Kodi is a very popular media server application among users. The reason behind this popularity is its availability on almost all major operating systems. With the latest developments in Chrome OS, new Chromebooks can now run the Kodi app from the Google Play Store. However, Play Store support, or Android app support, is not widely available on all Chromebooks, especially older ones. So, if you’re one of the Chromebook users left out, don’t worry. In this article, I will tell you some easy ways to install Kodi on Chromebook with or without Google Play Store support.
Install Kodi on Chromebook
In this article, we will discuss three different methods you can use to get Kodi on Chromebook. The first method requires a Chromebook that supports the Google Play Store. The next two methods are for users with older Chromebooks that do not support the Google Play Store. Feel free to jump to the section you want.
Install Kodi from Google Play Store to Chromebook
1. Open Google Play Store on your Chromebook and search for Kodi. Later on, Install it like any other app.
2. After the installation is complete, open it and give the necessary permission.
3. You can now add your media sources and run them as you would on Windows or other platforms. the good thing is You can install addons, Kodi repository and everything else without any limitations.
4. In case the Google Play Store is not available on your Chromebook, Open Settings and click on the hamburger menu in the upper left corner.
5. Under the menu, Click on “Google Play Store”.
6. Here, Click the “Open” button To enable Google Play Store on your Chromebook.
Install Kodi on Chromebook without Google Play Store
Play Store support is becoming a standard feature on the Chromebook, but there are older Chromebooks that don’t like Android apps on the Chromebook. If your device is one of them, you don’t have to worry. There are some nice ways to run Kodi on Chromebook without using the Play Store. Here’s how you can do that.
Note: We use ARC Welder, a development tool, to convert Android app to compatible Chrome OS app. Since it is used for testing purposes, there may be some latency and general performance issues.
1. Download the Kodi APK file from: official website. Click on “Android” and choose your Chromebook build. If you are not sure which build to choose, Cog (FreeFind out your Chromebook build using the ) extension.
2. Next, install the ARC Welder (Free) extension from the Chrome Web Store. Unlike other Chrome extensions, the file size is very large and about 200 MB so be patient while downloading.
3. After this installation, Launch ARC Welder and click the “Select” button.
4. Now, Select the directory where the Kodi APK was downloaded and click the “Open” button.
Note: Do not try to select the APK file here.
5. Also, click on “Add your APK” At ARC Welder.
6. Now select the Kodi APK file and Click the “Open” button. The APK file will take some time to process.
7. Next, you will be presented with a series of options. Make sure “Landscape” orientation and “Tablet” form factor are selected. Finally, click the “Test” button.
8. Kodi will launch automatically, but it may take some time to fully load. After a while, Kodi should work fine on your Chromebook.
Note: To use Kodi via ARC Welder, you have to manually add the APK each time and then test it.
Install Kodi on Chromebook as Chrome Extension
To use Kodi via ARC Welder, you have to manually add the APK each time and then test it. This process is time consuming and inconvenient. So to get around with it, we can Create an extension to open Kodi via ARC Welder. And users can access the Kodi extension from the app drawer, just like any other app. Here are the steps to follow.
Note: When testing the Kodi APK file on ARC Welder, it creates a unique folder containing all the necessary files to create an extension. We will use this exported folder from ARC Welder to create a Kodi extension. So make sure you follow the APK testing process above before moving on to this section.
1. Open the Chrome browser and click the 3-dot menu. from now on, Click “More Tools” and open “Extensions”.
2. Here, Activate “Developer mode” in the top right corner. A new submenu will appear at the top, click on the “Install unpacked” button.
3. Now, Find the APK file directory and you will find the exported folder from ARC Welder. Select the folder and click the “Open” button.
4. Kodi will be instantly added to your app drawer. Now you can use it like an app.
SEE ALSO: How to Use Kodi on PC or Mac: A Complete Guide
Install Kodi on Chromebook and Don’t Miss the Fun
This is how you can install Kodi on Chromebook regardless of Google Play Store support. If your Chromebook has native Play Store support, you can take the easier route and enjoy Kodi as usual. If your device does not support Android apps, let ARC Welder create a virtual Android Runtime Environment. It will allow Android APKs to run smoothly on Chromebook. Anyway, if you liked this article on Kodi or have similar hacks to share, let us know in the comment section below.
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