Kodi is a digital media player application to access the local content and various other add-ons. It is a free and open-source media player application developed by XBMC. With Kodi, you get the option to watch movies, TV shows, Live TV, News, and Sports. This particular application is available on various platforms like Android devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc. Alongside, you can get it on streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android boxes, etc. Unfortunately, the app is not available for Apple TV. Still, we can install Kodi on Apple TV using alternative techniques. Follow along to know how to get it on various Apple TV generations.
Install Kodi on Apple TV
There is no official application for the Apple TV app store. So you cannot download the application, and hence we proceed with sideloading. It may seem technical, but with the step-by-step guide, you can easily do it.
1. Kodi on 4th and 5th generation Apple TV
This can be done in two ways.
- Using Cydia Impactor for 4th and 5th Gen
- By using Xcode
Pre-Requisites
- Apple TV 4th or 5th generation
- tvOS 11 or higher
- The latest version of Kodi app iOS – Deb file (ARM 64)
- Cydia Impactor or Xcode and iOS app signer
1.1 Install Kodi using Cydia Impactor
Convert DEB to IPA
It is essential to convert from DEB to IPA as the Cydia impactor only allows the IPA files. You can any unzip application to do so. The most popularly used one is 7zip.
Step 1: Download the Kodi Deb file (https://pkgs.org/download/kodi) on your Mac or Windows PC.
Step 2: Right-click on the Deb File. Choose the Open with option.
Step 3: Choose any of the Unzip apps (for instance, 7Zip). Then choose Extract file and click OK.
Step 4: Open the resulting folder and locate the data.tar file. Right-click on the file, then choose 7Zip >> Extract File.
Step 5: Find the data file and folder. Now open Data Folder and choose Applications. You can find the Kodi.app folder.
Step 6: Create a new folder and name it Kodi. Copy Kodi.App to that new folder.
Step 7: Right-click on the file. Then choose 7Zip >> Add to Archive option.
Step 8: Assign an archive option as “zip”. And name the file with .ipa. For instance, Kodi.ipa.
Install Kodi on Apple TV
Step 1: Connect your Apple TV to the computer via USB cable. If iTunes opens, close it.
Step 2: Install Cydia Impactor on your computer.
Step 3: Now extract the impactor file. Then click on Impactor.exe to open the Cydia impactor. Do not run it as an administrator, as it has its own consequences.
Step 4: Cydia impactor will find your Apple TV. Now drag and drop the Kodi.ipa here to the Apple TV.
Step 5: Now login to your Apple account with the necessary credentials. And click OK.
Now the Cydia impactor and install the Kodi on your Apple TV.
1.2 Install Kodi using Xcode
This method may seem a little longer than the previous one.
Pair Apple TV and Xcode
Note: Download Xcode on your Mac from App Store and then proceed with the steps given below.
Step 1: Connect your tvOS to the Mac with or without a USB cable.
Step 2: From your Apple TV, navigate to Settings >> Remote and Devices. And then choose Remote App and Devices.
Step 3: On your Mac, launch the Xcode application. On the Menu bar, you can find Windows.
Step 4: Click Windows and choose Devices and Simulators.
Step 5: On the left panel, choose Apple TV. And then click Pair.
Step 6: A verification code will appear on your Apple TV screen. Enter the code on the provided text box and click Connect.
Connect Xcode to the Apple Account
- Step 1: Now, again on the Xcode application, choose Preferences on the Menu bar.
- Step 2: Select the Accounts tab. And click on the Add (+) button.
- Step 3: Add your account and click on the Apple ID. Then choose to continue.
- Step 4: And now provide the necessary Apple ID credentials and click Next.
Related: How to Install Kodi on Xbox.
Xcode Project creation
Step 1: Click Create a new Xcode Project.
Step 2: Choose tvOS on the left panel. And then choose Application >> Single View Application (on the right panel).
Step 3: Specify the app name as Kodi and Project name as something relatable. For instance, your Apple ID. Then also provide an organization name.
Step 4: Fill the Bundle Identifier and click Next. The identifier could be in the format of com.yourusername.
Step 5: Choose a location to save the project and open it.
Step 6: On the left panel, choose the target devices. You will see a device list. Choose Apple TV from the list.
Step 7: Click Fix issue when the error appears stating “software cannot find a matching provisioning file”.
Step 8: Now, provide your Apple ID credentials. It will be an added advantage if you have a Developer ID ($99.99/year). As you have already logged in you, choose your Apple ID from the drop-down and click Choose.
You will be redirected to the home page.
Install Kodi
Step 1: Open the iOS App Signer. And fill the mandatory fields. Input file name as Kodi DEB file. The fields like Signing Certificate and Provisioning Profile will have default values. The app displays names as Kodi and click Start.
Step 2: Now, your signer will unzip the DEB file. The resulting file will be in IPA format.
Step 3: On the Xcode, go to Windows >> Devices. Choose Apple TV on the left panel.
Step 4: Choose Add (+) icon below the installed apps.
Step 5: Open the iOS signer. Open the newly created IPA file. Wait for a while. Kodi would be installed on your Apple TV.
2. Kodi on Apple TV 3rd Generation
If you are an Apple TV 3rd gen user, leave the idea of installing Kodi behind and choose to stream it from your smartphone. Because jailbreaking the 3rd gen, Apple TV is not so simple.
Step 1: Connect your Apple TV and Mac to the same WiFi network.
Step 2: Download the Kodi app on your Mac PC by visiting the Kodi website. (https://kodi.tv/download)
Step 3: Select MacOS and click on Installer (64-bit) button.
Step 4: Open the Kodi application on Mac after the installation. Then Play your content.
Step 5: Tap the Airplay icon. Choose your Apple TV from the list of available devices.
Your contents will now stream on your TV.
Remember! This method isn’t the feasible option to stream Kodi on Apple TV third-gen.
3. Kodi on Apple TV 2nd Generation
This method will be very easy compared to the 4th and 5th generations. The limitation is you can get only the Kodi Helix version, not the latest version. Grab your Mac and Apple TV and follow the steps provided below.
Step 1: Find the Apple TV IP address. Go to Settings >> Network. Under Status Check you can find your IP Address.
Step 2: Connect your Apple TV to your Mac using a USB cable.
Step 3: Open the Mac terminal. (Control + Option + Shift + T (or) Finder >> Go >> Utilities >> Terminal).
Step 4: Now enter the code ssh root@(your Apple TV IP Address).
Step 5: Enter the password if prompted. And enter the following command.
app-get install wget
wget -0- http://apt.awkwardtv.org/awkwardtv.pub | apt-key-add-
echo “deb http://apt.awkwardtv.org/stable main” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/awkwardtv.list
echo “deb http://mirrors.kodi.tv/apt/atv2 ./” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list
apt -get update
apt -get install org.xbmc.kodi-atv2
reboot
4. Kodi on Apple TV 1st Generation
Apple TV stopped this version in 2010. Most probably, this is not in use. But still, you can install Kodi on this device. Here is a disclaimer that the first generation Apple TV requires flash Kodi. So you will lose all the existing features.
Step 1: Upgrade your apple tvOS to 3.0.2.
Step 2: Download the OSMC app by vising https://osmc.tv/download/ on your PC.
Step 3: Launch the application. And ignore the warning that says, “OSMC is not an officially licensed App Store application.”
Step 4: Plug the USB drive on your Mac. Now choose your Apple TV and Enter.
Step 5: Choose the latest version of OSMC that includes USB. And then, choose the USB drive as your download location.
Step 6: Check the box near the terms and conditions to agree. Once the installation is done, unplug the USB drive.
Step 7: Plug the USB device into the Apple TV. Then reboot your Apple TV.
Once done, OSMC will start its installation on your Apple TV. Hereafter you can find the Kodi application on your home screen.
And the above-guide are the methods to install Kodi on Apple TV. But remember, a few may cost your privacy. Be careful while choosing the source. Make sure to use reliable techniques. Don’t forget to leave your opinion or feedback about this article in the comment section below.