Introduction
Kodi has become a favorite for streaming movies, TV shows, and other content. Its open-source nature allows users to customize their experience with addons, which are essentially mini-applications that extend Kodi’s functionality. One such addon that gained significant popularity was Covenant, known for its extensive library of streaming links. While Covenant itself isn’t active anymore, understanding how it used to be installed through tools like Ares Wizard provides valuable insight into Kodi’s ecosystem and the importance of safe addon installation practices. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Covenant using Ares Wizard, but with a major caveat: Ares Wizard is outdated and potentially unsafe. We’ll also cover safer alternatives.
Before we dive into the installation steps, it’s absolutely crucial to address a vital aspect of online streaming: your privacy and security. Using a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is highly recommended when streaming content through Kodi or any other platform. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, preventing your internet service provider and other entities from monitoring your online activity. This is particularly important when dealing with third-party Kodi addons, as some may provide access to copyrighted content. While this guide is for informational purposes only, we strongly advise you to respect copyright laws and only stream content that you are legally entitled to watch. Choosing a reputable VPN service is paramount to ensuring your online safety.
Important Disclaimer: Proceed with Extreme Caution
It is extremely important to emphasize that Ares Wizard is no longer supported or maintained. This means that it may contain outdated code, broken links, or even malicious software. Using Ares Wizard carries significant risks, and we strongly advise against it unless you understand the potential consequences. This guide details the process for historical and educational purposes only. The Covenant addon itself is also not being actively developed and may not function correctly, regardless of the installation method used. We will also provide much safer and more reliable methods for installing Kodi addons in a later section. We cannot be held responsible for any issues or damages that may arise from using Ares Wizard or following this guide. Your online security and privacy are your responsibility. Remember, there are always better and safer options available.
Installing Covenant Using Ares Wizard (Use with Extreme Caution!)
Again, let us reiterate: using Ares Wizard is risky. Proceed with caution and only if you understand the potential dangers. Ensure you have a reputable antivirus program installed and running before attempting these steps.
Enabling Unknown Sources
The first step is to enable the installation of addons from unknown sources. This allows Kodi to install addons from sources other than the official Kodi repository. Be aware that this also opens the door to potentially harmful addons, so be very selective about the sources you trust.
- Open Kodi.
- Click on the Settings icon (the gear icon).
- Navigate to System Settings (or simply “System” depending on your Kodi version).
- Select Add-ons.
- Toggle the “Unknown Sources” option to the “On” position.
- A warning message will appear. Read it carefully and click “Yes” if you understand the risks.
Enabling Unknown Sources is essentially telling Kodi that you are willing to install software from outside its official ecosystem. It’s like installing an app on your phone from a website instead of the official app store. Therefore, it is imperative to only enable this option when you are confident in the safety and reputation of the addon source.
Installing Ares Wizard
Now, we’ll proceed with installing Ares Wizard. Remember, this is where the risk is highest.
- From the Kodi home screen, click on the Settings icon again.
- Select File Manager.
- Click on “Add Source.”
- Click on “<None>”.
- Enter the following address exactly:
http://areswizard.co.uk. (WARNING: This source may be compromised.) - Click “OK.”
- In the box below, enter a name for the source, such as “Ares.”
- Click “OK.”
- Go back to the Kodi home screen.
- Click on “Add-ons.”
- Click on the Package Installer icon (the box icon) in the top-left corner.
- Select “Install from zip file.”
- Find and select the “Ares” source you just added.
- Choose the Ares Wizard zip file (it will likely be named something like
plugin.program.areswizard.zip). - Wait for the notification that Ares Wizard has been installed.
You’ve now added Ares Wizard to Kodi. However, just because it’s installed doesn’t mean you should immediately use it. Take a moment to consider the risks involved. The Ares Wizard repository is no longer officially maintained, meaning it could contain outdated or malicious code. Always exercise extreme caution when using such tools.
Using Ares Wizard to Install Covenant
Finally, we’ll use Ares Wizard to attempt to install Covenant. Again, Covenant itself might not be working properly due to lack of maintenance.
- Go to Add-ons -> Program Add-ons.
- Open Ares Wizard.
- Navigate to the section for browsing or installing addons. The exact location may vary depending on the version of Ares Wizard.
- Search for “Covenant.”
- Select Covenant from the search results.
- Click on the install option.
- Wait for the installation to complete.
After installation, you might encounter issues with Covenant, such as broken links or errors. This is likely due to the addon being outdated. In such cases, consider exploring alternative addons that are actively maintained.
Accessing and Using Covenant (If it Works)
Assuming Covenant has installed successfully (though highly unlikely it will still work), you can access it as follows:
- Go to Add-ons -> Video Add-ons.
- Find and open Covenant.
- Browse through the available categories (Movies, TV Shows, etc.).
- Select a title and choose a streaming source.
Keep in mind that streaming copyrighted content without proper authorization is illegal. Use Covenant (or any other addon) responsibly and only access content you are legally entitled to view.
Troubleshooting
- Covenant Not Working: If Covenant is not working, the most likely reason is that it is outdated and no longer maintained.
- Check your internet connection.
- Clear your Kodi cache.
- Attempt to update Covenant (though there likely won’t be an update available).
- Consider reinstalling Covenant using a safer method (see below), but be aware that it may still not work.
- Ares Wizard Issues: Because Ares Wizard is no longer actively supported, troubleshooting is very limited. If you encounter problems with Ares Wizard itself, the best course of action is to uninstall it and switch to a safer addon installation method.
Safer Alternatives for Installing Kodi Addons
The good news is that there are much safer and more reliable ways to install Kodi addons. We strongly recommend avoiding Ares Wizard and instead using established and actively maintained repositories.
The Crew Repository
The Crew Repository is a highly recommended alternative. It houses a wide range of popular and well-maintained addons. To install addons from The Crew Repository, you first need to add its source:
- Follow the same steps as adding the Ares Wizard source, but use the following address:
https://team-crew.github.io/. - Name the source “The Crew.”
- Then, go to Add-ons -> Package Installer -> Install from zip file.
- Select “The Crew” and install the repository zip file.
- Once the repository is installed, go to Add-ons -> Package Installer -> Install from repository.
- Find and select The Crew Repository.
- Browse through the Video Add-ons (or other categories) and install the addons you want.
Other Reputable Repositories
In addition to The Crew, there are other reputable repositories available. Research and choose repositories that are known for their quality and security. Always be cautious about adding new sources, and read reviews before installing any addons.
Manual Installation (From Zip File)
Another option is to download addon zip files directly from trusted sources and install them manually using the “Install from zip file” option. However, be extremely careful when downloading zip files from the internet. Only download from sources you completely trust, and scan the zip file with an antivirus program before installing it.
Conclusion
While it was once a popular method, installing the Covenant Kodi addon using Ares Wizard is now a risky and potentially harmful practice. Ares Wizard is outdated and no longer maintained, and it could expose your system to security vulnerabilities. While this guide explained the process for historical and educational purposes, we strongly recommend against using Ares Wizard.
Prioritize your online safety and privacy by using a reputable VPN service. Always respect copyright laws and stream responsibly. By following these guidelines and exploring safer addon installation methods, you can enjoy the vast world of Kodi content while minimizing the risks involved. The world of Kodi is constantly evolving, so stay informed and always prioritize your security and privacy.
