What Kodi is and where to get it

Kodi is free, open-source media player software that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It lets you organize and play video files, music, photos, and live TV from your own library or from add-ons. You download Kodi from kodi.tv, the official website run by the Kodi Foundation — not from app stores or third-party sites, which may host outdated or modified versions.

The installation process differs by device type. Windows and Mac use traditional installers you download and run. Android uses the Google Play Store or direct download. Linux distributions often include Kodi in their package managers. iOS installation is more limited because Apple restricts how media apps work on iPhones and iPads.

Key Takeaways

  • Download Kodi only from kodi.tv to avoid outdated or modified versions that may not work correctly.
  • Windows and Mac users run a standard installer file; Android users find it in Google Play Store or download the APK directly from Kodi's website.
  • Linux users typically install through their distribution's package manager (apt, pacman, or equivalent) rather than downloading an installer.
  • After installation, you configure Kodi by adding your media library location, adjusting display settings, and optionally installing add-ons for streaming sources.
  • The first launch takes longer than normal as Kodi scans your media files and builds its database.

Installing Kodi on Windows

Go to kodi.tv and click the Download button. Select the Windows installer for your system — either 32-bit or 64-bit. Most modern Windows machines are 64-bit; check by opening Settings, going to System, then About and looking at "System type." Download the .exe file and save it to your Downloads folder.

Double-click the installer file. Windows may show a security warning asking if you want to run the file — click Yes or Run. The Kodi Setup Wizard opens. Click Next through the license agreement and destination folder screens. On the "Select Additional Tasks" screen, check "Create Start Menu shortcuts" and "Create Desktop shortcut" if you want quick access. Click Install and wait for the process to finish, then click Finish. Kodi is now installed and ready to launch from your Start menu or desktop.

Installing Kodi on Mac

Visit kodi.tv and download the macOS installer. The file downloads as a .dmg disk image. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the .dmg file. A window opens showing the Kodi icon and an Applications folder. Drag the Kodi icon into the Applications folder. This copies Kodi to your Applications directory.

Open Applications (in Finder, press Command+Shift+A) and double-click Kodi to launch it. macOS may ask for permission to open an app from an unidentified developer — click Open. Kodi starts and begins its initial setup. On first launch, it scans for media and builds its library, which can take several minutes depending on how many files you have.

Installing Kodi on Android

The easiest route is the Google Play Store. Open Google Play on your Android device, search for "Kodi," and tap the official Kodi app (published by Team Kodi). Tap Install and wait for the download and installation to finish. Once complete, tap Open to launch Kodi for the first time.

If Google Play is unavailable in your region or you prefer a direct download, go to kodi.tv on your Android device, tap Downloads, and select the Android APK file. Your browser downloads the .apk file. Open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, and tap the Kodi .apk file. Android asks for permission to install from unknown sources — tap Install. Once installation finishes, tap Open or find Kodi in your app drawer.

Installing Kodi on Linux

Linux installation depends on your distribution. Ubuntu and Debian-based systems use the apt package manager. Open a terminal and type: sudo apt update, then sudo apt install kodi. Enter your password when prompted and type Y to confirm. Fedora and Red Hat-based systems use dnf: sudo dnf install kodi. Arch Linux uses pacman: sudo pacman -S kodi.

After installation finishes, launch Kodi from your applications menu or by typing kodi in the terminal. The first launch scans your media library and builds its database, which takes longer on the first run. If you want Kodi to start automatically when your system boots, check Kodi's settings under System > Power saving after the initial setup is complete.

Setting up your media library after installation

When Kodi launches for the first time, it opens to an empty home screen. To add your media files, go to Settings (the gear icon) and select Media. Choose the type of content you want to add — Videos, Music, or Pictures. Select "Add videos," "Add music," or "Add pictures" depending on what you're setting up.

A dialog opens asking you to browse for a folder. Navigate to the location where your media files are stored — this might be a folder on your computer, an external hard drive, or a network location. Select the folder and confirm. Kodi scans the folder and all subfolders for compatible files. This scan can take several minutes if you have a large library. Once complete, your media appears in the Kodi library organized by title, artist, or other metadata.

Adjusting display and playback settings

After your library is set up, you may want to adjust how Kodi looks and plays content. Go to Settings and select Interface to change the theme, font size, or color scheme. Select Display to adjust resolution, refresh rate, or whether subtitles appear by default. Select Player to set audio output, video scaling, or subtitle preferences.

If you're using Kodi on a TV connected to your computer or media device, go to Settings > System > Display and set the resolution to match your TV's native resolution — usually 1920x1080 for HD or 3840x2160 for 4K. This prevents blurry text or stretched video. If you hear audio dropouts or sync issues, go to Settings > Player > Videos and adjust the audio output or enable audio passthrough if your receiver supports it.

Installing add-ons for additional content sources

Kodi's core installation plays only files you own or have stored locally. Add-ons extend Kodi to include streaming sources, live TV, or specialized content. Go to Settings > Add-ons and select "Install from repository." Browse the official Kodi repositories — Video Add-ons, Music Add-ons, or Program Add-ons — and select the add-on you want. Kodi downloads and installs it automatically.

After installation, the add-on appears in your home screen or in the Add-ons section. Some add-ons require configuration — for example, a streaming add-on may ask for login credentials. Open the add-on, follow any setup prompts, and it's ready to use. Be aware that add-on availability and function depend on the add-on developer; some may stop working if the source they pull from changes or shuts down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kodi cost money?

No. Kodi is free software maintained by the Kodi Foundation. There are no subscription fees, no ads, and no paid features. You can download and use it on as many devices as you own.

Can I install Kodi on my iPhone or iPad?

Kodi is not available on the Apple App Store due to Apple's restrictions on media apps. Some workarounds exist for jailbroken devices, but they are not supported by the Kodi Foundation and may break with iOS updates. Android tablets are a better choice if you want Kodi on a portable device.

Why does Kodi take so long to start the first time?

On first launch, Kodi scans your entire media library, reads file metadata, and downloads artwork and information from online databases. This process can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many files you have. Subsequent launches are much faster because Kodi only updates what has changed.

What if Kodi won't recognize my media files?

Kodi supports common formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, and MP3, but not all codecs or containers. If a file won't play, try converting it to a format Kodi recognizes using free tools like HandBrake or FFmpeg. Also check that the file extension matches the actual format — a file named video.mp4 that is actually an MKV file will not play correctly.

Can I use Kodi to watch live TV?

Yes, but you need a TV tuner device connected to your computer and a TV source (cable, satellite, or antenna). Install a PVR add-on that matches your tuner type, configure it with your TV provider information, and Kodi can display live channels and record programs. This setup is more complex than basic media playback and requires additional hardware.