Confirm that these are versions of one title
Kodi introduced video versions in v21 for the movie library. Decide whether the files really are alternate editions or formats of the same movie, rather than separate films that happen to share a name. Write the intended title identity and a meaningful version label for each authorised file before changing the catalogue.
The official wiki covers different release generations, including setting changes labelled for v22. Match the instructions to your installed build. Do not assume that a setting name shown on the current wiki appears on every v21 installation, or that a later documented option is available merely because the page mentions it.
Choose the parent and inspect metadata consequences
The documented model uses a parent/default movie with linked versions. Review which identity and metadata should represent the group. A version label is useful for distinguishing a short festival cut from a longer presentation cut in an original production; changing the parent title to include every format is a different and often less useful catalogue decision.
Keep an inventory of the paths and current metadata before grouping. Files need not be physically combined just to organise the versions. Verify that each link points to the intended edition, particularly where filenames differ only by resolution or a brief suffix. Do not treat a similar title as sufficient evidence that two files belong together.
Use the manager for an intentional default
Highlight the movie in the library, open its context menu and choose Manage > Manage versions. The Information page’s Versions button is another documented entry route. In the Versions Manager, highlight the intended edition and choose Set as default. This makes the preferred version explicit; review any installed option that could make a newly scanned version replace it.
The selected default and immediate playback are separate choices. Kodi’s wiki says immediate default playback requires Select default video version to be enabled. Check that setting before expecting an ordinary play action to skip version selection. Keep the v21/v22 distinction above when comparing settings on your installed release.
Run a small acceptance check locally: inspect the labels, select each edition and confirm that ordinary playback starts the intended default. Record which file was opened, not just the title displayed in the library. This guide supplies the check; it does not report a playback test or promise identical controls in every skin.
Remove the intended relationship only
To remove one child from the group, open the Versions Manager, highlight that child and choose Remove. A greyed-out Remove indicates that the selected version is the parent. The wiki warns that other library-removal methods remove the whole version collection. This manager action removes the library relationship and does not delete the underlying media file; keep the path inventory so the change can be reviewed.
After removing a relationship, consider what a later scan will discover from the unchanged source files. Document the intended ongoing policy rather than assuming a one-time removal will remain invisible to every future update. Completion means each edition has a clear identity and reachable file, the default is deliberate, and the administrator knows how to reverse a grouping mistake without discarding the underlying media.
Questions answered
Does this guide apply to all old Kodi releases?
No. Video versions began in v21, and the wiki describes some later setting changes. Match the instructions to the installed version.
Is removing one version the same as removing the library collection?
No. Select the child in Versions Manager and use Remove. A greyed-out Remove indicates the parent; other library-removal methods can remove the whole collection.
Sources & further reading
Official references for the subjects discussed. Service terms and device software can change.