How to Install & Use a VPN on Kodi: In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to install a VPN on Kodi. These steps work for any device that supports Kodi, including FireStick, PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV Box, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. Kodi is an open-source media player that lets you access unlimited free content. By adding various addons, you can stream movies, TV shows, live channels, music, and much more at no cost. Its popularity has soared as more people have moved away from traditional cable subscriptions to online streaming. One of Kodi’s biggest advantages is its compatibility with a wide range of devices. You can install it on smart TVs, computers, streaming sticks, smartphones, and more. If you’re new to Kodi, this guide covers all the essentials to get you started.
Kodi Addons and builds provide access to unlimited streaming content, but using them to watch free movies, TV shows, or sports can put you at legal risk.
Your IP address is visible to everyone. To protect your privacy, Kodi users are highly encouraged to connect to a
good Kodi VPN when streaming.
A good Kodi VPN safeguards your identity, bypasses government monitoring, unlocks geo-restricted content, and prevents ISP throttling—resulting in a smoother, buffer-free streaming experience.
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It is very easy to install on any device including
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Why Should You Use a VPN with Kodi?
VPNs have gained popularity for many reasons, primarily because they protect your internet activity from being monitored, providing much-needed privacy. They encrypt your data, making it unreadable to third parties such as your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, corporations, or hackers. Without a VPN, sensitive information could be exposed, putting your privacy at risk. While Kodi itself doesn’t host any content, it allows streaming through various addons. Although it offers an official library of addons, Kodi is more widely known for supporting numerous third-party or unofficial addons. There are hundreds of these third-party addons, and it’s impossible to verify if all the streaming sources they use are legitimate.
Kodi is a legal app, but some third-party addons may pull links to copyrighted movies, live channels, and TV shows from unauthorized sources. Streaming such illegal content can lead to legal trouble. While we do not support copyright infringement, we strongly advocate for your right to privacy. If you use unofficial addons, a VPN is essential on Kodi to hide your streaming activity and mask your IP address. Additionally, a VPN stops your ISP from detecting what you’re streaming. ISPs are known to throttle your internet speeds when they notice heavy streaming traffic. A VPN encrypts your data, preventing your ISP from monitoring and slowing down your connection. Finally, a VPN helps you bypass geo-restrictions imposed by streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. This allows you to access content from anywhere in the world without worrying about regional limitations.
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How to Install a VPN on Kodi
Most VPN services don’t offer a dedicated Kodi addon. Instead, you need to install the VPN app directly on your device. Once your Kodi device is connected to the VPN, all Kodi traffic will be routed through the VPN connection. Since installation steps vary depending on the device you’re using, I’ve detailed the process for FireStick, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. For this guide, I’ll use ExpressVPN as an example because it’s one of the fastest and most secure VPNs for Kodi.
How to Install a VPN for Kodi on Amazon FireStick
Before setting up a VPN, make sure Kodi is already installed on your FireStick. If you haven’t done that yet, refer to our step-by-step Kodi installation guide. Once Kodi is ready, follow these steps to install and connect a VPN:
- Get the ExpressVPN and sign up for an account.
- On your FireStick home screen, select the Find icon (magnifying glass).
- Choose the Search option.
- Use the Fire TV remote to type ExpressVPN, then select it from the suggestions.
- Click the ExpressVPN app icon under Apps & Games.
- Choose Download or Get to install the app on your FireStick.
- Once installed, click Open to launch ExpressVPN.
- Select Sign In on the welcome screen.
- Enter the email and password associated with your ExpressVPN account and click Sign In.
- When prompted, click OK to allow ExpressVPN access to your device.
- Click OK again to approve the connection request.
- Press the Power icon to automatically connect to the fastest available server.
- Once connected, launch Kodi and begin streaming privately and securely.
That’s it! You’ve successfully installed and connected a VPN on your FireStick. You can now stream on Kodi with enhanced privacy and bypass geo-restrictions. Want more options? Check out our full list of recommended VPNs for FireStick.
How to Install a VPN for Kodi on PC or MacBook
Before proceeding, make sure Kodi is already installed on your computer. For Windows users, you can get it from the Microsoft Store or download it from Kodi’s official website. Mac users can also download the app directly from the Kodi website.
Here’s how to set up a VPN for Kodi on your PC or Mac:
- Visit the ExpressVPN and subscribe to a plan.
- Go to the Downloads section and click the Download button.
- Select your platform (e.g., Windows or Mac).
- Once the download finishes, click Open to launch the installer.
- If prompted, click Yes to allow the app to make changes to your system. Wait for the installation to complete.
- Enter the activation code provided in your ExpressVPN dashboard, or select Sign In with Email Sign-In Link and click Continue.
- Choose whether you want the app to start automatically with your computer by clicking OK or No Thanks.
- Choose whether to allow anonymous reports and diagnostics.
- Click the three-dot menu beside the Smart Location button to pick a server.
- Select a server based on your preferred location.
- Click the Power icon to connect to the VPN.
- You’re now protected with ExpressVPN.
- Open Kodi and start streaming securely and anonymously.
How to Install a VPN for Kodi on Android or iOS
If you enjoy streaming content through Kodi on your mobile device, it’s a good idea to secure your connection with a VPN. Kodi is available on the Google Play Store for Android users. iOS users will need to download Kodi from the official website, as it’s not listed on the App Store.
Here’s how to set up a VPN for Kodi on Android and iOS:
- Sign up for an ExpressVPN subscription.
- Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and search for ExpressVPN.
- Tap Install to download the app.
- Once installed, tap Open to launch it.
- Tap Sign In, enter your email and password, then tap Sign In again.
- Tap OK to allow ExpressVPN to complete the setup.
- Tap OK again to approve the connection request.
- Choose whether to send diagnostics by tapping OK or No Thanks.
- Tap Continue and follow any additional configuration prompts.
- Tap the three-dot menu next to the Smart Location to browse available server locations.
- Choose a server you want to connect to.
- Once connected, minimize ExpressVPN and open Kodi.
How to Install a VPN for Kodi on Linux
Linux users can enjoy Kodi with added privacy by installing a VPN. Follow these steps to set up a VPN (using ExpressVPN) on your Linux system for secure and anonymous streaming:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN and go to https://www.expressvpn.com/setup#linux. Enter your email and password, then click Sign In.
- Enter the verification code sent to your email, then click Continue.
- From the drop-down menu, select your Linux distribution and click Download.
- Copy your activation code from the dashboard—you’ll need it soon.
- Locate the downloaded installer in your Downloads folder. Right-click the file > Open With Other Application > choose Software Install > click Select.
- Click Install, then enter your system password and select Authenticate to proceed.
- Once installed, open a Terminal window and run:
- Still in Terminal, run:
- Now install the downloaded file with the following command (adjust the filename if necessary):
- Enter your system password if prompted to continue the installation.
- To activate ExpressVPN, open a new Terminal and run: Paste your activation code, then press Enter.
- Choose whether to share anonymous diagnostics by typing Y or N.
- To connect to a server, run:
- A message like “Connected to [Location]” will confirm a successful VPN connection.
- Now, launch Kodi on your Linux device and stream content anonymously and securely.
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Wrapping Up
Using a VPN on Kodi helps protect your privacy and secures your connection—especially when using third-party addons that may access questionable sources. A VPN also removes geo-restrictions, allowing unrestricted access to global content. If you followed this guide, your Kodi setup on Linux is now private, fast, and ready for safe streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use a VPN with Kodi on different devices?
To use a VPN with Kodi, you need to install the VPN app directly on your device—such as FireStick, PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, or Linux. Once connected to a VPN server, your entire device traffic (including Kodi) is encrypted and protected. Kodi does not support native VPN plugins, so device-level installation is necessary.
Can I use a free VPN with Kodi?
While free VPNs are available, they typically come with serious limitations like slow speeds, limited servers, and data caps. Many also lack proper security protocols. For reliable, anonymous streaming on Kodi—especially when using third-party addons—a trusted premium VPN like ExpressVPN is recommended.
Is it legal to use a VPN with Kodi?
Yes, using a VPN with Kodi is legal in most countries. VPNs are privacy tools that encrypt your online activity. However, streaming copyrighted content through third-party Kodi addons may violate local laws, so always ensure you’re accessing content from legal sources.
Will a VPN slow down my Kodi streaming?
VPNs may slightly reduce your internet speed due to the encryption process, but a high-quality VPN like ExpressVPN is optimized for streaming and typically maintains excellent performance. In fact, it may improve streaming by preventing ISP throttling.
How do I know if my VPN is working with Kodi?
To verify that your VPN is working, check your IP address before and after connecting to the VPN using an IP checker tool on your browser. If the IP changes, your VPN is active. Once connected, any app on your device, including Kodi, will route traffic through the secure VPN tunnel.
Can I bypass geo-blocks on Kodi with a VPN?
Yes, a VPN allows you to access geo-restricted content on Kodi by changing your virtual location. Simply connect to a server in a region where the content or addon is available, and you’ll be able to bypass location-based restrictions.
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