so you can have a single streaming ring on your Android

If there’s one useful app to have on any Android device if you like watching videos, it’s Kodi. Beyond playing videos in general or as a media center, if you have a subscription to multiple streaming services This is a real marvel since it allows them to be grouped in one place (along with IPTV lists) for a more fluid and integrated experience.

As if the above were not enough, some secrets of the success of this open source application lie in its add-ons or complements to maximize its functionality, its great customization and the active community that surrounds it. Install Kodi on an Android tablet or mobile It’s a good idea, but if you have a Smart TV with Android TV or Google TV, it’s even better.

How to install Kodi on an Android device

The easiest way to get Kodi on a phone, tablet or Smart TV, simply go to the Google Play Store and download the free app. However, we have already told you that this is not the best option: given its nature as an open source application and the amount that collaborates to improve it, it is more advisable to directly access its repository on GitHub .

The reason is that, as the team explains, they don’t always have the resources to update the Google Play version as frequently and quickly as they would like, prioritizing their repository. In summary: If you always want to have the latest version, it is advisable to opt for the downloadable APK, although the installation process is a bit more tedious. Moreover, you can install them with confidence because they are official and virus-free.

Since installing Kodi using APK is not such a quick and easy operation, we will tell you the steps to follow. The first thing will be to go to the Kodi download page from your mobile or tablet and choose the corresponding operating system here (you will see that there is Android, but also iOS and other desktop systems like Windows, Linux, macOS…), then select “ARMV8A” and accept the download.

• For an Android mobile or tablet. The process is almost complete, since to install this APK you will just have to go to the folder where the downloads are saved and tap on the file to open it. To execute the download, it is necessary to have previously enabled permissions to install applications from unknown sources. Afterwards, we will simply accept the installation so that it can be carried out.

• A smart TV with Android TV/Google TV. Starting from downloading Kodi on the mobile following the previous steps (but skipping the installation), we will only have to transfer this file to the TV and locate it to install it. This can be done with a file sending application such as Send Files to TV (available for free on the Google Play Store) that we will have to install on the TV and on the phone and a file manager for Android TV such as File Commander (available for free on Google Play Store). All we have to do is open Send Files to TV on both devices, and in the “Send” section of the mobile, locate the Kodi APK and send it to your Android TV. You will then find it on your TV (probably in the “Downloads” folder). You just need to open it with File Commander and accept the installation. As before, installation from unknown sources will need to be enabled on the TV.

The most important thing when getting started with Kodi: addons

Once you have installed it on your device, you must have the minimum configuration through the adjustments (the engine icon that appears in the uppermost zone) such as changing the language, the keyboard to ‘Spanish QWERTY’ and the French language (the three names). they are at ‘Interface‘>’Regional‘). But what makes the difference are its complements or add-ons, precisely where we can add our streaming services or our free channels from anywhere in the world through IPTV lists, to give some examples.

You will find the addons in ‘System‘ > ‘Additional modules‘ and as you will see you can install them simply by writing their name in ‘Seek‘, from repositories browsing the different categories, with zip files from repositories that are not on this platform to download them with extreme caution, this one from Netflix’s GitHub serves as an example or even the addition of ‘a Kodi repository like this where there is no shortage of services like Disney+, Pluto TV and Netflix (of course you will have to have a subscription to enjoy them).

For add addons from major streaming platforms through the aforementioned repository we go to the Kodi settings and in ‘File Browser‘ > ‘Add a source‘, type this URL ‘http://k.slyguy.xyz/’ and in the name field, type “Slyguy” (without the quotes in both cases). After accepting, go back to the main menu and in Addons choose “Install from zip file” and search for “Slyguy”. Confirm the warning and the repository you need to install will be deployed. So going back into ‘Install from Repository’ we can go into ‘Slyguy Repository’ and you will find them in the video add-ons.

The ideal is to start with platforms like HBO Max, Netflix or Disney+, but there are also other utilities such as the integration of subtitles. It’s worth taking a closer look at everything you can install and try.

Cover | Alejandro Alcolea on Xataka Android

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