How to Set Up TiviMate: Add an M3U Playlist or Xtream Codes Account

What TiviMate is

TiviMate IPTV Player is an app for Android TV devices (Android TV boxes, Google TV, NVIDIA Shield, Amazon Fire TV sticks). It does not provide any channels: it plays the playlist you give it, with an interface designed for the remote control — a channel list on the left, a programme guide grid, groups, favourites and quick zapping. It is one of the most popular players for people who want IPTV to feel like a classic TV box.

The free version handles one playlist and the essentials. TiviMate Premium, purchased through the TiviMate Companion app on a phone, unlocks several playlists, catch-up, recordings, advanced favourites management and more customisation.

Before you start

You need one of the following:

• an M3U playlist URL (for example from your M3utify account), or
• Xtream Codes credentials: server URL, username and password. With M3utify, generate them in the Xtream Panel; the server is https://m3utify.com.

Not sure which to choose? Xtream Codes usually gives a better result in TiviMate (separate live, film and series sections, guide loaded automatically). Our comparison M3U vs Xtream Codes explains the differences.

Step 1: Install TiviMate

• Android TV / Google TV / NVIDIA Shield: install TiviMate IPTV Player from the Google Play Store on the TV.
• Amazon Fire TV: availability in the Amazon Appstore varies by country. Follow the developer's official installation instructions and never install "modded" or "cracked" APKs — they are a common way to spread malware and often break.

Step 2: Add your playlist

On first launch, TiviMate shows Add playlist. (Later, use Settings → Playlists → Add playlist.) Menu names can vary slightly between TiviMate versions.

Option A — Xtream Codes

1. Choose Xtream Codes login.
2. Enter the server address (https://m3utify.com), then your username and password. Use the on-screen keyboard carefully: credentials are case-sensitive.
3. Click Next. TiviMate connects and shows the number of channels, films and series found.
4. Give the playlist a name and confirm.

Option B — M3U playlist URL

1. Choose Enter URL and type or paste the playlist address. Typing a long URL with a remote is tedious: the Google TV / Android TV remote app on your phone gives you a phone keyboard.
2. Click Next. TiviMate downloads and analyses the list.
3. If the playlist does not declare a guide, TiviMate asks for an EPG source: enter your XMLTV URL or skip and add it later.
4. Name the playlist and finish.

Step 3: Load the programme guide

With Xtream Codes, the guide is usually loaded automatically. Otherwise:

1. Go to Settings → EPG → EPG sources → Add EPG source.
2. Enter the XMLTV URL (.xml or .xml.gz). With M3utify's Xtream endpoint, the guide is at https://m3utify.com/xmltv.php?username=…&password=….
3. Choose Update EPG to load it now, and set a daily update interval.

If a channel shows "No information", its tvg-id does not match the guide — see our EPG integration guide. If programmes are shifted, use Settings → EPG → EPG time shift or read fix an EPG time offset.

Step 4: Organise groups and favourites

• Hide groups you do not watch: long-press a group → Hide group, or manage groups from Settings → Playlists → (your playlist) → Manage groups. Better still, remove them from the source playlist with the M3utify editor so every device benefits.
• Favourites: long-press a channel → Add to favourites. Favourites appear as a group at the top.
• Channel order: TiviMate follows the playlist order by default. Reordering channels at the source keeps the order consistent across all your devices.

Step 5: Recommended settings

• Settings → Playback → Video decoder: keep Hardware; switch individual channels to Software only if they show a green or black picture.
• Settings → Playback → Buffer size: increase it if channels freeze often (see how to fix IPTV buffering).
• Settings → Playlists → Update playlist on app start: enable it so changes made in M3utify appear automatically.
• Settings → Appearance: choose the channel list style and the number of guide rows that suit your screen.

Troubleshooting

"Error loading playlist" or 0 channels

Check the URL or credentials. Open the M3U URL in a browser: you should see text starting with #EXTM3U. For Xtream, make sure the server address has no trailing path, and that your credentials have not been regenerated in the Xtream Panel.

Some channels do not play

Run M3utify's link checker on the playlist: the stream may be dead. If the link is alive, try switching the channel's decoder (long-press → Video decoder), and check IPTV stream errors for HTTP codes.

Changes made to the playlist do not appear

Go to Settings → Playlists, select the playlist and choose Update playlist. Enable automatic updates on start-up to avoid doing it by hand.

FAQ

Is TiviMate free?

The app is free to install with basic features. Premium is a paid subscription or one-time purchase made through the TiviMate Companion app.

Can TiviMate run on a phone?

TiviMate is designed for Android TV devices and remote controls. On a phone or tablet, use an app like IPTV Smarters or VLC — see how to set up IPTV Smarters.

Can I use the same playlist on several TVs?

Yes, add the same URL or credentials on each device. The number of simultaneous connections allowed depends on your playlist source.