A Kodi build is simply a pre-packaged version of Kodi that has a selection of add-ons already installed. It also has repositories already linked, has its own look and feel via a new skin, and has many other settings already tweaked. Builds are famous with new users as they are a much faster and also in many ways simpler way in order to set up your Kodi system. With a build, you only need to tap on a few buttons and you will have a fully customized version of Kodi that is ready to use. And there are some really great builds out there that are really famous with the community. In this article, we are going to talk about What is a Build on Kodi – Why You should Not Install it. Let’s begin!
But, there are downsides to installing a build that you guys might not have considered. Especially if you are a new Kodi user, then it’s worth taking some time and doing some research. In order to find out if installing a build is really the best way for you in order to set up your Kodi system. Today we’re going to tackle this issue via talking about why some folks prefer to stay away from builds. And with raising 8 reasons that you guys might NOT want to install a Kodi build as well.
Contents
- 1 Use a VPN | Build on Kodi
Use a VPN | Build on Kodi
Almost all builds come packaged along with a lot of different add-ons. Most of these add-ons are developed via third parties, not with the official Kodi team. And that means that these add-ons are not checked or approved as well. Some of these add-ons also let you easily stream movies or TV shows, or they also let you watch live TV channels for free. But, this activity is illegal in most places and if you get caught via Kodi add-ons to stream or download content. Then you guys could be liable for a fine or for prosecution.
If you’re going to use a Kodi build, or also even if you’re going to use add-ons. And then we strongly recommend that you protect yourself via using a VPN. This small piece of software will also encrypt all of the data that your device sends over the internet. That makes it impossible for law enforcement or your ISP to track your internet use or also to see if you have been streaming or downloading as well.
NordVpn
Even if you guys never touch an unofficial Kodi add-on, you have to be careful. After all, ISPs take a dim view of the service, and will aggressively throttle back its traffic. However, if you’ve got NordVPN on your device, this worry actually becomes a thing of the past.
With unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, also NordVPN is able to secure your connection against third-party surveillance. What’s more, your traffic is routed via one of up to 5,800 servers in 59 countries, disguising your IP address. That makes you very hard to target with cyber-attacks and throttling indeed. Another huge advantage of this routing–called “spoof”–is that you can borrow the digital passport of another country. Importantly giving you a license to view geo-blocked content as well.
It also even works with services such as Netflix, thanks to built-in smart DNS functionality through SmartPlay. NordVPN also features DNS leak protection plus an automatic kill switch. Avoiding even a single data packet from escaping unencrypted. Backed via NordVPN’s solid no-logging policy, you can also stream, game, download, or browse whatever you like. Without even having to worry about leaving digital footprints behind to trace back to your identity.
What is a Build on Kodi – Why You should Not Install it?
Builds Lack In Customisation
The biggest benefit of Kodi builds is also their biggest weakness: Each and every build comes preconfigured with skins, add-ons, settings, and much more. This makes it pretty convenient to install and also use the build with just a few clicks. But, this means that you do not customize your system much whenever you install a build. When you download a build, then you get the same setup as everyone else as well.
This actually means that you might end up along with a bunch of add-ons or other settings that you don’t even need. If you don’t watch live TV, such as, then there is no point in having a whole lot of add-ons dedicated to live TV streams actually. And most builds will come bundled along with as many features as possible. So they will have sets of add-ons for a really wide range of features. The problem along with having a lot of add-ons and much other content that you don’t use is twofold. Firstly, it wastes system resources such as hard drive space and RAM usage. And secondly, it actually makes you build harder to navigate and to find the things that you do need.
One of the great features of Kodi is the ability for you in order to customize your system to match your exact particular needs. When you select every add-on, skin, or also other setting that will be a part of your Kodi system instead of using a preset build. You are encouraged to set the system up to reflect your personal use and needs as well. And a more customized system is more satisfying to use as well as being more useful as well.
Builds Raise Some Security Issues
A concern along with builds relates to security issues. Most builds include a huge number of add-ons that may or may not come along with a corresponding repository URL. Whenever an add-on or repository is taken down or has to move to a new URL, and then the old version of the add-on or repository will merely stop working. That might be annoying but is not a big security problem.
The problem arises whenever unscrupulous companies buy up the domain names at which add-ons or repositories were previously hosted as well. If these companies can create malicious code that appears to be a valid Kodi add-on and is located at the same URL as a previously working add-on. And then they may be able to access Kodi users’ computers and other devices that is obviously a massive security risk as well.
The best way in order to confront this security issue is to keep up to date along with news and developments in the Kodi community. You just need an awareness of what add-ons and repositories you have added to your system individually.
Change The Look Of Kodi Without A Build | Build on Kodi
One of the biggest motivations for users in order to install Kodi builds is because they want a different look for their Kodi system. The default Kodi skins (called Confluence in version 16 and Estuary in version 17) are actually functional and easy to use, However, they are not as distinctive or modern as some users want. These users also want a different sort of interface, along with beautiful background images and different color themes, or along with different fonts and layouts. And some folks, especially new users, believe the easiest or only way in order to change the look of Kodi is via installing a new build.
In fact, if all you guys want to do is change the look of your Kodi system, you guys don’t have to install a whole build. Rather, you can install a skin and switch between skins very easily within Kodi to change the backgrounds, colors, fonts, and layout of your build. The skin switcher is integrated into Kodi and also needs no external installations or unofficial sources. This makes it safer, easier, and faster to use than installing the entire new build. There is even a whole load of skins available for download within Kodi, so you guys can be sure that they are safe to use and well coded.
Steps
If all you guys want is a new look for Kodi, then you needn’t install a build. You can simply install a skin rather, and switch skins whenever you want as well. Here are step by step instructions to install a skin:
- Begin with your Kodi home page
- Head to settings
- Then head to Interface settings
- Choose Skin from the menu on the left
- You can find the entry for Skin in the box on the right
- Tap on Skin and a popup will appear showing all of your currently installed skins
- Then tap on the Get more… button on the right as well
- You’ll guys see a list of skins. Choose one from this list (we love Arctic Zephyr) and it will start to install
- Now wait a minute until the installation is complete
- Confirm that you guys want to keep the change
- Now your Kodi will have also a new skin and you can enjoy your new look too
Builds Cause Difficulty In Fixing Issues | Build on Kodi
What do you guys do if something goes wrong with your Kodi system? What if there is an add-on that stops working or a repository that goes down? If you guys install a build, you are dependent on the maintainer of that build in order to make sure that everything works. And Kodi can be installed on a lot of different platforms and types of devices, it is not easy to create a build that is stable across everyone’s specific setup. If something in a build goes wrong, it’s really difficult for the average user to know how you can fix the issue or what settings they have to adjust.
Whenever you install your own add-ons and set your own settings. You guys gain expertise in the use of the Kodi environment. This means that if there is a problem, and then you will have some idea of where to start fixing it. Installing the add-ons and tweaking the settings that you guys want will help you in order to learn about the Kodi system and become an expert in via it. By contrast, if you install a build then you may well not learn much about how you can manage the Kodi software. And so whenever you come across a problem you will find it much harder to fix it as well.
Builds Suffer From A Lack Of Updates
Whenever you guys install a build, you may not get access to repositories for each of the add-ons that come installed. This means that your add-ons cannot be automatically updated, and also unless the maintainer of the build makes an effort as well. In order to keep everything updated then your add-ons will become outdated really quickly. Outdated add-ons can lead to a loss of functionality or a lack of security adjustments. Also, updates for the builds as a whole is an issue as well.
The build will be updated only as long as the developer actually has the time and inclination to update it. So often builds also have a shelf life of a few months also. If your build stops being updated, you’ll guys have to find another build to jump ship to whenever the previous build stops working as well. If you guys install your own add-ons from repositories rather. Then you can easily enable automatic updating so that the newest versions of all of your add-ons will always be also available to you. And you aren’t dependent on someone else for your updates as well.
Developers Doesn’t really Like Builds
Finally, it is worth considering the perspective of the folks who code and create the add-ons that we all enjoy. A lot of Kodi developers are against builds and would instead users did not install them. This is because builds make support very difficult. Such as, a developer creates an add-on for streaming content. It also works just fine for the majority of users, and if there is a case in which the add-on doesn’t really work. The user and developer can also share information in order to find out why it doesn’t work.
However, this add-on is then included in a build, it is bundled up along with lots of other add-ons and changes to settings. This makes it hard for users to see which specific setting is causing a problem if the add-on doesn’t work correctly. The upshot of all of this is that developers spend a lot of time responding to mostly angry feedback from users who also have installed a build expecting perfectly working add-ons. However, don’t know what add-ons are or how you can check a specific add-on for issues.
In addition, builds exist in a legal grey area as though they actually contain just the same add-ons. That are available on the internet elsewhere, the convenience of the pre-packaged form makes it pretty easy to commit copyright infringement. And the builds are thus taken as a more serious legal threat than individual add-ons. Developers who really want to focus on legal functions to grow the Kodi community end up having their work tainted via association. Whenever it comes in a build bundled alongside illegal or poorly designed add-ons actually.
Conclusion
Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.
Have a Great Day!
