How to install Kodi on a Chromecast: Stream Kodi on Google’s Dongle

Smart TVs are great. They give you access to a range of apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more – all for a relatively low cost. However, a Chromecast can also be installed with Kodi, one of the best bits of streaming software you can get.

Please note that many addons contain content that is not officially licensed and accessing such content could be illegal. In short, if the content is free, but looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

What is Kodi?

Kodi is open-source software designed specifically with home entertainment in mind – and it is totally free. Although it was originally created for the Microsoft Xbox and called Xbox Media Center (XBMC), the software has continued to evolve – spawning a community of its own.

Unlike services like Chromecast or Plex, Kodi is managed by the non-profit XBMC Foundation, but it is constantly being modified and upgraded by hundreds of coders around the world. Since its creation in 2003, Kodi has been shaped by more than 500 software developers and more than 200 translators.

A word of caution: Before we go into the finer details, we should warn you that anything you stream on Kodi is visible to both your ISP and the government. The only surefire way to protect your privacy is to connect to a good VPN service like ExpressVPN whenever you use Kodi.

How to Install Kodi on a Chromecast Using a Tablet or Android Phone

Before we start, you can not stream Kodi content to Chromecast from an iOS device, so we will only be talking about Android devices for this method.

There are two ways you can stream content to Chromecast from your Kodi-connected Android device: the long yet power-friendly way; or the quick, but battery-intensive, route.

The long way:

1. Download ES File Explorer, Kodi, LocalCast, and XML file PlayerFactoryCore.
2. Open ES File Explorer, then open Settings > Display settings, and make sure Show hidden files is ticked.
3. Next, make sure your Kodi or XBMC media center is connected to the Kodi app.
4. Once done, go into ES File Explorer again and open the Downloads folder.
5. Here you should find the PlayerFactoryCore.xml file you downloaded earlier if not, navigate to where your downloaded files are saved.
6. Copy the PlayerFactoryCore.xml file and navigate to Android > Data and look for either org.xbmc.kodi or org.xbmc.xbmc depending on which streamer you use. Kodi will be org.xbmc.kodi.
7. Once open, click through the Files > .kodi (or .xbmc, depending on which one you have used) > userdata and then paste the PlayerFactoryCore.xml file into this folder.
8. Open Kodi and navigate to the video file you want to watch.
9. Kodi will then automatically launch LocalCast – although Android will ask you which casting app you would like to use.
10. Once loaded, you will be prompted to press Play and asked which device you would like to stream to.
11. You will then have to click Play one more time, and it should, finally, play on your Chromecast-connected TV.

The short way:

1. Open the Chromecast app on your Android device.
   
2. Open the menu and select the Cast screen/audio option and follow the instructions to connect to your Chromecast.
   
3. Open Kodi.
   
4. Find the video you want to watch and press play. It will now play out across both devices, but you can not turn your screen off or take calls.

How to Stream Kodi From a Chromecast Using a Computer

Streaming Kodi or XBMC content to a Chromecast from a PC is not as difficult as you may think, but – like streaming Android content – it is far from an elegant solution to your problem.

1. Download and install Chrome, the Chromecast app, and ensure you have Kodi or XBMC installed on your computer.
2. Now, open Chrome, click on the three vertical dots icon near the top, righthand corner of the screen, and select Cast… from the list of options in the menu.
3. A small screen will pop-up named Cast tab and begin searching for devices. When it appears, click on the device you want to cast from and select Cast entire screen (experimental).
4. Once done, your entire computer desktop should be streaming to your TV.
5. Open Kodi or XBMC and fire up a video to watch.

Mirroring Kodi on Your Android Device

Because Kodi is available on the Google Play Store but not for the Chromecast device, you can follow these instructions to mirror content from your phone or tablet.

1. Ensure that both your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same wifi network.
2. Open Kodi on your Android and sign in.
3. Configure the add-ons in Kodi so that you can stream your favorite content.
4. Leave the app open in the background and open your phone’s settings.
5. Under Device Connections search for Cast and tap on it.
6. Click on Chromecast.
7. Click on the option to Start Now.

Please note that many addons contain content that isn’t officially licensed and accessing such content could be illegal. It is the user’s responsibility to comply with all applicable laws in their country in regard to use. Dennis Publishing Ltd excludes all liability for such content. We do not condone and are not responsible for the infringement of any intellectual property or other third-party rights and shall not be liable to any party as a result of any such content made available. In short, if the content is free, but looks too good to be true, then it probably is.