Creating your own Kodi build Part Four
Welcome to Creating your own Kodi build Part Four. This handy series will give you all the steps you need to make your own Kodi build.
Part One of this series can be found HERE
Part Two of this series can be found HERE
Part Three of this series can be found HERE
So, when I finished the last blog I had just been through setting up background images and multiple background images. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I stored all of my images in a location within the Kodi file structure that will allow me to transfer the build from one device to another and ensure all of the images stay with it.
android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/addons/skin.aeon.nox.5/backgrounds/BACKGROUNDS
I did mention that this blog would be about “backing up” what we have done and that is what I will cover.
This did take a fair bit of trial and error but eventually I worked out a relatively straightforward way of doing it which is what I will detail.
This is a method that can be used for partial builds, like what I have right now, right up to full builds with all the bells and whistles.
It can also be used as a method to transfer the build form one device to another.
So, let’s get started.
First of all, select a location where you would like to backup your files. This can be on your system somewhere but I found it best to do this directly onto media that could be used to transfer the build.
I decided to do my backups onto an SD card which plugs nicely into the slot on my T8 box. Remember to insert the card with the gold contacts facing upwards. Once inserted you should see the SD card symbol in the top left of your Android home page, then you know all is good.
Select the SD card using the File Manager App we used in the last blog and create a folder location for your backups.
You can see I have created a folder called KODI_BACKUP
OK, back into Kodi now and lets got to SYSTEM and click on ADD-ONS.
Now click on Install from repository
Then Program add-ons
Then scroll down and click on Backup
Now click on Install on the left hand side
Once it is installed you will see a quick message pop onto the screen to tell you it’s done and you will be returned to the program add-ons screen. However, now you will see alongside the Backup add-on, it says Enabled.
Now, click on the Backup add-on again and this time click on Launch
You will now see a few options, click on Open Settings
While on the General tab on the left, move over to the right and click on Browse Remote Path.
We are now going to select where we would like the Backup file stored, which will of course (for me) will be in the folder I just created on the SD card, so navigate to that location.
Hit OK once you are there
Now back on the left hand menu, click on File Selection
Make sure all of the items in the list are selected, including Custom Directory 1
Then click on Browse Path, at the bottom of the list
Once again, navigate to the location for Backup file storage and hit OK
If you like, back on the left hand menu, you can set up a schedule for automatic Backups but I prefer to just do it when I chose.
Once all this is done, click on OK on the right hand side.
This will take you back to the Add-on menu page again, so select Backup and Launch.
This time select Backup.
When you click on Backup, the process will begin, let it do its thing for a couple of minutes.
That should be it, the Backup is done and should now be stored on my SD card.
This is where I had to take a deep breath and test it, just to see it all works !
So let’s go back to the Kodi App in the Android settings and Clear Data.
Now I have to watch as all of my hard work disappears in front of my eyes and keep my fingers crossed that the Backup is going to work!
Back into Kodi now and we have a fresh install, everything has gone!
Scroll to PROGRAMS, click it then click Program add-ons
Then get more and then click on Backup
Click on Install and then Launch, then Open Settings
The menu looks a little different here, but the content is the same.
On the General tab, click on Browse Remote Path and navigate to the location of the Backup file, in my case the SD Card, once there, click OK ..
Click on File Selection and once again, make sure all items are selected including Custom Directory 1.
You do not need to enter the Browse Path on this screen.
Once this is done, click OK, then Launch the Backup add-on again and this time click on Restore.
You will now see a list of the Backup files stored, these do have a date and time so you can see which one is the most recent. In my case there is only one as this is the first time I have run it.
Choose the one you wish to restore, click it and let the magic happen.
The Restore process is much quicker than the Backup process
IMPORTANT : Once the restore is complete, CLOSE DOWN KODI and then re-open it.
All should be good.
The next time you come to run a Backup there will be no need to install the add-on again on your system. Just go to SETTINGS then ADD-ONS then MY ADD-ONS.
If you’re like me then I recommend doing it frequently !
That’s it for this Creating your Own Kodi build Part Four blog, I hope you have found it useful.
I can now relax a bit knowing that I cannot lose too much of my hard work to date !
Next time we will look at populating the build with Add-ons, should be fun.
In the meantime, any questions please contact me on Twitter @Grendel1905 or contact the team @Bestforkodi
Keep dabbling
