What Is Kodi?
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Kodi is known to be a free open-source media box player software. The app can be used on Android devices, PCs, Smart TVs, and other devices as well. Kodi can also be used as a hub for your movies. Kodi can turn any device into a streaming hub, it can be connected via the internet, using a PC, or wireless internet at home.
Kodi lets you host TV shows, movies, photos, and music saved on a device and be able to play it on another device as well. The app also records Live TV and stream, it supports any program guide, and using your smartphone it can be turned into a remote control.
For home entertainment, Kodi is the perfect entertainment system that is available and it is for free. Before, Kodi was called Xbox Media Center or XBMC, where it was later evolved on leaving the hardware restriction of the first Xbox and rebranding it into Kodi. As mentioned before, Kodi can be installed on different hardware platforms from an affordable desktop computer or laptop to a high-end Fire TV Stick.
Using any build available on any product in the market that has a built-in processor, you can purchase media center boxes that are ready-made, to use with the Kodi app.
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What is a Kodi Repository?
Repositories are websites that contain add-ons for them to be downloaded later on. These sites oftentimes have tons of add-ns and serve as a repository for any add-on that is created by the developed or developers.
A Kodi repository is a storehouse for Kodi add-ons. These add-ons are the origins of streaming movies, TV shows, and others. The website’s address or URL is entered onto Kodi in order to download the add-ons that the repository has. There is an assortment of repositories and add-ons, it is best to have a diversity of add-ons for backup in case one doesn’t work.
YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITY IS BEING WATCHED
ReviewVPN cannot attest to the legality, security and privacy of the applications discussed on this site. It is highly recommended that you use a VPN service while streaming or using Kodi.
Currently, your IP 216.73.216.158 is visible to everyone and your Browser is being tracked by Advertisers & ISP Provider.
Here are the main reasons why you must use a VPN:
- Your activities are hidden from your ISP, the government, and from the apps you are using.
- You can access additional movies and TV streams.
- ISP attempts to throttle are thrwarted thus reducing buffering issues.
- Geographically restricted content like Netflix and Hulu can be unblocked.
A VPN works be replacing your ISP-assigned IP address and creating an encrypted tunnel. We recommend the no log service offered by IPVanish. It works well on a Firestick and offers the fastest possible speeds.
How To Install Kodi?
The Kodi app can be installed based on what hardware you are planning to use.
A. On an Android Smartphone or Tablet
In order to install Kodi on your Android tablet or smartphone for you to stream movies or TV shows, you will have to follow these two steps below:
1. First, you must install the app on your device and then install the add-on program for you to be able to stream the contents.
- Note: make sure that you are connected to a strong WiFI signal or that your data plan is sufficient enough because streaming content takes up tons of bandwidth and data.
2. Next, begin to download and install the Kodi app from the device’s Play Store: (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.xbmc.kodi&hl=en) or directly from the Kodi website (https://kodi.tv/download).
- Note: it is easier to install the app from the Play Store, rather than getting it from the Kodi website, but both options do work.
B. On Android TV Box
Process #1
1. Download the Kodi 19.1 APK ARM file.
2. It may be downloaded either from the Play Store or the Kodi website.
3. It is better to download it from the Play Store because it’s more direct, however, getting it from the website is fine as well.
4. Access the Google Play Store and enter the word “Kodi” on the search bar or just Click Here for Kodi Google Play Store Link.
5. If you own an older version of the app, then uninstall, and install the new version because that will have the “Update” button.
6. Just by clicking it to install or updating the app, it will automatically offer you the latest Kodi 19.1.
Process #2
If you wish to download the app from the website manually, then just follow the steps below. Open up your web browsers such as Chrome or Firefox or any built-in browsers.
1. Access the main Kodi download page by searching it on your web browser.
2. Slowly scroll down the page and click on “Android”.
3. The ARM file will be downloaded depending on your box that comes in a 32-bit option and 64-bit option.
4. Most of the boxes are using the ARMV7A 32-bit version.
5. If you are confused, then download and try both, the wrong file won’t be downloaded.
6. The ARM file may be downloaded or copied go a flash drive or an SD card using a desktop computer and taken automatically to the box.
7. When the file is done downloading, open the ” File Browser” in the “Apps”.
8. The file is located in the ” Download Folder”.
9. Click on the file and it will begin to install the app.
10. If you’re upgrading an older version, then the settings sometimes have add-ons, however, it is not a guarantee.
11. The support page recommends upgrading only the former version, Kodi 16 Jarvis. If you have an older version like 14 or 15 and upgrade to Jarvis may be necessary to keep all its settings.
12. Besides that, a cleaner way to install the app can also be done by uninstalling the older version and just install the latest Kodi 17.6 version.
C. On a FireStick (Without a Computer)
It’s not that hard to install the Kodi 18 Leia a Fire TV Stick and you won’t need a computer or any other devices.
If the primary installation process does not work, then that is when you will use a computer in order to install it.
The method below does require a computer, however, it only needs your Amazon account in order to obtain the free app called “Downloader”.
There is a free trial account for Amazon that can be used if it is needed. The Download app’s function is to access the main Kodi download page and get the required file to install.
The method below is the most used and very well-known method.
There are a few updates that were halted. Some of the previous methods, from working with the Downloader app, works well actually.
1. Access the Main Menu of your device and then open the ” Settings”.
2. Look for the icon that says “My Fire TV” and then open it.
3. When you see the “Developer options”, click on it.
4. After that, look for the ” Apps from Unknown Sources” and then click on it.
5. At the pop-up notification, click on the “Turn On” button to enable the Apps from Unknown Sources”.
6. Return to the home screen and locate the search icon. Note: the icon looks like a small magnifying glass on the upper left corner.
7. Now, go on the search bar and enter the word “Downloader”. Then click on it when the results appear.
8. Now, click on the “Downloader”.
9. Again, click on the ” Download” icon.
10. Click on “Open” when a pop-up appears.
11. Another pop-up will show and this time click on “Allow”.
12. Click on ” OK” at the next pop-up.
13. Next, click on the “OK” button on your remote to access the keyboard and enter in the URL for Kodi 19.1. https://reviewvpn.com/kodi19.1.
14. On its setup page, click on the button that says “Install”.
15. After that, the Kodi app will begin to install.
16. Click on ” Done” once the Kodi app has completed its installation.
17. After that click on “Delete” to discard the Kodi installation file so that there will be a free space on your Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV Stick device.
18. Again, click on “Delete” once more.
19. Return to your Firestick or Fire TV, or Fire TV Cube home screen, and under the “Apps & Channels” section, click the “See All” button.
20. Now, highlight the Kodi shortcut at the bottom of the screen and click on “Options” on the Fire TV Stick or Fire TV remote, which looks like three horizontal lines on top of each other, and then click on “Move to Front”. Note: recently, the latest Fire Stick/TV update, some of them no longer have the option ” Pin to Front”.
21. Drag Kofi to the top of the list and click on “OK on the remote on where you want to drop it. This ensures that the app will be displayed on your Firestick, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV home screen.
22. Initiate the Kodi app and click on ” Continue”, as shown below.
23. Next, click on “Allow”.
24. Then the Kodi app will start to load.
Congratulations! You have successfully downloaded and installed the Kodi app onto your Firestick device.
D. On a Raspberry Pi 3
In order to install Kodi on a Raspberry Pi 3 is a very simple task when you are using the right tools. The app is known to be one of the most used apps for Pi 3.
For an affordable Kobi setup, Pi 3 is something a lot of people can do.
The first thing to do is download the OSMC Installer programmer. Using the Installer program is very easy and quick. Just download the right installer for your operating system that you are using currently. You can click here and download the latest OSMC Raspberry Pi Installer and build here: https://osmc.tv/download/
1. Now, put in the SD-card that the Kodi app is on as the “Sd-card Writer”, then allow the OSMC Installer program to run.
2. Select the language you want to and Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 from the drop-down box below.
3. Select a Build version. Selecting the newest Build is the best choice.
4. Choose the media you want to write the package to. Here, it is using an SD-Card, but if you plan to use a USB flash drive, that is also usable.
5. Select the option in order to set-up the wireless connection or just use the Ethernet Connection.
6. See if the drive that the package is written to is the correct one and then click on it.
7. Now, accept the “License Agreement”.
8. Next, it will download the page for it to be installed.
9. Here, the OSMC Kodi package is placed on the SD-Card.
10. Once the download has completed, it will display “Congratulations”, and now the SD-Card is ready to be installed onto the Raspberry Pi.
11. Next, is to put in the SD-Card into the Raspberry Pi.
12. Now, plug in all the cables. The HDMI cable will be injected into a monitor or a TV. When all of the cables have been set-up, plug into the power, and then it will directly boot up.
13. Here, it will begin to set-up and then finish the installation.
14. Then there will be some basic questions that will show up, like what language or skin do you want. You may select either from the OSMC Skin or the default Kodi Skin for a basic-looking Kodi interface.
15. The Kodi app will now be installed on your Raspberry Pi. The only thing to do now is to set-up add-ons, which will provide its functionality.
Step-by-step: How to Watch Movies on Kodi
There are two methods in order for you to watch content on Kodi. You can either choose to directly put the content file from your computer or use the app’s add-ons.
Method #1
This method involves add-ons.
- Once the Kodi app has been installed, you can get the app through its website, as you can see the library repositories has no add-ons. Start by choosing the ” Add-ons” in the app’s menu.
- Here, click on the section that says “Download” on its app’s menu.
- A roster of Kodi repositories will display, then scroll down the page and look for “Video add-onsc, then click on it to open.
- Below is a list of all the official video add-ons on Kodi. In this case, the chosen add-on is Crackle. In order to get the Crackle add-on to download, just click on it to download.
- Next, click on the button that says ” Install”.
- Now, click on the “OK” button and wait for it to finish installing.
- You can find all your downloaded add-ons in the “Add-ons” section on the Kodi app’s home page.
- Finally, click on “Crackle” and find the content you want to watch.
Method #2
Kodi is the same as any other media player, you may stream movies by uploading the file from your PC onto the app.
- Scroll down the menu page of the app and look for the “Videos” section.
- Access the inc that has “Files” written on it.
- Now, choose the section that says “Add videos..”.
- Here, click on the “Browse” button.
- Click on “OK” when you have found a video file you want to play.
- Lastly, click again on the “OK” button to finish.
Congratulations! You have successfully uploaded your file onto the Kodi app. Personalize and organize your content library by adding thumbnails, renaming files, making a playlist, etc.
Install Surfshark on Firestick
When to Use a VPN with Kodi
What does a virtual private network do, and why is it so necessary for me to obtain one? Using a VPN will encrypt your data before it leaves your device, this will ensure privacy and security. Here are more details below:
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Stream and browse privately
Your ISP has the power to collect data about your online activities and browsing behaviors. As you are using a VPN, it will hide your IP address from your ISP, you will become invisible to them. However, be careful and choose a VPN that will not log any of your online activities, such as Surfshark. In that way, all of your online activities will be kept private.
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Torrent is safely used
Torrents are usually used as a third-party Kodi addon to fetch the contents you want to watch. For you to not be fooled and not to get any viruses on your device, make sure that your VPN is activated and is running every time you utilize an unofficial Kodi add-on.
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Access geographically blocked movies and TV shows.
Using a VPN will let you bypass geo-restricted locations by hiding your IP address. When your device is running a VPN, your internet service provider or ISP will only be able to see that your device is at the same location when actually it’s not. A VPN will allow you to open add-ns such as Adult Swim, BBC iPlayer, Tubi TV, and many others.
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Eliminate internet throttling.
There are countries, such as the US, throttling has become a big problem within the streaming community. With its imposed regulations, the ISPs have hindered your connection in order to enhance its network performance. Now, using a VPN will help you get better speeds in streaming and you won’t need to worry about throttling.
How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick
If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.
Follow our screenshots below to install the SurfShark VPN app on your Fire TV stick.
1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.
2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.
3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.
4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.
5. Press the Download (You own it) button.
6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.
7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.
8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.
9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.
10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.
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Install Surfshark on Firestick
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Wrap Up
The Kodi app does not carry any movies. It does have numerous add-ons that will fulfill your love for movies. The add-ons are divided into two types, official and unofficial, third party, Kodi add-ons. It is important to use a VPN when using Kodi. This will ensure you can stream privately, enter blocked media, and avoid throttling.
With a large selection of add-ons that the Kodi app provides, you can relish streaming any content or movie you want just by using this media player plus a secured VPN behind it.











