Learning how to uninstall addons can free storage, remove unwanted features, and fix streaming problems. On platforms such as Kodi, however, deleting an addon may not remove its settings, cached files, or dependencies. This guide explains the safest way to remove addons and clean up leftover data without affecting the rest of your setup.
Why Uninstall Addons?
There are several good reasons to uninstall addons you no longer use:
- Improve performance: Too many addons can slow menus, searches, and startup times.
- Free storage: Video caches, artwork, logs, and downloaded files can accumulate.
- Reduce security risks: Abandoned or unofficial addons may contain vulnerabilities or connect to unreliable sources.
- Fix errors: A damaged addon installation can cause crashes, missing menus, playback failures, or repeated error messages.
- Keep your library organized: Removing unused addons makes it easier to find the services you actually use.
Before removing anything, confirm that you are deleting the correct addon. Some addons provide shared services or dependencies for other addons. Removing one may cause another addon to stop working.
It is also wise to note the addon’s name and source before uninstalling it. If you later need to reinstall it, you will know which official repository or provider to use.
How to Uninstall Addons in Kodi
Kodi’s menus can vary slightly depending on the version and skin, but the general process is consistent:
- Open Kodi.
- Select Add-ons from the main menu.
- Choose My add-ons.
- Select the addon category, such as Video add-ons, Program add-ons, or Music add-ons.
- Find the addon you want to remove.
- Open its context menu. On a remote, this may require pressing the menu button; on a computer, right-click the addon.
- Select Information.
- Choose Uninstall.
- Confirm the removal when Kodi asks.
On some Kodi versions, you can open the addon’s information page directly and select Uninstall from there.
If the uninstall option is unavailable, the addon may be a built-in Kodi component, a dependency required by another addon, or part of a bundled installation. Do not delete system components unless you understand their purpose. Instead, check which addon depends on it by reviewing the addon information or dependency list.
After uninstalling, restart Kodi. Restarting refreshes the addon database and clears temporary processes that may still be running.
How to Remove Leftover Addon Data
Uninstalling an addon usually removes its main files, but it may leave behind user data. This can include account settings, playback history, cache files, thumbnails, logs, and downloaded content.
To remove leftover data in Kodi:
- Open Settings.
- Select File manager.
- Choose Profile directory or navigate to Kodi’s user-data folder.
- Open the addon_data folder.
- Locate the folder matching the removed addon’s ID.
- Delete only that folder.
Addon IDs often look different from the addon’s public name, so check carefully before deleting anything. If you are unsure, open the folder and look for a settings file or metadata identifying the addon.
The exact profile location depends on your device:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\Kodi\userdata - Android:
Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata - Linux:
~/.kodi/userdata - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Kodi/userdata
Some operating systems hide these folders by default. On Android and other restricted devices, file access may require a file manager with appropriate permissions. Avoid deleting the entire Kodi data folder unless you want to reset Kodi completely.
If the addon stored downloaded media outside its own folder, check your selected download location separately. Deleting the addon will not necessarily remove those files.
What to Do When an Addon Will Not Uninstall
An addon may refuse to uninstall because Kodi is still using it, the installation is damaged, or another addon depends on it. Try these steps in order:
- Restart Kodi and try again.
- Update Kodi if a newer stable version is available.
- Disable the addon first, then reopen its information page and select Uninstall.
- Remove related dependencies only if they are no longer needed.
- Clear the addon’s data folder manually after closing Kodi.
- Reinstall and uninstall: Installing the same addon again can repair missing files and restore the uninstall option.
If Kodi reports that another addon depends on the one you are removing, inspect those dependent addons first. You may need to uninstall the parent addon before removing the shared component.
As a last resort, create a backup of your Kodi profile, then reset or reinstall Kodi. This is more disruptive because it can remove settings, libraries, repositories, and customizations. A clean reinstall should be used only when normal troubleshooting fails.
Safe Practices Before and After Removal
Back up your Kodi setup before making major changes. Kodi does not always include a complete backup tool by default, but the Backup program addon can save important settings, databases, sources, and addon configurations.
Use these precautions when you uninstall addons:
- Remove addons through Kodi’s interface whenever possible.
- Download replacements only from trusted, legitimate repositories.
- Avoid unknown “maintenance” tools that promise to remove every addon automatically.
- Do not share account passwords with unofficial addon providers.
- Clear stored login credentials if the addon connected to a paid service.
- Scan downloaded files with your device’s security software.
- Keep Kodi and your operating system updated.
- Check your subscriptions directly with the streaming provider after removing an addon.
Uninstalling an addon does not cancel a subscription. If you paid for a service through a website, app store, or provider, cancel it through that account separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling an addon delete my Kodi settings?
Usually, the main addon settings are removed, but some profile data, cached files, downloads, or logs may remain. Check Kodi’s userdata/addon_data folder if you want a complete cleanup. Back up important settings before deleting anything manually.
Can I reinstall an addon after removing it?
Yes. Reinstall the addon from its original trusted repository, then configure it again. If it requires an account, you may need to sign in. Avoid reinstalling addons that have been abandoned, removed for security reasons, or distributed through suspicious sources.
Will uninstalling one addon break Kodi?
Removing a normal video, music, or program addon should not damage Kodi itself. However, an addon may provide a dependency used by another addon. If Kodi warns that other components rely on it, review those relationships before confirming removal.
Conclusion
Knowing how to uninstall addons properly helps keep Kodi faster, safer, and easier to manage. Remove addons through the official Kodi menu, inspect leftover data carefully, and back up your setup before major changes. When an addon causes problems, a clean removal followed by a restart is often the simplest fix.
