Kodi

Media centre for your own library

Kodi is an open-source media player and entertainment hub for Android devices. It suits people who want one interface for organising and playing their own videos, music, photos and podcasts from local storage, discs, network locations or supported online sources. Its layout is built around browsing media on a larger screen, although the Android version also supports phones and tablets.

Works with local and network sources

The app does not arrive with films, shows, music or other media included. You need to connect Kodi to content you already own or can access legally, such as files on your device, a home network or compatible external media. This makes it more useful as a library front end than as a ready-made streaming service.

• Browse and play video, music, photos and podcasts
• Use a remote-friendly interface for television and home theatre setups
• Connect to media stored locally or on a network
• Extend the app with compatible third-party add-ons where appropriate

Designed for flexible setups

Kodi is maintained by the Kodi Foundation and is available under an open-source licence. Its standard interface is intended for clear navigation from a distance, while the Android experience is also adapted for larger phones and tablets. The app is best suited to users comfortable managing their own media sources and settings rather than those looking for a simple catalogue of included content.

Ratings and availability

With a rating of 3.59 out of 5 from about 339,126 reviews and more than 50 million installs, Kodi has a substantial Android user base. The range of supported setups can be useful, but the overall experience depends on the quality and organisation of the media sources you connect. Kodi does not endorse using add-ons to access copyrighted material without permission.