Kodi, the media server and player system does not really need an introduction but if you are unaware, Kodi is an open source media center software or home entertainment system, previously known as XBMC (Xbox Media Center). The very powerful software has the ability to open almost all types of audio, video, and image formats, plus it lets you stream movies, live TV, shows, sports, and more.
We will first start with the installation guide. The good thing about Kodi is that it’s available for almost all platforms you can think of, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi and more. If you want to learn how to install kodi on any of the above-mentioned devices, click on the link to check it out. In this article, we are only going to focus on Kodi installation on Windows and macOS devices.
Installation process is quite simple. Head over to Kodi’s official download page, where you can download a build for any of the aforementioned platforms. Also, at the time of writing, the latest stable build of Kodi is v18.7 Leia. Even if the build changes in the future, the installation process will be the same. You can also install Kodi from Microsoft Store. We have mentioned all the steps below:
Install Kodi From the Microsoft Store
The best way to install Kodi on Windows is through the Microsoft Store. You can install Kodi just by making a quick search on Microsoft Store and installing it then and there. No need to download an offline installer and manually installing it. The best part is that you can update Kodi through the Microsoft Store seamlessly without losing your favorite add-ons and repository.
Install Kodi Using an Offline Installer on Windows PC
In case, your device is running Windows 7 or lower, you can download the offline installer from the Kodi’s official website. Just choose the architecture of your device and you can install it just like any other application.
- Install Kodi Using an Offline Installer on macOS
You can install Kodi on your Mac by downloading the DMG file from the Kodi’s official website. Just follow the link and click on “Installer(64bit)” to download it.
Install Kodi Using an Offline Installer on macOS
Keep in mind, macOS blocks installation from unknown sources by default. So you have to change the desired setting to allow the installation. To do so, open the Apple menu on the top-left corner and navigate to System Preferences-> Security & Privacy-> General. Here, change the “Allow applications downloaded from” option to “Anywhere” and you are good to go.
How to Use Kodi
User Interface
Kodi’s interface might not seem very easy or modern but it certainly is very functional. The home page of Kodi features sections for Pictures, Videos, Music, Programs and System. You can simply hover over each of these sections with your computer’s mouse for more options like files, add-ons, system info, settings and more. Note that the appearance changes depending on Kodi skin you are using. That’s why we are only going to talk about the default skin that Kodi comes with.
Options and Settings
- Create Multiple Profiles
The Kodi home page features the various sections and sub-sections for Pictures, Videos, Music, Programs and System. Before you head over to the Settings page and play with the various options, you should create a profile or just set a lock on the Master profile, so that no one else gets access to your private content collection.
Create Multiple Profiles
Check out all Settings
Then, you can head over to the various Settings options. Here’s what each of options offer:
Add-ons: If you plan on using Kodi extensively, you will be visiting the Add-ons Settings page all the time. Here, you will find options to install the various add-ons from ZIP files or repositories.
If you a have a lot of music, videos, TV shows, podcasts etc. stored locally on your device, you can easily access it on Kodi and also organize it better. Firstly, you will have to add all your media to Kodi. Here’s how to do it:
- Then, just tap on “Add Music” or whatever section you selected.
I know you must be wondering, what exactly is a repository? Well, repositories are a group of add-ons that can be installed in Kodi, so that you can access the various add-ons it offers with ease. Kodi offers its very own official add-on repository, plus you can always install various third party repositories and add-ons.
Install Official Kodi Add-ons
First, let’s talk about how you can install the official Kodi add-ons like YouTube, Dbmc for Dropbox, Trakt, Vine etc. Here are the steps to do it:
- You can just head over to Settings->Add-ons. Here, click on “Install from repository”.
Install Third Party Unofficial Kodi Add-ons
Some of the best unofficial Kodi add-ons are part of repositories like Fusion, Xfinity, Superrepo and more. So, first let’s see how you can install a repository in Kodi. Well, to install a repository, you will have to add its source and every source comes with its own unique link, which you can easily find through a Google Search. For instance, we are going to show you how you can install the Fusion repository:
- Now type in a name so that you can start using the repo. I chose to name it SuperRepo before clicking on “OK”.
Use Kodi from your Phone
Kodi brings a great media center experience and chances are, you would not always want to control it via the usual mouse and keyboard combo, right? While Kodi supports TV remotes, game controllers and more such devices. The good news is, you can control Kodi with your phone. The official remote app from Kodi available for Android and iOS lets you do that.
5. Here, give a name to your media center, it can be anything. After that, enter the IP address of Kodi under the “Address” field. You can find the IP address from Kodi Settings -> System Information -> Network. Next, enter “8080” in the “Port” field and “kodi” in the “Username” field. Apart from that, keep everything as it is. Finally, tap on “Test” and the smartphone remote will be connected to Kodi.
Q. Can You Run Kodi on PC?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, there are multiple ways to run Kodi on Windows PCs. Just go through the guide that we have mentioned on the top.
Q. Is Kodi on PC Legal?
Yes, using Kodi on PC or for that matter, any platform is legal. The question of illegality only arises when you use a third-party addon that contains pirated content. You can learn more about how to use Kodi safely from our linked article.
You can easily update Kodi without affecting your custom build setup. You just need to follow the steps that I have explained above for various platforms. However, keep in mind, with every major release of Kodi, new APIs and changes are released which often break the compatibility.
Well, if you are using Kodi on a PC or Mac, you can use the Google Cast Chrome extension to stream Kodi on a TV easily. If you are using Kodi on your Android smartphone, you can use the Google Cast app or LocalCast app to stream Kodi to a TV. We have already published a detailed article on how you can stream Kodi from Chromecast to a TV, so you should definitely check it out.
