backup addon fail with a ‘write error’?

This is almost always a permissions issue. On Android TV or Fire TV, the OS can block apps from writing to USB drives or network shares. The most reliable fix is to choose an internal device folder that you know is writable (like the Downloads folder) or to double-check the permissions on your SMB/NFS share on your NAS to ensure the user has write access.

I’m getting an authentication error with Google Drive / Dropbox. What’s the fix?

If the addon can’t connect to your cloud account, try these steps in order:

1. Go into the addon’s settings and select “Re-authorize” to generate a new access token.
2. Make sure the date and time on your Kodi device are correct. A time drift can invalidate authentication certificates.
3. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on your account, ensure you complete the process correctly in the browser when prompted.

My restore failed or made Kodi unstable. What went wrong?

The most common cause is trying to restore a Kodi backup from an incompatible version. For example, restoring a backup from Kodi 22 Piers onto a clean installation of Kodi 21 Omega. This can cause addon problems and database corruption. To avoid this, always restore onto a clean installation of the exact same version of Kodi you used to create the backup.

My backup file is huge. How can I shrink it?

As mentioned earlier, the thumbnails folder is the main culprit. Go back into the Kodi Backup addon settings, navigate to the “File Selection” tab, and uncheck “Thumbnails.” If you’re doing a manual backup, you can navigate into the `userdata/Thumbnails` folder and delete its contents before zipping it up, drastically reducing the file size without losing any essential settings.

Pro Tips for a Bulletproof Backup Strategy

• The 3-2-1 Rule: This is a professional cybersecurity principle. Keep at least 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media (e.g., your NAS and the cloud), with at least 1 copy located off-site (the cloud handles this perfectly).
• Name Your Backups: When making a manual backup before a big change, give it a descriptive name like `kodi_backup_omega_before_piers_update.zip`. It will save you from confusion later.
• Use a VPN: When transferring data to the cloud or even within your network, a VPN adds a layer of security. For streaming and Kodi, a reliable and fast VPN that doesn’t slow down your upload is always a good idea.
• Perform Periodic Maintenance: In addition to backups, it’s good practice to clear Kodi’s cache occasionally to prevent the system from slowing down and to keep your backup sizes in check.

Conclusion: Your Kodi, Your Build, Always Safe

Customizing Kodi is a rewarding journey, and protecting that time investment is paramount. Whether you choose the set-it-and-forget-it simplicity of the Kodi Backup addon or the total control of the manual method, there’s no excuse not to have a backup strategy in 2026. The automation offered by the addon is, in my expert opinion, the best way to ensure you always have an escape route from any unexpected glitch.

Don’t wait for a disaster to happen. Take 10 minutes today to set up your Kodi backup and enjoy your media center with the complete peace of mind that your perfect setup is protected and ready to be restored anytime, on any device.