Installing LibreELEC: A Guide

LibreELEC is a lightweight Linux distribution specifically designed to run Kodi, the popular media center software. It’s ideal for transforming a device like a Raspberry Pi, an Intel NUC, or other compatible hardware into a dedicated home theater PC (HTPC).

LibreELEC’s motto is “Just enough OS for Kodi,” meaning it’s streamlined for simplicity and efficiency.

1. Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A device to install LibreELEC on (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Intel NUC, x86 PC).
• A microSD card (for Raspberry Pi) or USB stick (for x86 devices), at least 4GB.
• A computer to prepare the installation media.
• LibreELEC USB-SD Creator tool (recommended for creating installation media).

2. Download LibreELEC

Go to the LibreELEC Downloads page and download the LibreELEC USB-SD Creator for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Alternatively, you can download the LibreELEC image for your specific device if you prefer a manual setup.

3. Create Installation Media Using the USB-SD Creator

1. Install the LibreELEC USB-SD Creator ToolIf you’re on Linux, you can download the .AppImage file, make it executable, and run it:bashCopy codechmod +x LibreELEC.USB-SD.Creator.Linux-64bit.AppImage ./LibreELEC.USB-SD.Creator.Linux-64bit.AppImage
2. Select the Image
   • Choose your device from the list (e.g., Raspberry Pi 4, Generic AMD/Intel PC).
   • Click Download to fetch the correct image, or manually select an image file if you already downloaded it.
3. Select the Target (SD Card or USB Stick)Insert your SD card or USB stick, and select it from the list.
4. Write the ImageClick Write to create the bootable installation media.

4. Install LibreELEC on Your Device

1. Insert the SD Card or USB Stick into your device (Raspberry Pi, Intel NUC, etc.).
2. Boot the Device from the SD card or USB stick. Most devices will automatically boot from the installation media; if not, you may need to change the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
3. First-Time Setup:
   • LibreELEC will automatically install itself on the device’s storage (SD card, eMMC, or internal disk).
   • Follow the on-screen prompts to set up the language, timezone, and network connection.

5. Configure Kodi

LibreELEC comes with Kodi pre-installed. You can now:

• Add Media Sources: Set up your video, music, and photo libraries.
• Install Add-ons: Go to the Kodi Add-on Manager to install add-ons for streaming services, utilities, and skins.
• Adjust Settings: Fine-tune the display, audio, and network settings in the Kodi interface.

6. Updating LibreELEC

LibreELEC has an automatic update feature. To manually check for updates:

1. Go to Settings > LibreELEC > Updates.
2. Enable Auto Updates, or click Check for Updates to manually update.

Tips:

• SSH Access: LibreELEC enables SSH by default (username: root, password: libreelec). You can disable or change this in the settings.
• Remote Control: You can control Kodi using a smartphone app like Kore (Android) or Official Kodi Remote (iOS).

LibreELEC offers a fast and efficient way to run Kodi as a standalone media center.