We often back up and restore our Kodi for two main reasons: the first reason is to transfer Kodi from one device to another, and the second reason is to restore it in case of a crash or file corruption. Backup is also a good practice before any update or changes you intend to do on your Kodi. The backup process stores all the relevant Kodi files, including user add-ons and the add-ons settings, config files, database, playlists, profiles, thumbnails, fanart, and game saves. Backup can be done on demand or via a scheduler.
First, you need to install the backup add-on:
- Launch Kodi
- Click Add-ons
- Click the add-on browser icon
- Click Install from repository
- Click Kodi Add-on repository
- Click Program add-ons
- Click Backup
- Click Install
- Wait till you see an Add-on installed message
How to backup your Kodi:
- Launch Kodi
- Click Add-ons
- Click Program add-ons
- Click the Backup add-on
- Click Open Settings
- Hover over Remote Dir
- Click Remote Path Type and choose between Browse Path, Type Path and Dropbox
- Enter the path where you want to store the backup in case of Browse Path and Type Path, or enter Dropbox Key and Dropbox Secret and click Authorize Now in case of Dropbox
- Click OK
- Click the Backup add-on
- Click Backup
- Wait till the backup process is completed. Now, you have a backup of your Kodi
How to restore your Kodi:
- Launch Kodi
- Click Add-ons
- Click Program add-ons
- Click the Backup add-on
- Click Restore
- Click the backup version according to the date and time
- Wait till the restore process is completed
- Go back to the Kodi homepage
- Click the exit button
- Click Exit
- Launch Kodi
- Now, you should have your Kodi running on this device
How to transfer Kodi from one device to another
First, install the backup add-on on both devices. Also, make sure to use the same Kodi version on both devices. Next, back up your Kodi on the source device, copy the backup file to the destination device or Dropbox, and restore your Kodi on the destination device. You need to configure the Remote Path Type in the destination device before starting with the restore process.
Transferring Kodi between devices with different platforms, like Windows and Android, is risky. You may encounter issues like differences in file location and binary add-ons that aren’t compatible.
Now, you can easily back up and restore your Kodi.