After several months without major movements in the stable branch, the project has taken an important step: you can now test the First Kodi 22 “Piers” build in Alpha statusThis is an early build for testing purposes, with changes affecting almost every area of the media center.
Although the package comes loaded with improvements, It is not an edition designed for everyday use. nor to replace critical installations. If you prioritize stability, it's best to stay on the current stable version and wait for Piers to advance to Beta and, later, its final release.
Key kernel and library updates
The audio and video section is updated with ffmpeg 7, adds chapters for audiobooks, debuts a redesign of movie versions and extras, and fine-tunes stream management; plus, a very practical feature arrives: automatic image cache clearing, which reduces maintenance without manual intervention.
For physical collections, a has been introduced Substantial improvement in Blu-ray support: New episode selection menu, independent progress per chapter, integrated metadata and artwork, and easier library import and export management. The Movie Versions and Extras integrate better with these discs.
The live TV module (PVR) also advances: a section of recently added channels, custom timers, more precise EPG searches, and better handling of channel groups are coming, along with improvements to recording functionality; some options require compatible skins to show off.
The graphical interface consumes less resources thanks to performance and memory improvements —especially noticeable with OpenGL/OpenGLES—and it feels more responsive on smaller devices when browsing large libraries and high-resolution images. The search engine has also been fine-tuned for content-heavy environments.
In the field of retro gaming, the application adds shader support (CRT filters, retro effects, real-time post-processing) and polishes keyboard and mouse control, offering a more precise and comfortable response in emulation.
Changes by platform and connectivity
In the Microsoft ecosystem, Windows and Xbox receive ARM64 support, Python is updated to 3.13 and technologies such as XAudio2 are introduced. In video, it is enabled Super Resolution Video with 10‑bit SDR on Nvidia and Intel, as well as HDR10 on Nvidia GPUs, expanding compatibility and playback quality.
For Android, it is added Android 15 compatibility, improves file sharing with other apps, and adjusts the home screen channels. On LG TVs with webOS, a new unified multimedia pipeline which reduces bottlenecks in reproduction.
In Linux, the HDR in OpenGL and support is introduced for Wayland Color Management, along with localization fixes and performance tweaks specific to distribution and hardware, especially on devices like the Raspberry Pi; see The best distributions for Raspberry Pi.
In network and peripherals, SMB options are refined with support for SMBv2.0, simplified password-less resource access, and improved performance when listing large directories. Support for OSMC controllers and CEC Pulse‑Eight and Flirc adapters.
How to safely download and install Alpha
The compilation is publicly offered on the official website within the Prerelease section. Remember this is an Alpha: it may contain bugs and is not recommended for mainframes; the team encourages report issues on GitHub to speed up corrections.
- Access the official Kodi website and click on Download.
- Choose your platform (Windows, Android, Linux, etc.).
- Open the Prerelease tab to locate the Kodi Alpha version 22 "Piers".
- Download the corresponding installer (32 or 64 bit) and install it over the current version if you want to keep your data.
It is worth taking into account two things: known issues At this stage, errors may occur when scanning content with local NFO files, and unnecessary rescans are observed on certain file systems. Early iterations are expected to address these issues.
Who should try it? Add-on developers (to validate compatibility with new APIs and FFmpeg 7), users with specific hardware (e.g., ARM64 on Windows/Xbox or LG TVs running webOS), and retro gaming enthusiasts. If you're using Kodi as your primary system at home, it is preferable to keep the branch stable.
quick questions
What does it mean to be Alpha? This is a development version for testing purposes, with potentially unstable behavior and changes still in progress.
Should I install it now? Only if you want to evaluate new features, check compatibility, or provide feedback; for daily use, it's best to wait for the Beta or final version.
Why the name “Piers”? It's a tribute from the Kodi team to Piers, a key member of the project who left an important mark on its history.
The premiere of this Alpha of Kodi 22 "Piers" marks a cycle focused on modernizing the multimedia core, strengthen the library and PVR experience, and expand platform support. While there are still some kinks to iron out, the improvements in video, performance, and games suggest a long-standing release that, once mature, should translate into a more robust and versatile experience for most users.