Kodi for Beginners: Safe Install, Settings and IPTV Simple Client

Kodi is a free, open-source media centre that plays your own video, music and photos, and with an official add-on it can show live TV from an M3U playlist and an XMLTV guide. This Kodi beginner's guide covers installing it safely, the first settings worth changing, setting up PVR IPTV Simple Client, and why the forum bans piracy add-ons and builds.

Kodi contains no content of its own. For live TV you need a source you are entitled to use, such as a legal provider's playlist, a home tuner or Plex/Jellyfin server. IPTV Commons does not discuss or link to services, so examples use example.com.

Quick answer: Download Kodi only from kodi.tv, Google Play or the Microsoft Store. For live TV, install PVR IPTV Simple Client from Kodi's official add-on repository, point it at your M3U playlist and XMLTV guide, and restart Kodi. Never install third-party "builds" or wizard add-ons.

Which version of Kodi is current?

At the time of writing (October 2026), the stable release shown on kodi.tv is Kodi 21 "Omega" (21.3 according to the sources we checked). Kodi 22 "Piers" was at release-candidate stage, with RC1 announced on the Kodi site on 10 October 2026, and is not yet the stable version. Release candidates are for testing, so beginners should stay on the stable release. Check kodi.tv for the latest status, as this will change.

Where should I download Kodi safely?

Use only the official routes:

• kodi.tv/download: installers for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
• Google Play Store: for Android, Android TV and Google TV.
• Microsoft Store: for Windows.
• Apple devices: Kodi is not distributed through the normal iOS or Apple TV App Store, so be wary of any "easy install" for those platforms.

Fire TV does not use Google Play. See sideloading apps on Fire TV for how to check that a file is genuine, and compare options in the Fire TV Stick setup guide. Never download Kodi from a random site or from a link in a video description.

What settings should I change first?

1. Language and region: open Settings (the cog), then Interface > Regional, and check language, region and time format.
2. Skin: the default skin is fine to begin with. Settings > Interface > Skin lets you switch to others from the official repository, such as ones that suit a TV remote better.
3. Add-on updates: under Settings > System > Add-ons, make sure updates are installed automatically.
4. Video refresh rate: under Settings > Player > Videos, look at "Adjust display refresh rate" to match frame rates (see HDR, Dolby Vision and frame rate).
5. Audio output: if you have a soundbar or AV receiver, see the audio passthrough guide.

Settings levels (Basic, Standard, Advanced, Expert) control how many options you see. Standard or Advanced is enough here.

How do I set up PVR IPTV Simple Client for live TV?

PVR IPTV Simple Client is an official Kodi add-on. It reads an M3U playlist (explained in M3U playlists explained) and an XMLTV programme guide (see the EPG and XMLTV guide).

1. In Kodi go to Add-ons > Install from repository > Kodi Add-on repository > PVR clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client, and choose Install.
2. Open the add-on's settings (Configure). On Kodi 20 and later you may need to Add add-on configuration first.
3. On the General tab, set Location to Remote path and enter the playlist address, for example https://example.com/your-playlist.m3u. If your playlist is a local file, choose Local path instead.
4. On the EPG settings tab, set Location to Remote path and enter the guide address, for example https://example.com/guide.xml. Compressed guide files are supported.
5. Leave the EPG time shift at 0 unless the guide's times are in a different time zone from your Kodi system.
6. Press OK, then restart Kodi if asked. Open TV from the main menu and wait while channels and guide load.

If channels load but the guide is empty, the channel IDs in the playlist probably do not match the XMLTV file. If the guide is slow, reducing how many days it loads can help. The add-on supports catch-up streams, but only where your source provides them.

Note that menu names vary a little between Kodi versions, so look for the nearest match if something differs on your screen.

Can Kodi record live TV?

PVR IPTV Simple Client plays and shows the guide, but it does not itself store recordings. Recording needs a PVR back end, such as a media server. See Plex and Jellyfin live TV, or catch-up, timeshift and recording for how the options differ.

Which Kodi add-ons are safe and legal?

Browse Add-ons > Install from repository > Kodi Add-on repository. This is the official repository, which hosts add-ons that have been reviewed by the Kodi team. Examples of categories include PVR clients, music and video add-ons from legitimate sources, weather, and skins.

Some broadcasters provide their own legitimate services. Check an add-on's description and source, and see free legal live TV in the UK for lawful viewing.

Why does the forum ban third-party builds and add-ons?

"Builds" are pre-packaged sets of add-ons, skins and settings that come from unofficial sources. Many are advertised as giving free access to paid films, sport and TV. They are banned here for these reasons:

• They are mostly piracy tools. The Kodi project does not endorse them and its official repository does not host them.
• They carry real security risk. You are running code from unknown authors, and a build can include anything.
• They break and cause support problems. They often disrupt your settings and stop working after updates.
• The law. Streaming pirated content can lead to legal trouble, as discussed in Is IPTV legal?.

The forum will not help with them. Stick to the official repository.

Where can I ask Kodi questions?

Try the Kodi forum category. Include your Kodi version and device, and remove playlist addresses and logins first.

What are Kodi skins and which should I choose?

A skin changes how Kodi looks and how menus are laid out. The skin that ships with Kodi is a safe choice and works well with a remote control. You can browse more from Settings > Interface > Skin > Get more, which uses the official repository. Some skins are lighter and run better on weaker boxes, while others are more visual and need more processing power. Switch one at a time, and if a skin makes the device slow, go back to the default.

How do I keep Kodi tidy and fast?

Kodi can become sluggish on low-cost boxes if you add too much. Keep the number of add-ons small, remove ones you no longer use, and avoid loading a huge guide if you only watch a few channels. If the guide is slow, reduce how many days of data are loaded in the PVR IPTV Simple Client settings. Keep Kodi updated within the stable series, and back up your settings occasionally. If you use a streaming stick, regular restarts help. Our Fire Stick slow fix covers device-level causes.