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TiviMate: What It Is and How to Set It Up

Updated 2026-06-18

TiviMate is one of the most-used IPTV player apps in the world, and for good reason: it turns a plain channel list into a polished, cable-like experience with a proper EPG (TV guide), favourites and recording. But a lot of people install it and then wonder why there are no channels — so this guide explains exactly what TiviMate is, what it needs, and how to set it up step by step.

The single most important thing to understand: TiviMate is a player, not a provider. It's an empty shell until you connect an IPTV subscription to it. We'll cover the devices it runs on, how to install it, how to add your subscription, the free vs Premium difference, and how to fix the usual problems.

Quick answer

TiviMate is a popular IPTV player app for Android-based devices (Android TV, Amazon Fire TV/Firestick and Android boxes). It does not provide any channels itself — you load your own IPTV subscription into it using an Xtream Codes login or an M3U playlist, and TiviMate gives you a clean TV-style guide, channel list and playback.

What is TiviMate?

TiviMate is an IPTV player: an app that takes an IPTV subscription you already have and displays it as a clean, modern TV interface. Instead of a basic scrolling list, you get a full electronic programme guide (EPG), channel groups, favourites, catch-up and — on the paid version — recording and multi-view.

Crucially, TiviMate has no channels of its own. It doesn't sell or include any TV. You bring your own IPTV service (the playlist or login from a provider) and TiviMate is simply the nicest way to watch it. Think of it like a web browser: the browser is excellent, but it needs websites to show you — TiviMate needs a subscription to show you channels.

Which devices does TiviMate work on?

TiviMate is an Android-based app, so it runs on the devices built on Android — and not on Apple hardware. That's the most common surprise for new users, so it's worth being clear:

  • ✅ Android TV (Sony, Philips, TCL and other Android-powered TVs)
  • ✅ Amazon Fire TV and Firestick (the most popular TiviMate device)
  • ✅ Android TV boxes (NVIDIA Shield, MECOOL and similar)
  • ✅ Android phones and tablets
  • ❌ iPhone, iPad and Apple TV — TiviMate is not available on iOS/tvOS
  • ❌ Windows PC and most Samsung/LG (Tizen/webOS) smart TVs — no native TiviMate

What you need before you start

TiviMate on its own will show an empty screen. To actually watch TV you need two things together:

  • A supported device (Firestick, Android TV or Android box — see above).
  • An active IPTV subscription that gives you either an Xtream Codes login (URL + username + password) or an M3U playlist URL.

How to install TiviMate

On a Firestick or Android TV, TiviMate is in the Amazon Appstore / Google Play store, so installing is straightforward:

  • Open the app store on your device (Amazon Appstore on Firestick, Google Play on Android TV).
  • Search for 'TiviMate IPTV Player'.
  • Select it and choose Install, then Open once it finishes.
  • On first launch, TiviMate will ask you to add a playlist — that's the next step.

How to set up TiviMate with your subscription

This is where you connect your IPTV service. When TiviMate asks to add a playlist, you have two options depending on what your provider gave you:

  • Xtream Codes (easiest): choose 'Add playlist' → 'Xtream Codes', then enter the server URL, username and password from your provider.
  • M3U playlist: choose 'Add playlist' → 'M3U Playlist', then paste the full M3U URL your provider sent you.
  • TiviMate loads your channels and downloads the EPG (TV guide) automatically — give it a minute to populate.
  • Arrange your favourites and channel groups, and you're done.

TiviMate free vs Premium

TiviMate has a free version and a paid Premium upgrade. The free version is genuinely usable: one playlist, the EPG, channel groups and favourites — enough for most people to watch comfortably.

TiviMate Premium unlocks the power-user features: multiple playlists, recording, scheduled recordings, multi-view (several channels at once), and a few interface extras. If you only have one subscription and just want to watch, the free version is fine; if you juggle playlists or want to record, Premium is the upgrade to consider. Note this Premium fee is paid to TiviMate's developer and is separate from your IPTV subscription.

TiviMate vs IPTV Smarters Pro and other players

TiviMate's main rival is IPTV Smarters Pro. The simplest way to choose: TiviMate has the cleaner, more 'cable-like' interface and the best EPG, but it's Android-only. IPTV Smarters Pro is more cross-platform — it also runs on iPhone, iPad and Windows — which makes it the go-to for Apple users who can't run TiviMate.

Both do the same core job (they play your subscription), so it often comes down to your device: on a Firestick or Android TV, most people prefer TiviMate; on an iPhone or iPad, IPTV Smarters Pro (or a similar iOS player) is the practical choice. For a wider comparison of players, see our best IPTV apps guide.

Common TiviMate problems and fixes

Most TiviMate issues come down to the playlist or the connection, not the app itself:

  • No channels showing: your playlist didn't load — re-check the Xtream Codes URL/username/password or the M3U URL for typos.
  • No TV guide / EPG: give it time on first load, or check that your provider supplies an EPG; you can also add an EPG source manually in settings.
  • Buffering: usually your internet speed or the provider's servers, not TiviMate — test a wired connection and a different channel.
  • 'Playlist expired': your IPTV subscription has lapsed or the login changed — contact your provider to refresh it.
  • Can't install on iPhone/Samsung: TiviMate is Android-only; use IPTV Smarters Pro or your provider's recommended player instead.

How to get TiviMate Premium (the Companion app)

One thing that confuses new users: you can't always buy Premium from inside the TiviMate app itself. On many devices the Premium upgrade is handled through a separate 'TiviMate Companion' app, which manages the subscription and unlocks the paid features in the main app once it's installed and signed in.

If you decide you want recording, multiple playlists or multi-view, install the TiviMate Companion app from the same store, subscribe there, and the Premium features light up in TiviMate automatically. If you're happy with the free version, you can skip this entirely — nothing about your channels or EPG depends on Premium.

TiviMate settings worth changing first

A few quick settings make TiviMate much nicer to live with. None are required, but they're the tweaks most regular users end up making:

  • Set your favourites: mark the channels you actually watch so they appear first instead of scrolling thousands of entries.
  • Pick a default playback buffer: a slightly larger buffer can smooth out streams on a busy connection.
  • Enable the channel logo / EPG view you prefer (grid vs list) so the guide looks the way you like.
  • Turn on 'remember last channel' so TiviMate opens where you left off.
  • If your provider supplies catch-up, enable it so you can scroll back through the guide and watch earlier programmes.

Does TiviMate work without a subscription?

No. TiviMate is just the player — without an IPTV subscription loaded into it, there's nothing to watch. So the real question for most people isn't 'how do I get TiviMate working' but 'which subscription do I load into it'.

If you don't have a service yet, Streamova provides an Xtream Codes login that drops straight into TiviMate, with 50,000+ channels, live sport and 100,000+ films and series. You can start a free 24-hour trial over WhatsApp, load it into TiviMate in two minutes and see it working before you pay anything.

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Frequently asked questions

Is TiviMate free?+

TiviMate has a free version that covers one playlist, the EPG, favourites and channel groups — enough to watch comfortably. TiviMate Premium adds recording, multiple playlists and multi-view for a fee paid to the app's developer, separate from your IPTV subscription.

Does TiviMate include channels?+

No. TiviMate is a player only — it has no channels of its own. You load your own IPTV subscription into it using an Xtream Codes login or an M3U playlist; the channels come from your provider, not from TiviMate.

Can I use TiviMate on iPhone or a Samsung TV?+

No. TiviMate is Android-only — it runs on Firestick, Android TV and Android boxes, but not on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Samsung/LG smart TVs. On those devices use IPTV Smarters Pro or your provider's recommended player.

How do I add my subscription to TiviMate?+

Open TiviMate, choose 'Add playlist', then either 'Xtream Codes' (enter the server URL, username and password) or 'M3U Playlist' (paste the M3U URL). TiviMate loads your channels and EPG automatically.

TiviMate vs IPTV Smarters Pro — which is better?+

TiviMate has the cleaner interface and best EPG but is Android-only. IPTV Smarters Pro is more cross-platform (it also runs on iOS and Windows). On a Firestick or Android TV most people prefer TiviMate; on Apple devices, Smarters Pro is the practical choice.

Is TiviMate legal and safe to use?+

TiviMate itself is a legitimate player app and is safe to install from the official app stores. What you watch depends on the subscription you load into it, so choose a transparent IPTV provider — like one that offers a free trial and reachable support.