How to set up a Kodi remote control

You have successfully established Kodi on your favorite device, and now want to come back to see some movies. But what if the phone rings or the pizza is knocked on the door? You will need to pause Kodi. But how?

You simply need to set up a Kodi remote. Perhaps you didn't have a remote control from the beginning, or it was lost during transport. Here's how to set up remote control with any media center Kodi.

How to set up a Kodi remote control

1. You need a remote control when using Kodi
2. Start with turning on the remote control mode in Kodi
3. Remote control by mobile application
4. If there is no Kodi application, try the web browser
5. Control Kodi remotely without application

You need a remote control when using Kodi

It doesn't matter if you install Kodi on any platform. It is important that you need a remote control. This may be the device's original controller, if that works best for you. But if it's not good for managing Kodi, you might prefer a mobile-specific app or even a TV remote control.

Whichever option you choose, all focus on one thing: You need to activate the remote control mode in the Kodi installation screen. When this is done, you can use:

1. Remote control for a specific platform
2. Kodi, Kore mobile application
3. Web browser on every platform
4. Remote control of the TV if HDMI-CEC is turned on

However, before you can perform any of these operations, you may need to connect the mouse or keyboard to the device. With either of these devices connected, you can navigate menus and enable remote control in Kodi.

Start with turning on the remote control mode in Kodi

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Whether you plan to use the Kore application or another tool to remotely control media center Kodi, you cannot continue without turning on the remote control mode (Remotes) in Kodi settings.

Start by navigating to the Settings section , found at the top of the left column. Here, select Service Settings & Control and turn on Allow remote control via HTTP . Note port number 8080, then enter the username. (Both options can be changed. Leave only the port number unless you know what you're doing.)

Next, click the Password and set a new password. This will be used in conjunction with your username to establish a secure connection from any application-based remote control.

Before you finish, make sure that the 2 options Allow remote control from applications on the system and Allow remote control from applications on other systems are enabled. To save these settings, simply click the back button on your keyboard or click on the top left corner.

Remote control by mobile application

Whether you use Android or iOS, you have many Kodi remote control options to choose from. However, the most realistic choice is Kore, the remote control application provided by Kodi developers.

1. Download Kore for Android here.
2. Download Official Kodi Remote for iOS here.

Best of all, it's easy to set up Kore. As long as your mobile device is on the same network as media center and you know the IP address, you're ready to set up.

After the application is installed, just run it and open the hamburger menu (the following steps are for Android, but the iOS version is similar).

How to set up a Kodi remote control Picture 2

Here, click the Add Media Center button, then click Next. This will prompt Kore to search for a Kodi media center on your network. If the application detects an incorrect or undetectable object, press Search Again . If not, tap your media center device to configure it manually. This must match what you entered as the username and password in the Settings> Control screen in Kodi.

Now you can remotely control your Kodi box from your smartphone!

If there is no Kodi application, try the web browser

Another option is to use the browser (probably on a PC or mobile device) to control your Kodi box. If you have enabled HTTP in the previous section, this can be done by browsing to the Kodi box's IP address. You will find this in Settings> System Info> Summary .

How to set up a Kodi remote control Picture 3

This IP address is connected to the port number, by default is 8080. The URL you enter in your browser must be in the form:

 http://address.IP:8080 

Now, from your PC, you can remotely access your Kodi device via Chrome or any other favorite browser. Similarly, if you are using a mobile device but do not have a Kore application or you do not have access to the app store on the platform, you will be able to remotely control Kodi via HTTP.

How to set up a Kodi remote control Picture 4

Although useful, remote connections via HTTP are usually very slow, so don't expect great results with this method. It is usable, but not good by using a remote Kodi control application. In fact, it may be better to try a completely different type of remote control.

Control Kodi remotely without application

If you are using Kodi on a device with a separate remote control, you may not need to use the application. For example, if you install Kodi on Amazon Fire Stick, you can control it using the Amazon Fire remote control.

Everything doesn't end there either. Even if you already have a dedicated remote control for your device, you may still prefer another remote control. Because your Kodi box is connected to a TV via HDMI, if your TV and media center support HDMI-CEC (CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control), you will be able to use the TV's remote control to control Kodi.

But is HDMI-CEC enabled on your TV? The only way to find out is to go into the TV settings. Unfortunately, this menu location differs depending on the manufacturer and the naming of HDMI-CEC will be different.

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Unfortunately, HDMI-CEC has been renamed by most TV manufacturers, so HDMI-CEC can be called Bravia Sync (Sony), EasyLink (Philips), SimpLink (LG), etc. , it should be noted that if you have Hitachi TV, you can simply find the HDMI-CEC option.

When this feature is enabled, your remote control can then be used to operate media center Kodi. This may be more convenient than an application, so you should really try it out.

With more and more people realizing the potential of Kodi, the process of setting up the remote control is the next step that beginners must obviously do. Because there is nothing better than lying on a couch, watching your favorite movies and TV shows without having to touch anything.

And setting up a Kodi remote is really easy, once you know exactly what to do.

Good luck!

See more:

1. Install Kodi to turn Raspberry Pi into media center at home
2. Instructions for updating Kodi on Android
3. 3 reasons why you should use VPN with Kodi

Kareem Winters

Update 26 March 2019