Kodi 20.3 Release: What’s New and How to Get It

Kodi 20.3 is a maintenance release of the popular open-source media center software, part of the Nexus series. It was released on May 9, 2023, and focuses on fixing bugs and improving stability rather than adding new features. If you are already using Kodi 20.x, you can update to 20.3 to get the latest fixes; if you are on an older version, this is a solid, stable release to install.

Background: The Nexus Series

Kodi 20, codenamed “Nexus”, was the major version released in January 2023. It introduced significant changes under the hood, including a move to Python 3 for add-ons, support for AV1 video decoding, and improvements to the music library and video playback. The Nexus series is the direct successor to Kodi 19 “Matrix” and represents a generational shift in how add-ons are built.

Maintenance releases like 20.3 are part of a standard cycle. After a major version, the team typically issues several point releases to address bugs reported by the community. Kodi 20.1 arrived in February 2023, 20.2 in March, and 20.3 in May. Each one is designed to be a drop-in replacement for the previous one—no new features, just fixes.

Key Changes in Kodi 20.3

The official changelog for 20.3 lists a variety of fixes across different areas of the application. Some of the most notable include:

• Fix for audio dropouts on some Android devices—particularly when using passthrough audio.
• Improvements to SMB (Windows file sharing) connections, addressing issues where shares would fail to connect or drop out.
• Fix for video playback stuttering on certain hardware configurations.
• Corrections to the music library, including album art and tag parsing.
• Various PVR (live TV) fixes, such as recording conflicts and EPG display errors.

For a complete list, you can check the official changelog on the Kodi website, but these are the fixes that most users would notice in daily use.

How to Update to Kodi 20.3

Updating is straightforward, but the exact method depends on your platform:

1. Windows/macOS: Open Kodi, go to the home screen, and select the gear icon (Settings). Then choose “System” and look for “Updates”. You can enable automatic updates or click “Check for updates” manually. Alternatively, download the latest installer from the official Kodi website and run it—your settings and library will be preserved.
2. Android: If you installed from the Google Play Store, the update will appear there. If you sideloaded the APK, you’ll need to download the new APK from the Kodi website and install it over the existing one. Your data is not lost during an update.
3. Linux: Use your distribution’s package manager. For example, on Ubuntu, sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade kodi. On other distros, check the official repositories or the Flatpak version.
4. iOS/tvOS: If you used the official App Store version, update from there. For jailbroken devices, you’ll need to reinstall via the same method you used originally.

Before updating, it’s a good idea to back up your Kodi data (the userdata folder). While updates rarely break anything, a backup gives you peace of mind.

Common Problems and Fixes

Even with a maintenance release, users sometimes encounter issues. Here are a few common ones and how to resolve them:

• Add-ons not working after update: Some add-ons may need to be updated to be compatible with Python 3. Check the add-on’s repository for updates, or reinstall the add-on from the official Kodi repository.
• Audio passthrough issues: If you experience audio dropouts, go to Settings > System > Audio and try changing the output configuration. Sometimes toggling “Allow passthrough” off and on again helps.
• Stuttering video: Try disabling hardware acceleration (Settings > Player > Videos > Acceleration) to see if that helps. If it does, you may need to update your GPU drivers.
• SMB connection failures: Ensure your network credentials are correct and that SMB2/3 is enabled on your NAS. In Kodi, you can specify the SMB version in the file source settings.

If you run into a problem not listed here, the Kodi community forum is a good place to search for answers—someone else has likely encountered the same issue.

Comparing Kodi 20.3 to Other Versions

Kodi 20.3 is not a major upgrade, so the differences from 20.2 are minor. However, comparing it to Kodi 19 (Matrix) reveals significant changes:

• Python 3 support: Kodi 20 requires Python 3, which means many older add-ons written for Python 2 will not work. This was a deliberate move to future-proof the platform.
• AV1 decoding: Kodi 20 added support for AV1, a next-generation video codec that offers better compression. This is only useful if your hardware supports it.
• Improved music library: The music library got a major overhaul, with better handling of large libraries and more flexible views.
• Android improvements: Kodi 20 brought better support for Android TV and touch devices.

If you’re still on Kodi 19, upgrading to 20.3 is recommended, but be aware that some older add-ons may need to be replaced with Python 3 versions.

Is Kodi 20.3 Safe to Use?

Yes, Kodi 20.3 is safe to use. It’s an official release from the Kodi team, and it does not contain any malware or spyware. However, it’s important to note that Kodi itself is just a media player. The safety of your system depends on the add-ons you install. Some third-party add-ons, especially those that stream copyrighted content, may contain malicious code or track your activity. Stick to the official Kodi repository and well-known community repositories to minimize risk. Also, be cautious about installing builds from random websites—they may include unwanted modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Kodi 20.3 work on my old device?

Kodi 20.3 supports a wide range of devices, but older hardware may struggle with the increased system requirements. The minimum Android version is 5.0, and Windows 7 and later are supported. If your device is very old, you may want to stick with Kodi 19, which is lighter on resources.

Can I downgrade from Kodi 20.3 to an earlier version?

Yes, you can downgrade, but it’s not recommended. Your Kodi data (library, settings) may use a newer format that older versions can’t read, which could cause errors. If you must downgrade, back up your data first and be prepared to reinstall your add-ons.

Does Kodi 20.3 include any new features?

No, 20.3 is a maintenance release, so it contains only bug fixes and stability improvements. New features are reserved for major versions like Kodi 21.

How do I know if I’m running Kodi 20.3?

Open Kodi and go to the home screen. The version number is displayed in the bottom left corner. Alternatively, go to Settings > System > System info to see the full version details.

I have Kodi 20.2. Should I update to 20.3?

Yes, it’s a good idea. The update is free, takes a few minutes, and fixes several bugs that could affect your experience. You won’t lose any settings or add-ons.

Is Kodi 20.3 available for all platforms?

Kodi 20.3 is available for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, iOS, and tvOS. The Raspberry Pi version is also supported. Check the official Kodi downloads page for the correct installer for your platform.

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