Install guide
How to install Kodi on Mac
Installing Kodi on Mac comes down to two parts: getting the app onto the device, then signing in with your IPTV details. On a Mac you download the official desktop build. Kodi plays IPTV through its PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on, which reads an M3U playlist and an XMLTV guide rather than an in-app Xtream login.
This guide covers both steps for Mac, using an OTTV subscription as the example. You'll sign in with a single M3U playlist URL.
Install method: Download the desktop app.
Step 1: get Kodi onto your Mac
- 1
Download the Mac build
On your Mac, go to the official Kodi website and download the desktop version for your system.
- 2
Run the installer
Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install Kodi.
- 3
Launch Kodi
Open Kodi from your applications once the install finishes.
Step 2: sign in with your subscription
- 4
Choose 'Add M3U playlist'
In Kodi, open the option to add a playlist by URL.
- 5
Paste your OTTV M3U link
Paste the full M3U URL from your OTTV welcome email and save.
- 6
Let it load
Kodi loads your channel list. Add your EPG/XMLTV URL as well if the app asks for one, so the guide fills in.
Don't have login details yet? An OTTV free trial gives you a working Xtream Codes and M3U login to test on your Mac before you commit. See the Set up IPTV on Mac guide or the Kodi full guide for more detail.
Common problems on Mac
If Kodiinstalls but something isn't right, these are the issues most likely to affect this setup — each links to a full fix.
- Login details not workingRejected IPTV credentials, most often a mistyped server URL or an inactive account.
- M3U playlist not loadingAn M3U URL that fails to load in a player, usually a formatting, expiry or connection problem.
- IPTV channels not loadingChannels that fail to open or show an empty list, typically a login, playlist-refresh or connection problem.
- IPTV VOD not loadingA video-on-demand library that fails to open or play, often a login, catalogue-refresh or connection issue.
Install Kodi on other devices
Other apps on Mac
How Kodi connects
- Android phone & tabletAndroid handhelds running the same Play Store IPTV apps, useful as a second screen or for travel.
- Android TV boxNvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, MECOOL and Xiaomi boxes, where TiviMate is the strongest player.
- Amazon Firestick & Fire TVThe most popular IPTV device. IPTV Smarters Pro is sideloaded via the Downloader app.
- Windows PCWindows 10 and 11 desktops running the IPTV Smarters desktop build or VLC.
- Mac (macOS)Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running the IPTV Smarters Mac build, VLC or GSE Smart IPTV.
- NVIDIA Shield TVNVIDIA's high-end Android TV streamer, powerful enough to run TiviMate smoothly on very large playlists.
- Chromecast with Google TVGoogle's affordable Google TV streamer that installs Play Store IPTV players like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters.
- MECOOL Android TV boxBudget Android TV boxes; the Google-certified models run Play Store IPTV apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters.
- Formuler IPTV boxPurpose-built IPTV boxes running the MYTVOnline app for portal and Xtream logins, with Android sideloading too.
- BuzzTV set-top boxAndroid IPTV set-top boxes with a programmable remote that run standard players like IPTV Smarters and TiviMate.
- Dreamlink IPTV boxAndroid-based IPTV set-top boxes that run their own player plus sideloaded apps like IPTV Smarters.
- Xiaomi Mi Box & Mi TV StickXiaomi's affordable Android TV streamers with the full Google Play Store, so IPTV players like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters install directly.
- Onn Google TV 4KWalmart's budget Google TV streamer running full Android TV, so Play Store IPTV apps like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters install with no sideloading.
- Amazon Fire TV CubeAmazon's fastest Fire OS streamer with hands-free Alexa and Ethernet; IPTV players sideload through the Downloader app like any other Fire TV device.
Frequently asked.
- Is Kodi free on Mac?
- The Kodi app is free to install on Mac. You still need an active IPTV subscription to sign in and watch — a few players also charge a one-time fee to unlock extras like recording.
- Which login details do I need for Kodi?
- Kodi loads a single M3U playlist URL. OTTV includes your M3U link in the welcome email; paste it in exactly as shown.
- Will the TV guide work in Kodi on Mac?
- Yes — once your playlist loads, Kodi fills in the EPG for channels your subscription provides guide data for. A blank guide is usually the EPG source or a player setting rather than the Mac itself.
Try Kodi on your Mac.
The same login works across every app and device, so you can set up Kodi on your Mac and watch on your other screens too. Start with an OTTV free trial and test it before you pay.
Try the real IPTV service before you pay.
Start a 24-hour trial on your own device with live TV, sports, VOD and EPG on your package. If it holds up on your connection and your screen, pick a plan. If not, walk away — no card, no auto-renewal.