How to Install Kodi on Roku in 2023

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Before we begin with the installation guide of Kodi on Roku, here is something to start with. A big part of the entertainment industry has been influenced because of the internet. Before the Internet, cable boxes were the main sources that provided entertainment to the masses through TV but now with the Internet, cable tv is becoming obsolete. There are hundreds of online streaming services and devices like Roku, and Amazon FireTV, which give you the ultimate entertainment experience.

One of the best streaming devices we have is Roku. This is a brilliant piece of tech that gives you a whole bunch of entertainment, all through the Internet. From Pandora to Netflix, you have all the streaming applications that give you quality streaming of Music, Movies, TV Shows, and whatnot. The latest Roku 4 can stream the 4K content right onto your TV. The Roku OS 8 update also added the support of antenna-based TV on Roku devices.

Also Read: Way to Download Movies Using Utorrent

On the other place, we have Kodi. Kodi is a free and open-source media player software application that allows you to stream movies, TV Shows, LIVE TV, Music. Kodi is a free service and gives you access to all the latest entertainment stuff for free which sounds weird or says it is illegal in some countries. That is why it is always suggested to use VPN while using Kodi. If Kodi and Roku can come together in the same package, nothing can be better than this.

But

Can we Install Kodi on Roku?

Here is the answer. Kodi is an open-source media player application software that needs an Operating System that can run it so that, an end-user can access the software. Kodi is a Native C/C++ based application that is not supported by Roku as of now. Kodi is really flexible and can be installed on Android, Windows, iOS (Jailbroken), Linux, and even on Rasberry Pi.

But, Roku runs on its own Linux-based operating system which is Roku OS which is based on Linux but there is no official documentation on Roku OS. Moreover, there is no way to access the root files of Roku. Jailbreak Roku is also not a solution for Kodi. In simple words, there is no Kodi for Roku. So, technically, it is not possible to Install Kodi on Roku. 

See Also: Best Kodi Builds You Can Use for Perfect Kodi Setup

So, do we have Kodi for Roku? To be honest, the answer is No But Wait, we just can’t sit and wait for a miracle that automatically installs Kodi on Roku. Let’s make it very simple.

If you are using Kodi to stream movies and tv shows, a VPN is highly recommended. Streaming copyrighted content is not safe at all. Government agencies and ISP knows what you are doing on the internet.

Kodi on Roku – Can we Install Kodi On Roku?

Technically, we cannot install Kodi on Roku but we can use Roku’s feature to get Kodi on the TV Screen. What we gonna do is, Mirror Kodi on Roku. Kodi is available for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac OS, and using the devices that run on Windows, Android, etc., we can mirror the Kodi on Roku. To do that. Follow the steps:

How to use Kodi on Roku?

1. Go to Roku Home > Go to Settings > System Updates. Make sure you have the latest Roku OS and if any update is available, update the software.

Recently, Roku has rolled out Roku OS 12 on Roku devices. Roku OS 12 is will be available for limited Roku devices.

2. Go back to Settings > Screen Mirroring which is the latest feature in Roku. By default, it would be on ‘Prompt’ which means when the screen mirroring is available, it will ask if you want to allow the screen mirroring or not. If you select ‘Always Allow’ it would directly connect the screen mirroring.

3. After enabling the Screen mirroring on Roku, you can start mirroring from any device you wanted. Be it a Windows laptop or Android phone or iPhone.

If you own a Roku Express or trying to get Kodi on Roku Express, I want to tell my friend that Roku Express DON’T support Screen Mirroring. Roku added the screen mirroring feature with the Roku OS 7.5 update (except Roku Express & Express+). So, if you are planning to buy Roku Express for Kodi, instead of that, you can consider Amazon Firestick or Roku Streaming Stick.

Get Kodi on Roku Via an Android Smartphone

Before doing this, make sure your Android smartphone and Roku is connected to the same network.

1. Go to Settings on your Android and then Go to Display.
2. Now there is a Cast option that lets you mirror the Android screen on your TV through Roku. In some Android phones, you will get the same feature with a different name like Smart View, Display Mirroring, Screen Casting, Wireless Display.
3. On your Roku, Enable Screen Mirroring by going to Settings of Roku.
4. Once you enable it, your Android phone will show this icon on the notification bar and also the name of your Roku and device. You just need to select it on your phone. After that, you would see Android Screen on your TV through Roku.

See Also: 10 Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers

Now you can mirror Kodi on Roku. Open Kodi on your Android smartphone and stream anything through Roku Screen Mirroring feature via your Android phone. If you have any extra Android smartphones, you can use it to stream Kodi on Roku. You would get everything that you use on Kodi on Android on a bigger screen via Roku. So, this is one way to get Kodi for Roku.

Get Kodi on Roku Via Windows Laptop

Similarly, you can get Kodi on Roku via Windows Laptop that is running on Windows 8.1 or above. To get Kodi for Roku via Windows Laptop, follow these steps.

Note: I am using Windows 10 Laptop and make sure your laptop and Roku are connected with a network connection (wireless or wired)

1. Go to Settings from the Start Menu.
2. Now go to Devices. On the left-hand side, there is a sub-menu. Go to Connected Devices.
3. At the top, click on Add a Device.
4. It will search for your Roku. Make sure you have Enabled Screen Mirroring on Roku.
5. Once it is done, you would see your Laptop screen on your TV. Now, open Kodi on your Windows and Get Kodi on Roku.

See also: How to install Kodi on Google Chromecast

If you have an updated version of Windows 10, there is another way to connect Roku with your Windows 10 laptop is by simply tap on the notification icon at the right bottom corner. In that, you will get the “Connect” option. Just open that and here you will see the Roku device. Simply click on that and connect the Roku device with your Windows 10 pc. Now you can open Kodi on your Windows 10 laptop and it will be on your TV. Enjoy Kodi on Roku.

You can use Kodi live tv add-ons that can stream LIVE Games, TV Shows, Movies, and other entertainment. And you can mirror all this stuff from Windows laptop to Roku.

Also Read: How to Mirror Android Screen to PC

This is the only way you can get Kodi Roku together but you can never get the real software experience of Kodi like this. The Miracast (Roku Mirroring Software) is in the beta version which will give you lags and broken connections. By Mirroring Kodi on Roku, you can never get the true entertainment experience.

Should You Use Kodi on Roku?

If you ask this from me, straight NO. Roku is a reputed brand in the digital entertainment industry and gives us true entertainment in legal and ethical ways. On the other hand, Kodi just streams videos using torrents and accessing copyrighted content without permission is unethical and illegal. Kodi has a massive community and there are hundreds of volunteers who are supporting Kodi by working constantly on Kodi Add-ons, Kodi builds and maintains the Kodi ecosystem for a better Kodi experience.

You can install Kodi on Windows, Android, and all the other popular platforms including iOS & OSX and we can use Kodi in that way. If you own an Apple tv, you can install Kodi on Apple TV. See the guide to install Kodi on Apple tv here.

Mirroring is not a solution for getting Kodi on Roku. We can mirror anything using Google Chromecast and there are a lot of TVs that have the inbuilt feature of screen mirroring. Moreover, the Kodi add-ons are not that reliable as they keep on changing the source.

Recently, many Kodi users have been complaining that Exodus Kodi is not working because the source has been changed from fusion to another source. You can check that out If your Exodus is not working. In some cases, Exodus is not working because of copyright rules. To overtake the restriction and to access the secure internet, it is always recommended to use a VPN.

So, just add awesome channels on your Roku and enjoy the true experience of entertainment with Roku.

Do you Really Need Kodi on Roku?

Officially, there is no Kodi for Roku, and Screen Mirroring is the only way to get Kodi on Roku but this is not a proper way to enjoy Roku. To enjoy Roku, you don’t need Kodi in it. Roku already provides you with high-quality entertainment via official channels. You can access free Channels on Roku like Fox, History, and other entertainment channels for free, and that too in 4K. If you badly need Kodi on a streaming box, there are a lot of fully loaded Kodi boxes available on the market.

See Also: Best Android TV Box for Kodi

Moreover, Roku provides content that is legal to stream on your TV. You don’t need to worry about any legal issues. But, if you use Kodi to stream copyrighted content for free, you may need to face legal treatment as it is illegal to stream copyrighted content in countries like the US, UK, India, etc. To get rid of such legal conditions, you need to use VPN. Using a good VPN will surely help you out in accessing the Kodi anonymously which means hiding the IP address you the device.

The new Roku OS 9.2 is rolling out and there are some changes in it. If you own a Roku, you will definitely be going to appreciate the new Roku OS. Roku also launched a new Roku Stick Plus which is more powerful, and fast and offers you Brilliant 4K, HDR, and HD streaming with Voice control and support for Antenna based TV.

Best Alternative for Kodi on Roku?

If you wanted to use Kodi on your TV as your Primary Source of Entertainment or to cut off the cable expenses, it is better to buy Amazon Firestick instead of Roku. You can easily install Kodi on Amazon Firestick.

Apart from Amazon Entertainment Services, you can easily get access to other apps like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc via the Firestick app store that you normally use on Roku.

So, Amazon Firestick is indeed the next best alternative for the Kodi Roku problem if you wanted to use Kodi as your primary entertainment media source. Moreover, it is easy to install Kodi on Firestick. Check Amazon Firestick on Amazon.

There is another great alternative even to Roku and Amazon Firestick and that is NVIDIA SHIELD. NVIDIA SHIELD is a high-end streaming device from the popular graphics processing company Nvidia. NVIDIA SHIELD is an Android-based Streaming Device that allows you to install Kodi in it. You can easily install Kodi on Nvidia Shield.

You can opt for NVIDIA SHIELD instead of Roku and Amazon Fire TV. It provides rich picture quality in 4K HDR. Moreover, you can play games on Nvidia Shield which is available exclusively for Shield users. With that, NVIDIA SHIELD is the Best Streaming Device when it comes to picture quality and all-over functionality.

So, for now, do not look for Kodi for Roku because you cannot install Kodi on Roku as both are based on different architecture and Kodi & Roku are not compatible with each other. If you really wanted Kodi for an entertainment box, either look for Firestick or Nvidia Shield instead of Roku. And yes, Android and Windows are always there for Kodi fans.

Kodi on TV Without Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast

You don’t need any streaming device like Fire TV, Roku, or Nvidia Shield to get Kodi on your TV. As you already know that, you cannot install Kodi on Roku and all you can do is Screen Mirroring. Well, in that case, I would suggest you not to use reputed brands for accessing illegal content. Rather use Micro USB to HDMI cable to get Kodi on TV. It would costs you less and moreover, you can save yourself from violation of rules and regulations. You just need to plug in micro USB on your Android and HDMI into TV, Kaboom. Enjoy.