Install XBMC on iPad - Step-by-Step Guide

Installing XBMC on Your iPad: A Comprehensive Guide

Previously, instructions were provided for installing XBMC on Apple TV. Now, this guide details the process of installing the popular media center software, XBMC, specifically on your iPad or other iOS-based portable device.

Differences in Installation Process

While the ultimate result – enjoying the capabilities of XBMC on a mobile device – remains consistent, the installation procedure differs significantly from that of Apple TV. The inherent portability of the iPad necessitates some unique adjustments and techniques.

Due to the iPad’s mobile nature, as opposed to the stationary Apple TV, certain additional configurations are required to optimize the user experience.

Key Considerations for iPad Installation

The installation process is distinct from Apple TV.
Portability requires specific tweaks.
The goal is to achieve a fully functional, open-source XBMC experience on your iOS device.

These adjustments ensure seamless operation and take full advantage of the iPad’s features while utilizing the powerful XBMC platform.

Essential Requirements

This guide requires minimal prerequisites. Assuming you have a compatible iOS device – an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch – the primary need is for freely available software.

A jailbroken iOS device operating iOS 4.0 or later is necessary (an iPad is used here due to its larger display).
The Cydia app must be installed, which typically happens automatically during the jailbreaking process.
An active internet connection on the iOS device is also required.

Jailbreaking is a non-negotiable step for this process. Because XBMC presents a competitive alternative to Apple’s own offerings, it is not available through the official App Store.

To experience the full capabilities of XBMC, jailbreaking your device and installing it directly from the XBMC repository is essential. Detailed instructions on jailbreaking your specific iOS device and iOS version are readily available online.

For clarity, throughout this tutorial, the term “iPad” will be used. However, these instructions are equally applicable to the iPhone and iPod Touch – specifically, the iPhone 3GS and newer models, and the 3rd (16GB/32GB only) and 4th generation iPod Touch – although the screen size will differ.

Installing XBMC on Your iPad

Initially, obtaining a functional copy of XBMC for iOS is required. The most streamlined approach involves incorporating the XBMC iOS repository into Cydia. This allows for straightforward downloading and future updates of XBMC.

Launch Cydia on your iPad. From the primary Cydia interface, select the Sources icon. Within the Sources menu, tap Edit, then Add.

Adding the XBMC Repository

Input the following URL for the XBMC repository: http://mirrors.xbmc.org/apt/ios/. This address directs Cydia to the location of the XBMC installation files.

After entering the URL, click Add Source. Cydia will then verify your sources, search for package updates, and integrate the XBMC repository accordingly.

The repository should be listed as “teamXBMC”. Confirm its presence and tap Done to finalize the source list modifications.

Installing XBMC

From the sources list, select the newly added “teamXBMC” entry. Tap XBMC-IOS to view the complete listing for XBMC on iOS.

Initiate the installation by clicking Install, and then Confirm to authorize the process. Allow the installation to finish before selecting Return to Cydia.

The most recent version of XBMC is now successfully installed on your iOS device. You can now launch and utilize the application.

Setting Up XBMC on Your iPad

Unlike a typical XBMC setup, usually connected to a television, this installation is designed for portability. Your iPad’s mobility is matched by the software, however, your home network isn’t. Attempting to access networked sources outside your home will result in errors. Furthermore, if XBMC is configured to synchronize with a home media server, it may crash when the MySQL server is unreachable. These issues can be addressed by establishing at least two user profiles within XBMC on your iPad.

Addressing Network Dependency

One profile will be dedicated to home use, when access to shared media and the media server is available. The second profile will focus on accessing media directly from the iPad’s storage. This provides a solution for both relaxing at home and while traveling. If you only intend to use XBMC for locally stored media, you can skip the home profile setup and proceed directly to the travel profile configuration.

Enabling User Profiles

Begin by launching XBMC. Upon initial startup, you’ll be presented with options for videos, pictures, music, or programs. We will concentrate on configuring the video experience, though the same principles apply to photos and music. In the bottom left corner, tap the gear icon labeled Settings.

Within the Settings menu, select the Profiles icon, also located in the lower left corner. The Profiles menu displays the default configuration. You are currently logged in as the Master user, with the login screen disabled. Tap the “Add Profile…” button to create a new profile.

You can assign any name to the new profile, but for clarity, we’ll name it “Travel” to indicate its intended use away from home. After creating the profile, you’ll be prompted to select a root folder. The default is /masterprofile/profiles/Travel (or your chosen name). Accept the default location by clicking OK.

Next, you’ll be asked to provide additional profile information. You can customize the profile name as desired. Crucially, leave the profile directory unchanged and ensure “Media info” and “Media Source” remain set to “Separate”. This maintains distinct user profiles. Click OK.

You’ll return to the main Profiles page and be prompted again. Choose “Start fresh” when asked whether to copy settings from the default configuration. A fresh installation is ideal, but if you’ve already customized the app, starting a new profile from scratch is recommended. Now you have the Master profile (for home use) and the Travel profile (for use away from home). Finally, toggle the “Login screen” option to On, allowing you to select a profile each time the app launches.

Configuring the Master (Home) Profile

To configure the at-home profile, navigate back to the XBMC home screen. Tap on Videos. Since no video directories are currently enabled, tap on Add Videos. If your home media is stored on a media server using SMB sharing, tap on “Windows network (SMB)” to locate your media directories on the server.

If you have previously configured other XBMC installations, you can copy source files from those installations to your iOS device. Copy the sources.xml file from the existing XBMC computer’s profile directory to the iOS installation’s profile directory (/private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/XBMC/userdata/). This is possible using tools like iFile or SFTP, assuming your device is jailbroken. Note that file copying is only necessary if you intend to synchronize watched media and other flags across devices.

Regardless of whether you used the simple route or the whole-house syncing route, you should now be able to access your media from your network source within the Master profile.

Configuring the Travel (Away-From-Home) Profile

To use this profile, exit and relaunch XBMC to select the alternate profile. Repeat the steps of tapping on Video, then tapping on Add Videos. From the source selection menu, tap on Browse and then tap on Home folder. Because your device is jailbroken, you can navigate the iPad’s file system.

To access videos synced to your iPad via iTunes, navigate to /var/mobile/Media/iTunes_Control/Video/. Alternatively, you can create a custom directory within /var/mobile/media/ (e.g., /MyVids/) using a program like iFile or SFTP to store your personal media. Add the chosen folder as you would with any local XBMC installation.

With both profiles now pointing to the correct media sources (networked and local, respectively), return to the main menu and scan your sources to enjoy XBMC’s interface and video playback.

By following these steps, you’ve created two distinct profiles. One accesses network media at home (and potentially synchronizes watched media via MySQL), while the other focuses on device-stored media. This allows you to enjoy XBMC whether you’re at home or traveling!