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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers maintain their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and detailed examination by the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers maintain their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and detailed examination by the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Editor's Note: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.Got it!

How To Install Kodi on iPhone and iPad (No Jailbreak) in 2025

Sheharyar Zaheer Updated on September 01, 2025 Fact-checked by Matthew Amos Cybersecurity Researcher

Apple doesn't allow Kodi in its marketplace, so it's not available in the App Store. 1% of iOS users jailbreak their phones (Help Net Security, 2025)1, which can void their warranty, expose them to online threats, and potentially cause damage to their device. Added to that is the confusion around unreliable third-party app installers and revoked certificates.

What's the easiest way to install Kodi on my iPhone and iPad without jailbreaking? With sideloading methods like Sideloadly and direct IPA installation, you can set up Kodi on your iPhone or iPad without risking your device’s security. In this article, we outline the best ways to install Kodi on your iPhone or iPad — no hacking or shady downloads.

Be advised. A device like Kodi is legal to use, but some of its addons might contain copyrighted materials. My team and I are strongly opposed to any form of copyright infringement. Whether you’re streaming with Kodi or any other service, we urge you to follow all applicable laws and the rules and regulations of your chosen platform.

How Do I Install Kodi on My iPhone?

  1. Download a sideloading app.
    To install Kodi on an iPhone or iPad using third-party apps, you need to sideload the media player. This can be done with apps like Sideloadly, Xcode, or AltStore.
  2. Install Kodi.
    Open your sideloading app and get the Kodi IPA file. You’ll use this to install the media player on your iPhone.
  3. Start using Kodi on iOS.
    Set up your favorite addons to stream TV shows, movies, sports, and more on your iPhone.

Short on Time? Here are the Best Methods To Install Kodi on iPhone and iPad

The easiest method to install Kodi on iPhone and iPad without jailbreaking is by sideloading the Kodi app. However, sideloading requires multiple steps due to Apple’s security measures, and you also need an Apple developer account to complete the process. Below are some of the best methods for sideloading Kodi on your iPhone or iPad.

Cost Certification Expiration Compatible iOS Versions
Sideloadly Free 7 days with a free developer account iOS 7 up to iOS 18 + (including iOS 18.6 & beta variants)
$99 1 year
Xcode Free 7 days with a free developer account Latest Xcode only supports iOS 17 and 18
$99 1 year
AltStore Free 7 days with a free developer account iOS 14.0 to 16.1.2 (except 15.7.2)
$99 1 year

How To Install Kodi on iPad and iPhone Without Jailbreaking

Method 1: Installing Kodi on iPhone and iPad With Sideloadly

For this method, you need a computer, a USB cable, and an active Apple ID. Windows, Mac, or Linux will all work. I used a Windows laptop for this method.

  1. Download Sideloadly. Visit the Sideloadly website and download the latest version compatible with your device.
    Image showing the sideloadly websiteFor Mac, you can also use Safari to download Sideloadly
  2. Download the Kodi IPA file. An IPA file serves as the installation package for iOS apps. You can easily download the Kodi IPA file from third-party websites, such as iOS Ninja. Alternatively, you can download the Kodi DEB file from the official website and convert the DEB file to an IPA if you prefer not to use third-party sources.
  3. Connect your iOS device to your computer. Use a USB cable to connect your iPad or iPhone to any computer, and ensure it's powered on.
  4. Open Sideloadly. Once the app is launched, you should see your iOS device in the app.
    Image showing the interface of the Sideloadly Windows appIf it isn’t detecting your device, try restarting both your device and Sideloadly
  5. Open the Kodi IPA file. Click on the large IPA file on the left side of the Sideloadly app and find the downloaded Kodi IPA file.
  6. Enter a valid Apple ID. After adding the Kodi IPA file, enter your Apple ID and click Start to begin sideloading Kodi onto your iOS device.
    Image showing the interface of the Sideloadly Windows app with Kodi IPA uploadedYou will also be prompted to verify your ID by entering the password
  7. Update settings. Once Kodi is sideloaded on your device, enable your developer options by going to Settings > General > Device Management to instruct your device to trust your user ID as a developer.
  8. Go to your device’s settings once you see the Kodi icon appear on your iPad or iPhone. Navigate to General > Profiles > Devices > Management.
  9. Enter your Apple ID once again.
  10. Approve making Kodi a trusted file. This will tell iOS that it’s safe to run the app.
  11. That’s it. Once the installation is complete, you should see the Kodi icon on your iOS device's home screen.
Pro Tip. In addition to Sideloadly, you can also consider sideloading Kodi from Signulous. It's a paid service, but the certificate it issues for sideloaded apps will last up to one year. The process involves signing up for Signulous, registering the device on which you want to sideload the app, and opening the Kodi IPA file. It will generate a customized link that you need to open in Safari to install Kodi. You’ll also have to “trust” the app as mentioned above.

Method 2: Installing Kodi on iPhone and iPad With the Xcode App

This method is very similar to using Sideloadly. However, it’s only possible with Mac devices. Additionally, it involves using the iOS app signer app, making this method slightly more technical.

  1. Download Xcode and the Kodi IPA file. Download both the Xcode and Kodi IPA files to your Mac. The official Kodi website only has a DEB file for Kodi. You can also convert this DEB file to an IPA.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID. Open Xcode → Preferences → Accounts → add your Apple ID (free or paid) and connect your iPhone or iPad using a USB cable.
  3. Use iOS App Signer. Download iOS App Signer, open it, select the downloaded Kodi IPA, and choose your Xcode provisioning profile & certificate. This will generate a re-signed IPA.
  4. Sideload Kodi. Go to the Xcode window and click on Devices & Simulators. Select your iPhone, then click on the + sign to add the re-signed IPA.
  5. Approve Kodi as a trusted file. Navigate to General > Profiles > Devices > Management and enter the Apple ID you used with Xcode. Then, approve making Kodi a trusted file. This will tell iOS that it’s safe to run the app.
  6. Ready to launch. Once the installation finishes, the Kodi app icon will appear on your iPhone or iPad home screen.

Method 3: Installing Kodi on iPad and iPhone With AltStore

This method allows you to simply download, install, and use Kodi on your device. You still need to sideload the third-party store on your device. Alt Store may not have Kodi available at the time you attempt to install Kodi using this method. You can also use other third-party stores, such as TweakBox, TutuApp, or AppValley; however, most of them have become redundant due to expired certificates.

  1. Download the Alt Store app. For Windows, you will need to download both iTunes & iCloud from Apple’s website and then install the AltServer and run it. For Mac, you can just install the AltServer onto your device.
  2. Sideload AltStore. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the device on which you have installed the AltServer and click on the AltServer menu bar icon → Install AltStore → pick your iPhone/iPad. You will also need to provide your Apple ID and password to complete the sideloading.
  3. Enable the developer options. Once you see the AltStore icon appear on your iPad or iPhone, go to Settings > General >Device Management to tell your device to trust your user ID as a developer.
  4. Approve AltStore as a trusted file. Navigate to General > Profiles > Devices > Management, enter your Apple ID again, and approve making AltStore a trusted file. This will tell iOS that it’s safe to run the app.
  5. Search Kodi. Search the store for Kodi and simply install it. If it doesn’t have the video platform, go to the My Apps tab on AltStore, tap the “+” button in the top-left corner, and select Kodi.ipa file.
  6. Enable the app. Since the Kodi app developer isn’t “trusted” on iOS devices, you have to change a setting manually. Go to Settings > General > Profiles, then Devices > VPN & Device Management (or Management on other iOS versions).
  7. Click Enterprise App, select the Kodi app from the developer profiles shown, and then Trust.
  8. That's it. Now Kodi is sideloaded and working on your iPhone via AltStore.
Pro Tip. EU users (iOS 17.4+) can directly install AltStore PAL, Epic Games Store, Setapp Mobile, Skich, etc. However, these stores differ from the free ones available in the US or other countries. They can’t be used to sideload apps on your device and only offer apps that are certified by Apple, meaning that you won’t find Kodi on these stores.

Troubleshooting Kodi on iOS

Running Kodi on iOS can sometimes lead to errors. You may encounter issues such as crashes and missing apps. Below are some of the most common problems you may face while using Kodi on your iPhone or iPad.

  • Frequent crashes. This usually happens when the certificate expires, the profile isn’t trusted, or the IPA is corrupt. You can easily fix this issue by refreshing the app, trusting the profile in Settings, and using the official Kodi IPA.
  • The app disappeared. This also happens when the app’s certificate expires and iOS removes it. You can resolve this issue by refreshing the app using the same method you originally used to sideload it.
  • Black Screen/UI Broken. This usually happens when the Kodi skin (theme) you applied is corrupted, outdated, or incompatible with the current Kodi build on iOS. You can solve this error by resetting to the default Estuary skin or manually deleting the problematic skin files.
  • Network issues. iOS can sometimes block local network access. Try fixing this by enabling Local Network Access in Settings and adjusting cache settings.
  • Your addons fail. Incorrect or outdated Kodi URLs are the primary cause of this issue. This can be easily fixed by verifying the links are valid. You should also ensure that you use iOS-compatible repositories for downloading addons.
  • Updating Kodi. Kodi doesn’t auto-update when sideloaded, so you will need to install updates via sideloading the new IPA over the old one to keep your settings intact.
  • Wrong credentials. While Kodi itself doesn’t require any registration, many addons do. You may need to sign out and sign back in. If you need to create a new password, we recommend using a password generator to generate a strong one.

How To Convert a DEB File to IPA

You need an unarchive utility such as 7-Zip, The Unarchiver, or WinRAR for this conversion. If you have another archiving software you're fond of, you can use that instead. For this guide, I’ll be using 7-Zip.

  • Download the DEB file for the latest version of Kodi from Kodi’s official website, or choose another version that suits your preference.
  • Find the Kodi .deb file and right-click on it.
    Image showing how to extract files with 7-ZipAfter clicking “Extract Files” select “OK” in the next Window
  • Open the extracted folder to find the data.tar file. Right-click on it and choose 7-Zip> Extract Files to initiate the extraction process. In the same folder, you should now see both a data folder and a data.tar file.
  • Go into the data folder and open the Applications folder. You’ll find a folder named Kodi.app.
  • Inside the Kodi.app folder, create a new folder, and give it any name you prefer.
    Image showing what to name your extracted fileNext, drag the “Kodi.app” folder into the “Kodi New” folder
  • Create the IPA file. Now right-click on the Kodi New folder and choose 7-zip > Add to archive.
    Image showing how to complete the extraction processAfter choosing the above options, click “OK”
  • That’s all. The IPA file is now ready for installation.

Is It Safe To Install Kodi on iOS?

Yes, Kodi is safe to install on iOS as long as you download it from the official Kodi website or other trusted sources. Also, make sure that you sideload it using trusted tools like AltStore or Sideloadly. These methods rely on your own Apple ID for signing the app, which makes the installation process secure and transparent. However, using third-party signing services can be risky as they often use revoked enterprise certificates, inject ads, or even bundle malware into the apps they distribute.

Is a VPN necessary for Kodi on iOS? It's not required, but offer numerous benefits, especially when streaming via addons. For example, a VPN encrypts your online data, keeping your viewing habits private from ISPs and network monitoring, helping you avoid ISP throttling. Premium VPNs can also provide secure access to HD content from anywhere, thanks to their extensive network of thousands of servers worldwide.

Is it easier to get malware when you sideload on iOS? Possibly; some reports suggest that up to 38.5% of malware can be attributed to sideloaded apps; however, many safe apps can be sideloaded (Zimperium, 2024) ². This includes Kodi when it’s acquired from the right places. However, a trustworthy VPN for iOS is a good idea when using new Kodi addons (especially those from third parties), as it keeps your IP address hidden, so no activity is exposed.

Best VPNs to Safely Use Kodi on iOS in 2025

  1. ExpressVPN — The Lightway protocol provides fast speeds to stream Kodi content smoothly on iOS while conserving battery on your device. Its iPhone and iPad apps are also lightweight and straightforward to use, even for VPN beginners.
  2. Private Internet Access — Keeps your Kodi streaming private with a strict no-logs policy and military-grade encryption. Plus, its MACE adblocker protects your iOS device and data against dodgy addon sites and streaming links.
  3. CyberGhost — A worldwide network of servers, including ones optimized for streaming, that can securely access content, like Netflix and Disney+, on Kodi from anywhere.

Best Kodi Alternatives for iOS

If Kodi isn’t the right fit for you, several excellent alternatives on iOS can handle local and network media playback, each with its own strengths:

  • MrMC. A Kodi fork optimized for iOS and tvOS. It keeps Kodi’s familiar interface but removes support for third-party addons. Still, it is available on the App Store and does not require sideloading.
  • Infuse (by Firecore). A great media player that supports nearly every video format. It offers a beautiful interface and integrates with Trakt and cloud storage. It also does not require any sideloading and can be downloaded from the App Store.
  • VLC for Mobile. A free, open-source player that handles almost any file format or streaming protocol that is available on the App Store.
  • Plex. A comprehensive streaming platform offering thousands of movies and TV series for free. In addition to providing an app on the App Store, it also has a website, so sideloading is not required here either. While it’s available in many places, a great streaming VPN makes it possible to access Plex safely from anywhere.
  • Emby. Another great option, similar to Plex, but with more customization options, including live TV/DVR support, as well as remote streaming. It also offers an app as well as a website.
  • Jellyfin. A completely free and open-source media server, forked from Emby, that you can directly download from the App Store without any sideloading.
  • nPlayer Plus. Another versatile media player with extensive format and subtitle support, as well as network streaming options, is available to download from the App Store.

FAQs on Installing Kodi on iPhone and iPad

Can I install Kodi on my iPhone with Tweakbox?

You can try, but Tweakbox has compatibility issues with the latest iOS versions. Even if you manage to download and use Tweakbox, it may not initially list Kodi. You can use Tweakbox to sideload the IPA Kodi file, but it's easier to use Sideloadly since it's compatible with more iOS versions.

How can I install Kodi on iOS with Cydia?

The Cydia Impactor app is compatible with iOS 7 through iOS 12; however, the latest security changes made by Apple have rendered the platform obsolete. You can still use it to sideload Kodi if you have a jailbroken device; otherwise, using Sideloadly or AltStore would be a better alternative.

Is installing Kodi on an iPad or iPhone legal?

Having Kodi on your iOS device isn’t illegal, but how you use the app makes all the difference. Using Kodi to access copyrighted content is prohibited. You should only watch Kodi content that you have permission to view. Always ensure that you follow the terms and conditions of the platforms and adhere to all applicable laws to avoid any issues. Also, always download Kodi from the official website to safeguard your online data.

How to Get Kodi addons on iPhone and iPad

Kodi does not have any addons pre-installed, so you must manually add them. You can do this from the official Kodi repository or third-party sources. However, make sure to download addons from trusted sources, as they can compromise your privacy if downloaded from a malicious website. Check this list of the best addons and learn how to add them to Kodi.

Why isn't Kodi in the Apple store?

Several applications, including Kodi, aren’t allowed on the App Store because they run their own code. For security reasons, Apple closely monitors the apps it offers. That said, you can still get Kodi on your iPad or iPhone device without using the App Store. The installation process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. It also has an app for tvOS.

Conclusion

Installing Kodi on your iPad or iPhone doesn’t require jailbreaking your device. There are multiple ways to do this, but the most reliable and easy ones are using Sideloadly, Xcode, or AltStore.

However, all methods require an Apple Developer account. In case you're using a free account, you will need to refresh the Kodi app every 7 days to renew its authentication certificate.

References

  1. https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/20/rooting-jailbreaking-threat/
  2. https://zimperium.com/blog/the-hidden-risks-of-sideloading-apps
Privacy Tip

Your online activity may be visible to the sites you visit

Your IP Address:

216.73.216.23

Your Location:

US, Ohio, Columbus

Your Internet Provider:

Some sites might use these details for advertising, analytics, or tracking your online preferences.

To protect your data from the websites you visit, one of the most effective steps is to hide your IP address, which can reveal your location, identity, and browsing habits. Using a virtual private network (VPN) masks your real IP by routing your internet traffic through a secure server, making it appear as though you're browsing from a different location. A VPN also encrypts your connection, keeping your data safe from surveillance and unauthorized access.

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers maintain their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and detailed examination by the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Sheharyar is a passionate tech-writer who believes in the digital freedom and online privacy of all. He spends much of his time testing VPNs and turning his findings into guides and comparisons that highlight what’s new and relevant.

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Comments (3)
sam
14 Nov 2024
14 Nov 2024

sadly these instructions do not work. Its missing steps

vpnMentor
22 Nov 2024

Thank you for sharing your perspective on the Kodi installation guide. Our team investigated the accuracy of the article based on your feedback regarding missing steps in the instructions. After careful evaluation, we found that the steps outlined in the guide are complete and accurate for the methods described. Valuable feedback like yours helps us ensure the quality of our content. We thank you again for taking the time to comment.

Kath
28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024

I’m 71 and still reading through it again to get my head round the different ways see what’s best and easiest for me to do. I don’t know why Apple ever took it out the store, you’re supposed to be able to side load now but never tried it yet