Everything You Need to Know About Kodi and Steps on How to Use It

Kodi is one of the most popular computer applications that can convert your computers, laptops, or handsets into a virtual hub for playing audios, videos, or slideshows. It is compatible with all the major operating systems like iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS and can run a vast number of file formats. Kodi is a free program with which users can access music, movies, and TV shows. It was formerly known as XBMC. While Kodi doesn’t have content of its own, it provides access to music, movies, and even games via a highly customizable interface. The accessed media can be hosted on your system’s hard drive or somewhere on the internet. The media can also be accessed on networks like Blu-ray Disc or DVD.

How to Create Options Like Kodi TV or Kodi Music With the Help of Add-Ons

Some people might have their personalized multimedia hub to play their desired content. However, others use applications to view or listen to the limitless amount of content available for streaming. The content available on the web can be accessed with the help of Kodi add-ons. To install the add-ons, you will have to download the compatible version of Kodi according to your platform. It is recommended to install the latest version of the application on your system before you download add-ons.

The majority of Kodi add-ons are housed in repositories that make distribution simpler for both host and the user looking to browse or install one or more of these packages. Kodi has two types of repositories: Official and Unofficial. The Official repositories are maintained by the Kodi Team, while the Unofficial repositories are hosted and maintained by a third-party. The methods for procuring add-ons from both of these repositories is very different. We have mentioned below, steps for both the installations.

Installing Official Kodi Add-ons

To install the Official Kodi Add-ons, you need to install the Kodi app firstly. Once you have installed the app, you may follow the procedure given below:

1. Open it and select the “Add-ons” option, which will appear on the left menu.
2. Select the “Install from repository” option.
3. You will be redirected to a list of dozens of folders on Kodi’s official repository. You will see a wide range of add-on categories that will allow you to stream video and audio content, play games, and view images.
4. You can select the add-on which interests you. Once you select any particular add-on, you will be taken to the details screen for that add-on. You will have to click on the Install button, which you will see on the bottom of the page. Once you install the add-on, it will appear in your Kodi application, where you can launch it by using an “Open” button. The installed add-ons can also be disabled or removed from the main screen if they are no longer required.

Installing Unofficial Kodi Add-ons

As we have already discussed that the Unofficial Kodi Add-ons are hosted and administered by third-party. So, they may contain some security issues or malware. However, if you still want to install the Unofficial Kodi Add-ons, you may follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Once you have installed the Kodi app, open it.
2. Click on the “Settings” button, which you will find on the top left corner below the Kodi logo.
3. Once you click on the Settings, the system interface will now be visible. Click on the option “System Settings.”
4. On the lower left-hand corner, you will see an option “Standard,” double-tap on it, so that it may show you “Expert.”
5. Once you have done that, click on the “Add-ons” option, which will appear on the left menu.
6. Then click on the “Unknown Sources.” You will see a message regarding the possible risks involved when this setting will be enabled. To continue, click on “Yes.”
7. Once you have done that, return to Kodi’s main screen by pressing the escape key on your keyboard and then selecting the “File Manager” option, double tap on “Add Source.” Doing this will enable an “Add file source” dialog box over the main Kodi window.
8. Select the option labeled “None.” You will now be prompted to the path of the repository which you want to add.
9. Once you are done entering the URL, press the “OK” button.
10. Enter the name of the repository in the field marked “Enter a name for this media source” and click “OK.”
11. Once you are done with that, you will return to the “File Manager” where you will find the newly created source in the list.
12. Press the escape button on your keyboard twice, and it will return you to the main screen of Kodi. There, select “Add-ons” and select the package icon from the top left corner of the screen.
13. Click on the “Install from zip file.”
14. Once you do that, a new window will appear over the Kodi’s main screen. There you will have to enter the source name you entered in the 10^th step. Once you enter the source name, you will be presented with a set of folders, where you will have to navigate to the appropriate path and choose a .zip file from the repository you want to install. Your installation procedure will get completed in a minute.
15. Once the repository gets installed, you will get a confirmation message on the top right corner of the screen.
16. There you need to click on the “Install from repository,” and a list of available repositories will now get displayed on your screen. Click on the newly installed repository.
17. Once you are done with that, you will be presented with a list of add-ons or a list of categories or sub-categories containing packages in each of them. Search for the desired add-on and click on its name to open its details, and after doing that, click on the “Install” button to add that particular add-on.
18. Once the add-on gets downloaded, you will see a notification in the top right corner of you Kodi’s main screen, and also, a checkmark will appear next to the name of that particular add-on, which you have downloaded.
19. You will now be redirected back to the main screen of add-ons. You can launch your newly downloaded add-on by clicking “Open.” This add-on can also be accessed later on, from the “Add-ons” section, which you will find on Kodi’s home screen.

Eva Winget is an avid technical blogger, a magazine, a publisher of guides at 2020-directory and a professional cyber security analyst.. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world.

SOURCE: Everything You Need to Know About Kodi and Steps on How to Use It