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

Last updated on February 6, 2026

Imagine spending hours meticulously tweaking your Kodi setup—selecting the perfect add-ons, customizing the skin, and organizing your library—only to have it all wiped out by a failed update or system crash. As a Media Systems Engineer, I’ve seen this digital disaster too many times. That’s why creating a Kodi backup isn’t just a good idea; it’s an absolute necessity. This is your definitive 2026 guide to safeguarding your media center, whether you’re using the popular Backup add-on for Kodi, manual methods, or more advanced alternatives.

I’ll walk you through not just installing and configuring the add-on, but also automating the process, troubleshooting common errors, and understanding which method is the best fit for you, whether you’re running Kodi on a PC, Android TV Box, or a Raspberry Pi.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only. We do not develop, distribute, or have any affiliation with the creators of the add-ons, software, or services mentioned. We are strictly against piracy and the use of illegal content. The end-user is solely responsible for their use of the information provided herein.

Why a Kodi Backup is Mission-Critical in 2026

Years ago, a Kodi installation was relatively simple. Today, in the era of Kodi 21 Omega and the emerging Kodi 22 Piers, our setups are complex ecosystems. We’re talking custom skins, shared databases, advanced settings for add-ons like Elementum or Alfa, and hundreds of tiny tweaks that create the perfect experience. Losing all that means hours, or even days, of work down the drain.

A solid backup allows you to:

• Restore your Kodi setup in minutes after a crash.
• Clone your Kodi build from one device to another (e.g., from an old Fire TV to a new NVIDIA Shield).
• Experiment with new versions or add-ons without fear of breaking your primary installation.
• Save Kodi add-ons and their specific data, which often includes watch history, favorites, and custom settings.

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

Method 1: The “Backup” Add-on (The Easy & Recommended Route)

For the vast majority of users, the “Backup” add-on from the official Kodi repository is the perfect solution. It’s reliable, easy to configure, and offers powerful automation options.

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

As of today, the “Backup” add-on maintains excellent compatibility with recent Kodi versions. However, it’s crucial to understand that restoring a backup from a newer version to an older one (e.g., from Piers to Omega) can cause instability due to database or Python dependency changes. My rule of thumb is to always restore backups onto the same major Kodi version.

Step-by-Step: Installing the “Backup” Add-on

The add-on is in the official Kodi repository, making installation 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. Navigate to the Program add-ons section.
6. Find “Backup” in the list, select it, and hit Install.
7. Wait for the notification confirming the add-on was installed.

You don’t need to enable unknown sources for this process, as it comes directly from Kodi’s official, secure source.

Initial Setup: Your First Kodi Backup

Once installed, proper configuration is key. Go to Add-ons > Program add-ons > Backup and open its Settings.

The “General” Tab: Where to Save Your Backups

This is your most important decision. You have several options for your backup location:

• Local Directory: Ideal for quick backups on the same device. Use “Browse Path” to select a folder on your internal storage or a connected USB drive.
• Network Path (SMB): The best option if you have a NAS or a shared folder on your network. This lets you centralize backups from all your Kodi devices. You’ll need the server IP, shared folder name, username, and password.
• Cloud Storage (Recommended): For maximum security and accessibility, a cloud service is unbeatable. The add-on supports Dropbox and Google Drive.
  • To set up Google Drive/Dropbox: Select the service under “Remote Dir Type.” Click “Authorization” and follow the on-screen instructions. It will typically provide a code or a link for you to log in to your account in a web browser and grant the add-on access.

The “File Selection” Tab: What Exactly to Save

Here, you decide which elements to include in your Kodi backup. For a full clone, I recommend checking everything. However, for lighter backups, you can uncheck:

• Thumbnails: These take up a lot of space and can be regenerated. Unchecking this will significantly speed up the backup process.
• Profiles: If you don’t use user profiles in Kodi, you can uncheck this.
• Addon Data: This is the most important one. Make sure this is checked to save your Kodi add-ons and all their settings!

Scheduling Automatic Backups

True peace of mind comes from automation. In the Scheduling tab, you can set up automatic backups.

1. Toggle on “Enable Scheduler”.
2. Set the frequency. My personal sweet spot is a “Weekly” backup.
3. Set a time of low activity, like 4:00 AM.
4. You can limit the number of backups to retain so you don’t fill up your storage. 3 or 4 copies is usually sufficient.

How to Restore Your Kodi Setup

If the day comes when you need to restore, the process is incredibly simple:

1. Open the “Backup” add-on (on a fresh Kodi install or the one you want to overwrite).
2. Configure the exact same remote location where you saved your backups.
3. Select the Restore option.
4. Choose the backup file you wish to restore from the list.
5. Kodi will ask for confirmation. Accept, and wait for the process to finish. It will prompt you to restart to apply the changes.

Method 2: Manually Cloning Kodi (Full Control for Power Users)

If you prefer absolute control and don’t want to rely on add-ons, you can manually copy the userdata folder. This is where Kodi stores absolutely everything: add-ons, settings, databases, and skins. This technique is the essence of exporting your Kodi configuration perfectly.

First, make sure Kodi is completely closed. Then, find the Kodi data folder, which varies by operating system:

%APPDATA%\Kodi

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

~/.kodi

/storage/.kodi

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

Simply copy the entire .kodi folder (or `Kodi` on Windows) to a safe location. To restore, delete the existing folder on the new device (with Kodi closed) and paste your copy.

• Pros: It’s a perfect 1:1 clone. No add-on required.
• Cons: Can create massive files (tens of gigabytes if you include thumbnails). On Android, accessing the data folder may require special permissions or an advanced file manager.

Common Errors & Solutions (Troubleshooting)

Even the best tools can hit a snag. Here are fixes for the most common issues I’ve encountered:

Error: “Backup addon failed to write path”

This is almost always a permissions problem. On Android TV or Fire TV, the OS can block write access to USB drives or network folders. The fix is to choose a folder you know is writable (like the Downloads folder) or double-check the permissions on your SMB/NFS share on your NAS.

Authentication Error with Google Drive / Dropbox

If the add-on can’t connect to your cloud account, try these steps:

1. Go into the add-on settings and select “Re-authorize”.
2. Ensure the date and time on your Kodi device are correct, as a mismatch can invalidate authentication tokens.
3. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, make sure you complete the process correctly in the browser.

Restore Fails or Leaves Kodi Unstable

The most common cause here is trying to restore a Kodi setup from an incompatible version. For example, restoring a Kodi 22 backup onto a Kodi 21 installation. To avoid this, always restore onto a clean install of the *same* Kodi version that the backup was created with.

Pro Tips for a Bulletproof Backup Strategy

• The 3-2-1 Rule: This is a professional data-protection principle. Keep 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 perfectly fulfills this).
• Encrypt Your Backups: If you’re using a cloud service and your setup contains sensitive information, consider using an external tool to encrypt the ZIP file generated by the add-on before you upload it.
• Use a VPN: When transferring your data to the cloud, a VPN adds a crucial layer of security and privacy to the connection. Using a reliable and fast VPN that won’t slow down your upload is always a smart move for Kodi users.
• Name Your Backups: When making a manual backup before a major change, give it a descriptive name like `kodi_backup_before_piers_install.zip`. It will save you from future confusion.

Conclusion: Your Kodi, Your Setup, Always Safe

Customizing Kodi is a rewarding journey, and protecting that investment of time is non-negotiable. Whether you choose the simplicity of the Kodi Backup add-on or the total control of the manual method, there’s no excuse for not having a backup strategy in 2026. The automation offered by the add-on is, in my expert opinion, the ultimate “set it and forget it” solution, ensuring you always have an escape hatch for any unforeseen problem.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Spend 10 minutes today setting up your backup and enjoy Kodi with the complete peace of mind that your perfect build is protected and ready to be restored at a moment’s notice.