Want to turn your Raspberry Pi into a media center so you can stream content to any compatible TV or monitor? Thanks to recent DRM (Digital Rights Management) updates, Kodi users now have access to more content than ever before – including Netflix.
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to install Netflix on your Raspberry Pi using the Kodi media center. By the end of this tutorial you’ll have installed the Kodi software and Netflix plugin and will be able to stream Netflix’s entire catalogue via your Raspberry Pi.
What you’ll need
To complete this tutorial, you’ll need:
- Raspberry Pi running Raspbian. You can grab the latest version and flash it to an SD card using Etcher if you don’t have RaspbianPower cable compatible with Raspberry PiExternal keyboard and a way to attach it to your Raspberry PiHDMI or micro HDMI cable, depending on your model of Raspberry PiExternal monitorEthernet cable is optional, or you can connect over Wi-Fi. A Netflix subscription.
After completing this tutorial, you may want to attach your Raspberry Pi media center to a compatible TV, but this step is optional.
Raspbian: Check for the latest version
Note: If you prefer your Raspberry Pi to be a standalone media center, you can try installing LibreELEC instead of Raspbian.
To start, we need to get our Raspberry Pi up and running, and ensure we’re using the latest version of Raspbian:
- Attach all your peripherals to the Raspberry Pi, including your keyboard and monitor. Connect your Raspberry Pi to a power supply; it should boot automatically. If this is your first time booting Raspbian, then you’ll be prompted to complete the typical setup dialog, which includes specifying your timezone and language, and setting up your Wi-Fi network if you’re not using Ethernet.
Next, you need to make sure you’re running the latest version of Raspbian.
Open a new Terminal window, by clicking the “Terminal” icon in the Raspbian toolbar, and then running the following commands:
If Raspbian installs any updates, then you’ll need to reboot your Raspberry Pi by clicking the little Raspberry Pi icon in the upper-left corner, and then selecting “Shutdown -> Reboot.” Alternatively, type the following command into the Terminal:
Press the Enter key on your keyboard, and Raspberry Pi will reboot.
Installing the Kodi media player
If you’ve previously dabbled in the world of networked home media centers, then chances are you’ve heard of Kodi.
In this step, the Kodi software the Kodi software is installed along with a few other packages that will help Kodi play nicely with the Raspberry Pi.
Open the Raspbian Terminal and run the following command:
Kodi will now be installed on your Raspberry Pi.
Install the Python package manager
Next, several Python packages need to be installed, including the “pip” package manager. In the Terminal run these two commands:
Add the CastagnaIT repository
CastagnaIT, a repository for Kodi add-ons, needs to be installed. To get started, run the following command in the Terminal:
At this point the repository has been added to Kodi, but before installing it, Kodi needs to be told to allow installations from unknown sources:
Launch Kodi by clicking the little Raspberry Pi icon in the upper-left corner of the screen and navigating to “Sound & Video -> Kodi.”
Open Kodi’s “Settings” menu by clicking the cog icon.
Select “System.”
Select “Add-ons” from the menu on the left.
Find “Unknown sources” and drag its accompanying slider into the “On” position.
Read the onscreen warning and click “Yes” if you’re okay with it.
Return to the main Kodi screen by pressing the “Esc” key on your keyboard.
Scroll to “Add ons” in the menu on the left and select “Enter add-on browser.”
Click “Install from zip file.”
Select the “Home folder.”
Scroll to the bottom of the list and select “repository.castagnait-1.0.0.zip.”
The CastagnaIT repository will now be installed.
Install the Netflix for Kodi plugin
Once you have access to the CastagnaIT repository, install Netflix for Kodi:
Press the Esc key on your keyboard to return to the main Kodi screen.
Select “Add-ons” in the menu on the left followed by “Enter add-on browser.”
Choose “Install from repository.”
Select “CastagnaIT Repository.”
Open the “Video add-ons” category.
Select “Netflix.”
Click the “Install” button.
When prompted, select the most recent version of CastagnaIT.
Before the installation begins, you may be asked to download some additional plugins; if prompted, click “OK.”
Enable the InputStream Adaptive plugin
The Netflix for Kodi add-on uses InputStream Adaptive to stream data from Netflix’s servers. This plugin needs to be enabled before continuing.
Return to the main Kodi screen by pressing the Esc key.
Select “Add-ons” in the menu on the left followed by “VideoPlayer InputStream.”
Open the “InputStream Adaptive” plugin and click “Enable.”
Enjoy Netflix on your Raspberry Pi
You’re finally ready to start streaming all of your favorite TV shows and movies via your Raspberry Pi:
Return to Kodi’s main screen using the Esc key.
Select “Add-ons -> Video add-ons -> Netflix” from the menu on the left.
Enter your login details to get access to Netflix’s entire catalog of content!
Now that you have Kodi and Netflix up and running, you can attach your Raspberry Pi to any compatible screen or leave it hooked up to your external monitor.
Netflix has a huge selection of content. If that is not enough, there are still tons of add-ons for you to stream your favorite movies, and sports, too.
Jessica Thornsby is a technical writer based in Derbyshire, UK. When she isn’t obsessing over all things tech, she enjoys researching her family tree, and spending far too much time with her house rabbits.
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