How to Set Up Kodi on Chromecast
Kodi is an extremely popular media player. It is now officially available on Android and Windows. This app converts your device into a media server. It also supports various builds and add-ons that let you play wide range of movies and TV shows from around the world. There are some third-party add-ons that allow you to stream all kinds of content totally free of cost.
Kodi doesn’t offer built in support to Chromecast. But, if you have an Android or Computer, you can use a workaround. In this article we will learn how to stream Kodi on Chromecast using your Android device.
Contents
Prerequisites
Here is the list of the things you are going to need in order to use Kodi with Chromecast:
- Chromecast Device: Of course you will need a Chromecast device to connect to the TV. This device will be used to send Kodi feed to the TV so that you can watch it on the bigger screen.
- Mobile device (Android or iPhone) or PC/Laptop: Kodi doesn’t have native support for Chromecast. So, you cannot run the stream from within Kodi. However, you can use a mobile or computer that supports ‘cast’ function.
- Wi-Fi: In order to use Kodi on Chromecast, you will need to make sure that the device on which you are running Kodi (mobile or computer) and Chromecast are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Why Do I need a Mobile or Computer?
Kodi is an incredibly popular media player worldwide. It is available on a wide range of devices including Android and Windows. But, it does not offer Chromecast support at the moment. This is the reason why you need a device that has built-in ‘Cast’ feature and is compatible with Chromecast. This is the reason why you need Android or Windows device.
Why only Android or Windows you may ask; why not iPhone? The reason is pretty simple. Kodi is available on the official stores Google Play Store and Microsoft Store. Apple, at this moment, doesn’t host Kodi app. If you want it on iPhone or any other iOS device, you will need to side-load it. This is why we recommend Android mobile or Windows computer.
If you only have an iOS device, you can look up on the internet to learn how to install Kodi from a third-party source. You don’t need to jailbreak iOS (that’s good news) and the process is safe.
Kodi on Chromecast Using Android – Method 1
There are two ways to stream Kodi on Chromecast from Android. Method 1 we are about to discuss is a bit complicated but saves battery and offers higher quality stream. Method 2, which we will talk about later, is easier, but consumes more power and stream isn’t as good.
Here are the things you need to get Kodi working on Chromecast:
- Kodi app: The most basic thing you need. You can download and install it from Google Play Store.
- Local Cast: There are plenty of cast apps out there but this one is our favourite. It is faster, consumers less mobile resources, and is free of cost.
- ES File Explorer: This is a file manager that lets you view and manage the hidden files on your mobile. You may have the Android native Explorer app but it isn’t as fast and good as this one.
- XML File: This file lets you connect Kodi to the video devices like Chromecast. You can download it from https://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Use_external_players_on_Android.
Installation Procedure
Here are the steps you need copy the PlayerFactoryCore.XML file to the required folder:
- Launch ES File Explorer app
- Click the Menu icon (3 horizontal lines) on the top left
- Select Settings
- Scroll to ‘Display Settings’ section
- Tap ‘Show Hidden Files’
- Go back to ES File Explorer home screen
- Navigate to the folder where you saved PlayerFactoryCore.XML file
- Copy the file
- Go back to ES File Explorer home screen again and navigate to the ‘Downloads’ folder
- Copy the PlayerFactoryCore.XML file in this folder
- Again return to the home screen of ES File Explorer app and navigate to Android >> Data >> org.xmbm.kodi >> Files >> .kodi >> userdata
- Paste the PlayerFactoryCore.XML to this folder
Now you can run Kodi and get it working on Chromecast. Follow these steps:
- Launch Kodi app and play any video of your choice. LocalCast app should automatically run now (in case you have two casting apps installed including LocalCast, Android will throw a prompt asking you to choose one)
- Connect Chromecast to the TV and turn it on
- LocalCast will detect Chromecast now
- When Chromecast appears on the list, tap it to select it
This will get Kodi playing on your TV. Enjoy!
Kodi on Chromecast Using Android – Method 2
This method casts the entire screen. This is why it consumes more power. The quality may also degrade a little on TV. But, it is easier to use. If you are ready to compromise on quality a bit and battery is not an issue (as you might have the device plugged in to the power source), you could use this method.
It is called ‘Screen Mirror’. Here is how you can go about it
- Install Kodi on your Android device via Google Play Store
- Install Google Cast also from Google Play Store
- Launch Google Cast app
- Tap on the Menu icon (3 horizontal lines) on the top left of the screen
- Select the option ‘Cast Screen/Audio’
- Click OK when you see the warning message ‘Screen casting is not optimized for this device’
- Turn Chromecast on and allow it a few seconds to detect your HD TV
- Select Chromecast device on Google Cast
- Run Kodi and play your favourite video
This is all you need to do to get Kodi working on your Chromecast. Remember that the entire screen is getting mirrored on Chromecast. Hence, you need to keep Kodi on the foreground. Anything that appears on your Android screen will also appear on your TV.
Kodi Leach
