How to Install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

For those keen on learning how to install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20 and turning their system into a multimedia powerhouse, Kodi stands out as an optimal choice. This open-source media player software offers a comprehensive solution for organizing and playing diverse media content, from movies and TV shows to music and photos.

Key Features of Kodi for Linux Mint Users:

• Customizable Interface: Tailor Kodi’s appearance with many skins and themes, ensuring a personalized media viewing experience.
• Extensive Add-ons: Enhance Kodi’s capabilities with its vast array of add-ons, ranging from plugins and scripts to extensions, unlocking additional content and functionalities.
• Efficient Media Management: With Kodi, effortlessly organize your media libraries. Its automatic metadata retrieval and support for fan art streamline the content organization.
• Broad Device Compatibility: Beyond Linux Mint, Kodi’s cross-platform nature ensures compatibility with devices like desktops, mobiles, set-top boxes, and even smart TVs.
• Robust Community Support: Benefit from Kodi’s vibrant community, a hub of developers and enthusiasts who continually refine the software and offer invaluable support.

Learning to install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20 is straightforward. You can seamlessly integrate this powerful media player into your system by leveraging the Kodi official launchpad PPA and the command line terminal. Dive into the subsequent guide for a step-by-step walkthrough of the installation process.

Update Linux Mint Before Kodi Installation

To ensure you have the most recent version of all your packages and upgrade any outdated packages, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Import Kodi LaunchPAD PPA on Linux Mint 21 or 20

To avoid potential errors during installation, verifying that all the necessary packages are installed on your system beforehand is crucial. You can easily do this by running the following command, which will automatically install any commonly used packages that might be missing.

sudo apt install ca-certificates apt-transport-https software-properties-common lsb-release -y

To import the Kodi stable LaunchPAD PPA, use the following command:

Import Kodi Stable PPA For Linux Mint 21 or 20:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa -y

Alternatively, if you prefer to import the Kodi nightly LaunchPAD PPA for testing purposes, use this command instead:

Import Kodi Nightly PPA For Linux Mint 21 or 20:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly -y

Before installing, update the package cache and ensure the newly imported Kodi Launchpad PPA is accurately reflected in the sources list file. To do this, execute the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update

Install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Now that the Kodi Launchpad PPA has been appropriately configured, you can proceed to install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20 by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt install kodi kodi-bin

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Kodi has been successfully installed by running the following command in the terminal:

kodi --version

Example output:

Kodi Media Center 21.0-ALPHA1 (20.90.101) Git:20230311-111eac1bf9
Copyright (C) 2005-2021 Team Kodi - http://kodi.tv

Secure Kodi with UFW Firewall on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Securing Kodi with a UFW Firewall before proceeding is crucial, especially if you plan to connect to Kodi remotely outside your home network.

First, you must check if UFW is installed on your system. If not, you can install it by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt install ufw

Once you’ve installed UFW, you can enable it by running the following command, which activates the firewall and starts blocking incoming connections:

sudo ufw enable

Allow incoming connections for the default Kodi port on Linux Mint:

To allow incoming connections for the default Kodi port, run the following command, which permits incoming traffic on port 17777:

sudo ufw allow 17777/tcp

If you’ve configured Kodi to use a different port, you must replace 17777 in the above command with the desired port number.

Allow incoming connections from a specific IP range on Linux Mint:

If you only want to allow incoming connections from a specific IP range, you can use the following format:

sudo ufw allow from [IP_RANGE] to any port [PORT_NUMBER] proto [TCP/UDP]

For example, to allow incoming connections from IP addresses within the 192.168.1.0/24 range on port 17777, run the following command:

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 17777 proto tcp

Allow incoming connections from a single IP address on Linux Mint:

If you only want to allow incoming connections from a single IP address, use the following format:

sudo ufw allow from [IP_ADDRESS] to any port [PORT_NUMBER] proto [TCP/UDP]

For example, to allow incoming connections from a single IP address, such as 192.168.1.100, on port 17777, run the following command:

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.100 to any port 17777 proto tcp

To confirm that your UFW firewall rules are in place, run the following command to check the status of your UFW firewall:

sudo ufw status

This command will display your current firewall rules and show you the allowed incoming traffic based on the rules you’ve set up, securing your Kodi installation.

Launch Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

It’s time to launch the software after successfully installing and configuring the firewall on Kodi. You can do this in two ways:

The first method is by using the terminal to launch Kodi. To do this, run the following command in the terminal:

kodi

The second method is through the Kodi graphical user interface (GUI), using its icon, which can be found by following these steps:

1. Click on Taskbar
2. Click on Search Box
3. Search for Kodi and click on the icon to launch it.

Tips to Get Started with Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

After successfully installing Kodi on Linux Mint, it’s time to dive into optimizing your Kodi experience. Let’s delve into some essential tips:

Customize Your Home Screen with Kodi on Linux Mint

The home screen is your gateway to Kodi. Make it your own by:

• Adjusting Menu Items: Add or remove items to suit your preferences.
• Changing the Background: Give your home screen a fresh look.
• Accessing Customization Options: Navigate to Settings > Interface > Skin > Configure Skin.

Establish Your Media Libraries with Kodi on Linux Mint

Organize and access your media seamlessly:

• Organizing Media: Categorize your movies, TV shows, music, and more.
• Specifying Media Folders: Direct Kodi to where your media is stored, and it will handle the rest.
• Accessing Media Library Settings: Go to Settings > Media > Library.

Expand Functionality with Add-ons with Kodi on Linux Mint

Enhance Kodi’s capabilities with a plethora of add-ons:

• Exploring Add-ons: Dive into the vast collection available for streaming, live TV, and more.
• Installing Add-ons: Head to Settings > Add-ons > Install from the repository.

Fine-tune Your Settings with Kodi on Linux Mint

Make Kodi function precisely how you’d like:

• Personalizing Appearance: Tweak it to reflect your style.
• Utilizing Subtitles: Enable them for a more inclusive viewing experience.
• Adjusting Playback: Ensure optimal viewing and listening experiences.
• Accessing System Settings: Navigate to Settings > System.

Master Keyboard Shortcuts with Kodi on Linux Mint

Efficiency is key:

• Speeding Up Navigation: Use shortcuts to access functions in a snap.
• Learning Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself by visiting Settings > Interface > Configure shortcuts.

By tailoring Kodi to your preferences, you enhance its functionality and ensure a unique and immersive media experience. Dive in and explore all that Kodi has to offer.

Additional Commands for Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Update Kodi on Linux Mint on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Keeping Kodi up-to-date is essential to ensure that you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. Fortunately, updating Kodi on your Linux Mint system is straightforward, as it uses the APT package manager.

To check for updates and install them, including any updates for Kodi, run the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command will check for available updates and prompt you to install them if any are found, including any updates for Kodi. By keeping your Kodi installation up-to-date, you can take advantage of the latest features and improvements and ensure your media player runs smoothly.

Remove Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

If you’ve decided that you no longer need Kodi installed on your Linux Mint system or want to switch to a different version or repository, removing Kodi using the command line terminal is easy.

To remove Kodi and all its dependencies from your system, run the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt remove kodi kodi-bin

If you also want to remove the configuration files, use the following command instead:

sudo apt remove --purge kodi kodi-bin

For users who have installed the LaunchPAD PPA and want to remove it, use the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:team-xbmc/ppa -y
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly -y

You can easily and quickly remove Kodi from your Linux Mint system using these commands. This will free up disk space and ensure no unnecessary packages or files are left behind.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20 using the official Launchpad PPA is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your media playback experience. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily install Kodi on your system, customize it to your liking, and keep it up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes. With its vast repository of add-ons and customizable settings, Kodi is a versatile and powerful media player that can meet the needs of both casual and power users. So enjoy your media in a new way with Kodi on your Linux Mint system.