Ever wondered what Real Debrid is and why it keeps coming up in FireStick and Kodi discussions? Real Debrid is one of those services that confuses a lot of people, including me.
Let me put together everything I have gathered about this service from various sources.
Important disclaimer: This article is purely educational. We don’t endorse copyright infringement or illegal streaming practices.
What is Real Debrid?
Real Debrid isn’t a streaming app like Netflix or Hulu. Instead, it is a “multi-hoster” service – essentially a premium link generator that converts free, slow file-hosting links into faster, more reliable premium downloads and streams.
In simple words, it is a streaming facilitator.
Suppose you are trying to download a large file from a site like RapidShare or MediaFire, but you keep hitting speed limits and waiting times. Real Debrid acts as a middleman that bypasses these restrictions by using their own premium accounts with these hosting services.
The service has been around since 2009 and operates from France. They offer legitimate uses like faster downloads from file-hosting services, but they’ve become popular in the streaming world for reasons that venture into gray legal territory.
For FireStick Users
ISPs, hackers, and other third-party entities worldwide may monitor your online activities. For security, privacy, and smooth streaming, it is recommended to use a reliable VPN for FireStick. Your IP address is visible to sites you visit.
I recommend ExpressVPN, a fast and secure VPN in the industry. It is very easy to install on any device, including an Amazon Fire TV Stick. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don't like their service, you can always ask for a refund. ExpressVPN also has a special deal where you can get 4 months free and save 73% on the 2-year plan.
Read: How to Install and Use the Best VPN for FireStick
How It Connects to FireStick and Kodi
Real Debrid gained popularity in the streaming community because certain Kodi add-ons and streaming apps can integrate with it. When you install Kodi on your FireStick, some add-ons can use Real Debrid to find higher-quality streaming links.
Here’s how the integration typically works: instead of relying on free, often-unreliable streaming sources, certain Kodi add-ons can tap into Real Debrid’s network to find premium hosting links. These links usually offer better quality and more reliable streaming than free alternatives.
The catch? Many of these links may point to copyrighted content that’s been uploaded to file-hosting services without permission. This creates a legal gray area that users should understand before proceeding.
The Legal Complexity
Real Debrid is a legal file-hosting acceleration service. They don’t host pirated content directly, and their terms of service prohibit illegal use. However, the service can be used to access copyrighted material that others have uploaded to various hosting platforms.
This is what lawyers often call a “dual-use” situation, which means the service has legitimate purposes but can also facilitate copyright infringement. Real Debrid’s legal position is somewhat similar to VPN services or torrent clients: the technology itself isn’t illegal, but how people use it can be.
Different countries handle this differently. Some jurisdictions focus on the intent and actual use, while others look more at the technology’s potential for misuse. Users should understand their local laws and the potential risks involved.
Setting Up the Technical Side
If someone were to use Real Debrid with streaming applications, the setup process involves several technical steps. First, you’d need to modify your FireStick to allow unofficial apps since most apps that integrate with Real Debrid aren’t available through official channels.
The process typically involves sideloading applications onto your FireStick, which requires disabling certain security features. This alone introduces potential security risks that users should consider.
Once the apps are installed, users would need to configure them with their Real Debrid account credentials. This integration allows the apps to query Real Debrid’s database for premium links instead of relying solely on free sources.
The Real Debrid Performance and User Experience
The streamers using Real Debrid with streaming services often experience improved performance compared to free streaming sources. They get reliable links that load faster and offer better video quality than typical free streams.
However, this improved performance comes with trade-offs. Real Debrid isn’t free and costs around $18 for six months. Users also need to maintain compatible apps and deal with occasional service interruptions when hosting providers change their APIs.
The average user may get overwhelmed by the technical complexity. Setting up Real Debrid integrations and maintaining it requires more technical knowledge than using standard streaming services.
The Content Question
Here’s where things get complicated from an ethical standpoint. While Real Debrid doesn’t host content itself, it can provide access to copyrighted material that’s been uploaded to various file-hosting services without permission.
The thing is, it doesn’t matter what technology is used; if you are watching unauthorized content, it will result in loss of revenue for content creators, studios, and distributors. Not only major studios but also independent creators are affected, who rely on legal sales and licensing for revenue.
When you understand this broader impact, you will realize that using services like Real Debrid has not only legal implications but also ethical ones.
Legitimate Alternatives That Work Better
Try these simple and legal options before you consider complex setups like Real Debrid.
Official Streaming Services
The best official FireStick apps provide extensive content libraries. The streams are reliable, and the customer support really exists; besides, you will have no worries about legal implications. Services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video offer vast catalogs at reasonable prices.
Comprehensive Legal Options
Our guide to top-rated FireStick applications covers both free and paid services that operate legally. The services provide consistent performance and do not have a technically complex setup process.
Combining 2-3 legitimate services costs about the same as a Real Debrid subscription, and also requires less time and effort for setup and maintenance.
The Security Considerations
Using Real Debrid with streaming apps involves several security considerations. The setup process requires disabling FireStick security features and installing unofficial applications that may not undergo the same security review as official apps.
File-hosting services accessed by Real Debrid can expose users to harmful content or unwanted advertisements. Although Real Debrid offers some filtering, users continue to access content from various unverified sources.
Additionally, the apps that integrate with Real Debrid often require extensive permissions that could potentially access personal information on your device.
User Experience Reality Check
Real Debrid only improves the performance of the streams; it cannot solve the problems associated with unofficial streaming setups. Issues such as broken links, content disappearing without warning, and apps that stop working due to updates or takedown will persist.
The service also requires regular maintenance. You have to keep track of your subscription, regularly update apps, and constantly resolve the integration issues. This looks like too much effort when compared to the “set it and forget it” experience of legitimate streaming services.
Making an Informed Decision
If you’re considering Real Debrid, weigh these factors carefully:
- Legal uncertainties: It depends on how you use the service.
- Technical complexity: The service requires regular maintenance.
- Security risks: This arises from using modified FireStick setups and unofficial apps.
- Ethical concerns: Accessing potentially unauthorized content results in loss of revenue for content creators.
- Monthly costs: Maintaining the service may cost you more than legal streaming alternatives.
The Bigger Picture
The world of streaming has evolved over the past few years. Legitimate services now offer affordable pricing, vast content libraries, and reliable performance. It often exceeds what complex unofficial setups can provide.
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other services are investing heavily in creating new content. By supporting the creators and artists directly, these services are ensuring a constant stream of high-quality and legal entertainment.
Final Thoughts
Modern streaming technology is complex, and Real Debrid is its true representation. It is a legal service that can be used for questionable purposes. While the service itself is legal, its use depends on users; they can decide to use it legally or venture into copyright infringement territory.
Real Debrid setups often require time, effort, and risks that exceed what most users expect. Factor in the ongoing costs and technical maintenance, and legitimate streaming services frequently provide better value and peace of mind.
We recommend you invest your money and effort in legitimate streaming services that deliver reliable, legal entertainment without the complications of Real Debrid Integration.
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Hi, had Real Debrid up and running but installed Real Wizard Magic build, followed steps again to re-authorise RD, authorisation accepted, but still cannot stream via RD. Using IPVanish. Can you help?
Hi Scott, I couldn’t find any information regarding a build named Real Wizard.
You need to make sure you authorize RD in both ResolveURL and URLResolver within Manage Dependencies. That’s because some addons use ResolveURL, while others URLResolver
Hi, thanks for getting back to me promptly, I don’t know where I got Real Wizard from, the build I used was No Limits Magic, is there an issue with this build and RD? Cheers, Scott.
Hi Scott, I don’t think there is any problem between the two. Here is how you can set up RD on NLM build:
– From the home-screen of the build go to Tools > Resolver Settings
– Click ResolveURL and URL Resolver one by one
– Follow the steps 7 through 17 in the guide in the section “How to Set Up Real Debrid on Kodi (18 & 17.6)”
Hi Patrick, Problem solved, thanks for the guidance, great tutorial.
Thanks again, Scott
Hi. I have downloaded RD onto my Kodi firestick but it’s not showing any RD movies. I have paid a premium rate and activated the account. I have gone through your steps to auto enable RD with Kodi but I use SUPREMACY and not Neptune rising so the steps don’t match the screen shots which means I can’t link the two together. Can you help please?
Hi Al, Supremacy addon uses ResolveURL instead of URLResolver. In Step 6 of the guide, as instructed, click ResolveURL and click Configure on the next screen. There is no need to enable Real Debrid in the Supremacy settings as it is auto-enabled in the addon.
You mention the guide will cover Kodi 17.6 & 18, but I am only seeing directions for 16 & 17.6……
Hi, thanks for pointing that out. The guide has been accordingly updated.
Wait i found it..
You are receiving this e-mail because your Real-Debrid account has been used from different places at the same time the 12/30/2018 at 03:47 AM (GMT +1).
You can use your account where you want but you cannot download from different places at the same time.
If your devices are under a same router, it is considered as one place and you can use as many devices you want.
This warning is accompanied by an automatic password change for security reasons. You will able to change it once you will sign in.
Please note that accesses given to third party applications (plugin, and so on) have been revoked.
Hi Chris, yes, when you use the same account of Real Debrid from two different ISPs simultaneously, you may get a warning message from the team. Please contact Real Debrid support team for further resolution at https://real-debrid.com/support
I lost the email with the warning, but it hasn’t happened again. my guess is my firestick looked to my alternate isp when my primary failed, it showed my acct looking from 2 internet sources at the same time. Thanks for getting back to me
i installed ResolveURL into Kodi. Then I went through the process of authorizing ResolveURL. However, I do not get a notification that ResolveURL is authorized as per Step 17. But I am signed into AllDebrid and a notification there states that “Your device has been activated, you should be connected”. Does this mean that ResolveURL is really authorized as required by Step 17?
I should add that when I go to Kodi movies, I do see a few 1080p’s. The instructions say I should be getting a whole truckload full of additional live items that are 1080p’s. Is my experience normal? I’m thinking that the fact that I’m getting any 1080p line items must mean that ResolveURL is, in fact authorized; is this a correct assumption?
Hi Richard, the Real Debrid premium streams appear in a different colour than the normal, free streams. Do you see such streams? Also, often the Real Debrid streams contain the letters “RD” in it.
If you don’t see premium streams, follow this guide again, and in Step 13, instead of clicking ‘(Re)Authorize My Account’ click ‘Reset My Authorization’ just underneath it. Once that’s done, click ‘(Re)Authorize My Account’ again and follow the steps 13 through 17.
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for your expertise in setting up my Firestick. I am using a VPN as you suggested. My question is related to step #15. Where and how can I reauthorize my Firestick to https://real-debrid.com/device? I set up my real-debrid account on my PC so how can I re-authorize on my Firestick? Or did I miss a step? Thank you for the help!
Hi Bill, all the necessary steps to authorize Real-Debrid on Kodi are provided in this guide. Please refer to the section “How to Set Up Real Debrid on Kodi”.
I had the same initial experience Jon, above, had. I followed the steps exactly, but when I go into manage dependencies URLResolver is not listed. I went through the process multiple times, but could not get URLResolver to list.
But, I must say I’m a little confused by the instructions in Step 6. I do not plan on using Covenant at all. Given this, should I assume that there is no need to download Covenant? I have already successfully downloaded Exodus Redux as a video add-on to Kodi. In trying to interpret Step 6 instructions (where it says “for ResolveURL, you may install Exodus Redux addon” does this mean that resolveURL is automatically downloaded with Exodus Redux? But having already downloaded Exodus Redux, I do not see resolveURL listed under Add-ons”
So, my questions are:
1. Since I do not plan to use Covenant, do I still have to download URLresolver?
2. Since I’ve already successfully downloaded Exodus Redux as a video add-on, do I still need to download ResolveURL
Hi Rick, here are the answers to your questions:
1. Yes, you will need to install Covenant to install the URLResolver dependency. You may uninstall the addon later as you don’t intend to use it
2. You don’t need to install ResolveURL separately. Go to Kodi Settings > System Settings > Add-ons > Manage Dependencies and you will find ResolveURL there
Troy, I have the same experience Jon above had initially. That is, when I go into Manage Dependencies, URLresolver is not listed. But I did not have Jon’s subsequent experience of successfully downloading Covenant. (BTW, I do not plan to actually use Covenant in favor over Kodi Krypton 17.6. I’m only trying to load it because it’s apparently required by Step 6 above.) When I go to “How To Install Covenant on Kodi 17.6, (https://www.firesticktricks.com/install-covenant-on-kodi.html) and use the second method (How To Install Covenant On Kodi [Firestick/PC] described there, I get hung up on Step 13 because repository.kodil-1.3.zip is not listed. I’ve done this multiple times. What am I missing? Rick
Hi Rick, I just checked and found the repository.kodil-1.3.zip file after following steps 1 to 13 in the Covenant on Kodi FireStick/PC section of the guide. I am not sure why you don’t see it. Please try again and let me know. Perhaps you ran into a temporary issue.
thank you very much , the instructions were fabulous. i am NOT good at this and did not miss a beat with your instruction.
Hi Joel, I am glad we could help ?