VPNs are known to be your best bet against online intrusion. Be it surveillance or cybercrime, a VPN can aid you against online threats. However, the generic domain doesn’t restrict the usage of VPNs to such caveats. Today, VPN vendors are in a race against each other. Bidding to attract more users, they add distinguished features and services to their VPN. These add-on services allow them to cater to a crowd with fleeting interest. But, the irony is, lots of users have accepted VPNs for their add-on functionality. Out of all, streaming geo-restricted content seems to be on top.
VPN lovers rely on this service to help their streaming needs. That activity brings us to this article. If you are an avid fan of streaming, you must have heard about Kodi. Today, you will learn how to install a VPN on Kodi.
Disclaimer — Please regard this write-up as an informative guide. It is neither a substitute for legal advice by any means nor does it hold any authority on the subject. Streaming copyright content without permission can be illegal. Bypassing some VPN blocks is ill-advised.
What is Kodi?
Simply put, Kodi is a media player. But is the matter straightforward? No! With the surge in OTT (over-the-top) platforms and streaming avenues to choose from, one can get confused keeping in mind all different accounts, channels, programs, and more. Kodi simplifies things as it bundles up a bunch of your distinct streaming media outlets into a singular platform. With Kodi, you can get your daily fix of Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others, all at once.
The cherry on top, as they say, is that it’s a free-to-use, open-source platform for movie lovers. Not only is Kodi versatile when it comes to available resources to browse, but it also has greater accessibility. Kodi is available for all leading operating systems such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. You can also use Kodi on your Smart TVs, Fire Stick, Chromecast, and Apple TV. The list goes on.
Thus, it is sometimes unimaginable easy to get a VPN running alongside this app. On the other hand, you can also embarrass yourself if you try to install a VPN on Kodi willy-nilly. The fact remains, you need a VPN on Kodi for your peace of mind and to bypass certain geo-blocks on certain streaming services.
- You can learn more about Kodi by visiting the official website.
- In the case of this article, you will need a VPN subscription and a device to run Kodi on.
- The device can be a computer, smartphone, Smart TV, streaming devices, gaming consoles, IoT products, etc.
Note — The article talks about Kodi, but we do not condone streaming blocked copyright content. We acknowledge that using Kodi is legal. However, if, for some reason, you engage in the act of piracy, you can be subject to legal actions, regardless of VPN use. Hence, we urge users to comply with their best judgment when bypassing blocks, streaming online, or employing VPN services.
Is Kodi legal?
The question of the hour is whether using Kodi is legal. The answer is yes! As a platform for published media and protected online content, users have concerns regarding Kodi. Many equate installing Kodi to illicit activity, but it isn’t. As long as you do not infringe on copyright law or dabble in piracy, you can use it safely. However, if you are using Kodi to pursue copyright/pirated content without paying the relevant fees, the act will be deemed illegal, and you may face legal action.
Kodi is an open-source platform. Thus, it is relatively easy for others to allow the program to run illegal streams of films and TV shows. Therefore, it depends on the user whether using Kodi is legal or not. As far as licensing goes, Kodi is a genuine, legal platform.
How to install a VPN on Kodi
Installing a VPN on Kodi can be simple. For our readers, we suggest finding your gadget from the list below and following the easy steps. We will approach the issue with three solutions:
- First, by installing a VPN app on the device running Kodi.
- Second, by installing a VPN on the router and thus encrypting the whole network.
- Third, by installing Kodi and accessing a suitable VPN add-on from the menu/settings.
As mentioned above, Kodi is a versatile platform that can run on several devices and OSes. Thus, you must install a VPN on hardware running Kodi. The necessary steps, based on the platform, are:
Windows and macOS computers
Start by installing Kodi via the official website:
- To do so, click on “Download” and select your platform, either Windows or macOS.
- Now, the download process will start.
- After that, you need to install a VPN on your device.
- Buy a suitable subscription from a VPN of your choice and select your platform.
- Then, download and install a VPN.
- Lastly, run it, and you can enjoy Kodi with a VPN.
Android or iOS smartphones
The procedure is similar for smartphones:
- First, you need to download and install Kodi.
- You can do so from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store or visit the official website for a download.
- After downloading and installing Kodi, select a suitable VPN for your device.
- Now, subscribe to the VPN and download it for your smartphone.
- After you finish installing the VPN, you can enjoy VPN on Kodi.
Smart TVs with Google Play Store
First, figure out if your Smart TV supports Google Play Store. If it does, then:
- Download Kodi and a VPN of your choice.
- Purchase a VPN subscription of your choice.
- Sign in or enter an activation code.
- Your Smart TV can now run a VPN on Kodi.
Smart TVs without Google Play Store
If your Smart TV doesn’t support Google Play Store, you can use external streaming devices to bring VPN to Kodi. The first is Roku, which you should update to the latest version. Now, from its Settings, enable Screen mirroring. Connect to a VPN on your smart device or PC, and your Smart TV activity will be encrypted. The other option is:
Amazon Fire Stick
First, go to the Settings of your Amazon Fire Stick. Then:
- Navigate to the Developer options behind the Device menu.
- Tap Enable ADB debugging and Apps from Unknown Sources.
- Download a downloader app from the Amazon App store.
- Then, open the downloader and visit the official website of Kodi to download the ANDROID version.
- After that, install and run Kodi. Ensure everything is working fine.
- Now, install a VPN of your choice, buy the subscription and activate it.
- Lastly, run the VPN on your Fire Stick alongside Kodi.
Installing a VPN add-on on Kodi
First, install Kodi on your device. Afterward:
- Go to the menu and click on add-ons.
- Now, from the popup, select Download and then Program add-ons.
- Find the add-on supported by your provider and install it.
- After that, open it. And click on Configure your VPN.
- Then, log in to your VPN account via username/password.
- Lastly, click on Activate to run a VPN on Kodi.
Install VPN on a router
There is no one size fits all solution for routers and VPNs, so you must approach each case separately. However, one can know the basics such as:
- A router needs suitable firmware to run VPN.
- Open-source firmware includes DD-WRT or Tomato
- There are three kinds of VPN routers.
- Pre-flashed — Those that have an exclusive VPN pre-installed on them.
- VPN enabled — They can run a VPN but require manual setup.
- Unflashed — Those that can’t run a VPN unless you flash them with custom firmware.
To help you, here’s an example of installing a specific VPN service on a router: how to add Express VPN on a router? Another instance includes adding VPNs on a particular router brand, namely, how to add a VPN on Mi routers? Yes, this solution is a bit of a hassle for newcomers. However, it is most suitable for running a VPN on Kodi irrespective of the device.