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How to Install Kodi on Fedora 39/38/37 Linux
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Kodi, formerly known as XBMC (Xbox Media Center), is a powerful and versatile open-source media player that has gained immense popularity over the years. With its sleek and user-friendly interface, Kodi allows you to manage and organize your media collection like a pro. Here are some key features that set Kodi apart from other media players:
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Kodi is designed to work seamlessly on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi.
Customizable Interface: Kodi boasts a highly customizable interface, allowing you to personalize your media center experience with multiple skins and add-ons.
Rich Add-On Ecosystem: One of the most significant advantages of Kodi is its vast library of community-developed add-ons that enable you to access a wide array of streaming services, live TV channels, and other online content.
Support for Various Media Formats: Kodi can play virtually any media format, including video, audio, image files, DVDs, Blu-rays, and streaming content.
Built-in PVR Functionality: With Personal Video Recorder (PVR) support, Kodi enables you to watch and record live TV from various sources, making it an all-in-one entertainment solution.
Library and Metadata Management: Kodi’s robust library management system automatically fetches metadata for your media files, providing a visually appealing and organized collection.
Remote Control Support: Kodi is compatible with many remote controls and input devices, ensuring a convenient and enjoyable user experience.
In this guide, we will focus on one of the many ways to install Kodi – specifically on Fedora Linux, a popular distribution. By using Command Line Interface (CLI) commands and RPM Fusion, you can easily set up Kodi on your Fedora system, transforming it into a powerful media center. The guide will demonstrate how to install Kodi on Fedora Linux with CLI commands and RPM Fusion.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install Kodi on Fedora Linux
Step 1: Import RPM Fusion
Before installing Kodi on your Fedora Linux system, it is necessary to add the RPM Fusion repository. RPM Fusion provides additional software packages unavailable in the official Fedora repositories. By enabling RPM Fusion, you will have access to the Kodi package and its dependencies.
To import the RPM Fusion repository, execute the following command in the terminal:
This command downloads and installs the RPM Fusion free and non-free repositories on your Fedora system.
Step 2: Install Kodi
Now that you have added the RPM Fusion repository, you can install Kodi. Run the following command to install Kodi along with its dependencies:
sudo dnf install -y kodi
Wait for the installation process to complete. Once finished, you can access Kodi by searching for it in your application menu or running kodi it in the terminal.
Section 2: Configure FirewallD with Kodi
Step 1: Check if FirewallD is Installed
FirewallD is a default firewall management tool on Fedora Linux. Before configuring FirewallD to secure Kodi, you should ensure it is installed on your system. Execute the following command to check the status of FirewallD:
sudo systemctl status firewalld
If FirewallD is not installed, you can install it using the following command:
sudo dnf install -y firewalld
Once installed, enable and start the FirewallD service using these commands:
sudo systemctl enable --now firewalld
Step 2: Configure FirewallD
To allow external access to Kodi while maintaining security, you must configure FirewallD with specific rules. Kodi uses multiple ports for different services, such as HTTP, UPnP, and EventServer. You can open these ports by creating new FirewallD services or modifying existing ones.
For example, to allow HTTP access to Kodi, create a new FirewallD service file named kodi-http.xml:
sudo nano /etc/firewalld/services/kodi-http.xml
Paste the following content into the file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<service>
<short>Kodi HTTP</short>
<description>Allow access to Kodi via HTTP</description>
<port protocol="tcp" port="8080"/>
</service>
Save and close the file. Now, reload the FirewallD configuration and add the newly created service to your active firewall zone:
This example only covers HTTP access. You can similarly create additional FirewallD service files for other Kodi services, such as UPnP (kodi-upnp.xml) and EventServer (kodi-eventserver.xml), by following the same steps and adjusting the port numbers accordingly.
Remember to replace the port number in the <port> tag with the appropriate value for each service. After creating the necessary service files, reload the FirewallD configuration and add the services to your active firewall zone, as demonstrated earlier.
Section 3: Launch Kodi
After successfully installing and configuring Kodi on your Fedora Linux system, it’s time to launch the application. You can do this using the Command Line Interface (CLI) or the Graphical User Interface (GUI) method. Both methods are explained below.
Step 1: Launch Kodi via CLI
To launch Kodi using the CLI method, open a terminal window and enter the following command:
kodi
This command will start the Kodi application in a new window. You can now explore its features, customize the interface, and enjoy your media content.
Step 2: Launch Kodi via GUI
If you prefer using the GUI method, you can easily locate and launch Kodi from your desktop. Here’s how:
Access the Application Menu: Depending on the desktop environment you are using (such as GNOME, KDE, or XFCE), click on the “Applications” or “Show Applications” icon in the bottom-left corner or the top-left corner of your screen.
Search for Kodi: In the application menu, type “Kodi” in the search bar. The Kodi media player icon should appear in the search results.
Launch Kodi: Click on the Kodi icon to launch the application. A new window will open, allowing you to access and manage your media content.
Example of Kodi application icon on Fedora Linux desktop:
Section 4: Getting Started with Kodi on Fedora Linux
After launching Kodi on your Fedora Linux system, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with its features and capabilities. This section will discuss some general tips, customizations, and other useful information to help you get started with Kodi on Fedora Linux.
Tip 1: Customize Kodi’s Appearance
Kodi offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor its look and feel to your preferences. To customize Kodi’s appearance:
Click on the Settings (gear) icon on the main screen.
Select the Interface option.
Explore the available settings, such as Skin, Colors, and Fonts to change Kodi’s appearance to your liking.
Tip 2: Add Media Sources to Your Library
To make the most of your Kodi experience, you’ll want to add your media collection to the library. Follow these steps to add media sources:
From the main screen, select the media type you want to add (such as Movies, TV Shows, or Music).
Click on the Enter files section option.
Select Add videos, Add music, or Add pictures, depending on the media type.
Click on the Browse button to navigate to the folder containing your media files.
Select the folder and click OK.
Assign a scraper (metadata provider) to fetch information about your media files, if desired.
Click on OK to add the media source to your library.
Kodi will now scan your media files and add them to your library, complete with metadata, such as cover art, plot summaries, and more.
Tip 3: Install Add-ons for Additional Features
Kodi’s add-ons extend its functionality, giving you access to streaming services, live TV channels, and other content. To install add-ons:
Click on the Add-ons option on the main screen.
Select the box icon in the top-left corner to open the Add-on browser.
Choose Install from repository.
Browse through the available repositories and categories to find the add-on you want to install.
Click on the desired add-on and select Install.
The add-on will be downloaded and installed, making it available within Kodi.
Tip 4: Set Up Subtitles
To enable subtitles in Kodi, follow these steps:
Click on the Settings (gear) icon on the main screen.
Select the Player option.
Navigate to the Language tab.
Under Download Services, click on Languages to download subtitles for and select your preferred languages.
Configure other subtitle settings, such as font and size, as desired.
Now, when you play a video, you can access the subtitles by clicking on the Subtitles button in the video player.
Tip 5: Enable Remote Control Access
Kodi supports remote control functionality, allowing you to control the application from other devices, such as smartphones or tablets. To enable remote control access:
Click on the Settings (gear) icon on the main screen.
Select the Services option.
Navigate to the Control tab.
Enable the Allow remote control via HTTP option.
Set a username and password to secure remote access.
With remote control access enabled, you can use compatible apps or devices to control Kodi from anywhere in your home network.
Example of Kodi UI once first launched on Fedora Linux desktop:
This section will cover essential commands for managing your Kodi installation on Fedora Linux, such as updating and removing Kodi. These commands will help you keep your system up-to-date and maintain a clean environment.
Step 1: Updating Kodi
To ensure you’re using the latest version of Kodi with all the newest features and security patches, it’s essential to keep it updated. Since you installed Kodi from the RPM Fusion repository, you can use the DNF package manager to update the software with the following command:
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Step 2: Removing Kodi
If you decide that you no longer need Kodi on your Fedora system, you can remove it using the DNF package manager with the following command:
sudo dnf remove kodi
Conclusion: Installing Kodi on Fedora Linux
In this guide, we covered the process of installing and configuring Kodi on Fedora Linux. We went through the steps of importing the RPM Fusion repository, installing Kodi, configuring FirewallD for a secure Kodi experience, and launching Kodi using both the CLI and GUI methods. We also discussed tips for getting started with Kodi on Fedora Linux, additional Kodi commands for updating and removing the software, and provided a list of useful resources for further learning.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should now have a well-rounded understanding of Kodi on Fedora Linux and be able to enjoy a feature-rich, customizable media center experience tailored to your preferences.
Additional Resources and Links
To further enhance your knowledge and skills with Kodi on Fedora Linux, we recommend exploring the following official resources:
Kodi Official Website: The Kodi official website offers a wealth of information, including news, forums, and general information about the media center software.
Kodi Wiki: The Kodi Wiki is a comprehensive knowledge base containing detailed guides, tips, and troubleshooting information for various platforms, including Fedora Linux.
Fedora Documentation: The official Fedora documentation provides in-depth guides and tutorials to help you get the most out of your Fedora Linux system, including working with software like Kodi.
