Do you want to learn how to install Kodi on Xbox One and gear up your gaming console for some entertainment streaming as well? Here’s everything you need to know about installing Kodi media player on an Xbox One, and how you can supercharge it with the help of ExpressVPN.
Back in the early 2000s, the gaming industry was dominated by the Japanese tech brands such as Nintendo, Atari, and Sony. The American computer company Microsoft decided to take a jab at it, introducing the very first Xbox console, which may not have been able to compete with the PlayStation One in terms of sales, but certainly overpowered it with the hardware specs that it boasted. Soon enough after its launch, the community support for Microsoft Xbox looked for ways to run multimedia files on the console, which led to the inception of the XBMC (Xbox Media Center).
Fast forward to 2019, and XBMC has evolved into the Kodi media player, possibly the most versatile streamer software available today. The widespread popularity of Kodi has helped it spread across the desktop and mobile platform, but it continues to have a home on the Xbox One console. Thanks to the introduction of the Kodi media player app on the Microsoft Store as well as the Xbox App Store, you now have an official method on how to install Kodi on Xbox One. But with the built-in multimedia capabilities that are included with the latest generation of Xbox One consoles, why do you need to hook up Kodi media player to it?
Why use Kodi on Xbox One?
The very first Xbox console may have had the hardware that allowed the installation of XBMC, despite the software limitations. The Xbox One console is designed to be a multimedia hub, allowing you to not only enjoy high-graphics game titles, but also act as a streaming device with support for all the top names in the entertainment streaming business. While the ability to install the Kodi media player on your Xbox gaming console may not seem essential to the cause anymore, but there are plenty of reasons to do it.
Multi-format media support – Kodi has been built from the ground up to support every media format there is available, covering the basics such as AAC, MP3, OGG, MP4, and many others. But the ability to support content in unconventional formats such as ISO, 3D, H.264, etc., along with the ability to import additional details such as posters trailers, video extras, and more, is what makes Kodi one of a kind.
Live TV Streaming – Unless you have a dedicated streaming service that offers live TV coverage and is supported by the Xbox One, the only way to enjoy live TV is through the Kodi media player. Supported services such as MythTV, NextPVR, MediaPortal, and others are integrated with Kodi, allowing you stream thousands of channels on the Xbox One, along with the ability to double up as a recorder too.
Kodi Add-Ons – Just when you thought that a multimedia player could not get any better, Kodi changes the game with the add-ons. With a massive library of official Kodi add-ons that bring a slew of features related to video, audio, weather, productivity, and more, there is also a community driven to offer unofficial add-ons for the media platform, some of which are even known to offer free movies and TV shows.
How to Install Kodi on Xbox One
The original Xbox, as well as the previous generation Xbox 360 were built on a different software operating system, which required a lengthy process to install Kodi on the console. However, the Xbox One has been integrated with the Windows 10 operating system, which makes it an ideal home entertainment system. This also makes it easier to install Kodi on Xbox One, since the media player is available officially on the Xbox App Store.
- Turn on the Xbox One console and access the Main Menu
- Make sure that the Xbox One is connected to the internet and you’re logged into your Live account.
- Tap on the Search button and type in “Kodi” and select the Kodi icon when it appears.
- Press the Get button and wait while the Kodi app is installed on your Xbox One console.
- Once the app has been installed, you can hit the Launch button to start the Kodi app on your Xbox One console.
You can also choose to install the Kodi app on your Xbox One remotely from your desktop using the Microsoft Store app.
- On the desktop or laptop screen, press the Start icon and search for the Microsoft Store app.
- In the Microsoft Store app, use the Search bar to find the Kodi
- Press the button that says “Install on Xbox One” to begin.
- After a few minutes, the Kodi app should be downloaded and installed on your console, so do make sure that it is turned on.
Now that you have the Kodi media player installed on your Xbox One, you can start using it just the way you would on the desktop or mobile phone. Installing official Kodi add-ons, along with add-ons from community repositories is also possible on the Xbox One.
Use ExpressVPN with Xbox One
If you’ve been using Kodi media player for streaming and watch movies and TV shows using the numerous add-ons available, you already know how crucial it is to get a VPN up and running. But any free or cheap VPN service just won’t cut it, which is why we recommend that using ExpressVPN when using Kodi on Xbox One. Built with features that are streamlined for online viewing, ExpressVPN allows you to choose the fastest servers from more than 60 different regions across the world.
Apart from making your browsing experience anonymous and hiding your user activity from the ISP, ExpressVPN is the only way for you to enjoy some of the most popular Kodi add-ons. Regional restrictions may either affect your streaming experience with Kodi, or make certain add-ons completely redundant, and the only way around it is using a service such as ExpressVPN. But when it comes to using Kodi on Xbox One, the compatibility of ExpressVPN with Xbox One makes it one of the more versatile services to use.
Read our article about the best VPNs for Kodi.
Final Words
There is no question about the fact that cord cutting is taking over the entertainment industry, and at the current rate of growth, cable entertainment will be a thing of the past. For the gamers among us, making a sizeable investment behind a powerful gaming console should entitle to you not just some graphics-packed action, but ease of use when it comes to entertainment streaming too. The Xbox One has taken a step in the right direction, thanks to Microsoft bringing about Windows 10 for it, which opens doors to compatibility for all kinds of apps, which includes Netflix, Hulu, and many other.
But the introduction of Kodi on Xbox One is what is reshaping the use of the gaming console for entertainment purpose. Now you no longer need to spend more money getting your hands on a streaming device to run Kodi media player, since the Xbox One can do it for you. Are you going to among those who will double up their Xbox One console as an entertainment hub with the help of Kodi media player? Be sure to share your thoughts about it in the comments section right down below.