In this tutorial, I will show you how to install Chains Kodi addon. I use an Amazon Fire Stick with Kodi 19.3 in this tutorial, but you can install the Chains addon on all Kodi-compatible devices, like Windows PC, Mac, smartphones, tablets, Fire TV, NVIDIA SHIELD, and all Amazon Fire TV products (including Fire TV Cube, FireStick Lite, and FireStick 4K). The Chains Kodi addon is available on Kodi 18 (Leia) and Kodi 19 (Matrix). I’ll quickly introduce Chains before showing you how to install it.
Legal Disclaimer: This tutorial is purely educational. FireStickTricks.com doesn’t own, host, operate, resell, or distribute any streaming apps, addons, IPTV or services. The page contains some unverified services, and we are not certain whether they hold legal licenses to distribute the content. FireStickTricks.com does not verify the legality of each app/service in all regions. Do your due diligence if you use any of the unverified apps/services, and stream only content that is available in the public domain. The end-user shall be solely responsible for the media accessed.
Chains Kodi addon is the most popular addon in the famous Chains Repository. With Chains, you can watch the latest movies, hit TV series, documentaries, and tons of other content that’s released on TV or the internet, all for free.
The Chains Kodi addon scrapes links to your favorite content from other sources on the internet and lets you stream it by simply authorizing a code on a site called UpToBox. It’s mandatory for users either to authorize codes on UpToBox every time they play a new video or to integrate a paid debrid account.
Unlike other Kodi addons, Chains is maintained and updated quite frequently by its developers. But you can always use the powerful search feature built into the Chains Kodi addon to find your favorite content.
Is Chains Kodi Addon Safe and Legal?
The Chains Kodi addon streams many types of video content for its users. But is it safe and legal for you to download, install, and use the Chains Kodi addon? Users wonder about this because Chains isn’t officially available in the Kodi repository, which is a warning sign.
First, I’ll address the safety of installing Chains on your device. The Chains Repository promises to deliver safe and secure Kodi addons. And Chains Kodi addon is, in fact, safe for users to download, install, and use on their devices.
How do I know? I analyzed the Chains Repository using the online Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal, and the results were more than satisfying. The scan didn’t find anything suspicious about the Chains Repository.
Here’s a screenshot of the scan.
That being said, a question still remains: Is Chains Kodi addon legal to use?
There are always questions when it comes to the legality of any third-party Kodi addon. Unfortunately, nobody can be completely confident of the answer. Downloading and installing the Chains Kodi addon is definitely 100% legal, but using the addon to stream or download content could be illegal.
It’s not just about streaming copyrighted content from illicit sources, which is definitely breaking the law. It’s also about region-restricted content, content licenses, and other factors that determine the legal status of any content on a third-party addon. Your government and ISP (internet service provider) know what you stream on your FireStick, so if you stream free content that shouldn’t be available to you—even by accident—you could get in legal trouble in the future.
FireStickTricks.com doesn’t have the resources to figure out how each piece of content is being accessed by the Chains Kodi addon and whether it’s legal for you to watch. But we don’t support or encourage any form of illegal streaming or downloading. We always instruct our readers not to break the law and to use their own discretion with third-party apps or addons.
Attention, Kodi Users!
Kodi Addons and builds offer unlimited streaming content, but could also get you into legal trouble if caught streaming free movies, TV shows, or sports. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. Kodi users are strongly advised to always connect a VPN while streaming online. A good Kodi VPN hides your identity, bypasses government surveillance, geo-blocked content, and ISP throttling (which also helps in buffer-free streaming).
I personally use ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is very easy to install on any device including Amazon FireStick. You get 3-months free and save 49% on its annual plans. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can always ask for a refund.
Read: How to install and use a Kodi VPN
How to Install Chains Addon on Kodi
Installing Chains Kodi addon on your device is easy with the step-by-step instructions below. I divided the instructions into three parts: enabling unknown sources on Kodi, installing the Chains Repository, and installing the Chains addon.
Let’s get started.
Part 1: Enable Unknown Sources on Kodi
First, we need to enable unknown sources in our Kodi settings. Without enabling unknown sources, we won’t be able to install the Chains Repository on our Kodi app.
Here’s how you can enable unknown sources on Kodi.
1. Launch the Kodi app on your device and click on the settings gear just below the Kodi logo, in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. On the next screen, click on the System icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. Scroll down to the Add-ons tab in the left panel.
4. By default, Unknown sources in the right panel will be toggled off. Select Unknown sources to toggle it on.
5. A warning window will pop up to warn you about allowing third-party Kodi addons. Click on the Yes button to continue.
6. You have successfully turned on Unknown sources in your Kodi app.
Part 2: Install Chains Repository with Chains Kodi Addon
Now that you have turned on unknown sources in your Kodi app, it’s time to install the Chains Repository. The repository will then enable us to install the Chains Kodi addon.
Follow these steps to install the Chains Repository.
1. Go back to the home screen of Kodi by pressing the back button on your FireStick remote (or other device). Click on the settings gear again.
2. Click on the File manager icon on the top left.
3. On the next screen, scroll down and select Add source on either side of the screen.
4. A window will pop up. Click on the area labeled <None>.
5. On the next screen, enter http://thechains24.com/ChainsRepo in the input box and click on the OK button.
Note: FireStickTricks.com doesn’t host or distribute any apps or addons. The Chains Repository is officially hosted at the URL provided.
6. The box labeled Enter a name for this media source will automatically be populated with the name ChainsRepo.
7. Click on the OK button to save the Chains Repository.
8. You’ll end up back on the file manager page. Press the back button once on your device, then select Add-ons.
9. Scroll down and click on Install from zip file.
10. You’ll receive a warning message. Click on the Yes button to continue.
11. Select ChainsRepo.
12. Then, select the zip file.
13. After a few seconds, you’ll see a notification that reads Chains Repository Add-on installed. Stay on this page for the next step.
Part 3: Install Chains Kodi Addon
Finally, we can use the Chains Repository to download and install the Chains Kodi addon.
1. On the same Add-ons page, select Install from repository.
2. Then, scroll down and select Chains Repository.
3. On the next screen, scroll all the way down and select Video add-ons.
4. You’ll see all the video addons in the repository. Select Chains.
5. The Chains dashboard will open up. Click on the Install button in the bottom right.
6. The Chains Kodi addon will start downloading.
7. After a few seconds, Chains will start installing on your Kodi app.
8. After a few more seconds, you’ll see a notification confirming Chains Add-on installation.
You did it. You now have the Chains Kodi addon installed on your device. Let’s talk about how to set up and use it.
How to Set Up Chains Kodi Addon
As I mentioned, you’ll either have to connect your paid debrid account or authorize a code each time to play a new video. I’ll show you the free way of setting up the Chains Kodi addon, authorizing a code for each video you watch.
1. First, get on a convenient device like your laptop or smartphone and visit the UpToBox site at http://www.uptobox.com.
2. When the site loads, click on the REGISTER button at the top of your screen.
3. On the registration page, create your account details, check the terms and conditions box, and click on the green Create an account button.
4. If there were no issues processing your account, you’ll be redirected to a page indicating your registration was a success, then to the home page of UpToBox.
5. On the UpToBox home page, click on the LOGIN button at the top.
6. Enter your Username and Password and click on the green Login button. After a few seconds, you’ll be logged into your account and redirected to the home page of UpToBox.
7. Now open your Kodi application on the device you’ll use to stream. In my case, I’m heading back to Kodi on my FireStick.
8. Scroll down to the Add-ons tab (don’t select it).
9. Then scroll to the right portion of the screen and click on Chains, which will be listed under Video add-ons.
10. Chains will launch and show you a welcome message. Go ahead and click the Close button to exit the welcome popup.
11. On the home screen of the Chains Kodi addon, select any folder to start browsing content. I’ll select the Chains folder for the sake of demonstrating how to use UpToBox codes.
12. The contents of the folder are divided further into sub-folders. I’ll select the CHAINS WEEKLY PICKS sub-folder.
13. Now I’ll choose MOVIE PICK, but feel free to check out other folders and pick anything that interests you.
14. Once you select content to play, a pop-up window will appear, asking you to authorize the stream. Make note of the PIN and visit http://uptobox.com/pin on your laptop or smartphone.
15. On the UpToBox pin authorization page, type the PIN provided by Chains into the white input box.
16. Click on the Link Account button.
17. Then, you’ll see information about the content you chose to stream on Chains.
18. In the Chains addon, the content you selected to stream should start playing in a moment.
Remember, when you stream on the Chains Kodi addon, you’ll have to authorize each video using an UpToBox PIN. But it’s a quick process that only takes a few seconds each time.
Before you start streaming with Kodi Addons or Builds, I would like to warn you that everything you stream on Kodi is visible to your ISP and Government. This means, streaming copyrighted content (free movies, TV shows, live TV, and Sports) might get you into legal trouble.
Thankfully, there is a foolproof way to keep all your streaming activities hidden from your ISP and the Government. All you need is a good VPN for Kodi. A VPN will mask your original IP which is and will help you bypass Online Surveillance, ISP throttling, and content geo-restrictions.
I personally use and recommend ExpressVPN, which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is compatible with all kinds of streaming apps and devices.
NOTE: We do not encourage the violation of copyright laws. But, what if you end up streaming content from an illegitimate source unintentionally? It is not always easy to tell the difference between a legit and illegal source.
So, before you start streaming on Kodi, here's how to get VPN protection in 3 simple steps.
Step 1: Get the ExpressVPN subscription HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it free for the first 30-days and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.
Step 2: Click HERE to download and install the ExpressVPN app on your streaming device. If you are using a FireStick, I have given the exact steps starting with Step 4 below.
Step 3: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That's all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for Kodi.
The following are the steps to install Kodi VPN on your Fire TV devices. If you have other streaming devices, follow Step 1-3 above.
Step 4: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE (if not subscribed already).
Step 5: Go to Fire TV Stick home screen. Click Find followed by Search option (see image below).
Step 6: Type Expressvpn in the search bar and select when it shows up.
Step 7: Click Download.
Step 8: Open the ExpressVPN app and Sign in using the email ID and password that you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription.
Step 9: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your FireStick is now secured with the fastest VPN.
How to Use Chains Kodi Addon on FireStick
Using the Chains Kodi addon on FireStick or another Kodi-compatible device is a no-brainer. And you don’t need to be a pro to get the most from Chains—its developers made the addon easy to understand and browse through. The folders are organized well, and the fonts and colors are easy to read and not too distracting.
But if you want a brief tour of the Chains Kodi addon, you’re in luck. Follow along with me to gain a better understanding of how Chains works.
Let’s start on the Kodi home page.
Scroll down to the Add-ons tab.
After that, click on Chains to launch it.
After a few seconds, you’ll land on the home screen of the Chains addon. You’ll see all the available folders and their names.
Now, if you want to search for a specific title, select the Search folder.
A search window will pop up. Enter your search term and click on the OK button.
After a few seconds, the Chains addon will present you with all the content that matched your search term.
Next up, there’s a special Chains folder beneath the Search folder. Open it to find content curated by the moderators of the Chains Kodi addon, like CHAINS WEEKLY PICKS, UHD Hub, Movies, TV Shows, and Kids Zone.
In the Wasteland folder, you’ll find wasteland-themed content further divided into various category folders. Feel free to explore them!
If you like comics, check out the folder I highlighted below, where you can find the entire collection of movies and TV shows split into Phase One, Phase Two, Phase Three, Animated Universe, and more.
Just beneath the last folder is another for comic-lovers. This one is also organized into addition folders.
There’s a separate Movies section in the Chains addon that splits into folders like Genre, Popular, Theaters, Years, Studio, and Search Movie.
If you’re into TV shows, you’ll find a versatile TV Shows folder in Chains with sub-folders like Popular, On The Air, New TV Shows, Years, Networks, and more.
And at the bottom of the Chains home screen, you’ll find the Settings folder, which lets you tweak various options within Chains.
Within settings, you can use the Trakt and Debrid tabs to integrate those services if you happen to have them. Remember that integrating a debrid service saves you from having to authorize a PIN every time you watch a video.
If you’re not experienced with Kodi addons, I advise that you leave the settings alone, as changing them could cause Chains not to work properly.
Wrapping Up
The Chains Kodi addon is the ultimate all-in-one hub for video entertainment. From TV shows to movies to documentaries and more, everything is available on the Chains Kodi addon. You just need to install Chains on Kodi and dive into its world of content.
From how to install Chains Kodi addon to setting it up and using it, I showed you everything you need to know. However, if you feel like I missed something or you have any questions, feel free to comment down below. Happy cord-cutting!
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