How to Install Kodi on Apple TV in 2025: All Generations by Penka Hristovska

Penka Hristovska

Updated on: March 8, 2025
Senior Editor

Kodi isn’t officially supported on Apple TV, so you can’t just install it from the App Store. Instead, you can sideload on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th gen Apple TVs. You can’t install Kodi on Apple TV 3 because there’s no way to sideload the app on these devices.

The exact installation process varies depending on your model. In this guide you’ll find the most up-to-date instructions on how to install Kodi on your Apple TV, no matter what generation it is.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV HD & Apple TV 4K

To install Kodi on Apple TV, you’ll need either a Windows PC or a Mac. If you’re using a Windows PC, you can only install Kodi on the Apple TV HD. This is because the Apple TV 4K doesn’t have a USB-C port, which is necessary to connect it to a Windows PC. On the other hand, the Apple TV HD can connect to a Mac both wirelessly and with a USB-C cable.

Let’s start with installation instructions for Windows. Mac users can skip to the installation instructions for Mac.

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV HD from Windows

Before you start installing Kodi on your Apple TV HD, you’ll need a few things ready. First, your Windows PC should be running at least Windows 7. You’ll also need a USB-C cable to connect your Apple TV HD to your PC. After that, you can download the necessary software, along with the Kodi app itself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you through the process.

Step 1. Download the Necessary Software

1. Download the Cydia Impactor executable file. Don’t worry about installing it — I’ll get back to this a little bit later.
2. Download and install the latest version of iTunes for Windows.
3. Download the latest Kodi “.deb” file.
4. Download and install the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of 7-zip. If you’re not sure what version of Windows you have, click Start → Settings → System → About, then check the System type field to confirm.

Step 2: Convert the Kodi App from .DEB to .IPA

1. Cydia Impactor uses .ipa files, so you’ll need to convert the .deb file first. Right-click the .deb file you downloaded and click 7-zip → Extract Files.
2. Locate “data.tar”, then right-click it and go to 7-zip → Extract Files. You’ll now be able to see both a “data.tar” file and a folder called “data”.
3. Open the “data” folder, then open the “Applications” folder. Once here, you should see a “Kodi.app” folder. Do not go into this folder!
4. Create a new folder called “Payload” (make sure to use a capital “P”).
5. Copy the “Kodi.app” folder and paste it into the “Payload” folder.
6. Next, right-click the “Payload” folder and go to 7-zip → Add to Archive.
7. In the window that pops up, beside Archive format, choose “zip”. Name the archive something ending with .ipa. Leave the default folder as the default file location. I also recommend simply naming it “Kodi.ipa”.
8. Click OK. Now the Kodi app is ready for installation.

Step 3. Install the Kodi App On Your Apple TV

1. Connect your Apple TV to your PC using the USB-C cable and check it’s powered on. If any program, such as iTunes, automatically opens, make sure to close it first.
2. Extract the “impactor.exe” file by right-clicking it and going to 7-zip → Extract.
3. Open Cydia Impactor.
4. Once Cydia Impactor detects your Apple TV, drag and drop the “Kodi.ipa” file into Cydia Impactor.
5. At this stage, you need to sign in with your Apple Account. Enter your Apple Account information and click OK to start the installation process.
6. Once the installation has finished, you can connect your Apple TV to your TV and use the Kodi app.

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV HD & 4K from a Mac

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV HD

To install Kodi on Apple TV HD, you’ll need your Apple Account login credentials, a USB-C cable, and a program called Xcode, which you need to download on your Mac (available in the Apple App Store). Here’s what to do next:

1. Download the Kodi for tvOS DEB file to your Mac.
2. Open Xcode on your Mac and select Create a new Xcode project from the main menu.
3. In the sidebar, choose tvOS, then Application.
4. On the right side, select Single View Application.
5. Give your app a name (such as “Kodi”, for instance), add an organization name, and provide a unique Bundle Identifier. Click Next.
6. If an error appears about a “matching provisioning profile,” click Fix Issue to resolve it.
7. You’ll be prompted to enter your Apple Account information. Select it from the dropdown menu and click Choose to proceed. Xcode will fix the issue and take you back to the home view.
8. Launch iOS App Signer on your Mac.
9. In iOS App Signer, under “Input File,” locate the Kodi DEB file you downloaded. Leave the default settings for the “Signing Certificate” and “Provisioning Profile” fields. Enter “Kodi” in the “App Display Name” field, then click the Start button.
10. iOS App Signer will extract the data and generate an IPA file.
11. Connect your Apple TV HD to your Mac using a USB-C cable.
12. In Xcode, go to Window and select Devices and Simulators. In the left sidebar, select your Apple TV device. Click the “+” button under “Installed Apps,” find the Kodi IPA file you created, and click Open. Xcode will now begin the installation, which may take some time.
13. Once the process is complete, disconnect your Apple TV from the Mac.
14. Connect your Apple TV to your TV, power it on, and you should now see Kodi in your list of apps.

How to Wirelessly Install Kodi on Apple TV 4K

Apple TV 4K can only be connected to your Mac wirelessly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with this process. First, follow steps 1–10 from the Apple TV HD installation method, then come back here for step 1.

1. Make sure that both your Mac and Apple TV 4K are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. It’s best to place them nearby (for example, in the same room).
2. On your Apple TV, navigate to Settings → Remotes and Devices → Remote App and Devices.
3. In Xcode, go to Window and select Devices and Simulators. Choose your Apple TV from the sidebar.
4. A prompt will appear to pair them. Click Pair With (Your Name)’s Apple TV. A verification code will appear on your TV screen — enter it into Xcode to finish pairing.
5. Once paired, click the “+” button in Xcode’s “Devices and Simulators” window, select the Kodi IPA file, and click Open. Kodi will now be installed on your Apple TV.
6. Connect your Apple TV to your TV, power it on, and you should see Kodi listed among your apps.

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV 2

Installing Kodi on the Apple TV 2 (ATV2) is simpler than on other Apple TV models. You’ll need to use the command line and find your Apple TV’s IP address. You’ll also need a Mac to complete the installation (you can’t do it with a Windows PC). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Locate your Apple TV’s IP address. Go to Settings → General → About on your Apple TV to find the IP address.
2. Log in to your Apple TV 2. Open the Terminal app on your Mac and type the following (replace YOUR.ATV2.IP.ADDRESS with your actual IP address): ssh root@YOUR.ATV2.IP.ADDRESS
3. Enter the default password, “alpine”, when prompted.
4. Install Kodi. Run the following commands one by one:

apt-get install wget

wget -O- http://apt.awkwardtv.org/awkwardtv.pub | apt-key add –

echo “deb http://apt.awkwardtv.org/ stable main” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/awkwardtv.list

echo “deb http://mirrors.kodi.tv/apt/atv2 ./” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list

apt-get update

apt-get install org.xbmc.kodi-atv2

reboot

Once the process is complete, your Apple TV 2 will reboot, and Kodi 14.2 will be installed and ready to use.

How to Install Kodi on Apple TV 1

The only way to get Kodi on Apple TV 1 to use OSMC (Open Source Media Center), an operating system preloaded with Kodi. To do this, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive with OSMC, which will then run on your Apple TV. The process is simple and can be done on macOS, Windows, or Linux. Best of all, this method won’t make any permanent changes to your Apple TV.

You’ll need a USB drive with at least 16 GB of space and a computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux (the steps are almost identical across all platforms).

Step 1. Download and Install the OSMC Installer App

1. Go to osmc.tv/download to download the installation app onto your Mac or Windows PC.
2. Once downloaded, double-click “osmc-installer.dmg”.

• On macOS: Double-click the osmc-installer.dmg file. When the Finder window opens, drag qt_host_installer.app into your Applications folder.
• On Windows: Double-click the qt_host_installer.exe file. Click Yes when the User Account Control message appears, and proceed to Step 3.

3. Once the app is in your Applications folder, double-click qt_host_installer.app to open it.
4. If you see an error message like, “Apple could not verify ‘qt_host_installer.app’ is free of malware that may harm your Mac,” follow Step 2 to resolve it. Otherwise, you can move on to Step 3.

Step 2. Fix the “Apple Could Not Verify this App” Error Message

1. Click the Apple logo at the top left of your screen and go to System Settings.
2. Select Privacy & Security, and scroll down to find Security.
3. Under Allow applications from, you should see qt_host_installer.app. Click Open Anyway next to it.
4. In the warning pop-up that appears, click Open Anyway again.
5. You may need to enter your password or use Touch ID to allow the app to open. Once this is done, the app will open, and you can proceed to Step 3.

Step 3. Create a Bootable OSMC USB Drive

1. Open qt_host_installer.app, choose your language, and select Apple TV as the destination device.
2. Click the next button (shaped like a play icon) to continue.
3. In the dropdown box for selecting the version, choose 2017.08-01-USB, then click Next.
4. Select the USB drive you plugged into your computer and click next.
5. Accept the end-user license agreement by checking the box, then click Next to begin downloading the OSMC software from OSMC’s servers.
6. When the download finishes, click Yes on the warning message that pops up.
7. macOS only: You’ll need to enter your Mac password to authorize the installation. Windows doesn’t require this step.
8. You’ll know the process was successful when your Mac shows the error message: “The disk you attached was not readable by this computer.” This confirms the installation is complete.

Step 4. Plug the USB Drive Into Your Apple TV

1. Plug the USB drive with OSMC into your Apple TV 1.
2. Connect your Apple TV to your TV, then turn on both your Apple TV and TV.
3. The bootable OSMC USB drive will initialize, and your Apple TV may reboot a few times during the process.
4. After the USB drive initializes, use your Apple TV remote to navigate through the OSMC setup menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup of OSMC.
5. Once OSMC is set up, go to Programs on the OSMC menu. Open Kodi, and start enjoying your media!

Kodi Not Working on Apple TV? How to Fix Common Issues

You might run into a few issues along the way while installing Kodi on Apple TV. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

FAQ