Backing Kodi is required for two main reasons: the first reason is to transfer Kodi from one device to another device, 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 store everything related to the installation, including add-ons, settings and skin. Backing your Kodi is a good practice and will help you in many cases.
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 installation.
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
- You should now have your complete installation on the device
If you want to transfer your Kodi from one device to another, you need to install the backup add-on on both devices. Backup your Kodi on the source device, copy the backup file to the destination device or Dropbox, and restore your Kodi on the destination device.
This method won’t work if you use two different platforms like the source is an Android device and the destination is a Windows computer. In this case, you will need to copy the Kodi directory manually. Also, make sure to use the same Kodi version on both devices.
Now you can easily backup and restore your Kodi!