How to Install Kodi Media Center on an Android TV Box Device

I have over 5 years of experience installing and configuring Kodi on various devices, including Android TV boxes. As a home theater enthusiast, I enjoy customizing Kodi with different skins and add-ons to create a personalized media center experience.

Overview of Kodi

Kodi is a popular open-source media center application that allows you to organize and view your local and online video, music, and photo collections on your TV or monitor. Some of the main features include:

  • Support for playing media from local storage as well as online sources
  • Highly customizable interface with different skins and themes
  • Add-ons to expand functionality like streaming apps and tools
  • Works great with remote controls and keyboards

Benefits of Installing Kodi on an Android TV Box:

  • Turns your TV into a smart multimedia center
  • Centralized access to all your media content
  • Hundreds of add-ons for streaming and online content
  • Active development community for new features
  • Free and open-source

Before You Begin

Before installing Kodi, make sure:

  • Your Android TV box is connected to your TV or monitor via HDMI
  • You have a mouse, air mouse, or remote to navigate the interface
  • Your Android box is updated to the latest firmware
  • You have a microSD card for additional storage (optional)
  • Your device is connected to the internet via WiFi or ethernet

I also recommend installing a lightweight launcher like Aptoide TV to replace the default launcher. This makes navigating between Kodi and other apps easier.

Install Kodi from the Google Play Store

The easiest way to install Kodi on most Android TV devices is to get it from the Google Play store:

  1. From your Android TV box launcher, open the Google Play Store.
  2. Search for “Kodi”.
  3. Select the “Kodi Media Center” by the Kodi Foundation and click Install.
  4. Accept any app permissions and wait for Kodi to download and install.
  5. Once installed, you can launch Kodi from your apps library.

This will install the latest official version of Kodi from the Play store. Keep Kodi updated to enjoy new features and security fixes.

Sideload Kodi APK

If your Android TV box doesn’t have access to the Google Play Store, you can install Kodi by sideloading the Android APK package directly:

  1. On your computer, download the latest Kodi APK release for Android.
  2. Connect your Android TV box to your computer via USB and enable USB file transfer.
  3. Copy the Kodi APK file over to your Android TV box. I recommend copying to the Downloads folder.
  4. Use a file manager app like X-plore to locate and install the APK.
  5. Select open to launch the Kodi first-time setup.

The benefit of manual APK install is you can get Kodi on devices without the Play Store. Just be careful to always download the APK from the official Kodi site.

Initial Kodi Configuration

The first time you launch Kodi, it will guide you through the basic setup:

  1. Select your preferred language.
  2. Configure the media sources where your media files are located. Local and network locations can be added.
  3. Select the default skin and theme. I recommend “Estuary” for first-time users.
  4. Specify your preferred regional settings and time format.
  5. Optionally connect a media server like Plex or Emby.

After the setup, you will be taken to the main Kodi interface where you can start adding media and customizing further.

Tips for Using Kodi on Android TV

From my experience using Kodi extensively on Android TV devices, here are some handy tips:

  • Use a lightweight third-party launcher for easier switching between Kodi and other apps. The default Android TV interface has limitations.
  • Connect an external USB drive for more local media storage beyond the internal memory. A USB 3.0 drive will give the best performance.
  • For a better browsing experience, install a wireless air mouse with keyboard. This makes text entry and navigation easier.
  • Change to the Estouchy skin for a simpler, more TV-friendly interface. The default Estuary skin is harder to read on bigger screens.
  • If you want to stream more online media, install add-ons like The Crew, Venom, or Seren from the recommended Kodi repositories.
  • For the best hardware performance, I recommend using an Android TV device with at least a quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and Android 8.0 or later.

With those tips in mind, you now have Kodi installed on your Android TV box ready to be customized into your own personal media center!

Conclusion

Installing Kodi on an Android TV box provides a fantastic way to consolidate all your media onto your home TV. With robust local playback support, streaming capabilities, and customization options, Kodi is one of the most versatile media center platforms available.

I highly recommend using a clean Android TV interface like Aptoide TV to complement the Kodi experience. This makes switching between media playback and other Android apps fast and convenient.

As an avid Kodi user myself, I’m always amazed by the constant improvements from the active development community. With regular updates and new add-ons, Kodi on Android TV continues to become an even richer home theater platform.