Raspberry Pi is a small and low-cost computer that plugs into a TV or monitor and uses a keyboard and mouse with all the capabilities a desktop computer can offer. To install Kodi on Raspberry Pi you first need to install an operating system. This operating system is a Linux distribution for Kodi. In this tutorial, we will show how to install two operating systems LibreELEC and OSMC. Kodi works great on both of them, so you should try this.
Here are the instructions on how to install Kodi on LibreELEC:
LibreElec is a Linux distribution just for Kodi without other applications, and it is optimized for using Kodi. It is a fork of OpenELEC and supports Raspberry Pi 4 and older models.
- Insert the SD card to the SD card reader of your computer
- Download LibreELEC USB-SD Creator for Windows, Linux or Mac and launch it with administrator rights
- Select the version according to the model of your Raspberry Pi
- Click Download and select the path for the image file
- Select the SD card
- Click Write and then click Yes to confirm
- Wait for the writing to complete and click Close
- Remove the SD from the computer and insert it to the SD card reader of the Raspberry Pi
- Plug the power cord to boot the Raspberry Pi
- Wait for the LibreELEC wizard to appear and click Next
- You can rename the device name or keep the default name
- Select WiFi network, click Connect, enter the password and click Next
- LibreElec with Kodi is installed now on the Raspberry Pi
Here are the instructions on how to install Kodi on OSMC:
OSMC is a Linux distribution based on Debian Linux that ships Kodi as the main application, but you can also install other applications. It is the successor to Raspbmc and Crystalbuntu and supports Raspberry Pi 3 and older models.
- Insert the SD card to the SD card reader of your computer
- Download OSMC installer for Windows or Mac and launch it
- In the welcome screen, select language and select Raspberry Pi 2/3 as the device to install OSMC on and click the next button
- Select the latest version and click the next button
- In the install options screen, select On an SD card and click the next button
- Select if you have a wired or wireless connection. In case of wireless connection, you need to select the network encryption (usually it is WPA/WPA2 PSK), enter SSID (network name), enter key (password) and click the next button
- Select the path of the SD card where OSMC will be installed and click the next button
- Accept the license agreement and click the next button
- Wait for the downloading to complete
- Click Yes to confirm you want to install OSMC
- Wait for the installing to complete and click Quit
- Remove the SD from the computer and insert it to the SD card reader of the Raspberry Pi
- Plug the power cord to boot the Raspberry Pi
- Wait until OSMC formats the device and installs files
- Select language and click Yes to confirm
- Select time zone
- You can rename the device name or keep the default name, click Accept
- You can skip SSH sharing and remote access, click Accept
- Accept the license agreement
- Choose whether to use OSMC’s skin or Kodi’s default skin
- Choose whether you prefer receiving OSMC’s newsletter
- Click Exit
- OSMC with Kodi is installed now on the Raspberry Pi
After installing Kodi on your computer, the next step for you will be to install some add-ons to watch your favorite movies and TV shows. The easiest way will be to check out our list of best Kodi add-ons.