What is Kodi? TROYPOINT often receives this question. Understanding Kodi may be challenging due to the numerous articles and topics available. This tutorial delves into Kodi to provide a comprehensive understanding of this robust media software.
Simply put, Kodi is a media platform that users can install on almost any device. It allows the installation of addons to access content like Movies & TV Shows. Users can also download media files such as photos and videos, storing them within the Kodi application.
While the brief summary sheds light on What is Kodi, a detailed description follows. Kodi, a free media center application, is accessible on various operating systems, enabling users to consume streaming media.
Think of Kodi as the frame of an unfinished house, serving as the base where essential items are stored. Its role is to host applications and components for viewing enjoyment. With Kodi, you can access live TV, sports, movies, TV shows, adult content, and more – all FOR FREE.
Since 2004 when Kodi was available on the original Xbox as XBMC (Xbox Media Center), it has evolved significantly with numerous add-ons, skins, builds, and wizards.
Visit our Kodi Resource Page for the latest Kodi version and more updates!
What is Kodi?
Kodi is essentially a Streaming App or APK installable on nearly all devices. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android operating systems.
This broad compatibility enables Kodi installation on personal computers, laptops, phones, tablets, smart TVs, and media streaming devices due to Android support.
For example, devices like the Amazon Firestick/Fire TV, running a modified Android OS, can host Kodi.
Discover popular Kodi Installation Tutorials below:
How to Install Kodi on Fire TV / Stick.
How to Install Kodi on Chromecast with Google TV
The Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are favored for their affordability and power to run the Kodi Media Center.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k stands out as the current top streaming device, often sought after for its streaming capabilities.
Users often purchase the Firestick with intentions of “jailbreaking” it for streaming, though this term doesn’t precisely reflect the process.
(including Kodi) are installed onto the Firestick for unlimited streaming possibilities.
Click here to get more information on Jailbreaking a Firestick.
Can Kodi Replace Cable?
Many often wonder if using Kodi is a suitable way to “cut-the-cord” and eliminate cable. In short, the answer to this is Yes.
By setting up live TV features on your Kodi using a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) backend, you can have the same benefits as your live TV.
Specific add-ons and ready to go in just a few minutes with a few clicks. Using a build is the simplest way to stream and download content on Kodi quickly and efficiently. You can access shows, movies, and all viewing items in one place without having to search through all Kodi add-ons. Our list of best Kodi builds below offers many options for personal preference. I recommend trying out a couple of them to see which one suits you the most! Best Kodi Builds
What is a Kodi Repository? An easy way to explain a Kodi repository, or simply “repo,” is a container that holds multiple Kodi add-ons categorized separately. Instead of installing individual Kodi add-ons, you can install a Kodi repository containing multiple add-ons that may interest you. Best Kodi Repositories
What is a Skin? One of Kodi’s coolest features is its appearance, thanks to the fantastic skins available. Similar to Kodi Add-ons, there are thousands of skins you can install for free. TROYPOINT’s Best Kodi Skins list will show you the most popular skins available today.
What Is a Kodi Wizard? A Kodi Wizard typically provides a list of multiple builds that you can install with a single click. It may also include useful tools for buffering, speed tests, installing Android applications, and more. See our Best Kodi Wizards list for more information.
What Is a Kodi EPG? A Kodi EPG is an electronic program guide that works with the live TV add-ons installed on your system. Similar to cable or dish services’ program guides, the EPG lets you see what’s currently airing and start streaming through a user-friendly interface. For more on EPG, check out our article at Electronic Program Guide (EPG) – Everything You Need to Know.
What Else can Kodi Do?
Download and Stream Music: Kodi can do more than just stream TV shows and movies. With different add-ons, Kodi can be your hub for all kinds of digital media. You can store and play music in various formats and download podcasts for free. You can also organize and listen to podcasts with the appropriate add-ons.
Upload Pictures and Videos, View Social Media Platforms: Kodi allows you to store, view, and edit photos and videos from your library. With various Picture add-ons, you can create slideshows, edit photos, and much more. These photos can also be used to customize skins and backgrounds on your supported Kodi device.
Social Media and Weather Apps are another great service that Kodi can provide. You can use Kodi to download items such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more.
All of these can be used on the Kodi application along with News Sources. By using this software, everything you know in the digital world will be combined into one amazing device.
Download, Install, and Play Video Games
With the Kodi app installed, you will be able to access tons of video games from all formats.
From Android apps to retro video games, everything can be downloaded and played on your chosen Kodi device.
With hundreds of gaming add-ons available, there is no shortage of video games that can be played using Kodi.
How to Play Retro Games on Kodi
Organize files and content
Kodi’s media library is a repository for movies and TV shows, music, and photos, ideal for organizing your content.
In simple terms, it’s a media library and player that is most useful when you want to organize your growing collections.
Keep track of what you’ve watched halfway through, resume videos from where you left off, categorize favorite music, and group content by genre.
You can add-ons like Trakt.tv to sync TV shows and movies across platforms and devices so you can stay updated on all your favorite programs.
Kodi also provides relevant meta-information for each content making it easier to categorize and search for files. For example, displaying a TV series’ poster, synopsis, and other details.
Search based on actors is also possible so you can view the movies and TV programs they’ve starred in.
How to Use Kodi
Kodi features an interface that makes it simple to install add-ons, play media, and personalize the interface using configuration options.
The upper part of the home screen includes icons for Power, Settings, and Search.
The Power icon ensures that the device can be powered off, Settings let you customize Kodi to your preference, while Search helps you find specific content quickly.
provides the following options:
- Exit: Eject Kodi from your operating system
- Power off system: Power OFF your computer
- Custom shutdown time: Shutdown your computer after entering a countdown time
- Suspend: Suspend your computer
- Reboot: Restart your computer
The Settings icon 
, on the other hand, lets you access Kodi basic configuration settings.
On the top portion, you will find:
- File manager
- Add-ons
- System information
- Event log
Under Settings, you will find:
- Player
- Media
- PVR & Live TV
- Services
- Games
- Interface
- Profiles
- System
Finally, the Search icon allows you to search for media stored in the local library, find specific add-ons, search on YouTube, and TheMovieDB easily.
On Kodi 18, the following default menu items can be found:
- Movies: Takes you to the list of movies in the video library
- TV shows: Takes you to the list of TV programs in the video library
- Music: Takes you to music files sorted by Genre, Artist, Album, Song, or Year
- Music videos: Takes you to the list of music videos sorted by Genre, Title, Artist, Albums, Directors, Studio, or Tags
- TV: Allows you to access Free To Air TV channels with a PVR add-on
- Radio: Allows you to access Free To Air radio channels with a PVR add-on
- Games: A new addition to the latest Kodi version that takes you directly to games
- Add-ons: Takes you to the Add-ons menu that contains Video add-ons, Music add-ons, Program add-ons, and others
- Pictures: Allows you to view file-based pictures and image-related add-ons
- Videos: Takes you to Sources’ file system. This contains views, movie library, TV show library, music video library, playlists, and video related add-on
- Favourites: Takes you media tagged as Favorite for easier navigation
- Weather: Allows you to know about the weather forecast in your area
Please note the above menu items are customizable.
There are also other menus that provide users with more customization. These include:
The Sideblade Menu allows further configuration depending on the media. In the example below, a menu is presented for video.
The Context Menu lets you play the content, display information, mark it as watched, play from a specific scene, and add to your favorites list. The menu is different for videos, movies, and YouTube.
The Information Page displays metadata for specific content. In the example below, you can find the director, writer, rating, studio, first airing date, rating, status, synopsis, image, and title banner. You can choose to play the episode, watch a trailer, view extended information, display fan art, or find movies from the same director.
Kodi as an application is 100% legal. Downloading and installing the Kodi app crosses no legal boundaries, and you can use it for numerous functions. Some add-ons and plug-ins available on Kodi may cause issues as they contain pirated content. Many popular add-ons that stream movies and TV shows may be blocked by your Internet Service Provider. To ensure uninterrupted viewing, it’s recommended to install a VPN for your device.