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7 Kodi Alternatives – Everything You Need to Know

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Out trying to find some of the best Kodi alternatives to keep the entertainment spree going? Here are some reliable media streaming services that offer the best of movies and TV shows, just like Kodi and its many add-ons do.

It was the desire of a handful of first-generation Xbox users who saw their gaming console as so much more than just a means to play games. Packing networking capabilities and the hardware to support media playback, the XBMC was founded, which gave the original gaming console from Microsoft, the ability to showcase video and audio content effortlessly. Fast-forward a decade, and XBMC Foundation has blossomed into a million-strong community of Kodi media player users, which now runs across multiple gaming, desktop, and mobile platforms.

As the growth of online content and streaming entertainment is on the rise, so is the practicality of a media platform such as Kodi. Apart from the ability to playback every possible video, audio, image, and even document files known to man, Kodi media player has been popularized by the inclusion of several Kodi add-ons. Bringing together services for streaming the latest and greatest blockbuster movies, award-winning TV shows, plenty of original content from independent film studios, and even online radio shows and podcasts, there’s no limit to the kind of content that Kodi add-ons bring to the fold.

The Best Kodi Alternatives to Use

Kodi media player and the top add-ons for the platform has garnered plenty of support and both, positive and negative publicity worldwide. While the outreach has enabled Kodi to become a multi-platform service, it has also led to the severe crackdown on Kodi add-ons which tend to stream copyright-protected content over the internet for free, which the billion-dollar production studios are strongly against. This widespread crackdown has led to the shutting down of several popular Kodi add-ons which is the reason you’d be out looking for the best Kodi alternatives.

As a true fan of the Kodi media player, you might be inclined to believe that there is no steaming platform like it out there. However, you’d be surprised to know that there are quite a handful of Kodi alternatives out there that not only offer the convenience of online media streaming but also do it at absolutely no cost.

1. Plex

Possibly the closest streaming platform that you can find to Kodi media player is Plex, which is increasingly becoming the people’s choice to access all of their media content wirelessly. Offering support across Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and more, the Plex media player allows you to set up your individual device as a server, which can then be connected to remotely for access to the media files stored on it.

While Kodi is open-source, Plex offers a free, as well as premium subscription service which brings added benefits to upload content from the camera folders of devices, live TV and DVR streaming and recording, and mobile syncing to make all your private files seamlessly available across all screens. Similar to the Kodi add-ons, Plex offers Channels, both official and unofficial ones, which allow you to add more functionality to the platform, including the ability to watch movies and TV shows online for free.

2. Stremio

Among the Kodi alternatives that have been contending for the top spot with a simpler user interface and plenty of features, is Stremio. Available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux as well, Stremio has extended support across mobile platforms of Android and iOS, allowing its users to quickly sign up for the service, effortlessly sync all of your entertainment content to one platform, and enjoy it anywhere at any time.

Similar to the way Kodi has been popularized by its add-ons Stremio also maintains an official add-on library from the top entertainment service providers, such as YouTube, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, and several others. However, if you aren’t excited about the premium services, Stremio offers a bunch of ways to get premium content for free, through its dependable and absolutely free add-ons that are created and maintained by the community.

3. Emby

Featured as an “open media solution”, Emby is among the alternatives for Kodi that amalgamates all of your personal media content into a single frame and allows you to watch it at all times, no matter what device you’re viewing it from. Built on the same fundamental elements that make Kodi media player a hit, Emby has made it’s way even farther than Kodi has on some of the smart entertainment platforms.

Extending outwards to desktop and mobile platforms, along with official support for gaming consoles and Smart TVs, Emby gives you a seamless connection to content with a simplified UI. To keep the service legitimate, Emby does not host any content of itself but acts as an aggregator to connect with servers that host movies and TV shows for free.

4. MediaPortal

A worthy name among the best Kodi alternatives that you can find elsewhere, the only reason MediaPortal doesn’t top the list is the fact that it is only available for the Microsoft Windows platform. Nonetheless, this open-source media streaming platform works flawlessly, adopting some of the design elements and functionality directly from Kodi, while being lightweight enough to run on mid-tier devices as well.

Available in an older and stable, as well as a newer version that is still under development, MediaPortal is primarily equipped to bring all of your local content under one roof. However, the ability to install plugins that bring in features such as live TV shows, movies, radio podcasts, and more, gives you the upper edge.

5. Universal Media Server

If you aren’t too keen about using the plugins and add-ons that are offered by the various Kodi alternatives and are looking for a streaming solution that gives you a no-nonsense solution to multi-device interconnectivity, Universal Media Server is the answer to your prayers.

Supporting all kinds of DLNA devices from mobile phones and HDTVs, to gaming consoles and even DSLR cameras, Universal Media Server brings the videos, images, documents, music files, and everything else in between to a web interface. Supporting every major file format out there, the service allows you to congregate everything under one roof for simplified management and viewing.

6. OSMC

The neat attempt at dethroning Kodi media player may have been made in the form of OSMC (Open Source Media Center), but it hardly had the recognition that the latter does. However, this doesn’t change the fact that OSMC stands tall as a formidable open-source media streaming platform that benefits from a minimalist design with highly capable features.

Apart from supporting all of the major desktop and mobile devices, OSMC also extends its grasp across various TV tuners so that you can find the media streaming platform on the big screen at any time. The best part is that OSMC is built on the foundation of Kodi, which makes it compatible with all of the best Kodi add-ons out there.

7. Popcorn Time

One of the most recognizable names in unofficial online streaming content has to be Popcorn Time, which has effectively been among the best Kodi alternatives for years. Designed to be a multi-platform solution that directly hosts and showcases the latest movies, TV shows, documentaries, and so much more, Popcorn Time differs from Kodi and every other service on this list since it does not act as an aggregator.

Supported across Windows, Mac OS X, and once an official app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store too, Popcorn Time is no longer available for mobile devices. However, you can still get your hands on a stable build of the app online, which grants you a neat and organized user interface, coupled with a humongous library of content that is available for viewing right away.

Kodi Alternatives work best with ExpressVPN

The rapidly growing popularity of Kodi and its idea of giving the power of entertainment back to people has not been looked at favorably by the copyright protection agencies globally. Similar to the way Kodi cannot be shut down but the best Kodi add-ons can, the best Kodi media player alternatives also are safeguarded in most cases, but piracy protection laws do limit their usage. Whether you choose to stick with Kodi for all your entertainment pleasure or want to venture out with its alternatives, you need a VPN service such as ExpressVPN to keep your browsing experience optimal at all times.

Unlock entertainment content – For those who just want to take a look at the catalog of movies and TV shows that Netflix offers outside of your country of residence, or wish to try out services such as BBC iPlayer which is not available to residents outside of the UK, enabling ExpressVPN grants you access to a world of entertainment that you are yet to discover. 

ExpressVPN on all devices – Whether you want to set up the VPN service on your mobile phone to make VOIP calls and go under the detection radar, or wish to unlock the power of Kodi with ExpressVPN, there’s an app to do it. You get support for all of the popular platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, and even VPN-enabled routers. 

Keeping you secure – To keep your online activities private and away from the prying eyes of your ISP, the government, and especially hackers, ExpressVPN has the highly strengthened 256-bit encryption in place. Since your IP address is hidden, your location and your identity are also safeguarded for complete anonymity. 

Final Words

There have been numerous media streaming services that offer the latest movies and TV shows, some of which that even predate Kodi media player. The reason Kodi has stuck around for more than a decade is the fact that fundamentally speaking, Kodi is completely legal to use, which is the reason it is officially available on the app store of every major platform. But when it comes to the Kodi add-ons the story is entirely different, hence most of the virally popular Kodi add-ons are the earliest ones to be shut down.

Speaking of the Kodi add-ons mentioned above, some follow a similar strategy of providing premium media content only as an add-on, while some have included it into the core of the service itself. If you’re trying to find something other than Kodi media player that works for you and settled with a name in the list above, be sure to mention the name in the comments section below. If you have a few Kodi alternatives that do a pretty decent job as well, but we’ve missed out on them, be sure to list them in the comments as well, and we’ll try them out.

How to Install Kodi on PS4 – The Complete Guide

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Want to learn how to install Kodi on PS4 and get the best of entertainment online with gaming on the same platform? Here’s everything you need to know about why installing Kodi for PlayStation 4 isn’t officially available, and why the way around is worth the effort.

The gaming revolution set forth in the 1980s in the Japanese market led to the creation of some of the business names in the industry today. From Nintendo and its classic N64 gaming console to the remarkable SEGA Genesis that stole the show in the year 1988 – gaming has been a point of focus in the Japanese world for decades. However, it wasn’t until the technology giant Sony stepped out of the photography and video entertainment scene to introduce the very first gaming console, the PlayStation in 1994.

One of the first “high-graphics” console released in its time, the Sony PlayStation became a standard of measurement for the entire gaming industry. Over the years, the only real competition that the PlayStation series has encountered has been from the American computer company Microsoft, through the release of its very own Xbox gaming consoles. However, this hasn’t been able to slow down the momentum of the latest generation console from Sony, the PlayStation 4 one bit.

Kodi on PlayStation 4 – Gaming meets entertainment

As the gaming industry has flourished over the years, so has the sphere of online entertainment, and the two worlds coincide online. Multiplayer gaming is now done through the means of remote servers, which is the same technology that has reshaped the way we enjoy movies, TV shows, and live TV too. While the list of premium streaming services is endless, there has been one open-source media streaming platform named Kodi, that has stood the test of time. Built initially as a means to run media files on the rival Xbox console, Kodi has since turned into a universal media streaming platform that allows you to cut the cord for good.

Over the years, Kodi media player has extended official support across desktop platforms, mobile devices, and even streaming boxes. Surprisingly enough, the Xbox One gaming console has received official support for Kodi media player through the Microsoft Store. This certainly gives the rival PlayStation 4 an upper edge when it comes to entertainment capabilities, so its time to level the playing field. But the first look at the official Kodi website will give you a clear picture of the fact that Kodi media player is not directly supported by PlayStation 4.

Note: In all fairness, you should know that there is no direct way of installing the Kodi media player on the PlayStation 4. Sony Corporation has highlighted that since Kodi media player, to some extent, facilitates the streaming of pirated content, it will not be supported on the PlayStation platform. However, this hasn’t stopped tinkerers from finding a way around the problem. However, any website or tutorial that promises an official solution to run Kodi on PS4 is either misled or straight-up lying, so be cautious.

How to Install Kodi on PS4

Just because there isn’t an official way to get Kodi working on your PlayStation 4 console, doesn’t mean you can’t get it up and running. Browsing through the user forums, we have uncovered two reliable methods to get the open-source media streaming platform installed on your Sony gaming console. While we are partial over one method to get Kodi working on the PS4 console, for information purposes, we have highlighted both the methods down below.

Method #1: How to install Kodi on PS4 using Plex

Since the Xbox console is running a variant of Windows, you can simply fetch the official app from the Microsoft Store and begin. Since the PlayStation 4 is based on its very own operating system, there is not an official Kodi app available on the PlayStation Store that allows you to install the app. However, there is another app on the PlayStation Store that brings you a way to mirror the Kodi media player on the big screen with the console hooked up.

Step 1: Download the Plex app

  1. Turn on your PlayStation 4 console and head to the home screen.
  2. Head over to the PlayStation Store app and open it.
  3. Using the Search box at the top of the screen, look for the Plex
  4. Once you’re on the app screen, press the Start button to begin the download.

The way you can use Plex to run Kodi on PS4 is by accessing the content on your Kodi-supported device remotely. Hence, you need to make sure that Plex is installed and set up on your other device as well. Based on the device that you choose to utilize as the directory to view content from Kodi on your PlayStation, install the respective version of the app.

Download Plex Media Player

Step 2: Set up Plex on both the devices

Now that you have the Plex media player installed on both, your PlayStation 4 as well as your secondary Kodi-enabled device, it is time to create your account. We recommend that you create your Plex account on the secondary device since typing in the details to create an account with your PS4 controller might be a hassle.

  1. Open the Plex app and set up your account to “Create a Managed User”.
  2. Enter the required details to create your Plex account on the Kodi-enabled device.
  3. Once your account has been created and you’ve verified your email address, head over to the Plex app on your PS4.
  4. Press the button that reads “Add an Existing Plex User” and enter the login credentials that you have used to create your Plex account in the previous step.

After verifying the connection using the alphanumeric code, you will now be able to manage the content on the PS4 and the secondary device using the Plex media player.

Step 3: Link the two devices

Now it is time to create a link between the PlayStation 4 and the secondary Kodi-enabled device so that you can seamlessly share the content between the two.

  1. Open the Plex app on your Kodi-enabled device and navigate to the System tab.
  2. Under the System menu, head over to the Settings tab.
  3. Here you will need to enable the following options – Show Camera Roll, Advertise as Server, and Network Discovery options. 

With the options enabled, you will now be able to stream the media on your secondary device, directly on the big screen to which your PlayStation 4 console is connected. Meaning that you can choose to stream content from the Kodi app on your device directly to the PS4 using the Plex media player app.

Method #2: How to install Kodi on PS4 using Ubuntu

For the uninformed, Ubuntu is an operating system based on Linux that has been popularized as a no-holds-barred version of desktop OS over the years. What does Ubuntu have to do with a tutorial related to PlayStation 4 and Kodi you ask? Well, some wild tweakers on the internet have figured out a way to sideload the entire Ubuntu operating system on to the PlayStation 4. Since Ubuntu is among the officially supported platforms by Kodi, this enables you to directly run Kodi media player on your PS4 gaming console.

Prerequisites:

  1. 16GB USB drive to create a bootable drive for Ubuntu.
  2. Ubuntu OS that is available on the official website (Download Link).
  3. Linux Boot Loader for PlayStation 4 (Download Link).
  4. VirtualBox installed on your computer (Download Link).

Step 1: Create a bootable Ubuntu USB drive

  1. With the VirtualBox installed on your computer, open it and select the New button from the top bar.
  2. Tap on the Create a Virtual Machine button and name it “PlayStation 4” for the current purpose.
  3. Select Linux in the Type section and Ubuntu 64-bit under the Version section before you press the Next button.
  4. Grant the amount of RAM to the virtual machine (Recommended minimum 2GB and maximum 8GB).
  5. The next screen will ask you to create a virtual hard disk, where you can choose the option “Do not add a virtual hard disk” and press the Create button.
  6. You will now be able to see the virtual window on the right side of the screen display “PlayStation 4”, click on it and then select the Settings button.
  7. Under the Settings menu, select the Storage – Attributes – Optical Drive and then click on the CD icon next to the menu to pick “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File”.
  8. Using the file browser, look for the Ubuntu OS file that you had previously downloaded and press the Open
  9. Now head back to Storage – USB menu and click on the USB icon with the “+” sign at the right side of the USB Device Filters Here, a drop-down menu should allow you to select the USB drive that you wish to use to create a bootable Ubuntu OS.
  10. Select the USB drive you have connected to the computer and then press the OK button to confirm.
  11. To start the virtual machine, click on the PS4 tab on the left side of the screen and then press the Start
  12. A window will pop up, allowing you to install Ubuntu on the USB device. Select your preferred language and on the left side of the screen, select the option to Install Ubuntu.
  13. Follow the steps on the screen up until the virtual machine allows you to grant the computer a name and asks you to create a username and password.
  14. At this point, the installation process should begin, after which, you can feel free to turn off the VirtualBox and exit.

Copy the Ubuntu files directly to the USB drive that you have connected to the computer, which should complete the process of creating a bootable USB Ubuntu drive.

Step 2: Installing Ubuntu on PS4

  1. Hook up a mouse and a keyboard to your PS4 to begin the process of sideloading Ubuntu OS on it.
  2. Connect the bootable Ubuntu drive that you have created to the PS4 console.
  3. Turn on the PlayStation 4 and navigate to Settings – User’s Guide option.
  4. Click on the PS4 WebKit Playground button that you see on the screen.
  5. Under the Linux loader tab, select Load and wait as the Linux console boots up.
  6. With the keyboard connected, type in “fdisk -l” and press the Enter
  7. Type in “mount/dev/sdb2 newroot/” and press Enter to load the Ubuntu partition.
  8. Now go ahead and type in “exec switch_root/newroot/ /newroot/sbin/init” and press Enter once again.
  9. Press the S button to skip the error message and wait as Ubuntu is loaded on to your PlayStation 4 console.

Step 3: Install Kodi on PlayStation 4

  1. Select the Ubuntu icon on the top-left corner of the screen to look up the terminal and double-click on it.
  2. Type in “sudo apt install kodi” followed by “sudo apt-get install software-properties-common” and grant Yes when asked for permission.
  3. Type in “sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa” and press the Enter key, followed by “sudo apt-get update” and press Enter once again.
  4. Finally, enter “apt-get install kodi” and press Enter, and type in Yes to confirm your action.

The process will commence, at the end of which, you will finally have Kodi media player up and running on the sideloaded version of Ubuntu on your PlayStation 4.

Final Words

When it comes to console gaming, there is no doubt that some people simply prefer the PlayStation 4 far more than Xbox One. However, the software restrictions put forward by Sony to deter piracy and essentially promote its PlayStation Vue streaming platform bars the access to Kodi, the most popular open-source media player out there. From the guide above, it should be apparent that while it is possible to install Kodi on your PS4 console, it certainly isn’t an easy process by any means.

Installing a makeshift version of Kodi on your PS4 by sideloading Ubuntu OS is going to be a complicated ordeal, to begin with. When a cheap and efficient Amazon Fire TV Stick can be sideloaded with Kodi media player to get the job done, we suggest you take the easy route and save yourself the risk of bricking your beloved gaming console. Be sure to let us know in the comments section if you’re still going to give Kodi on PS4 a try, or play it safe and get Kodi media player working on the big screen through an Android streamer.

Best Kodi Repositories of 2019 – The Roundup

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Kodi repositories make up a huge chunk of how you enjoy your online streaming entertainment on the platform. We present to you, a list of the best Kodi repositories that are available and tested to work, so you can just kick back and relax to tunes of some quality entertainment.

The entertainment industry has been revolutionized and changed for the good with the betterment in networking infrastructure. Apart from connecting parts of the world that were disenfranchised for decades at a stretch, the World Wide Web has opened up possibilities for streaming services all over the globe to gather millions and billions of viewers each day. While the existence of for-profit streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and several others are to be celebrated for the cord-cutting era that has given the traditional cable companies a run for their money, there also has been a grassroots movement within the online community.

 Remember to always use a VPN when using Kodi.  It helps keep you viewing habits private.  We recommend ExpressVPN.  

A result of this grassroots movement has been the inception of Kodi, which was formerly known as XBMC, which started off as a means to bring multimedia playback to the original Xbox console. Kodi media player has become the most popular online entertainment center available today, and it is in part due to the multi-platform support that Kodi comes with. However, it is the wide and ever-growing collection of Kodi add-ons that has supercharged Kodi in more ways than one, bringing tons of entertaining content, utility features, and so much more to the media streaming platform.

Best Kodi Repositories of 2019

While you may have heard plenty about Kodi add-ons, if you’ve been using Kodi long enough, but you may not be familiar with repositories just as much. A Kodi repository is essentially a collection of different Kodi add-ons, and to access these add-ons on your Kodi media player, you need to install the repository first. A single repository can contain dozens of Kodi add-ons in itself, which can then be installed easily using the Add-ons tab.

Kodi is loved and adored by millions of users all over the world, which in turn, results in the existence of thousands of Kodi repos scattered across the internet. To make sure that the add-ons you are installing are up to date and tested to work, you need to get a hold of only the most reliable repositories for Kodi. To make your life easier and unlock your access to the realms of entertainment, we have shortlisted some of the best Kodi repos that are available in 2019 and verified to work.

Note: Kodi media platform by itself is designed to be a tool to help entertainment viewing easier across different devices. Although it has been verified to be legitimate, the same cannot be said about some of the unofficial Kodi add-ons, which have been known to irrigate copyrighted content, which may lead to piracy. We expect the Kodi repos mentioned down below to be used at the user’s discretion in any case.

1. Kodi Bae

While it may not be as elaborate as some of the other Kodi repos on the list, what Kodi Bae does best is pack the popular add-ons into a single database. Focusing more on the quality in comparison to the quantity, you get premium quality add-ons such as LiveStreamPro, Sparkle, Ultimate Whitecream, cCloud TV, Exodus, Realizer, Release HUB, and many others for movies and TV shows, along with add-ons like MP3 Streams and Kiddo for music too.

To install Kodi Bae, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://mega-tron.tv/transform/ and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

2. Kodisrael

Possibly the most power-packed Kodi repo that is actively updated and managed by the developers, has to be Kodisrael. The repo comes with Kodi add-ons that has something in each category for users to install and enjoy, with names such as ShowBox Arize, Titan, ZEUS VIDEO, Gotham, Flixanity, The Underdog, AresTube and many more for quality video content, Rock the Mic, Party Vibe, iPlayer WWW, Jango, PODBAY, and Firecat to get the music going, along with additional offerings under the weather and utility categories.

To install Kodisrael, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://www.lvtvv.com/repo and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

3. SuperRepo

An old-timer in the world of dependable Kodi repos available to date, SuperRepo may have lost some of the Kodi add-ons that once made it extremely popular, but it continues to pack a powerful punch. The repository hosts a categorized layout for all of the add-ons, making it simpler for you to find everything from movie add-ons to exclusive skins for Kodi. SuperRepo does host some unique video add-ons by itself, such as SkyNet, FilmOn, DramaGo, Specto Fork and more.

To install SuperRepo, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://srp.nu/ and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

4. All Eyez On Me

In comparison to the other repositories for Kodi on the list, All Eyez On Me is a fairly new entry into the market, but it a world where the oldest Kodi add-ons drop like flies, age is just a number. Packed with add-ons for live tv, premium movies and TV shows in high definition with add-ons such as Genesis Reborn, FilmOn, Disney Junior, BBC iPlayer and Indigo, All Eyez On Me is updated regularly to add new offerings, and remove the broken add-ons that no longer work, so that your Kodi media streaming platform is tuned for a smooth run.

To install All Eyez On Me, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://aeom.cf/repo and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

5. OneNation

This Kodi repository is an example of how a newer and less-established name can also gain popularity based on the quality of user experience it offers. OneNation has gained an upper edge over the other Kodi repos based on the fact that it is a collection of add-ons that you won’t easily find elsewhere. To name some, you will be able to find YouTube, Power TV, Essential, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Power TV, and other mainstream Kodi add-ons over at OneNation.

To install OneNation, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://www.onenation.info/ and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

6. Diamond Wizard

Another Kodi repo that chooses to side with quality over quality in terms of add-ons, Diamond Wizard brings add-ons that pack value in terms of entertainment and quality of media content. You get certain music add-ons such as Spotify, Squeezebox, Roon Control and others to get your groove on, along with video streaming add-ons by the dozen, which include Golden Age, Movie Theater Butter, Reddit Viewer, TUBITV, The USS Defiant, LiveStreamsPro, and many more to keep you hooked on to Kodi media player.

To install Diamond Wizard, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL http://repo.rubyjewelwizard.com/ and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

7. Kodi Nerds

Developed and introduced after the release of Kodi 18 Leia, Kodi Nerds as a community-driven repo with add-ons that are legal and officially supported, giving you a chance to get off the pirate ship. Owned by a German company, Kodi Nerds comes with plenty of German add-ons, some of which include DAZN, SkyGo, VEVO TV, YouTube Music, DailyMotion, and more, with several English language add-ons available too.

To install Kodi Nerds, here’s what you need to do:

  • Launch Kodi media player and head over to the Settings
  • Select the File Manager tab and click on the Add Source
  • In the field that says “Enter the paths or browse for media locations”, select “<None>”.
  • Enter the URL from here and press the OK
  • Enter the name for the repo that you’re adding to Kodi and click the OK
  • Head back to the main menu and select the Add-ons
  • Select the Add-on Package Installer icon and click on Install from ZIP file.
  • Find the repo name that you had previously entered and click on it.
  • Click on the ZIP file into the repo folder and wait while it is being installed.

You will now be able to find the repository and all of its add-ons under the Add-ons tab.

Final Words

Millions of users all across the world are plugged into Kodi media player each day to share the content stored on their various devices, and to stream movies and TV shows directly on the big screen. There certainly has been a hard crackdown on Kodi add-ons and the repositories that they come from, owing to the patrolling federal agencies in different regions. While there have been plenty of instances where Kodi repositories have gone dark, there seems to be an emergence of new and improved replacements each year.

Each of the Kodi repositories that we have mentioned in the list above has been tested to work, along with the dozens of Kodi add-ons they house. If you have a Kodi repo in mind that we have missed out on, but certainly deserves to be installed on every Kodi users’ device, be sure to share it in the comments section right down below.

The Complete Kodi Apple TV Setup Guide

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Kodi Apple TV support may not be official, but there is a way to get the world’s most powerful streaming software on tvOS right now. Here’s everything you need to know about setting up Apple TV with Kodi media player, and how you can get started with it right now.

For as long as the Apple Inc. brand has existed, the company has been driven by the mindset to create consumer technology that stands apart. From the Apple II desktop computer that broke the tech world in ways no other computer in its time could, to the revolutionary Apple iPhone which continues to be one of the most successful inventions by the Cupertino company till date – Apple has been the epicenter of some of the resounding feats of personalized technology ever created.

The release of Apple TV in the year 2007 was the brand’s entry into the home entertainment space, bringing the simplicity of online entertainment streaming to people’s homes, and it certainly was ahead of its time. This was the same time when open-source media streaming program called XBMC, now known as Kodi, was gaining popularity. In the world of entertainment, Kodi media player has been one such driving force, which was created as a non-profit software to streamline media consumption. However, instead of creating a profiteering business around consumer market, Kodi is a free-for-all community that contributes openly to form a globally accessible streaming platform.

Kodi Apple TV Guide – Everything you need to know

Apple TV is designed to be a full-blown media streaming center that revolves around the closed-environment ideology on which all Apple products are based. From the MacBook running Mac OS X to the iPhone and iPad on iOS, Apple TV also comes with its very own proprietary operating system deemed as tvOS. Since the moto of Apple is essentially opposite to that of Kodi media player, it seems like two worlds colliding when you consider installing that open-source media streaming platform on a streamer device that isn’t intended for it.

Since Apple has made changes not just to the hardware, but also to the software of the Apple TV devices over the years, the ability to perform the Kodi Apple TV setup isn’t the same for each of the variants. We’ve deconstructed the process of setting up the most popular media streaming platform on Apple TV, and here’s everything you need to do to unleash your entertainment experience on the big screen.

Kodi Apple TV 1st Generation Setup

Apple TV First Generation may have been discontinued for almost a decade now, but it hasn’t been devoid from support for the Kodi media player. When it comes to the installation process, all you need to get started is around 1GB of available disk space on the Apple TV storage, along with a USB flash drive which puts up the Kodi media player on to the streamer.

Setup Process:

  • Make sure that you have upgraded your Apple TV 1 tvOS version to 3.0.2 in case you’re still using the previous older version.
  • You need to then fetch the OSMC (Open Source Media Center) installer by using the download link given here.
  • Once the installation process for OSMC completes, open the app on the Apple TV. Remember, you will receive a warning alert on the screen, since OSMC is not officially licensed to be used with the Apple TV.
  • Plug the USB flash drive into your computer, select ‘Apple TV’ from OSMC’s menu screen, and hit the Enter button.
  • Select the latest version of OSMC available and then press the Enter button.
  • You will be able to see a list of download options on the next screen. Select the ‘SD card’ option from the options and then hit the Enter button.
  • Now go ahead and choose the location of your USB-DISK, approve the user agreement box and wait as OSMC begins downloading on your USB flash drive.
  • Once the installation process of OSMC is completed, unplug the USB flash drive from your computer and then plug it into your Apple TV.
  • Turn on your Apple TV and wait as OSMC will begin installing it automatically.

Open Source Media Center (OSMC), which is a Linux-based media player for Kodi, will now be running on your Apple TV 1, allowing you to make the most of the online entertainment world.

Kodi Apple TV 2nd Generation Setup

Although the OSMC platform for the very first Apple TV was a step in the right direction, it did not support the later versions of Kodi media player that were released. Apple TV 2nd Generation was one of the first streaming devices out there to be able to run Kodi in its full capacity. However, after the device was discontinued, so was the software support for Kodi on it, which the reason you can only run older versions such as Kodi Helix on it.

Note: The process of installing Kodi media player on an Apple TV 2 requires a computer running Mac OS X software.

Setup Process:

  • Using a USB Type-C cable, hook up your Mac computer to your Apple TV 2 device.
  • Open the terminal window on your Mac and enter the following code – ssh [email protected]. Note: Replace the IP address ‘192.168.3.4’ with the IP address of your Apple TV.
  • Enter the password of your Mac computer when prompted.
  • Now go ahead and enter the commands into the Mac terminal:

apt-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 ?eb http://mirrors.kodi.tv/apt/atv2 ./? > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list

apt-get update

apt-get install org.xbmc.kodi-atv2

Once the process is completed, you can connect the Apple TV back to your HDTV and check to see if the Kodi media player is working optimally.

Kodi Apple TV 4th & 5th Generation Setup

If you own an Apple TV 3rd Generation, then you’re out of luck, since it is the only variant of the media streamer that is not supported by Kodi. The only way to make Kodi work on an Apple TV 3 is by running it on a Mac OS X device or an iOS device, and then using AirPlay to cast the display to the big screen on the Apple TV. However, if you own an Apple TV 4th and 5th Generation, or the latest Apple TV 4K, there are a handful of methods for you to try out and get Kodi media player working.

Prerequisites:

  • Apple TV 4th or 5th Generation, or the latest Apple TV 4K.
  • tvOS version 11 or higher installed.
  • File for the latest version of Kodi media player for iOS (DEB File (ARM64).
  • Cydia Impactor tool (Download link).
  • iOS App Signer and Xcode.

Method No.1: Apple TV Kodi setup using Cydia Impactor

In order to install the Kodi media player on your Apple TV, you need to begin by converting the DEB file package into an IPA package.

  • Start off by ensuring that you have an app installed on your computer that can unzip files. Mac OS X users can fetch the Unarchiver or Entropy app, while Windows users can choose to use the 7-Zip or WinRAR app.
  • Start off by using any of these file unzippers to unzip the DEB Kodi media player file.
  • Once you have unzipped the DEB file, go ahead and unzip the file that is named ‘data.tar’.
  • Now you need access to the folder named ‘data’, then open the ‘applications’ folder and yet another folder called ‘Kodi.app’ will appear.
  • Start off by creating a new folder next to ‘Kodi.app’ and simply name it ‘XYZ’.
  • You need to drag the ‘Kodi.app’ folder and drop it into the ‘XYZ’ folder you created earlier.
  • Now you need to create a new ZIP file. Windows users can simply right-click on the ‘XYZ’ folder that was created in the previous step and select the unzip app to create a ZIP file. Mac users can right-click on the folder and select the ‘Compress’ option to create a ZIP file.
  • Mac users will have the file format of the compressed file as a ZIP by default, whereas Windows users will have to manually make sure that the compressed file format is ZIP.
  • Both Windows and Mac users must right-click on the ZIP file and rename it as ‘Kodi.ipa’.

Once you have successfully created the Kodi IPA file, you can begin the installation process, which doesn’t take more than a couple of more minutes.

  • Begin by connecting your Apple TV to your computer and if the iTunes app opens automatically, then make sure to close it.
  • Go ahead and open the Cydia Impactor app.
  • Locate the Kodi.IPA file that you had previously created to drag and drop it into the Cydia Impactor window.
  • You will now be asked to enter your Apple ID, so go ahead and provide it.
  • Cydia Impactor will then begin the process to install the Kodi app on your Apple TV.
  • Once the process is complete, feel free to disconnect Apple TV from the computer.
  • Now connect your Apple TV to the big screen and start using Kodi.

Method No.2: Kodi Apple TV set up with Xcode

Since Xcode is the official app development software for all things Apple, you will need a Mac OS X computer to get Kodi working with this method.

  • Hook up your Apple TV to your Mac OS X computer with the help of a USB-C or USB-A cable.
  • Download and launch the latest version of Xcode on your computer, and click on the button that says “Create a new Xcode project” from the main menu of the application.
  • Using the sidebar on the left, choose the ‘tvOS’ option, and then the ‘Application’ option.
  • Now select the option for ‘Single View Application’ from the right side of the screen.
  • You then need to specify options such as giving the app a product name along with an organization name and then fill the Bundle Identifier, after which, you can press the ‘Next’ button.
  • As the Xcode program loads, you might end up with an error that says the software can’t find a “matching provisioning profile”. Press the ‘Fix Issue’ button, which should resolve this issue.
  • You will now be asked to enter your Apple ID, and although being a developer is a bonus, a regular Apple ID should work too. Pick your Apple ID from the drop-down menu and click the ‘Choose’ button to proceed. The error should now be resolved on Xcode and you will be redirected to the main menu.
  • Now go ahead and open the iOS App Signer you installed using the link given above. You will be asked to enter details into multiple fields, starting with the first one named ‘Input File’, where you need to select the Kodi DEB file. For the fields such as the ‘Signing Certificate’ and ‘Provisioning Profile’, you can use the default values as it is.
  • Browse for the section that reads the ‘App Display Name’ field at the bottom of the screen, type in the name ‘Kodi’ and then click the ‘Start’ button.
  • The App Signer should now be able to unpack the data in the Kodi DEB file and create a new IPA file as a result.
  • Head to the Xcode app, click on the ‘Windows’ button, and then choose the ‘Device’ menu.
  • From the list of devices appearing on the left, pick your Apple TV and then choose the ‘+’ tab under the ‘Installed Apps’ section.
  • Make your way to locate the newly created IPA file within iOS Signer to open it.
  • Once the process of installing Kodi has finished, you can feel free to disconnect Apple TV, attach it to your TV and get Kodi running on the big screen.

Why Use ExpressVPN for Kodi for Xbox

The problem with this movies streaming platform like Kodi are that these services are not exactly legalized. Since the copyright content is distributed freely without the approval of the production studios, watching movies and TV shows of Kodi  not only lies in the legally gray area but also may not even be possible if your ISP (internet service provider) has blocked such websites. Under such circumstances, the only option that is left for you to try out is a dependable VPN service such as ExpressVPN which not only unlocks free movie streaming sites but also keeps your privacy in place.

  • Since free online streaming sites may be blocked by your ISP or geo-restricted, ExpressVPN is essential in helping you change IP address and get past the limitations right away.
  • ExpressVPN comes with a built-in Speed Test service which helps you predict the connection speed you can expect during your viewing session.
  • Thanks to the dozens of servers that are spread across the globe, ExpressVPN is able to offer you different connections with varying Speed Index, so that you can choose the server that offers you the highest transfer speeds.
  • By changing your IP address without taking a bite out of your surfing speed, ExpressVPN offers you complete anonymity when browsing the internet, keeping your ISP out of your personal business.

Final Words

You may not be a big fan of the closed-loop that Apple dictates on the software side when it comes to interconnectivity, but there’s no denying that all Apple products are popular for a good reason. Apple TV has enjoyed a permanent place in the living rooms of millions of consumers all around the world, and while the majority of them may not feel the need to tinker with the software that comes pre-installed, running Kodi on Apple TV requires you to roll up your sleeves and do the dirty work.

Are you among the Apple TV users who is rushing to get Kodi media player working on the big screen, or do you think that all of the work simply isn’t worth the hassle? Be sure to let us know what you think about the entire ordeal in the comments section right down below.

How to Setup Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK – Complete Guide

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Need to find out how to set up Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK and easily navigate through apps on the big screen? Here’s a complete guide on how you can bring an all-new navigation feature to your media streaming device with just the help of an app.

NO matter how comfortable we get with portable entertainment, viewing on the big screen and the immersive effect it brings is not something that the consumers are willing to give up. Ever since internet media streaming became mainstream, big brands in the TV business have been working on creating “Smart TVs”. This finally compelled the mammoths of the tech industry to step in and release dedicated media streaming devices like the Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Being relatively cheaper, yet offering more than the features afforded to the regular Smart TVs, has enabled these budget streaming devices to become a daily entertainment hub for millions of users all around the world. But the Chromecast isn’t perfect, since it does not come with its very own remote controller, and while the Amazon Fire TV Stick does come with a remote, it does not come with the point-and-shoot interface that most Smart TVs of the current era do.

Simplify navigation on Fire TV

If you’re a basic user who has never ventured outside of the limited catalog of apps in the Amazon App Store, then the Fire TV Remote should suffice. However, for those of us who are accustomed to using touch sensitivity to navigate through mobile screens, or love the convenience that a mouse pointer offers on the computer screen, the navigation buttons on the official Fire TV remote can seem dated, to say the least.

Sure, you could install the official Fire TV app for your Android or iOS device and start using your phone screen as a virtual mouse. But if you have to end up using your phone to navigate the Fire TV interface, then why not just get the widely-supported Chromecast instead? Additionally, if you plan to sideload apps to your Fire TV, apps that are designed to work with touch screen devices with simply not function when installed on the big screen, unless you have Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK installed.

How to Set Up Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK

The way Mouse Toggle works is that it allows you to double-press the Play/Pause button on the Alexa remote controller to bring up a mouse pointer on the screen. BY using the navigation dial on the remote, you can move the cursor around and press the center button to select options that appear on the screen. This makes it possible for you to easily use non-supported apps on the big screen with little to no hassle in terms of navigation.

Step 1: Enable Unknown Sources on the Fire TV Stick

The Unknown Sources option of the Developer Options menu in Android allows the sideloading of apps. Meaning that you can choose directly select an Android APK file and install it manually to your Android device without the need for Google Play Services. Since the Fire TV Stick is also running a variant of Android OS, you can turn on this option from the Settings menu. Mouse Toggle for Fire TV is not officially supported by Amazon and does not exist on the App Store menu, hence you need to sideload it as well.

  1. From the home screen on your Amazon Fire TV device, go ahead over to the Settings
  2. Now navigate over to the Device tab and then find your way to the Developer Options
  3. Here you will now be able to view the tab that reads Apps from Unknown Sources, so go ahead and click on it to
  4. Press the ON button and then confirm your action.

Step 2: Download and Install Mouse Toggle for Fire TV

Now that you have the ability to sideload apps enabled on the Fire TV Stick, all you need to do is get a hold of the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK file and install it. But before you can do so, you will need access to the internet to enter the URL of the download source and fetch the APK file. To do so, you will need the Downloader app, which is available on the Amazon App Store for you to download and install right away.

  1. Head back to the main menu and then look for the Apps
  2. Using the search menu screen, find the app called Downloader and install it on the Amazon Fire TV device.
  3. Open the Downloader app on your Fire TV and go to the Home section to enter the URL of the Mouse Toggle APK file.
  4. Type in the following URL in the box – http://tinyurl.com/firetvmouse and hit the Go
  5. Select OK when the Downloader app asks you to enable JavaScript, which is required for webpages to load within the app.
  6. Wait for the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK file to be downloaded, and then press the Install button and once again to confirm your action.
  7. The Mouse Toggle app will now be installed on your Amazon Fire TV, so you can press the Done button to exit, or choose to launch it by pressing the Open

Step 3: Enable the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV

You may have the Mouse Toggle app finally installed on your Fire TV, but there is one final step that you need to complete before you can start using the app. You will need to head over to the app settings to enable it, and before you can do that, you must have ADB Debugging enabled on your Amazon Fire TV through the Developer Options menu.

  1. From the home screen of your Fire TV, head over to the Settings
  2. Navigate to the Device – Developer Options – ADB Debugging and then enable the feature.
  3. Now head over to the Apps section to find the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV app icon and select it.
  4. From the available options on the settings screen, press the toggle switch next to “Enable the mouse service”.
  5. You can also choose to “Auto start the mouse service on device start-up”

Now you can feel free to exit the app settings and begin using the Mouse Toggle to freely navigate across the Amazon Fire TV user interface. All you need to do is double-press the Play/Pause button on the Fire TV remote to bring up the navigation circle. Using the dial, you can move around the navigation circle and press the center button on the remote to select elements on the screen.

Use ExpressVPN with Mouse Toggle for Fire TV

While the number of apps in the Amazon App Store may be limited, the navigation menu for each of these apps in line with the Alexa remote. If you’re planning to install the Mouse Toggle app on your Fire TV, chances are that you will also be playing around with a bunch of other sideloaded apps as well. With apps like Showbox for Android that has gained quite the fame among the Fire TV community, you need to play it safe and keep your device out of harm’s way. To safeguard your Fire TV as you enjoy a stellar entertainment experience online, we recommend that you hook up the Fire TV to ExpressVPN for unmatched protection.

Use Mouse Toggle with ExpressVPN

Free entrainment streaming apps may not among the legal streaming platforms since they offer copyrighted content to watch for free to users. Even if your conscience doesn’t get in the way of using them, such streaming services can land you in trouble, depending on the laws and regulations of your region. Since your ISP can track your usage and internet browsing history, using a VPN service such as ExpressVPN is highly recommend.

Enjoy region-locked content

Federal authorities have blockaded access to online apps and the dozens of different servers from where these apps source their content. Depending on where you live, you won’t be able to access certain services online on your Fire TV, but there is a way around this. ExpressVPN gives you the ability to connect with hundreds of remote data servers across the world, so you never have to worry about geo-restrictions again.

Slip past ISP logging

Even if certain apps are is not banned in your region, the ISP (internet service provider) can still keep a compete for an on-file record of your usage. The online activity that you perform with the Fire TV can be logged, which poses not only a privacy breach, but the problem of being fined for unauthorized usage as well. With ExpressVPN and its industrial-grade encryption to secure your browsing activity, you can always rest assured knowing that your browsing experience is 100% private.

High-speed entertainment

When you choose a VPN service that helps you get past the ISP but underperforms in terms of connectivity and lags behind with slower speeds, you could end up with long cycles of buffering, which can ruin the streaming experience entirely. Thanks to ExpressVPN and its server filtering feature that rank highest on the Speed Index, you can choose a network server with the best streaming speeds from all around the world.

Final Words

The way streaming services have taken over the entertainment industry is reshaping the way we enjoy movies and TV shows every day. From putting businesses like Blockbuster out of business, to forcing the traditional cable TV companies to go online – online entertainment streaming is the present and the future. A large part of this cord-cutting revolution has been spearheaded by budget streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Google Chromecast, and others.

None of these streaming devices are perfect by any means, but with the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV app up and running, your Fire TV comes quite close to becoming a true entertainment powerhouse. Unleashing the navigation abilities on the Fire TV will allow you to use traditionally mobile-only apps on the big screen and enjoy entertainment like never before. No matter where the Mouse Toggle for Fire TV APK takes you though, be sure to stay safe and secure using ExpressVPN all the time.

Best Kodi Tips You’ll Find in 2019

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Kodi tips are rather underrated. After all, one of the biggest advantages that Kodi offers compared to other players and streaming services is that it’s extremely modular. It can be shaped in any way you want. 

So, why not take advantage of that? Here are the best Kodi tips that we can give as of 2019!

1: Use a VPN

Kodi veterans probably saw this coming from a mile away, but one of the most important Kodi tips that we can give you is to use a VPN. More so for security rather than privacy. 

See, while Kodi itself is completely legal to use, there are numerous 3rd party add-ons that aren’t. In some places, this can get you into huge trouble. You may end up paying fines or in some other, more severe, but also more rare cases, going to jail. 

Using a cheap VPN (Avoid freebies) is an easy way to avoid that. Not only because it conceals your identity, but also because it can make it look as if you’re browsing from another region; preferably one that doesn’t care too much about piracy. 

Germany and Japan are two of the most strict countries when it comes to pirating and streaming copyrighted content. So, those of you who live there should definitely use one. As for the rest of us, it’s still a good idea. Just to be safe. 

Some of the top choices include: 

  1. Express VPN
  2. Surfshark
  3. And Nord VPN

We personally prefer Express VPN since it has been long known as one of the best options and you know what they say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”. 

2: Change The Language

This is quite a simple one, but did you know that Kodi offers multiple languages? It starts off with English, but there are plenty of more options to choose from. 

There are 75 options to choose from including: 

  1. Greek
  2. Russian
  3. Swedish
  4. Japanese
  5. German
  6. Croatian
  7. Czech
  8. Danish
  9. Dutch
  10. French

And many, many more. So, if you’re not a native English speaker, why not change the language to feel right at home? You can do that by going to: 

  1. Settings (Gear icon)
  2. Interface
  3. Regional
  4. Language
  5. And then simply select the language of your choice

Sure, this isn’t anything breathtaking. But, for those of you who are not too good with English, it can definitely make a huge difference. 

3: Install Different Skins

Kodi looks beautiful as is. But, did you know that there is also the option of installing custom skins on it? This can change not only your background but the overall feel of the app. 

Thankfully, unlike installing 3rd party add-ons, installing skins is as easy as going to: 

  1. Settings
  2. Add-ons
  3. Search
  4. Insert the name of the skin that you want
  5. Search
  6. Click on it
  7. Select “Install”

And that’s about it. 

Now, of course, the harder part is finding some skins to install in the first place. But, in such cases, Google is your friend. Some of our favorite options are: 

  1. Eminence: Very simplistic and elegant
  2. Aeon Nox: SiLVO: Beautiful and transparent
  3. Arctic Zephyr 2: Magical
  4. Atlas: A bit dark
  5. Chroma: Great for TVs
  6. Black Glass Nova: Fancy
  7. Pellucid: As simple and beautiful as it can get
  8. Transparency: Probably the best option for those who are stuck with a remote
  9. Revolve: Practically makes Kodi feel like a different app
  10. Aen Tajo: Abstract themed

Kodi tips

With so many options out there, you’re bound to find something that fits your tastes. All of the installed skins can be found at: 

  1. Settings
  2. Add-ons
  3. My add-ons
  4. Look and feel
  5. Skin
  6. Select the skin that you want
  7. And pick “Use” 

4: Customize Your Skins

Installing skins is one thing; customizing them is another and probably one of the best Kodi tips that we can give you. After all, there are times where the skin hits all the right spots, except one thing. 

That thing could be anything. The background, colors, header, etc. To find these options, you simply need to head over to: 

  1. Settings
  2. Skin settings

And then adjust anything according to your preferences. 

Kodi tips

Do keep in mind that your options may vary depending on the skin that’s installed. In any case, this is something that helps us bring everything one step closer towards our taste. 

5: Create Separate Profiles

Netflix offers a handy feature which allows you to switch between different profiles for different members of the family or friends who are sharing the account with you. But, did you know that you can also do something similar with Kodi? 

If there are multiple people in the house who are using the same machine, then creating a separate profile for each person may be a good idea. Not only for having a bit of privacy, but also for individual preferences like add-on lists, skins, setups, etc. 

Creating a profile is as simple as going to: 

  1. Settings
  2. Profiles
  3. Add profile

Kodi tips

You’re free to add passwords if you want and it goes without saying that there is the option of selecting different profile pictures, default log-ins, etc. 

6: Don’t Forget to Adjust the Main Settings

Most of the time, Kodi manages to setup the main settings automatically without any issues. But, if you are experiencing issues with your display or anything like that, then chances are that you’ll have to manually adjust some options. 

The main settings can be found at: 

  1. Settings
  2. System
  3. And then you can tweak whatever feels wrong

For example, a common issue with Kodi users on PC is that they can’t get audio on their headphones. Especially those who are using a dedicated audio card for it. Fixing that requires you to go to: 

  1. Settings
  2. System
  3. Audio
  4. Audio output device

And then you need to select your headset. 

Kodi tips

As far as basic Koti tips go, this an absolute must. The same thing applies to your display settings. You can change not only the active monitor but also its resolution with the native option being the best. 

If you don’t know what your native resolution is, just try out different options until the display feels more natural and crisp. 

Wrapping Up

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any other good Kodi tips, then let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below. 

How to Change Netflix Region

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Looking on how to change Netflix region? It’s actually a very easy thing to do. You just need to know how. This guide shouldn’t take any more than 10 minutes to follow, so, keep on reading!

Why? Well, for those of you who don’t know, due to licensing issues, Netflix is not allowed to display all movies and shows universally. Some of them are geo-blocked. For example, “The Office”, which is a very popular show, isn’t available to watch in numerous parts of Europe. 

Depending on your region, there is a chance that more than 50% of Netflix’s library is unavailable to watch. So, without any further ado, here’s how to bypass these kinds of restrictions!

1: Choose A Reliable VPN

The easiest and most effective way of changing our Netflix region is by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs can be installed as any other software on your device and offer an additional layer of security/privacy while using them. 

However, the reason that we truly need one in this particular case is because they also give us the ability to “Disguise” ourselves. A VPN can fool websites; including Netflix; into thinking that you’re browsing from another place in the world. 

This feature is extremely useful for bypassing geo-blocked websites and content like movies and shows on Netflix. That being said, this is why our first and most important step of changing our Netflix region is choosing a good VPN. 

Normally, a Google search would be more than enough to find a VPN. However, there are tons of them to choose from. So, finding the ideal candidate can become a bit of a pain; which is why we’re here to help you out. 

Things to Consider When Choosing A VPN

Most paid VPN apps will work just fine for most applications. But, when it comes to using one for Netflix? Let’s just say that your choice needs to meet some criteria: 

  1. Ideally, you want the best bang for your buck: Pretty obvious. Nobody wants to spend more money than needed
  2. Needs to be able to bypass Netflix’s detection system: Netflix has an algorithm which detects if you’re using a VPN or not. You want something that can bypass that
  3. Speed: Streaming high-quality videos is one of the most bandwidth-intensive tasks that one can do. Having a VPN that’s fast enough to stream movies or shows is an absolute requirement
  4. Security and reliability: Using a VPN means that the user is switching from trusting his data to his ISP (Internet Service Provider) over to the VPN provider. So, make sure to choose someone who will surely not sell that data to 3rd parties
  5. Available locations: Most VPN apps allow you to choose from a plethora of virtual locations. Make sure that you can get as many as possible
  6. Cross-platform support: Most of us use at least a phone and a computer. If you’re intending on using the VPN for multiple devices, then pick one that supports multiple platforms (Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, etc)

With all of that being said, we think that Express VPN is a very solid option. It starts at 6.5 euros per month, works with Netflix while also offering the necessary speeds for streaming, and it’s also known as one of the most reliable choices out there. 

How to change netflix region

It’s available for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux and gives you a ton of regions to choose from. Overall, it’s a solid choice. Still, if you don’t like it, feel free to make your own choice. 

Check out Express VPN on its official website

 

2: Setup The VPN

At this point, you hopefully understand what a VPN does and why we need it for this to work. So, after choosing a VPN, you need to set it up in order for it work with Netflix. 

Guides are usually not necessary for such simple things, but here’s how to do it anyway: 

  1. Download and install your VPN from its official website
  2. Select the region of your preference
  3. Wait for the connection to establish
  4. And that’s it

How to switch netflix region

The process may slightly differ from VPN to VPN. But, generally, it’s as simple as opening the app and choosing a specific region to connect to. 

When it comes to Netflix, the best choice is usually the US. Still, make your own research on that. If you Google search a show and it shows up on Netflix but you still can’t see it, then chances are that you’re still geo-blocked. 

If that happens, just make a Google search, see which regions have access to the show or movie that you are after, and switch to that server with your VPN. 

Can I Use My Netflix Account Overseas? 

Yes, you absolutely can. If you are using a VPN, then your physical location doesn’t really matter. In the virtual world, you can live anywhere you want. 

And if you don’t have a VPN? Well, then the situation slightly changes. Some regions, like Greece, can normally access but with limited content. Others, like China, will not allow you to get in at all. 

So, to wrap things up: 

  1. For VPN users: doesn’t really make a difference
  2. For non-VPN users: depends on your location

How to Change Netflix Region: Wrapping Up

So, for those of you who are looking on how to change Netflix region, all you basically need is a trustworthy and fast VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions. 

90% of the process is all about trying to find the right VPN for the job. After that, it’s all a matter of opening the app and connecting to a location that is not geo-blocked. 

Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll need to have a Netflix subscription as well. And it sucks that we need to pay for Netflix AND for a VPN service to access all of the content that we were paying for anyway. But, that’s how it is.

And that’s about it. If you’ve got any questions, you can drop them in the comments section down below and the WTLS team will try to get back to you. Till next time. 

Best Netflix Alternatives in 2019

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There are numerous Netflix alternatives out there and we’re here today to find the best out of the bunch. I mean, Netflix is a great streaming service. It really is. But, what if you want something different? Something maybe a bit cheaper, free, or with a different selection of movies and shows? So, let’s check out some alternative options. 

1: Best Netflix Alternatives For a Subscription: Amazon, Hulu, And HBO

Netflix alternatives

Amazon, Hulu, and HBO are by far the most popular streaming services aside from Netflix. Obviously, most of us already know about them. But, still, we thought that mentioning them is good for starters who are just now getting into streaming. And if you haven’t heard about them, now is your chance to check them out!

First of all, there is Amazon Prime Video which offers a great collection of movies and TV shows like Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Game of Thrones (Along with an HBO sub) and many, many more. The great thing about it is that it goes hand to hand with Amazon Prime which means that you won’t have to pay for two separate services. 

Then there is Hulu which has a wide variety of shows to watch from – especially if you include the add-ons that you can use like HBO, Showtime, and more. The only downside of it is that their Android app doesn’t play well with certain devices and that can be an issue. Especially if you consider that more than 60% of people nowadays prefer browsing with their smartphones. 

Last, but not least, there is HBO. This is  the streaming the service that offers two of the most popular exclusive shows out there: 

  1. Game of Thrones
  2. Chernobyl

Exclusives are obviously not exactly a good thing for us, the consumers, but just saying. Prices are not going to be mentioned cause they can wildly differ from region to region. 

Best Free Netflix Alternatives: Showbox, Popcorn Time, And Kodi

Netlfix alternatives

Not everybody is able or willing to pay for a subscription. Thankfully, there are quite a few Netflix alternatives that are also completely free to use. 

Now, some of them are a bit shady and maybe even dangerous for your device’s health, viruses and such, while others, up to a certain point, are completely safe and legal to use. Let’s shart with Showbox. 

Showbox is completely free and allows you to watch almost every show and movie that’s out there. However, it has 2 series downsides: 

  1. Only available for Android
  2. No official source as of yet

The first downside is somewhat of a problem for PC users and for those who want to watch their shows on a bigger screen. Not really a huge deal. However, the second downside can even prove to be dangerous. After all, download the app from the wrong source and you may get infected with adware or something even worse. 

Popcorn Time is a bit more popular and is available for computers as well. While it has a rather big collection of shows and movies, it’s also considered illegal in numerous countries.

Piracy is commonly nothing to be afraid of. But, if you are living in the wrong country and at the wrong time, you’re risking getting fined or even going to jail. More on that later on. 

Last, but not least, Kodi. Kodi, by default, offers quite a number of legitimate and legal sources to watch numerous videos. Now, if you want to move on to more questionable add-ons, then that’s your call to make. 

Basically, Kodi allows you to use 3rd party sources and that, in turn, makes it practically possible to get all the shows and movies in the world for free. Just not legally. Again, Kodi, by default, is completely legitimate and legal. The 3rd party add-ons are the ones that are questionable. 

Consider Using a VPN

Some of the above-mentioned services, including Kodi and Showbox, are considered illegal in numerous countries. Well, to be more precise, Kodi isn’t considered illegal as it is, but that’s a topic for another day. 

Usually, pirating movies and shows isn’t something that will get you punished. However, some countries are known for being strict for such matters. Germany is one of the few that can fine you or even send you to prison for piracy. 

So, are you going to take the risk? Why not use a VPN? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s a kind of software which conceals your identity and also whatever it is that you’re doing on the Internet from any prying eyes. 

That includes your ISP and even the government. Obviously, if you’re going to do something that’s considered highly illegal, then no VPN provider is going to try and hide you from the government/police. 

However, for the rest of us normal folk who just want a bit of privacy and security, a VPN is a great solution. Most of them are extremely cheap while there are also a few free choices. We’d recommend against the latter, but, that’s a topic for another day. 

There are plenty of choices out there, but ExpressVPN is the one that we’re going to recommend. After all, it has a long-standing reputation for being fast, reliable, affordable, and secure. 

So, all things considered, do seriously think about installing a VPN. 

Get ExpressVPN From The Official Website

 

Honorable Mentions

All the services that we mentioned above are some of the most widely known Netflix alternatives, but there’s much more to it than that. Here are some other streaming services that deserve a bit of attention as well: 

  • HooqMubi
  • Fandor
  • Crackle
  • Hotstar
  • Filmstruck
  • Sling TV
  • Tubi TV
  • YouTube
  • Pluto TV
  • Showtime
  • Pureflix
  • Pocorn Flix
  • Viewster
  • Snag Films

Yes, YouTube is also included. While it’s clearly far from having the biggest collection of shows and movies, you can still find a few stuff there. For example, The Red Pill is only available on YouTube at the moment. 

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any other Netflix alternatives to recommend, then let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below!

How to Jailbreak FireStick TV – The Complete Guide

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Want to find out how to jailbreak FireStick TV and unleash the streaming capabilities of the portable entertainment system? Here’s everything to know about jailbreak the Amazon Fire TV Stick, how you can do it, and the benefits that it has to offer.

The modern age of entertainment is a cord cutter’s dream come true, with the biggest names in the business moving towards online streaming. Google may have started the online push after taking over YouTube and making it the largest database of videos online, but a list of names has followed since. The entertainment industry has flourished upon the arrival of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other premium subscription-based services, but bringing the streaming services to the big screen has been the effort put in through devices such as Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and many others.

In order to make premium content available to the masses on various streaming platforms, Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick. Offered as a compact and affordable solution to connect your home entertainment system to the internet and enjoy online streamed content along with live TV channels over the web, the Amazon Fire TV Stick has been revered by users all across the world. However, users have been buzzing the support forums all over the internet to discover different methods on how to jailbreak FireStick TV and unlock its true potential.

What Does Jailbreaking FireStick TV Mean?

The term jailbreaking is usually associated with Apple’s iOS devices, where a user is able to enjoy unprecedented software and hardware access by modifying the system files. Unlike the iPhone or the iPad, the system installed on the Amazon Fire TV Stick is actually based on Android 5.0 Lollipop, although it does not include the traditionally preinstalled suite of Google apps and services. Amazon offers its very own App Store, with thousands of offerings that are tailored to work best with the Fire TV on the big screen with navigation support from the Alexa Remote.

When we speak about learning how to jailbreak Amazon Fire Stick, it refers to the ability to install apps on the device while bypassing the App Store. The ability to so has existed natively on all Android devices right from the get-go, which is offered as a feature embedded in the Developer Options menu. Jailbreaking the Fire TV Stick allows you to “Install from Unknown Sources”, which essentially means that you can install apps in their raw format (APK) directly on the device, without requiring the permission of the Amazon App Store, and is generally referred to as “sideloading”.

Why Jailbreak Amazon Fire Stick TV?

Generally speaking, the reason Google Play Store has been put in place is to act as an inspector, ensuring that all apps are put through a screening process before being installed on your phone. While you would wish for the same on your Amazon Fire TV Stick, but the exclusion of the Google Play Store in lieu of the Amazon App Store limits the number of available apps for use significantly. Thanks to the ability to sideload apps to the Fire TV Stick, you get the ability to install thousands of big-screen apps to your TV.

Additionally, the popularity of Android streaming devices has led to the release of third-party app stores built for simplified navigation. For instance, the Aptoide TV App Store allows you to find some of the best Android TV apps and install them to your Amazon Fire TV device. These third-party app stores and app repositories also allow you to install apps such as Showbox for Android, that aren’t officially available neither on the Amazon App Store, nor the Google Play Store.

Once you jailbreak the Fire TV Stick, you can also install the Kodi media player app on it, which unlocks the doors to entertainment heaven for you. From enjoying live TV shows, to having the latest and greatest movies and TV shows at the click of a button, Kodi media player on your Amazon Fire TV devices brings a whole new dimension to your entertainment experience on the big screen.

How to Jailbreak FireStick TV

Now that you you’ve understood what jailbreaking Amazon Fire Stick means and how you can use it to your advantage, it’s time to understand how you can start using it. You need to start by enabling the ability to sideload apps to the Amazon Fire TV Stick, which comes by switching on the “Unknown Sources” feature in the Developer Options menu.

  1. Right from the main screen on your Amazon Fire device, head over to the Settings
  2. Head over to Device tab and then navigate to the Developer Options
  3. You will find the tab that reads Apps from Unknown Sources and click on it to turn the feature ON.

Now that you have enabled the “Unknown Sources” option from the Settings, you can begin to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV Stick.

How to Sideload Apps on FireStick TV

Once you have the Unknown Sources features enabled on your Fire TV Stick, you will now be able to bypass the Amazon App Store and install apps directly. But before you can start doing this, you will need the App Store on your Fire TV one last time, to fetch the Downloader app. This app essentially works as a web browser and download manager, allowing you to get APK files online and then directly install them to your streaming device.

apps unknown warning

  1. From the main menu screen, look out for the Apps
  2. Using the search bar, find the Downloader
  3. Press the Install button and wait for the app to be installed on the Amazon Fire TV.

Bonus: Install the Aptoide TV App

A third-party app store that is designed especially for the Android TV platform, Aptoide TV brings you access to thousands of apps. Apart from apps that are available on the Google Play Store, you can find a bunch of independent apps as well.

  1. Open the Downloader app and go to the Home section to enter the URL.
  2. Type in the following URL in the empty box – http://m.aptoid.com/installer-aptoid-tv/ and hit the Go
  3. Select OK when the app asks to you to enable JavaScript, which is essential for webpages to load within the Aptoide TV app.
  4. Wait for the Aptoide TV APK file to be downloaded, and then press the Install button and once again to confirm.

The Aptoide TV app will now be installed on your Amazon Fire TV Stick, so you can press the Done button to exit, or choose to launch it by pressing the Open button.

Use ExpressVPN When You Jailbreak FireStick TV

One of the primary reasons to jailbreak your Amazon Fire Stick TV is to be able to enjoy video streaming content from apps that are aren’t originally available. This may include regional apps which are not supported officially by the Amazon App Store, but there may be other barriers in the way too. Geo-restrictions are put in place by several big names in the online streaming business, and the only way to get around these restrictions is to put a VPN service such as ExpressVPN to use.

Bypassing Geo-restrictions – Depending on where you live, you won’t be able to access the services online even with a jailbroken Fire TV, but ExpressVPN offer you a way around this. Allowing you to connect to hundreds of remote servers across the world, you can choose to log in from more than 60 different locations.

Avoid ISP Logging – Even if a streaming service is not barred in your region, the ISP (internet service provider) can still keep an on-file record of the user data. The online activity that you perform on the Fire TV Stick can be logged, which poses not only a privacy treat, but the problem of being fined for unauthorized usage as well.

High-speed Streaming –When you choose a mediocre VPN service that helps you get past the ISP but underperforms in terms of connectivity, you could end up with minutes of buffering, which can impact the entertainment experience. With ExpressVPN and its smart filtering of servers that rank highest on the Speed Index, you can choose a network server with the best streaming speeds on the Fire TV Stick.

Native Support – The sheer popularity of ExpressVPN not only makes it a viable solution for desktop and mobile devices, but for streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick as well. The Amazon App Store officially supports the ExpressVPN app, allowing you to hook up to a proxy server, easily choose your service location, and even monitor your streaming speeds for a surreal viewing experience.

Get ExpressVPN to protect your viewing behavior

Final Words

With the massive improvements in the communication infrastructure, there is high-speed wireless connectivity across not just the United States, but the entire world. This evolution in the communications industry has bolstered the efforts to cut the cord when it comes to entertainment and ditch the local cable companies in favor of premium streaming services. Bringing the ability to stream content online directly to the big screen has been made possible for the masses, thanks to budget streamers such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Since people are always looking to make the most of the capabilities of what their gadgets can do, the ability to jailbreak FireStick TV has become a popular trend. We’ve highlighted the reasons why an individual would be inclined to take up the process steps and get their device enabled for sideloading apps. If you have any questions regarding how sideloading works on the Fire TV, or have any other queries, just reach out to us in the comments.

Are VPNs Legal to Use? Everything you Need to Know

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Looking to unlock the power of the internet but concerned that are VPNs legal to use in your region? Here’s everything there is to know about the countries that allow the use of VPN, and regions where it is restricted by the government, or banned entirely.

During the early days of the World Wide Web when the network infrastructure was not yet as abundant as it is today, there was more freedom offered to users too. From being able to connect to services across country lines, to be able to access websites freely, the openness of the internet certainly has been disrupted as the number of users has skyrocketed to billions over the past couple of decades. However, the fight to keep the essence of the internet alive and been fueled by virtual private networks (VPNs), offering way to access any part of the World Wide Web freely, while keeping things private and confidential.

Whether you’re trying to access a website that has been restricted by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), or just want to enjoy an international version of Netflix with all of its extra content, a VPN is the way to go. But over the years, even VPNs, which were designed to be a beacon of privacy and security, have been perverted into being used as tools of malicious activities all across the world. The restrictions put forward by certain regional authorities can make you wonder are VPNs legal to use in the first place, which is why we’re here to help it break it all down for you.

Are VPNs Legal or Illegal?

It is estimated that around 1 on 4 people all around the world use a VPN service to secure their online browsing experience for different purposes. What was once the brainchild of a Microsoft chief engineer, today stands as the evolutionary technology that not only allows users to go around the internet anonymously, but barricade their privacy as well. VPNs have been used for decades by corporate entities and government organizations to secure their network services, and in the past decade, has become commercially available to individuals.

The fact of the matter is that VPNs are legal to use in most of the major countries all around the world, and is acceptable to federal authorities. Using a VPN is around 196 countries is completely legal. This includes the major superpowers such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Germany, Japan, and several others. However, there are certain countries that either restricted the use of VPNs partially, or have straight up made virtual private network illegal to use all across the region.

Where are VPNs Illegal and Why?

The core purpose of a VPN is to offer security, bolster privacy, and yet, grant complete and unrestricted access the World Wide Web. While the theory behind the service is a force for good, it hasn’t curbed the use of VPNs for a slew of illegal and immoral activities across the world. Unlawful and fraudulent use of a service that allows you to become untraceable and anonymous on the internet can wreak havoc on unsuspecting users.

The unethical use of such as service has been a concern for federal authorities worldwide, which is the reason users are compelled to ask are VPNs legal to use in the first place. However, most countries continue to allow the use of VPN services, with the regard of user freedom, but this does not apply to countries that have a sketchy record when it comes to human rights in the first place. A total of 11 countries have either explicitly banned the use of VPNs, or allow only government-approved VPN services for individual use.

Government-controlled VPN usage

  1. China – Setting up a dedicated cross-border line of communication requires direct consent of the Chinese government. Individuals caught accessing VPN services can be fined up to 15,000 Yuan (approximately $2,200).
  2. Russia – Under the guise of restricting “extremist materials” through social media, Russia blocks the access to VPN services and also imposes a fine of 300,000 RUB ($51,00) on the individual user, and an additional 700,000 RUB ($12,000) on the VPN service provider.
  3. Iran – The government-approved VPN services by the judiciary service in Iran are still subject to surveillance by the government, which defeats the purpose of having a VPN service.
  4. United Arab Emirates – Although the United Arab Emirates does not restrict corporations and institutions from using VPN services, individuals are barred from using VPN services to maximize the profitability of the government-owned telecommunication services. Fraudulent use of a VPN service is, however, a chargeable offence with can land you in custody or with a fine of $544,000.
  5. Oman – VPN services are restricted to curb the use of VOIP for communication and for users outside the Sultanate of Oman to be able to use the online services provided within the region only. A fine of 500 Omani Rial ($1,300) on individuals and 1,000 Omani Rial ($2,600) can be imposed upon unauthorized usage.
  6. Turkey – The government has imposed strict censorship on the content available for viewing to the users, but with no legal fines put forward.

Regions with VPN ban

  1. Iraq – In an order to keep the extremist propaganda by groups such as ISIS from spreading among the common population through social media, Iraqi government has outright banned the use of VPN services.
  2. Turkmenistan – For political reasons and to keep the coverage of foreign media away from the citizens, Turkmenistan’s one and only ISP is government-owned and filters out the content that the users have access to.
  3. Belarus – The government feels strongly about how services like Tor and VPNs can lead to an increase in online criminal activity, thus enforcing a complete ban all across the country.
  4. North Korea – Although a minuscule amount of users in North Korea have access to its version of the internet called “Kwangmyong” in the first place, usage of VPNs is entirely banned under the oppressive regime.
  5. Uganda – After the use of social media was made taxable by the Ugandan government, citizens turned to VPN services, which sparked the ban on the services and was mandated by the authorities on all ISPs.

Choose ExpressVPN

Just because the country that you reside in has not barricaded your access to the internet, does not mean that you don’t need a VPN service. From restricting access to websites from foreign adversaries, to keeping a tab on citizens through unprecedented measures of surveillance, there are plenty of ways the federal authorities are attacking your right to access the World Wide Web with complete freedom.

Even if you do choose a VPN service, it isn’t guaranteed that your online browsing sessions are not being monitored by the ISP or by high authorities, such as the NSA in the United States. Since certain VPN service providers choose to log the user browsing history and can cough up these details to the federal authorities upon request, just plugging into any VPN service won’t cut it. This is why we recommend using ExpressVPN, which guarantees to log no user information, is backed by the highest standards in encryption, and offers hundreds of servers scattered all across the world.

ExpressVPN covers 90+ countries – If you’re looking to access the local or national websites of a country far away, ExpressVPN has got you covered. With more than 160 server locations established in a total of 94 countries, you can spoof your IP address to appear from any of the enlisted countries, choose among 160+ different server locations, and get the fastest transfer speeds going.

Unlock entertainment content – For those who just want to take a look at the catalog of movies and TV shows that Netflix offers outside of your country of residence, or wish to try out services such as BBC iPlayer which is not available to residents outside of the UK, enabling ExpressVPN grants you access to a world of entertainment that you are yet to discover.

ExpressVPN on all devices – Whether you want to set up the VPN service on your mobile phone to make VOIP calls and go under the detection radar, or wish to unlock the power of Kodi with ExpressVPN, there’s an app to do it. You get support for all of the popular platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, and even VPN-enabled routers.

Keeping you secure – To keep your online activities private and away from the prying eyes of your ISP, the government, and especially hackers, ExpressVPN has the highly strengthened 256-bit encryption in place. Since your IP address is hidden, your location and your identity are also safeguarded for complete anonymity.

Final Words

While federal authorities tend to look at VPN services as a means for individuals to bypass necessary restrictions, the mainstream user only looks at it as a way to reclaim the core of what the World Wide Web was initially created for. As a means to connect the world, you cannot deny the fact that there are plenty of ways the resourcefulness of a VPN service can be amalgamated by those with malicious intent. The question of are VPNs legal has been answered in the list above, and the regions where it is restricted or banned, have been detailed as well.

Are you a resident of the countries where using VPN is a rite of passage, or are you among those who could land in trouble if caught communicated to a virtual private network? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.