How to Cast from Kodi to Android, Windows or Mac
Even if you don't like Google, you have to admit that the Chromecast is one of the best streaming gadgets on the market. Simply plug the Micro USB connector into the back of your TV to start streaming 4K and HEVC content. When you compare Chromecast features to those of the competition, there is only one clear winner. For double the price, most options provide the same functionality as the Chromecast. On the other hand, Kodi has gone from a relatively unknown XBMC to a very popular software used by millions. You might be wondering how to use Kodi? Kodi works well with any HTPC setup and lets you arrange your media the way you want it. You can use them together to cast Kodi to any Chromecast compatible device. Unlike YouTube videos, you can't just click the Cast button to cast content from Kodi to Chromecast. Keep reading to learn how to stream Kodi from PC.
How to Cast from Kodi to Android, Windows or Mac PC
Even though Kodi and Chromecast aren't designed to work together, there are ways to make them work. You will find many ways to stream Kodi to Chromecast from Android, Mac and Linux listed below. Select the appropriate guide for your case based on your configuration.
Option I: on Android
Here are some ways to stream Kodi from your Android device.
Note. Since smartphones do not have the same settings options and they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so make sure the settings are correct before changing them. The above steps were performed on Samsung M20.
Method 1: through the cast function
This method may or may not work for you. It all depends on what version of Android you have. Even though Cast functionality is usually present in Android versions by default, some manufacturers still don't include it in their phones. The Cast button should be found in the quick settings drawer of most Android builds. Here is what you should do:
1. To access the quick settings drawer, swipe down from the top of the status bar.
2. Click Cast.
3. Wait for your smartphone to scan the network after clicking the Cast icon. After a while, you should see a list of available devices.
4. Select your Chromecast device.
5. You have successfully connected when the Android screen appears on your TV.
6. Use the Kodi app to watch videos.
Note. It projects the full version of Android onto your TV, so you won't be able to use your phone while streaming to Chromecast.
Method 2: Through the Google Home App
This is the method if you don't want to spend a lot of time. We'll be using Google Home's capabilities to mirror Android's screen to a Chromecast adapter. This approach has some disadvantages. First of all, the content you watch will be available on both devices. You won't be able to turn off your Android screen, send messages, or receive calls while casting to Chromecast. For a quick and easy solution, follow these steps to cast from Kodi using the Google Home app.
1. Install Kodi on your Android smartphone from the Google Play Store.
2. Then download the official Google Home app from the Google Play store.
3. Open Google Home and tap the action menu after installing both apps.
4. Now click Cast Screen/Audio From There.
5. Press Screen/Audio Broadcast again.
6. The app will now search for compatible devices. Click "OK" after selecting your Chromecast device from the list.
Note. If you encounter a notification that the screencast is not optimized for this device, don't worry. This happens frequently.
7. Now launch the Kodi software on your Android and start streaming videos to your TV.
While this is such a simple solution, it has a number of serious drawbacks. It's also possible that when streaming through Google Home, you'll notice some latency on your Chromecast.
Method 3: through third-party applications
If you are ready to follow the steps, this is by far the best way to stream Kodi to Chromecast from Android. This will allow Kodi to play on your Chromecast even if your phone is locked. This will consume much less power than the last two approaches we discussed. Below are the steps to cast from Kodi using third party Android apps.
1. Install the Es File Explorer app from the Google Play Store.
2. Also install LocalCast from the Google Play store.
3. Upload the XML file for PlayerCoreFactory.
4. Make sure the Kodi app is installed.
5. In ES File Explorer, tap the hamburger icon.
2. Go to "Settings".
3. Turn on the "Show hidden files and folders" option.
4. Now go to your Downloads folder and paste the PlayCoreFactory.xml file you just downloaded.
5. Return to the main screen of Es File Explorer and tap on the hamburger icon.
6. Select Internal storage.
7. Now go to the Android folder.
8. Go to the data.
7. Click on org.xbmc.kodi.
8. Go to file.
9. Now click on Kodi.
10. Click on user data and paste the PlayCoreFactory.xml file.
11. Open the Kodi software and select any video you want to watch.
12. You will be prompted to select a service if you have multiple casting apps installed.
13. Select LocalCast in this scenario. If you don't have another casting software installed, Kodi will use LocalCast by default.
14. Now select your Chromecast device and wait for the connection to begin.
15. To start watching videos on your Chromecast, click Play.
16. Using the "Add to Queue" button, you can add multiple videos to the queue.
17. You can now close the Local Cast app and even lock your Android smartphone after you have reached this point. The video will play until you select Exit App on TV or Disconnect.
Option II: on PC
PC and MAC users can use the following procedure. This is a Chrome feature found in the most recent versions of Chrome for PC. You can use Vivaldi or any other chromium based web browser instead of Chrome if you like. Here are the steps to play Kodi from PC.
Note. Keep in mind that this feature is not available by default in previous versions of Chrome. You will need to download the Cast extension to use the cast feature in previous versions of Chrome. With that in mind, here is how to cast Kodi from PC to ChromeCast:
1. Press the Windows key, type chrome and click open.
2. Click the three dots icon and select the Cast… option.
3. Wait for the device to be found, then connect to it.
4. Open Kodi and play any video you like but don't close Chrome while casting is in progress.
Hence, this is how you can stream Kodi from PC.
Option III: on Mac
You can also stream Kodi from Mac PC using Google Chrome browser. Follow the given steps to stream from Kodi to Mac.
1. Download the Google Chrome app on Mac.
2. Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the browser.
3. Then repeat steps 2-4 from Method 2 above to cast from Kodi to Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can I stream content from Kodi?
Answer: Yes, add-ons are available for streaming various content, including live broadcast. However, most of them can probably be launched directly from the official apps. It may be easier than installing Kodi.
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We hope you found this information helpful and learned how to stream from Kodi to Android PC, Windows or Mac. Please let us know which technique was the most helpful for you. Please use the form below if you have any questions or comments.