How to Install Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Kodi is a free, open-source media player software that allows users to organize and play their media files on various devices, including movies, TV shows, music, photos, and more. Originally called XBMC (Xbox Media Center), Kodi was created in 2002 as a media center software for the original Xbox game console. It has since evolved into a powerful, feature-rich media player that can be installed on various devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi.

Some of the key features and benefits of Kodi include the following:

• Customizable interface: Kodi’s interface can be customized with various skins and themes to suit the user’s preferences.
• Add-ons: Kodi supports a wide range of add-ons, including plugins, scripts, and extensions, that allow users to access additional content and functionality.
• Media management: Kodi makes it easy to organize and manage your media files, including support for automatic metadata retrieval, fan art, and more.
• Cross-platform support: Kodi can be installed on various devices, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and even set-top boxes and smart TVs.
• Community support: Kodi has a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its ongoing development and provide support and assistance to other users.

To start with Kodi on Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20, you can use the Kodi official launchpad PPA with the command line terminal. The following guide will demonstrate installing Kodi on Linux Mint using these steps.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

Keeping your system up to date is essential for optimal performance and security. It is recommended to install the latest packages available on your system. To ensure you have the most recent version of all your packages and upgrade any outdated packages, run the following command: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

Step 2: Import Kodi LaunchPAD PPA

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

Next, to ensure that the necessary directories are created for the import process, run the following command:

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

Next, you can add the GPG key to the /usr/share/keyrings/ directory only for a more secure repository approach. To do this, use the following command:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 189701DA570C56B9488EF60A6D975C4791E7EE5E

This command adds the GPG key to the Kodi directory, ensuring that it can only be used for the Kodi repository, which is a more secure approach.

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg' created
gpg: key 6D975C4791E7EE5E: public key "Launchpad PPA for XBMC for Linux" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

Now that you have imported the necessary GPG key, the next step is to add the Kodi Launchpad PPA to your system. Two options for importing the repository are the stable or nightly branches. However, it is generally recommended to import the stable repository as it is known to be more reliable. The nightly branch is intended for testing purposes only and is highly unstable.

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

Import Kodi Stable PPA For Linux Mint 21:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu jammy main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kodi.list

Import Kodi Stable PPA For Linux Mint 20:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu focal main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kodi.list

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:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly/ubuntu jammy main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kodi.list

Import Kodi Nightly PPA For Linux Mint 20:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/kodi.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/team-xbmc/xbmc-nightly/ubuntu focal main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kodi.list

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

Step 4: Install Kodi on Linux Mint

Now that the Kodi Launchpad PPA has been properly configured, you can proceed with the installation of Kodi 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

Step 4: Secure Kodi with UFW Firewall

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:

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:

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:

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.

Step 5: Launch Kodi on Linux Mint

After successfully installing and configuring the firewall on Kodi, it’s time to launch the software. 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.

Example:

Congratulations on successfully installing Kodi on your Linux Mint system! To get started with customizing Kodi, here are some tips that will help you:

1. Customize the Home Screen: The home screen is the first thing you’ll see when you open Kodi. You can customize it by adding or removing menu items, changing the background, and more. Go to Settings > Interface > Skin > Configure Skin to do this.
2. Set Up Media Libraries: Kodi allows you to create media libraries for your movies, TV shows, music, and other content. You can specify the folders on your system where your media is stored, and Kodi will automatically import the files into your libraries. Go to Settings > Media > Library to set up your media libraries.
3. Install Add-ons: Kodi has a vast repository of add-ons that can greatly enhance your experience. You can install add-ons for various purposes, such as streaming movies, live TV, etc. To install add-ons, go to Settings > Add-ons > Install from the repository.
4. Configure Settings: Kodi has a variety of settings that you can customize to your liking. For example, you can change the appearance, enable subtitles, and adjust playback settings. To configure Kodi settings, go to Settings > System.
5. Get Familiar with Keyboard Shortcuts: Kodi has a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can save you time and make navigation easier. For example, you can use the up arrow key to access the menu and the down arrow key to select a menu item. To see a list of Kodi keyboard shortcuts, go to Settings > Interface > Configure shortcuts.

By following these tips and customizing Kodi to your liking, you’ll be able to get the most out of your media player and enjoy a truly personalized experience. So, go ahead and explore the possibilities of Kodi!

Examples of Kodi default screens on Linux Mint:

Additional Commands & Tips

How to Update Kodi on Linux Mint

Keeping Kodi up-to-date is important 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, you can use either Linux Mint’s graphical user interface (GUI) updater or the command line terminal, which is often considered more efficient. It’s important to note that if you’ve installed the unstable Kodi Launchpad PPA, regular updates are necessary, as it is very active. We recommend checking for updates daily.

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.

How to Remove Kodi on Linux Mint

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 rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kodi.list

Using these commands, you can easily and quickly remove Kodi from your Linux Mint system. 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 greatly 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.

Additional Resources and Relevant Links

Here are some additional resources and links related to Kodi on Linux Mint:

• Kodi Official Website: The official website for Kodi is a great resource for downloading the latest version of Kodi and accessing the official documentation. You can also find links to the official Kodi forums, social media accounts, and other resources.
• Kodi Wiki: The Kodi Wiki is the official documentation for Kodi. It includes detailed information on how to install and use Kodi on a variety of platforms, including Linux Mint.
• Kodi on Reddit: The Kodi subreddit is a great place to ask questions and get help with using Kodi. You can also find links to helpful resources, news, and updates related to Kodi.
• Linux Mint Community: The Linux Mint community website is a great resource for getting involved in the Linux Mint community, accessing user-created tutorials and guides, and finding help with using Linux Mint.