Official Kodi Wiki - User contributions [en]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-18T12:39:42Z

Kelmo: On second thought; leave advanced install/masking for those who know it already

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To install your key database, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-18T12:24:09Z

Kelmo: Remove //beta suffix when specifying flathub-beta anyway

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== (Beta) Advanced install ====

Kodi's binary add-ons (PVR clients, game cores, screensavers, visualizations and so on) ship as Flatpak extensions and are downloaded together with the app by default. You can control which of them are installed by masking the add-on categories you do not want before installing. Masked extensions are never installed or updated automatically.

This example keeps only the inputstream and vfs add-ons, which are needed for common streaming and network sources:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
for c in audiodecoder audioencoder game imagedecoder peripheral pvr screensaver visualization; do
flatpak mask "tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.$c.*"
done
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Add <code>--user</code> to both commands if you use a per-user installation. To mask a single add-on instead of a whole category, use its full name, for example <code>tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.pvr.iptvsimple</code>.

Masks also apply to an existing installation. Add-ons already installed stay until removed with <code>flatpak uninstall</code>, and will not come back on update. To lift a mask, run <code>flatpak mask --remove</code> with the same pattern; the add-ons it covered are downloaded again on the next <code>flatpak update</code>. Run <code>flatpak mask</code> with no arguments to list current masks.

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To install your key database, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-18T12:20:33Z

Kelmo: add -beta

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

==== (Beta) Advanced install ====

Kodi's binary add-ons (PVR clients, game cores, screensavers, visualizations and so on) ship as Flatpak extensions and are downloaded together with the app by default. You can control which of them are installed by masking the add-on categories you do not want before installing. Masked extensions are never installed or updated automatically.

This example keeps only the inputstream and vfs add-ons, which are needed for common streaming and network sources:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
for c in audiodecoder audioencoder game imagedecoder peripheral pvr screensaver visualization; do
flatpak mask "tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.$c.*"
done
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Add <code>--user</code> to both commands if you use a per-user installation. To mask a single add-on instead of a whole category, use its full name, for example <code>tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.pvr.iptvsimple</code>.

Masks also apply to an existing installation. Add-ons already installed stay until removed with <code>flatpak uninstall</code>, and will not come back on update. To lift a mask, run <code>flatpak mask --remove</code> with the same pattern; the add-ons it covered are downloaded again on the next <code>flatpak update</code>. Run <code>flatpak mask</code> with no arguments to list current masks.

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To install your key database, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-18T12:19:38Z

Kelmo: Add advanced install instructions for masking flatpak exetensions

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

==== (Beta) Advanced install ====

Kodi's binary add-ons (PVR clients, game cores, screensavers, visualizations and so on) ship as Flatpak extensions and are downloaded together with the app by default. You can control which of them are installed by masking the add-on categories you do not want before installing. Masked extensions are never installed or updated automatically.

This example keeps only the inputstream and vfs add-ons, which are needed for common streaming and network sources:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
for c in audiodecoder audioencoder game imagedecoder peripheral pvr screensaver visualization; do
flatpak mask "tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.$c.*"
done
flatpak install flathub tv.kodi.Kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Add <code>--user</code> to both commands if you use a per-user installation. To mask a single add-on instead of a whole category, use its full name, for example <code>tv.kodi.Kodi.Addon.pvr.iptvsimple</code>.

Masks also apply to an existing installation. Add-ons already installed stay until removed with <code>flatpak uninstall</code>, and will not come back on update. To lift a mask, run <code>flatpak mask --remove</code> with the same pattern; the add-ons it covered are downloaded again on the next <code>flatpak update</code>. Run <code>flatpak mask</code> with no arguments to list current masks.

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To install your key database, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T10:16:14Z

Kelmo: flatpak: remove sandbox wording from aacs section

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To install your key database, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T10:07:35Z

Kelmo: reword flatpak aacs sandbox

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. To place your key database inside the sandbox, save a copy to:

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T09:45:51Z

Kelmo: flatpak section formatting

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi</code>

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. Place your key database inside the sandbox at

<code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg</code>

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T09:44:17Z

Kelmo: remove hardware specific blurb from flatpak section

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. Place your key database inside the sandbox at

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions or add-ons that fail to load, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T09:42:56Z

Kelmo: more flatpak updates

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. Place your key database inside the sandbox at

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg

The filename must be uppercase. Discs that were already decrypted when backed up don't need this.

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

=== Reporting issues ===

Problems specific to the Flatpak, such as missing permissions, add-ons that fail to load or hardware not being detected, go to https://github.com/flathub/tv.kodi.Kodi/issues. Include the log file above. General Kodi bugs belong on the [https://forum.kodi.tv/ Kodi forum] as usual.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]

HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Linux

2026-09-11T09:33:02Z

Kelmo: update flatpak install section

{{Mininav|[[Linux]] {{L2| [[Installing]] }} }}

== Installing Kodi on Ubuntu-based distributions with Team Kodi PPA ==

'''Please note that currently the Team Kodi PPA is not maintained due to the previous sole maintainer stepping away from the responsibility. '''

For now the only options are building from source, using Flatpak or a distro such as Debian which includes Kodi in their distribution.

{{Warning|Ubuntu releases 16.04 LTS ("Xenial") or later, respectively, include their own Kodi builds in their official package repositories, customized to satisfy their interpretations of what is acceptable under their open-source mandates. If you have installed your distribution's Kodi packages, please purge them using the command <syntaxhighlight lang="shell" inline>sudo apt purge kodi\*</syntaxhighlight> before trying to install team-xbmc PPA packages.}}

{{Warning|Releases from Team Kodi PPA are NOT compatible with Debian GNU / Linux and distributions built on top of Debian's binary package repositories! Please refer to '''Debian''' section of this page for installation instructions on such distributions!}}

See [[SFTP]] or [http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal Click here to find out how to use the terminal.]

=== Adding Team Kodi PPA repository ===

Use the command line terminal in Ubuntu, and enter the following commands. Follow the prompts as you would any other software installation.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

{{#lst:Official_Ubuntu_PPA|repos}}

Note that this PPA only provides builds for Ubuntu i386 and Ubuntu amd64 but ''not for Ubuntu armhf'', which can run on a Raspberry Pi.

=== Installing binary add-ons (PVR, audio decoders, audio encoders, screensavers, visualizations, audio DSP) ===
{{See|Ubuntu binary add-ons}}

=== Installing a development build ===
{{See also|Development builds}}
To install a beta/unstable version of {{Kodi}} you must first add the unstable repository, then install XBMC. Use <code>ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly</code> for nightly builds and <code>ppa:team-xbmc/unstable</code> for [[Development_builds|beta]] builds.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Note that if you have any addons (such as PVR clients), these must be updated as well (they will not be updated automatically):
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-mythtv
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Upgrading ===
<section begin="Ubuntu upgrade" />
To update Kodi when a new version is released, just do a general system/package or use the following commands in the terminal (or via [[SFTP]]):

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade --with-new-pkgs
</syntaxhighlight>
<section end="Ubuntu upgrade" />

=== Downgrading to a stable version from a development version ===
If you install a nightly build or an unstable release and want to return to a stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the unstable or nightly PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
apt-cache policy | grep -Eo 'team-xbmc/(unstable|nightly)' | sudo xargs -r add-apt-repository -ryP
</syntaxhighlight>

Then restore the stable version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get remove kodi kodi-x11
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Downgrading between newer and older stable versions ===
If you want to return to the next most recent stable release, follow these instructions:

Remove the current stable packages and PPA:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the "oldstable" version with the following commands:
<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:team-xbmc/kodi-old
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Reverting to an earlier nightly ===
ALthough launchpad doesn't list older nightlies in their PPA, they are usually still available for download directly from the website. Visit the [https://launchpad.net/~team-xbmc/+archive/ubuntu/xbmc-nightly/+packages?field.name_filter=&field.status_filter=superseded&field.series_filter= xbmc-nightly repository index], where you will then have to download the appropriate .deb files and manually install them using <code>sudo dpkg -i [path to downloaded file]</code>.

=== Uninstalling ===
If you need to uninstall Kodi and purge its global configuration files (for instance, in the attempt to troubleshoot a persistent crash or other errors), do so by using the first of the following commands. If that fails to solve the issue, you will likely need to remove your user settings folder with all of your settings and library data to return to a state equivalent to what existed before Kodi was first installed on the system. This will not delete any videos or music, but just the settings and library data itself, but it is still recommended to keep a backup of them in case it's discovered that they weren't at issue and you are able to effect another solution. An example of how to accomplish a backup and then deletion of your user settings is provided on the last two lines, the highlighted one being responsible for making the backup which can thereafter be found in your home folder with the filename kodi-backup_''timestamp''.tar.xz.

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell" highlight="2-3">
sudo apt purge kodi\*
tar cf - "${HOME}/.kodi/" | xz -z9e - >"${HOME}/kodi-backup_$(date +%m%d%y-%H%M).tar.xz"
rm -Ri "${HOME}/.{kodi,xbmc}/"
</syntaxhighlight>

== Flatpak ==

If you do not know whether your distro supports Flatpak, see https://flatpak.org/setup/ for install instructions.

Then go to https://flathub.org/apps/tv.kodi.Kodi and hit the install button, or run the commands at the bottom of that page in a terminal.

Updates arrive through the normal Flatpak mechanism:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak update
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Data location ===

The Flatpak keeps all Kodi data, including your profile, add-ons and databases, under

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi

Back up that directory before switching channels or trying out something new. The stable and beta builds share it.

=== Beta channel ===

Kodi betas are published on the Flathub beta remote. Add it once:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub-beta https://dl.flathub.org/beta-repo/flathub-beta.flatpakrepo
</syntaxhighlight>

Then install the beta:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

The beta installs as branch <code>beta</code> alongside the stable version. A second entry labeled <code>Kodi (Beta)</code> appears on your system. Both share the data location above, so make a backup first if you value your data. <code>flatpak update</code> keeps both channels current.

To go back to stable only:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak uninstall tv.kodi.Kodi//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

=== Blu-ray menus (BD-J) ===

Most commercial Blu-ray discs use Java (BD-J) menus. Support is an optional extension so that the main app stays small. It is currently available on the beta channel:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
flatpak install flathub-beta tv.kodi.Kodi.bdj//beta
</syntaxhighlight>

Kodi does not open disc menus by default. Enable them under '''Settings → Player → Discs → Blu-ray playback mode → Show Blu-ray menu'''. The first Java menu can take ten to twenty seconds to appear while the runtime starts.

=== Encrypted Blu-ray discs (AACS) ===

Kodi ships libaacs but no keys. Place your key database inside the sandbox at

~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/config/aacs/KEYDB.cfg

=== Log file ===

For bug reports, the log is at <code>~/.var/app/tv.kodi.Kodi/data/kodi.log</code>.

== Embedded/Appliance type install==

=== LibreELEC ===
{{main|LibreELEC}}
{{#lst:LibreELEC|intro}}

== Third Party Repositories ==


The instructions in this section are for unofficial Linux binaries that are un/semi supported by Team Kodi. Most of those binaries use system ffmpeg or even worse totally untested libav, which is not recommended for {{kodi}} as we support ffmpeg only.

=== Debian ===
Debian GNU/Linux ships its own '''Kodi from Debian''' flavor with following changes:

* Only system libraries are used (no embedded third-party libraries except of libdvdread and libdvdnav)
* Old web interface (Chorus) is shipped to ensure Debian Free Software Guides (DFSG) compatibility

as well as a subset of Kodi binary addons packaged in [https://qa.debian.org/developer.php?email=vasek.gello@gmail.com main repository of Debian].

{{Warning|'''Team Kodi offers no official support to "Kodi from Debian"!''' Please refer to links below for support!}}

The support for Kodi from Debian is provided via the following channels:
# [https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=363611 Kodi from Debian - Support Thread] on Kodi forums
# [https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues Github issues]
# [https://bugs.debian.org Debian Bug Tracker]

==== Checking installed and available Kodi packages ====

You can check what versions of Kodi and its binary add-ons are installed with the following command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
dpkg -l | grep kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To check what versions of Kodi are available, use this command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
apt-cache policy kodi*
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian Unstable or Testing ====

Installation of Kodi from Debian on Debian unstable ("sid") and testing is straightforward:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

To install Kodi binary add-ons (like '''PVR IPTV Simple''', for example):

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple
</syntaxhighlight>

'''NOTE''': Make sure user running Kodi belongs to the following groups
(for example, for user '''kodi''')

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
$ groups kodi
kodi: cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input
</syntaxhighlight>

This needs to be done to ensure Video Acceleration API (VA-API) is properly initialized during Kodi start-up and videos playing get acceleration using VAAPI and not VDPAU on Intel or AMD cards. To add user to groups, use the command:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
usermod -a -G cdrom,audio,render,video,plugdev,users,dialout,dip,input kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 10 "buster" ====

By default, Debian buster users get Kodi 17.6 "Krypton". However, it is possible to get Kodi 19.x "Matrix" from buster-backports.

To get Kodi 17.6 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

To get Kodi 19.x and the corresponding add-ons from Debian Backports:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
# Add Debian Backports repository for Debian 10 "buster"
if ! apt-cache policy 2>/dev/null | grep -q "http://.*buster-backports"; then
echo "deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/buster-backports.list
fi

# Update APT lists
sudo apt-get update

# Install Kodi from backports:
sudo apt-get install {kodi,kodi-bin,kodi-data,kodi-repository-kodi,libspdlog1}/buster-backports

# (OPTIONAL) Install Kodi binary add-ons (for example, 'PVR IPTV Simple'):
sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-iptvsimple/buster-backports
</syntaxhighlight>

==== Installing Kodi on Debian 9 "stretch" ====

By default, Debian stretch users get Kodi 17.1 "Krypton". No higher version is packaged in backports.

To get Kodi 17.1 and the corresponding add-ons, use the method described in '''Debian Unstable or Testing''' section above.

=== Raspberry Pi OS ===
{{see also|HOW-TO:Install Kodi on Raspberry Pi}}
Installing on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get install kodi
</syntaxhighlight>

Upgrading on Raspberry Pi OS is done with:

<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
</syntaxhighlight>

== Installation from source ==
If distribution packages are not available, or you need a newer version, or specific features enabled, then you will most likely need to compile from source. See our '''[[Compiling Kodi]]''' guide.

{{Updated|20}}

[[Category:Linux]]
[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Installation|Linux]]