Kodi is a digital media player that allows you to watch all your favorite content in one place. Unfortunately, it’s not available on the Apple App Store. But it’s still possible to install Kodi on Apple TV. However, the method is a bit complicated and requires using Xcode and iOS App Signer on your Mac.
You have two options:
- For Apple TV HD (released in 2015), install Kodi by connecting your Mac to your Apple TV using a USB-C cable and following the steps in our guide below.
- For Apple TV 4K (released in 2017 and later), install Kodi via a wireless connection between your Mac and Apple TV.
Since the method is too long to summarize here, check out the full article below for detailed instructions.
It’s a good idea to use a VPN when doing this because it can allow you to access geographically-restricted content on Netflix and other platforms Kodi makes available. It also adds a layer of security by anonymizing your online activity.
We strongly recommend ExpressVPN which is fast, secure, and allows access to almost any streaming service.
ExpressVPN
Continue reading below for everything you need to know about using Kodi on Apple TV.
Kodi is an open-source cross-platform digital media player app that allows you to sync and enjoy all your media across multiple devices. It’s compatible with multiple operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, to name a few.
However, it’s tricky to install Kodi on Apple TV because you cannot simply download the app from Apple’s App Store on tvOS.
Nonetheless, it’s still possible to set up Kodi on your Apple TV using Xcode or your Mac. Keep reading below for all the details.
How to Install Kodi on Apple TV 4K and HD
Before you try to install Kodi on Apple TV, it’s important to know which version of Apple TV you have. This determines what method will work best for you. The table below summarizes the different Apple TV models over the years.
| Apple TV model | Name | Year Released | Model numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Apple TV 4K 3rd Generation | 2022 | A2843 A2737 |
 | Apple TV 4K 2nd Generation | 2021 | A2169 |
 | Apple TV 4K 1st Generation | 2017 | A1842 |
 | Apple TV HD Previously known as Apple TV 4th Generation | 2015 | A1625 |
 | Apple TV 3rd Generation | 2012 | A1427 or A1469 for Rev A |
 | Apple TV 2nd Generation | 2010 | A1378 |
 | Apple TV 1st Generation | 2007 | A1218 |
Note:
Installing Kodi on Apple TV can be quite complicated because of the restrictions that Apple puts on its tech ecosystem. We explain the available methods in as simple a way as possible and recommend that you follow the instructions carefully for the best chance at success.
Today, it’s most likely you own either an Apple TV HD (fourth generation) or an Apple TV 4K. So, in this guide, we will focus on how to get Kodi on these specific models.
What you need to set up Kodi on Apple TV
Before you get started, here are the hardware and software requirements for installing Kodi on Apple TV:
- Apple TV HD (released in 2015) or Apple TV 4K (released in 2017 and later)
- The latest tvOS version (currently tvOS 16.5)
- The latest version of Kodi for tvOS — DEB File
- A Mac updated with the latest version of macOS (currently macOS Venture or macOS 13)
- The latest versions of Xcode and iOS App Signer installed on your Mac
- Your Apple ID and password
How to install Kodi on Apple TV HD using Xcode
Xcode is Apple’s integrated development environment for macOS. It’s an app that can be installed from the Mac App Store.
Here’s how you can use Xcode to install Kodi on the fourth-generation Apple TV (released in 2015) that’s also known as Apple TV HD. You will also need a tool called iOS App Signer that can be downloaded from GitHub.
- Download the Kodi for tvOS DEB file to your Mac.
- Open Xcode on your Mac and click on “Create a new Xcode project” on the main menu.
- On the left sidebar, select “tvOS,” and then “Application.”
- On the right, select “Single View Application.”
- Give a name for the app. For example, you could name it “Kodi.” Also, add an organization name and a unique Bundle Identifier. Then click “Next.”
- You may see an error saying that the software can’t find a “matching provisioning profile”. To resolve this, click on the “Fix Issue” button.
- You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID. Select your Apple ID from the drop-down box and click “Choose” to proceed. Xcode will now fix the error and you’ll be redirected to the home view.
Note: It’s helpful to sign in with an Apple Developer account at this stage, but you can also use a regular Apple ID. But bear in mind that if you have a standard Apple ID, you will need to reinstall Kodi every seven days, while a Developer account can use the app for up to a whole year. - Now launch iOS App Signer on your Mac.
- You’ll be required to fill out multiple fields. In the first field, named “Input File,” navigate to the Kodi DEB file that you downloaded in the first step of this process.
- Leave the default values for fields like “Signing Certificate” and “Provisioning Profile.”
- In the “App Display Name” field, type “Kodi” and click the “Start” button.
- The App Signer will unpack the data and create a new IPA file.
- Once done, connect your Apple TV HD to your Mac using a USB-C cable.
- Go back to Xcode. Click on “Window” in the menu bar and then select “Devices and Simulators.”
- From the list on the left, select your Apple TV device.
- Click on the “+” tab under “Installed Apps,” navigate to the Kodi IPA file that was newly created within iOS App Signer, and click “Open.”
- The app will now deploy the IPA file to install Kodi on Apple TV. This process may take a while. Once it’s complete, you can disconnect Apple TV from your Mac.
- Connect the Apple TV to your TV, power it on, and you should be able to see the Kodi app on your Apple TV’s list of apps.
Remember:
If you use a regular Apple ID account in Xcode, you will need to repeat the above process every seven days. If you use an Apple Developer account (which is a paid annual subscription), you will not have to repeat this process as long as your subscription is active.
How to install Kodi on Apple TV 4K wirelessly using Xcode
The latest iterations of Apple TV (released in 2017 and later ) are called Apple TV 4K. Unlike previous versions, these devices do not have a USB port. This means you cannot use a USB-C cable but will instead need to install Kodi on your Apple TV via a wireless connection, as explained below.
- Follow steps 1-12 given in the method for Apple TV HD we presented above.
- Make sure that your Mac and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Preferably, they should be placed physically close to each other such as in the same room.
- On your Apple TV, go to “Settings” > “Remotes and Devices” > “Remote App and Devices.”
- In Xcode, go to the “Window” menu and select “Devices and Simulators.”
- Select your Apple TV from the sidebar on the left.
Note: If your Mac and your Apple TV 4K device are placed close to each other, a prompt will automatically appear to pair both devices. Click on the button that says “Pair With (Your Name) Apple TV.” - You will see a verification code on your Apple TV display. Type the code into Xcode to finish the setup.
- Once your Apple TV and Mac are paired, click on the “+” symbol on the right side of the Devices and Simulators interface.
- Select the Kodi IPA installation file and click on “Open.”
- The Kodi app will now transfer to your Apple TV.
- Once the process is complete, connect your Apple TV to your TV, power it on, and you should be able to see the Kodi app on your Apple TV’s list of apps.
Kodi’s Entertainment Options
As an open-source streaming platform, Kodi has a lot of entertainment options. For example, you can use it to stream content from your favorite platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or HBO Max with ease.
You can also use it to enjoy subscription-free entertainment platforms, like YouTube and Twitch. All of these platforms and apps are already available on your Apple TV without Kodi, however, so you might be wondering why you’d go through the trouble of installing this extra app in the first place.
Some people use Kodi because it offers add-ons that allow you to stream TV shows and movies for free. However, many of these add-ons don’t respect copyright laws and essentially allow users illegal access. That’s why we highly advise against this use of Kodi.
That doesn’t mean Kodi’s all bad, however. You can also use Kodi to access completely legal platforms that would otherwise be harder to enjoy on an Apple TV, such as:
- 9GAG
- Soundcloud
- USTVNow
Combine this with the fact that the app will allow you to gather all of your streaming services neatly in one place, and there’s a pretty strong case for anyone to want to add Kodi to their Apple TV.
How do I install add-ons on Kodi?
The easiest way to get add-ons on Kodi is to access Kodi’s own repository of apps. This repository is readily available from Kodi’s interface and features most of the popular add-ons we mentioned before. Here’s how you can install apps from that repository:
- Click on add-ons in the left sidebar.
- Select “Install from repository“.
- Choose the category you want to install that add-on from (PVR, Audio, Games, etc.).
- Browse to find the add-on you want and press install.
However, that’s not the only way you can add new apps to your Kodi. You can also browse third-party repositories, like the SuperRepo. The bottom line is that Kodi is flexible since it’s completely open-source. This means that you get access to a ton of independently developed content and apps that wouldn’t otherwise be available on Apple TV.
If you’re looking for any kind of platform to access through your Apple TV, you can always try Googling its Kodi app. Chances are, someone has made one. Before you download anything, however, always make sure the app is safe. Only download add-ons from reputable sources (like GitHub for example), and check the reviews before installing to ensure that you don’t accidentally download any malware.
Why Do You Need a VPN For Kodi?
Apple is pretty strict when it comes to the content they allow on their platforms, and Kodi isn’t their favorite app. In fact, although having been extremely popular for years now, you cannot download Kodi from the App Store. That’s because some people use Kodi to access copyrighted content without the creator’s approval. Of course, it makes sense for Apple to try and keep the amount of piracy on their devices to a minimum.
However, Kodi can be used for countless legitimate entertainment purposes as well. But you’ll just run into the usual online issues that require a VPN to fix, such as:
- Geo-restrictions: Whether it’s licensing, censorship, or blackouts, some apps and content are blocked in various countries. The big streaming players — like HBO Max and Netflix — have different content libraries based on the country they’re in. When using a VPN, you’ll be able to stream more freely and access all kinds of geo-blocked sites and catalogs.
- Privacy protection: You can be tracked by all kinds of entities, whether it’s your internet service provider (ISP), government authorities, tech companies or other third parties. A VPN secures your online connection through advanced encryption protocols, so nobody can read your online traffic and data. Since you’re using an anonymous IP address from a VPN server, your true IP address and real location can’t be tracked back to you. The best VPNs also have rock-solid no-log policies, so there’s never a record of your online activity.
- Cybersecurity: Thanks to that encryption and anonymous IP address, you’re not going to be easy to exploit. If you do wind up on unsecured or infected web pages, you won’t be as vulnerable to hackers, malicious actors, cyberattacks, or information theft.
Need a good pick? We’ve used ExpressVPN as one of our go-to streaming VPNs for some time, and it’s our top pick as the best VPN for Kodi Connections are quick, they’ve got servers in all the countries needed to unblock geo-restricted streaming, and speeds can’t be beaten. Of course, they surpass all the cybersecurity and privacy protection protocols you need in a VPN.
Final Thoughts: Installing Kodi on Apple TV
We’ve broken down the two main ways to install Kodi on Apple TV.
- For Apple TV HD, you install Kodi by connecting a Mac to Apple TV and using a USB-C cable and following the steps in our guide above.
- For Apple TV 4K, you install Kodi via a wireless connection between your Apple TV and Mac.
Now that you’ve installed Kodi on Apple TV, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite streaming platforms and other content in one place. We’ve compiled several guides on Kodi, and if you’d like to learn more, check out the articles below:
Got a question about setting up Kodi on your Apple TV? Check out the FAQ section below. Click or tap a question to view the answer.
To use Kodi on Apple TV, you will need to use a Mac along with the tools Xcode and iOS App Signer. For detailed instructions, check out our guide on how to install Kodi on Apple TV.
Kodi works on Apple TV but requires a special set up process. This is because Kodi is not available on the Apple App Store. You need a Mac with the tools Xcode and iOS App Signer to watch Kodi on Apple TV. We also recommend that you set up a VPN on Kodi to unblock geographically-restricted content and stay secure online.
Kodi is a free platform and you can set it up on Apple TV using Xcode on your Mac. It is not available for direct download from the App Store, which makes it complicated to set up on Apple TV. Kodi allows you to view all your favorite content in one place and we recommend using a VPN with Kodi so you can unblock geographically restricted content while staying secure online.
