How To Install Kodi On A Chromecast: Stream Kodi On Google’s Dongle

If you’re an entertainment enthusiast, chances are that you already know what Kodi is. It is pretty much an accomplished media centre, turning anything, like your computer or smartphone, into a set-top box. It’s free and has the support of the widest range of add-ons, which boost its functionality even more. Be it Android, Windows or Linux – you name it and Kodi has got it covered. And yes, even an iPhone, if you’ve a bit of an experience of jailbreaking devices. Those, looking to take their home entertainment to the next best level, have often chosen Kodi as their preferred interface to play their media files from a PC or an Android device.

In the next few minutes, you’ll learn what Kodi is, what makes it so successful, and how you can stream its content using Chromecast.

What is Kodi?

Kodi is a free service, is well-supported and offers ease of access. It’s packed with a huge collection of movies, TV shows, games and music, which you can watch across just about every leading operating system and across all range of devices. Using this, you can stream content straight from the internet, or a home network without any fuss. The streaming channel is widely popular, running for years and spawning an admiration club, much stronger than ever. However, it’s important to understand one thing about Kodi – it’s just a platform to play content from local and storage media as well as the internet. It has no content og for watching your favorite movie while snacking and lounging on your sofa, Kodi is a must-have. It’s a great thing if you’re keen about elevating the typical idea of home entertainment.

What is Chromecast?

Chromecast is a media device by Google, providing a viewing experience with an edge. A HDMI dongle-type product by its functionality, Chromecast lets you stream content from your smartphone, tablet and laptop to your television. It happens to be the carrier between that plugs into the HDMI port of television, and provides for big-screen viewing. Though it’s widely used for Netflix and ShowBox, yet there have been questions about using Chromecast with Kodi, and this is why, we’ve decided to take up the issue for good.

Casting Kodi’s Content via Chromecast

Method One: Using Chromecast App on Your Android Device

• You need to have the official Google Cast app on your Android device for this method. Once done, launch Kodi on your device, along with the Chromecast app.
• Now, tap on the hamburger (menu) option on the top-left of the screen and select ‘Cast screen / audio’ option.

• Doing so, a message will soon prompt up, telling you that ‘screencasting is not optimized for this device’. Ignore it and click OK.
• The app will start selecting the Chromecast devices. Opt for your Chromecast device, and soon you’ll see your device getting mirrored to the Chromecast connected TV.
• Open Kodi and select whatever you wish to watch. The video will start playing both on your Android device and TV.

Bear in mind that while watching Kodi on Chromecast connected TV, you’ll not be able to lock your device, receive calls, or reply to messages, because that will stop the video abruptly.

Method Two: Kodi Running In the Background of an Android Device

This is the most battery efficient way to stream Kodi to Chromecast. Since you can lock the phone even while the content is being played on Chromecast, you’ll save a great ton of battery. Another advantage of using this method is the lag-free streaming. There will be no ugly hiccups and interruptions to mar your viewing experience. Let’s know how to use this method now.

1. This process will require you to download and open – Es File Explorer, Localcast, playerfactorycore and Kodi.

2. Going further, open the Es File explorer and reach its settings menu. Now, follow the path: Settings >> Display Settings >> Enable ‘Show Hidden Files’.

3. Make sure that the Kodi media center is connected to the Kodi app.

4. You will be required to copy the playerfactorycore.xml from the folder where it was downloaded.

5. Now, follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Follow the path: Android >> Data >> org.xbmc.kodi >> Files >> .kodi. This will lead you to the ‘Userdata Folder’.
• Paste playerfactorycore.xml in the ‘Userdata Folder’, open Kodi and search for the movie/TV show/game you are eager to watch.

• This will launch the Localcast app. Further on, you might face a choice between Chromecast and Localcast. If this happens, select Localcast.
• Post this, select the device you would like to stream from, and choose play.
• Your content will start streaming soon after on TV, connected with the Chromecast.

Method Three: Casting Kodi’s Content via Chromecast on PC/MAC

To use this method, Windows users, who are using Chromecast for the first time, will be required to install Chromecast setup install first.

1. Install Chrome, along with Google Cast Chrome extension and Kodi client on your PC or MAC.

2. Thereafter,  fire up Chrome, tap on the Google Cast Extension, and Go to ‘Cast this tab to..’.

3. Doing so, you will be required to tap on ‘Cast screen/window experimental’.

4. Now, you will be having a total list of options to share your ‘Entire Screen’ or other tabs in Chrome. Select ‘Entire Screen’.  

5. Towards the end, open Kodi, and play anything you wish to watch. Whatever you play will automatically show up on your TV screen via Chromecast.

 Bonus Method: Streaming Kodi on iPhone Without Jailbreak

Installing Kodi on iPhone means jailbreaking it first? Well, not anymore! To install Kodi for iOS, you just got to know the right drill. And we’ve extended this post just to let you know just that. There are a certain prerequisites when it comes to installing Kodi on iPhone or Mac. Let’s take a look at them first.

6. (a). A iDevice running iOS 6.0 or higher is compatible with the 64-bit Kodi app. It’s also worth noting that this app is not fit to run on any iDevice powered by the very latest iOS11.
7. (b). To download a non-iOS app like Kodi on an iDevice, you need the Cydia Impactor and Kodi .IPA file. This Kodi link is available on third-party download links and sometimes disappears. When you experience any hassle in getting through the link, you can simply google ‘Kodi IPS File download’ and find the link you find the most suitable.

Here’s how you can install Kodi on any iDevice, be it iPhone or Mac

1. First, connect your iPhone or iPad to a PC or a Mac computer. Make sure that you close iTunes if it automatically gets open while plugging in your iOS device.
2. Now, open Cydia Impactor. For the unawares, Cydia Impactor is a well-famed app that allows iOS users to install non-iOS apps on their devices.
3. Once done, just drag the Kodi IPA file you’ve downloaded earlier and drop it onto the app.
4. Doing so, just check whether the device is selected in the drop down menu or not. If selected, just click Start.
5. After this, you need an Apple ID to log in to the Cydia Impactor. You can use an alternative Apple ID if you have privacy concerns.
6. Once the app has been installed, follow the path: Settings >> General >> Profile & Device Management (the options may vary according to the iOS version you’re using). Now, find the profile associated with your Apple ID and open it.
7. Finally, tap on the Trust button on the new Kodi app, open it and enjoy the experience.

Source: DinoZambas2