Kodi add-ons

Is Kodi Illegal to Use? Here’s What You Need to Know

Last updated on June 7, 2019

Are you among those who wonders that is Kodi illegal to use and want to find out more about it? Here’s a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about the open-source media streaming platform and the complexity around its legal status.

In the past decade, there has been a tectonic shift in the way users across the world enjoy entertaining content. The growth of infrastructure across developed nations, and the advent of wireless high-speed internet connectivity has paved way for online streaming entertainment. In a world of premium subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and many others, Kodi media player has risen in popularity. Although Kodi is entirely different from the pay-to-view subscription entertainment services, the ability to stream content online is what has put so much focus on this open-source media streaming platform lately.

As the popularity of Kodi media player has risen, several Kodi media boxes for home entertainment have become readily available in the market. There are certain aspects of this platform that have come under scrutiny over the years, especially the ability of Kodi that allows you to install “Add-ons”. Some of the popular Kodi add-ons have been identified to distribute pirated content, which has led to serious crackdown from federal authorities. However, Kodi media player continues to hold it legal status, so here’s what you need to know about the media platform, is Kodi illegal to use with your devices, and everything in between.

To learn how to install Kodi on your devices, read some of our key guides:

How to install Kodi on Amazon Firetv and Firestick

How to install Kodi on iPhone

How to install Kodi on Ruku

The Backstory of Kodi

When the original Microsoft Xbox came out back in the year 2001, it came with a host of multimedia streaming features. However, Microsoft did not design the original Xbox for this purpose and kept these elements of the system on a lockdown. The Xbox user community, however, wanted more from the gaming console, which is why the concept of the XBMC (Xbox Media Center) was brought to life. As the community for an all-in-one media streaming platform has grown, Kodi has become increasingly popular, but attracted both, raving positive feedback, along with negative attention as well, raising the question that is Kodi illegal to use in the first place.

The strong demand for an open-source media player such as Kodi has attracted plenty of attention worldwide, which is why you can install the platform on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and even low-powered micro-computer devices like the Raspberry Pi. The software is now more than a decade old, but the millions-strong community behind it ensures that the service stays up to date at each and every step. More than just a streaming platform, Kodi comes with multi-format support, allowing you to connect all of your smart devices to a singular hub over the web.

Kodi is 100% Legal

Before you proceed any further to understand the clouded opinions around the legality of Kodi, we’re here to confirm that the Kodi media player is legal. The standalone open-source software, separated from its questionable and third-party add-ons, remains safe and legal to use. If Kodi media player in general was questionable in any way, you would not be able to find versions of the Kodi media player app on the official Windows Store, Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and other mainstream app marketplaces.

The question that is Kodi illegal comes into place due to the recent wave of bans on Kodi streaming devices. Popular online e-commerce websites such as Amazon have recently taken a stance against the streaming devices being sold on its website, which comes with Kodi pre-installed and ready for use. However, these Kodi media streaming boxes also come with a bunch of third-party Kodi add-ons installed right out of the box. Most of these add-ons are not endorsed by Kodi is any way, due to the fact that they allow users to access copyright content.

The open-source nature of Kodi allows developers to create and deploy their very own Kodi add-ons, which brings the ability to watch movies, live TV and more. Kodi media player may aid in the distribution of such content, but the XMBC Foundation behind it, neither endorses, nor advocates for the use of Kodi in such manner. Regardless of whether you find the ability to watch movies and TV shows freely using Kodi objectionable or not, the media streaming platform is absolutely legal to use.

How to use Kodi Legally

For those who want to take official route and want to use Kodi the way it is actually intended to be used, there are plenty of great things you can do. Rather than focusing on the shady add-ons that are available by the dozens, here’s how you can make the most out of the media player without having to wonder that is Kodi illegal to use freely:

Watching Local Content

While the tens of thousands of Kodi add-ons have bundled together an ocean of possibilities for the user, the core aspect of Kodi continues to be the same. The media streaming platform was, and still is intended to be a way for you to access, manage, and view content that you already have available. Read our guide that cover the best Kodi Addons.

Kodi media player gives you the ability to connect directly to services such as DirectTV NOW, Netflix, and many others, allowing you to legally stream content on Kodi using your premium subscription account. Additionally, if you own the original boxset to a movie or a TV show, you can watch it online using Kodi without any concerns.

Official Kodi Add-ons

The world of Kodi add-ons may have been taken over by a wave of unauthorized repositories, but XBMC Foundation continues to keep the dream of genuine and 100% legal Kodi add-ons alive. The official repository for add-ons by Kodi hosts thousands of plugins that can be installed directly from the Kodi media player itself and updated automatically.

You can find a wide range of entertainment Kodi add-ons for YouTube, music streaming through SoundCloud, enjoy open-source emulators for retro gaming, get direct access to the news through official broadcast add-ons as well. The add-ons included in the official Kodi repository are vetted by the developers, so you can rest assured knowing that they are official made available and legal to use at all times.

ExpressVPN for Kodi is Essential

So you’ve decided to try out the numerous add-ons available for Kodi media player, even if some of them may lie is the gray area. We’re not here to judge, but before you go ahead and start using some of the popular unofficial Kodi add-ons that are available, you need to be prepared for it. For most of the Kodi add-ons that offer premium entertainment content for free, you should have your guard up and employee a VPN service. By keeping your viewing experience anonymous at all times using a VPN, you can keep your online activity hidden from your ISP and prevent being flagged.

We recommend using ExpressVPN for Kodi due to the range of features that are tailored for you to have a satisfying viewing experience. Several Kodi add-ons are region-restricted to the United States, so enjoying them may not be a possible for users residing in other countries. ExpressVPN offers remote servers in more than a dozen countries across the globe, so you can set up a virtual location and browse anonymously from anywhere at any time. With military-grade encryption that has been put in place by ExpressVPN, you don’t have to worry about your browsing activities being flagged by your ISP or the federal authorities.

Since ExpressVPN is also available as a cross-platform service just like Kodi, you can install it on your Windows PC, Max OS X, Android, iOS, and even streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV and Android TV devices. Because you’re going to use Kodi for media streaming, you need a VPN service that does not hinder the data transfer speeds. Compared to most VPN services out there, ExpressVPN has been tested to have little to no effect on the upload and download speeds across the different servers, making it the right choice for streaming entertaining content.

Final Words

From being just a method to use the original Xbox as a media player, to becoming a global sensation in online media management – Kodi sure has come a long way. Out of all the open-source entertainment platforms out there, Kodi has been the one that has steadily grown with each passing year. The recent crackdown on the long list of Kodi streaming boxes has certainly put a dent in the reputation that Kodi media player has built. If the recent headlines have started to make you wonder that is Kodi illegal to use, then you don’t need to worry one bit, since Kodi media player is completely legal.

Do you use Kodi media player within its legal limitations with only the official Kodi add-ons, or have you decided to dive into the sea of unofficial Kodi add-ons that bring services such as live TV, movies, and TV shows for free? If you have any questions regarding Kodi or any of its related features, just ask away in the comments section down below, and we’ll get back to you right away.

How to Install Kodi on PC: Quick and Easy

Last updated on April 12, 2019

Looking for a guide on how to install Kodi on PC? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’re gonna show you everything step by step. No need to worry. It’s easy. So, let’s check it out. Shall we?

What is Kodi?

So, if you’re new here, you’re probably wondering what Kodi is in the first place. Well, to put it simply, Kodi is a program/software that is used to play media like music, videos, etc.

Now, you can use it to either play local content on your computer or stream stuff from the net. You can even watch free movies or TV if you know how to use it. And speaking of which, we’ll guide you through that in the near future. Because first, you need to install it.

But, before that, you may also be wondering if that’s illegal. Kodi by itself isn’t illegal in any way. But, streaming certain kinds of unlicensed content may very well be depending on your country.

So, if you’re planning on streaming any type of content with Kodi, we’d recommend playing it safe and installing a VPN such as Express VPN to “hide” yourself. You can find that over here.

More answers seem to beg more questions. What is a VPN? Again, to put it simply, it’s software that is used to hide incoming and outcoming traffic.

Thanks to VPN programs, nobody except you and your VPN provider can know what you’re up to. That leaves your ISP out of the way and anyone else who may want to pry on your activities.

So, even if you end up doing something that’s considered illegal in your country, like streaming movies, nobody will be able to do anything about it. Now that’s all out of the way, let us proceed with the guide.

1. How to Install Kodi on PC

Kodi is available in multiple platforms, including Windows. Since this is a guide on how to install Kodi on PC, we’ll have to focus on Windows for now. Future guides for OSX and Linux will follow up as well. So, if you’re in one of these platforms, stay tuned! So, the first thing that you wanna do is:

Head over to Kodi’s official website
Scroll down a page and click on the Windows icon
Do the same thing on the next page
Download either the 32-bit or 64-bit version depending on your PC. Most computers nowaday’s are 64-bit but if you don’t know about yours you can play it safe with the 32-bit version. It should work on both 32-bit and 64-bit computers.

Now all you have to do is wait for the download to finish. After that, open the installer and follow the steps that it’ll provide you with. You’ll be prompted to agree to some terms as well. So, just do that. Nobody reads those anyway. Once you are finished with that, Kodi should be installed on your Windows PC. However, there are still a few basic steps to follow in order to get Kodi up and working.

2. Performing the Basic Setup

This is more or less how Kodi looks when it’s all set up. All beautiful and tidy isn’t it? This part of the setup is about the local files. So, do keep that in mind. All you need to do to have your local files displayed like that on the menu, is go to:

Settings (Upper left corner of the screen)
Media
Select either Videos, Music, or Pictures
Go to “Add Music” or anything else that you want
Click OK and you should be set

If you don’t know where your local content is, then you need to refer to the app/shop where you bought it. For an example, if your music is bought and downloaded from iTunes, then you need to go to:

iTunes
Edit
Preferences
Advanced

The first thing that you should see is the folder location where your downloaded songs are located. And you can use that location for Kodi later on. Now, if you downloaded your stuff online from a browser, simply head to your file manager and the “downloads” folder. Everything should be there. We won’t ask where you got it.

ATTENTION: USE A VPN TO PROTECT YOUR VIEWING BEHAVIOR

ATTENTION: ISPs and governments regularly track their users’ online behavior. If the users are found streaming copyrighted content on your PC, you could potentially get into a trouble. Your IP is visible to everyone unless you use a solid VPN service. I strongly recommend you to get the best VPN for computers and mask your identity/IP so that your streaming and viewing experience isn’t tracked by your ISP. Using a VPN is perfectly legal and safe. I use ExpressVPN which is the fastest and most secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device including PC. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 3 months free and save 49% on their annual plan.

3. How to Setup Streaming Services

As we mentioned above, streaming such content is not permitted in a few countries. Especially in Germany, UK, and the USA. So, if you don’t want to end up paying any fees, you best launch your VPN before doing anything that involves streaming content. Now that this is out of the way, there are primarily two things that you can do to stream content using Kodi:

Use the included repositories with their add-ons
Look online for extra repositories

Kodi works with add-ons. An add-on can offer anything from pictures and videos to skins and mini apps. You can find all of that under repositories. As we mentioned above, Kodi comes with its own repositories by default. So, let’s start with that.

How to Install Kodi on PC: Handling the Included Add-ons

Now you’re probably wondering: “If Kodi comes with its own repositories by default, then why do we need do install the included add-ons manually?” And the answer is simple. If everything was installed by default, you would never be able to find what you like. Or at the very least, you would spend a lot of time searching.

There are just too many add-ons. Not a good idea to have all of them installed by default. So, if you want to install some of the default add-ons, you need to go to:

Add-ons
Install from repository
Kodi Add-on repository
Video Add-ons (if you want videos, movies, or anything related)
Select the Add-on of your choice.
Install

And after that you should be all set. Simply head back to your homepage, over to Add-ons, and you should find everything that you’ve installed there.

The good thing with the included Add-ons is that most of them are totally legal everywhere and they work effortlessly. The bad thing is that they often hide extra paywalls and despite being so many of them, there is a good chance that you still won’t find what you’re looking for.

How to Install External Add-ons

Installing Add-ons from around the internet is definitely a lot tougher and it often doesn’t work. However, this will multiply the amount of content that you can get a thousand times over. Chances are that you’ll be able to find anything that you want with this method. Just don’t be surprised if you encounter a lot of errors. It happens. The first thing that you wanna do is head over to:

System settings
Add-ons
Unknown sources

You want that to be enabled or you won’t be able to install any Add-ons from the Internet. This is disabled by default because there is a very small chance that you may end up installing malicious software in this way.

But, as long as you’re careful with which websites you choose, you should be fine. That brings us to the next step. Now you need to head over to Google and search for what you want.

For an example, if you wanna watch Anime on Kodi you can type something like “Best Anime Kodi Add-ons” and you should find plenty of websites which will show you the way. Then you’ll notice that those websites give you a link. A repository link. You need to:

Copy that link
Head over to Kodi
Go to settings
File manager
Add source
Paste the link that you got
Go back to the home page
Add-ons
Install from zip file
Head over to the location that you were given
Back to home page
Install from repository
Head over to your new repository
Install any Add-on that you want

It’s definitely a bit confusing at first. But once you get the hang of it you’ll be able to install anything that you want in a matter of seconds.

If you don’t have any types of content in mind, you may want to check out our best 30 Add-ons for Kodi. You’re sure to find something interesting. And if not, maybe at least some inspiration.

That’s it for now. If you were looking on how to Install Kodi on PC, then that’s the best that we can deliver for you right now. Hopefully, that helped you out. If we forgot anything important then make sure to let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below. Feel free to reach out for help as well. Till next time.

Now What?

Now that you have installed Kodi on Firestick. You won’t have access to any content on Kodi in its basic installation. To stream movies, TV Shows, or Sports, you will need to install different Kodi Addons or leverage a Build which includes multiple Addons in a seamless user experience.

Wondering how to get the best Kodi Addons or Builds on your Fire TV / Stick? Check out the links below which will help you install popular Addons and builds which are working fine and pulling quality streams.

Read our Guide to the best builds for Kodi

Read our Guide on to the best Addons for Kodi