Kodi is a media player where you can get to watch all your local media files. In other words, Kodi is an entertainment center for the HTPCs with 10-foot user interface support. It can play any media file. It is one of the fewest apps that are available for almost all smart devices. The major advantage of the Kodi app is that you can install hundreds of add-ons to stream free on-demand video content. It is surprising to see that the Kodi app with all these features is not available for Apple TV devices. So, you should rely on the alternative ways to get the app as there is no official version of Kodi for Apple TV available.
As the Kodi app is not available in the App Store, you can’t screen mirror the app from your iPhone or iPad. So, accessing Kodi on Apple TV and other Apple TV requires jailbreaking. On the Kodi website, too, it is mentioned that you have to jailbreak the iPhone to install the Kodi app.
Important Note: Kodi is an open-source media player and doesn’t include any content. i.e., the user needs to add content or addons to stay entertained.
What Does Kodi Support
With the installation of Kodi, you shall get access to the following features.
- With Kodi, you can listen to music, podcasts, and playlists of any format without limits.
- The movie collection will include cast, genres, artwork, etc.
- You can binge-watch catch-ups and your favorite shows with Kodi.
- It supports sharing photos as a slideshow onto the TV screen.
- You can record live TV and watch the same with the PVR support.
- Besides streaming, you can play games on Kodi as it has extensive support for the game controllers.
How to Download and Install Kodi on Apple TV 4th Generation
Apple TV 4th was the latest version of Apple TV until the Apple Event – April 20, 2021. For Apple TV 5th generation too, you can use the same procedures. There are three different ways to get Kodi on Apple TV 4th & 5th generation.
- Using Cydia Impactor
- Using Xcode
- Wirelessly
Pre-Requisites
- Apple TV 4th or 5th gen,
- tvOS 11 or higher version,
- The latest version of the Kodi Deb file
- Cydia Impactor or Xcode
- iOS App Signer
Install Kodi on Apple TV: Using Cydia Impactor
Convert DEB to IPA
1: First, download the Kodi deb file to your PC.
2: Secondly, right-click on the deb file and open it with any of the Unzip apps and then click Extract File.
3: Open the extracted folder and find the data.tar file. Extract the data.tar file too.
4: You can find the Data file and Data folder. Then, open the Data folder >> Applications. There you can find Kodi.app folder.
5: Create a new folder (For instinct – ABC folder)
6: Copy Kodi.app folder to ABC folder. Then right-click on the ABC folder and choose the Add to Archive option.
7: Make sure the archive format is in .zip. And then name the archive ending with .ipa. For instance, Kodi.ipa.
Install Kodi on Apple TV
Download the Cydia Impactor on your PC before getting into the steps.
1: Connect your Apple TV to the computer with a USB port. iTunes open automatically close it.
2: Extract the impactor zip file. And then open Impactor.exe.
3: Now, Cydia Impactor will detect your Apple TV. Drag and drop the Kodi.ipa file into the Cydia impactor.
4: Then enter your active Apple ID and click the OK button.
5: Cydia will install Kodi on your Apple TV.
6: After that, you can find the Kodi app on your home screen.
Install Kodi on Apple TV: Using Xcode
Connect your Apple TV to Xcode
1: Plugin your Apple TV with a Mac using a USB-C cable. You can also connect your 4K TV wirelessly to your Mac.
2: On your Apple TV, go to Settings >> Remote and Devices >> Remote App and Devices.
3: Then, take your Mac and launch the Xcode app.
4: On Xcode, navigate to Windows >> Device and Simulators.
5: On the left panel, choose Apple TV. And then click Pair.
6: Your Apple TV will show a verification code.
7: Enter the code on your Mac and click the Connect button.
Connect Xcode to your Apple account
1: Launch Xcode on Mac. Then, go to Preferences on the Menu bar.
2: Go to the Accounts tab and click on the Plus (+) button.
3: Choose Apple ID and create an account and click Continue.
Create a New Xcode Project
1: Launch the Xcode app and then click on Create a new Xcode project.
2: On the left panel, choose tvOS. And then choose Application.
3: Now, select the Single View Application from the right panel.
4: Enter the asking information and click the Next button.
5: Then, choose any location for your Xcode project to save.
6: Open the project file and click the Target devices on the left panel. Choose your Apple TV.
7: Now, you will get an error saying, “software cannot find a matching provisioning file.” Click Fix issue.
9: Then, enter your Apple ID, and you will get the home page.
Install Kodi on Apple TV
1: Launch iOS App Singer.
2: Enter the App Display name as Kodi. And then click Start.
3: The iOS App Singer will unzip the DEB and provide you with an IPA file.
4: Open Xcode and go to Windows >> Devices.
5: Choose your Apple TV on the left panel. Under Installed apps, click on the Plus (+) icon.
6: Launch iOS singer. Then navigate to the newly created IPA file. Open it.
7: Then, disconnect the Apple TV.
8: Finally, you can find the Kodi app on your TV home screen.
Install Kodi on Apple TV 4K Wirelessly
Instead of using the cable to connect Apple TV to Mac, you shall wirelessly connect it.
1: From your Apple TV 4K, select Settings and choose Remotes and Devices. Further, select Remote App and Devices.
2: Now, launch the Xcode on Mac and select Windows and Device and Simulators.
3: When Mac and Apple TV are nearby, you will find a Pair With (Your Name) Apple TV button on your Mac. Click on it to proceed.
4: If the pairing button isn’t available, you shall choose your Apple TV from the left sidebar.
5: Choose the + icon from the right pane.
6: Wait for the Kodi app to get transferred to your tvOS.
Install Kodi on Apple TV 3rd Generation
If you have an Apple TV 3rd gen, forget about using the Kodi app. There is no way you can jailbreak or install the Kodi app on your Apple TV. However, you can jailbreak your iPhone and install the Kodi app. Then, screen mirror the Kodi app to your Apple TV 3rd Gen.
1: Connect your Apple TV and iPhone to the same WiFi network.
2: Launch the Kodi app. Then, play your favorite content.
3: Click on the Airplay icon.
4: Choose Apple TV and watch Kodi videos.
Install Kodi on Apple TV 2nd Generation
1: Connect your Apple TV to the Mac using a USB-C cable.
2: Open the Terminal on your Mac PC.
3: Then, enter the code ssh root@your Apple TV IP address. You can find the IP address by going to Settings >> Network >> Status Check >> IP address.
4: Enter the Mac password when asked.
5: Then, execute the below command on the terminal.
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
6: After that, restart your Apple TV and get access to the Kodi app.
Like Apple TV, you cannot install and use Kodi on PS4. Hence, it is recommended to use an alternative of Kodi on the PlayStation gaming console.
Install Kodi on Apple TV 1st Generation
Apple discontinued the Apple TV 1st Gen in 2010. Moreover, Apple TV 1st Gen is not in use that much. Still, for those who are using this device, follow the below guide to get Kodi on Apple TV.
1: First, download and install tvOS 3.0.2 on your Apple TV.
2: On your PC, download and install OSMC (Open Source Media Center).
3: Then, launch OSMC. Ignore the warning message that states OSMC is not an officially licensed app store app.
4: Now, plug the USB into your computer. Choose Apple TV and enter.
5: Then, choose the latest version of OSMC as it includes USB.
6: Choose the USB as a download location.
7: Once the installation is done, take out your USB.
8: Plug your USB into Apple TV. Then boot your Apple TV.
9: After that, OSMC will start installing.
10: After that, you can use Kodi on your Apple TV 1st Gen.
Finally, we have learned some methods to download Kodi on Apple TV for all generations. Still, Apple TV 3 is not a perfect device. Therefore, we have to go for the AirPlay option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is possible to install Kodi on Apple TV 3 using the Terminal.
Yes. However, it depends on the Apple TV model you own.