Apple TV is a streaming media device used for watching videos, listening to music, playing games and other activities, all based on apps. There are two different Apple TV models currently available. One is the Apple TV HD, which is the older model and supports 1080p and HDMI 1.4. The other is Apple TV 4K, which supports 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HDMI 2.1. Kodi works flawlessly on both of the models, but the installation on each model is different.
Here are the instructions on how to install Kodi on Apple TV HD:
There are two ways to install Kodi on Apple TV HD. The first, via Cydia Impactor, requires a Windows or a Mac computer. The second, via Xcode, requires a Mac computer and doesn’t work on Windows.
In both ways, we need to convert the Kodi DEB file to an IPA file that the Apple TV device can install. For the first way, we will use the app Cydia Impactor. For the second way, we will use the Xcode and iOS App Singer apps.
The Apple TV HD has one advantage over the Apple TV 4K, it has a USB port that makes the installation process easier. For Apple TV 4K, you will need to use a wireless connection for the installation.
For unzipping files, we recommend The Unarchiver for Mac and 7-Zip for Windows.
If you are using the free Apple ID, you will need to reinstall Kodi every seven days, as enforced by Apple. Keep your IPA file on your computer so you won’t need to recreate it. If you have an Apple developer ID, you can use it for one year.
How to install via Cydia Impactor:
- Download Kodi from here to your computer
- Download and install the Cydia Impactor on your Windows or Mac
- Unzip the Kodi DEB file
- Now you should have a file named data.tar, unzip it
- Now you should have a folder named data, open it and then open the folder Applications
- In the Applications folder, there is a folder named Kodi.app. Create a folder named Payload next to it.
- Drag and drop the Kodi.app folder into the Payload folder
- Create a new ZIP file from the Payload folder named Kodi.ipa
- Connect a USB-C cable from your Apple TV to your computer
- Launch Cydia Impactor. Make sure it detects your Apple TV
- Drag and drop the Kodi.ipa file to Cydia Impactor
- Enter your Apple ID to Cydia Impactor and click OK
- Wait for the Kodi installation to complete
How to install via Xcode:
- Download Kodi from here to your Mac
- Connect a USB-C cable from your Apple TV to your Mac
- Download and install Xcode
- Download and install iOS App Singer
- Download and install
- Click Create a new Xcode project
- Click tvOS > Application, then click Single View Application and then click Next
- A dialog will appear. Enter a unique name in Product Name, click Next and then click Create
- If you see a warning “No matching provisioning profiles found”, click Fix Issue
- If you get a message “To fix this issue, add an Apple ID account”, click Add to add your Apple ID
- Launch iOS App Signer
- For Input File, choose the Kodi DEB file that you downloaded. For Provisioning Profile, choose the Xcode project you created.
- Wait till the iOS App Singer create an IPA file
- Go back to Xcode, and on the top menu click Window > Devices
- Select your Apple TV from the sidebar, click the + sign on the right side and then select your IPA file and click Open
- Wait for the Kodi installation to complete
Here are the instructions on how to install Kodi on Apple TV 4K:
First, you need to create the IPA file as explained in the previous section. Next, you will need to connect your Apple TV to your Mac wirelessly.
- On your Apple TV, click Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote App and Devices
- On Mac, click Windows > Devices and Simulators
- If your Apple TV and Mac are physically closed, click the Pair with Apple TV button
- Select your Apple Tv from the sidebar, click the + sign on the right side and then select your IPA file and click Open. Kodi will now be transferred to your Apple TV
- Wait for the Kodi installation to complete
After installing Kodi on your Apple TV, 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.