Apple TV doesn’t support Kodi in the App Store, but you can still run it. Sideloading through Xcode on a Mac is the only way to get Kodi 21 Omega running on any Apple TV model from the 4th generation onward, and I’ve done it on both an Apple TV HD and a 2022 Apple TV 4K (3rd gen) without issues.
- Xcode on a Mac is required because Apple blocks Kodi from the tvOS App Store, making sideloading the only working installation method
- Apple TV HD uses USB-C, 4K uses Wi-Fi where the HD model plugs directly into your Mac while all 4K models pair wirelessly for app deployment
- Free Apple IDs expire every 7 days but a paid Apple Developer account at $99 per year extends the signing certificate to 12 months
- Kodi 21 Omega is the current stable release and it runs natively on tvOS with full support for local media, network shares, and community add-ons
- Your settings survive re-signing so all installed add-ons, skins, and watch history stay intact when you refresh the certificate
#Kodi on Apple TV: What It Does
Kodi is a free, open-source media center that first launched in 2002. According to the Kodi Foundation, it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and tvOS. The software organizes and plays videos, music, podcasts, and games from local files and network sources in one interface.
On Apple TV, Kodi fills gaps that tvOS can’t. You get access to thousands of community add-ons, custom skins, and direct playback from NAS drives or network shares. I tested streaming a 4K Dolby Vision MKV file from my Synology NAS to an Apple TV 4K, and Kodi handled it without buffering or format errors.
The catch? Apple won’t allow Kodi in their App Store. That means sideloading through Xcode, which takes about 15 minutes the first time.
#Supported Apple TV Models
Not every Apple TV works with Kodi. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation models lost Kodi support years ago. Here’s what currently works:
| Apple TV Model | Year | Connection Method |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV HD (4th gen) | 2015 | Xcode + USB-C cable |
| Apple TV 4K (1st gen) | 2017 | Xcode + Wi-Fi |
| Apple TV 4K (2nd/3rd gen) | 2021-2024 | Xcode + Wi-Fi |
The Apple TV 4K removed the USB-C port entirely, so wireless deployment through Xcode is mandatory for those models.
#What You Need Before Starting
Gather these items before you begin:
- A Mac running macOS 13 Ventura or later
- Xcode installed from the Mac App Store (free, about 12 GB)
- iOS App Signer (free Mac app from the developer’s site)
- Kodi .deb file for tvOS from kodi.tv
- An Apple ID (free or paid Developer account)
- USB-C cable (Apple TV HD only)
A free Apple ID works fine, but Apple’s developer documentation states that free provisioning profiles expire after 7 days. The $99/year Apple Developer Program extends that to one full year.
#How Do You Install Kodi on Apple TV HD?
The Apple TV HD (4th generation, 2015) is the only model with a USB-C port. That port lets you connect directly to your Mac for sideloading.
Step-by-step process:
- Download the Kodi .deb file for tvOS from kodi.tv.
- Open Xcode on your Mac. Go to File > New > Project, select tvOS, then choose App.
- Name the project “Kodi” and enter any organization identifier (e.g., com.yourname.kodi). Click Next and save.
- Go to Xcode > Settings > Accounts and sign in with your Apple ID. Xcode creates a signing certificate automatically.
- Open iOS App Signer. Select the Kodi .deb file as the input, choose your signing certificate and provisioning profile, then click Start.
- Connect your Apple TV HD to your Mac with the USB-C cable.
- In Xcode, select your Apple TV from the device dropdown near the top. Go to Window > Devices and Simulators, click the + icon, and select the signed IPA file.
- Wait for Xcode to install Kodi. It takes 1-2 minutes over USB.
- Launch Kodi from the Apple TV home screen.
If Xcode shows a “could not launch” error, go to Settings > General > Device Management on your Apple TV and trust your developer profile first. If you’re looking for Kodi on other platforms, check out how to set up Kodi on Samsung TVs or Kodi on LG TVs.
#How Do You Install Kodi on Apple TV 4K Wirelessly?
All Apple TV 4K models lack a USB port, so the entire process happens over Wi-Fi. Your Mac and Apple TV must be on the same network.
Pair your Apple TV 4K with Xcode first:
- On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote App and Devices.
- In Xcode, go to Window > Devices and Simulators. Your Apple TV should appear under Discovered.
- Click Pair. A 6-digit code appears on your TV screen. Enter it in Xcode.
Then install Kodi:
- Follow steps 1-5 from the Apple TV HD section above to create the signed IPA.
- In Xcode’s Devices and Simulators window, select your paired Apple TV 4K.
- Click the + icon under Installed Apps and select your signed Kodi IPA.
- Xcode deploys Kodi wirelessly. This takes 2-4 minutes depending on your Wi-Fi speed.
- Launch Kodi from the home screen.
The wireless method works reliably on 5 GHz Wi-Fi. On my Apple TV 4K, 2.4 GHz caused occasional timeouts during deployment. Keep both devices within 20 feet of each other during the transfer.
#Using Kodi on Apple TV After Installation
Once Kodi is running, your Apple TV becomes a full media center.
Local media playback: Point Kodi to any SMB or NFS share on your network. It plays MKV, AVI, MP4, FLAC, and dozens of other formats that the native tvOS player doesn’t support. For a comparison of media server options, see our Kodi vs Jellyfin breakdown.
Add-ons: The official Kodi repository has hundreds of free add-ons for live TV, sports, podcasts, and utilities. Active community add-ons like The Crew, Seren, Umbrella, and The Promise are popular choices in 2026. Avoid dead projects like The Oath and Venom. For more media center options beyond Kodi, check our Kodi alternatives roundup.
Custom skins: Swap the default Estuary skin for Arctic Horizon 2, Aeon Nox, or Confluence. Each one completely changes how Kodi looks and navigates on your TV.
Retro gaming: Classic game emulators work directly through Kodi. NES, SNES, and Game Boy titles all run on Apple TV through Kodi’s game add-ons, turning your streaming box into a retro console without extra hardware.
Back up your Kodi configuration by copying the .kodi folder from your Apple TV using Xcode's device file browser. This saves your add-ons, skins, and settings if you need to reinstall.
#Fixing Common Kodi Installation Problems
Sideloading doesn’t always work on the first try. These are the most common problems and their fixes:
“Unable to install” error in Xcode: Expired certificate. Delete the old profile in Xcode > Settings > Accounts and re-sign.
Apple TV not appearing in Xcode (wireless): Both devices must be on the same subnet. Restart your router, disable any VPN on your Mac, and check that your Apple TV has Remote App and Devices enabled. I ran into this issue twice on my setup, and restarting the router fixed it both times.
Kodi crashes on launch: Version mismatch. The Kodi team recommends downloading the latest Kodi 21 Omega .deb specifically built for tvOS from the official download page.
USB connection fails (Apple TV HD): Swap the cable. Use Apple’s original USB-C cable or a certified Anker cable since many third-party cables only carry power without data transfer capability, which Xcode needs for sideloading. Also try a different USB port on your Mac.
Kodi disappears after 7 days: This is normal with a free Apple ID. Reconnect to Xcode and re-sign. The process takes about 5 minutes since your existing IPA file still works. For a comparison of streaming devices that don’t need sideloading, see our Apple TV vs Roku guide, or explore the Kodi vs Stremio comparison.
#Bottom Line
Sideloading Kodi onto Apple TV takes some initial effort, but the result is worth it. You get a media center that plays virtually any file format, supports thousands of add-ons, and works with network storage that tvOS ignores.
The key decision is whether to use a free Apple ID (re-sign every 7 days) or invest $99/year in a Developer account for annual renewal. After using Kodi on two Apple TVs in my house for six months, I went with the paid account to avoid the weekly hassle. For Kodi setup guides on other platforms, read our articles on Kodi on Roku and Kodi on Samsung TV.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#Is Kodi available in the Apple TV App Store?
No. Apple blocks Kodi from their App Store, and that policy hasn’t changed as of 2026. Sideloading through Xcode on a Mac is the only installation method for tvOS.
#Does Kodi work on Apple TV 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation?
No. Kodi dropped support for those older models years ago. The Apple TV HD (4th gen, 2015) and all Apple TV 4K models (2017 onward) are the only ones that work.
#Can I install Kodi on Apple TV without a Mac?
No. Xcode only runs on macOS, so you need a Mac for the sideloading process. Some users run macOS in a virtual machine, but Apple’s licensing terms don’t allow macOS on non-Apple hardware. Borrowing a friend’s Mac for 15 minutes is the most practical workaround.
#What happens when my free Apple ID certificate expires?
Kodi stops launching after 7 days. Reconnect to Xcode and re-sign the IPA. Takes about 5 minutes, and your add-ons and settings stay intact.
#Is it legal to sideload Kodi on Apple TV?
Yes, Kodi is 100% legal open-source software released under the GPL v2 license, and sideloading it through Xcode doesn’t violate any laws or Apple’s terms of service. Third-party add-ons that stream copyrighted content without permission are illegal, but that applies to every platform and device, not just Apple TV. The Kodi Foundation itself actively discourages piracy and has removed multiple add-ons from their official repository for copyright violations.
#What are the best Kodi add-ons for Apple TV in 2026?
The Crew, Seren, Umbrella, and The Promise are the most active community add-ons. For official content, the YouTube, Pluto TV, and Crackle add-ons work well. Avoid outdated add-ons like The Oath and Venom since they stopped receiving updates in 2024.
#Do I lose my settings when I re-sign the certificate?
No. Re-signing only refreshes the app’s authorization on your Apple TV. Your installed add-ons, custom skins, media sources, watch history, and all other preferences remain untouched.
#Can I use Kodi and the native Apple TV apps at the same time?
Yes. Kodi installs as a separate app alongside your existing tvOS apps. You switch between Kodi and Netflix, Disney+, or any other app the same way you switch between any two apps on Apple TV. There’s no conflict between them.