TiviMate setup guide: install, login, EPG, and tune.

TiviMate Free vs Premium vs Companion — what each unlocks.

Three different things, frequently confused.

Practical guidance:

• Start with free. It plays IPTV cleanly with one provider and one EPG source.
• Add Premium if you have two or more IPTV subscriptions, or want PiP and multi-EPG.
• Add Companion alongside Premium if you specifically want scheduled recording.

Companion without Premium doesn't do anything useful. Premium without Companion gives you everything except scheduled recording.

Where TiviMate works (and where it doesn't).

If you're on a Samsung or LG Smart TV, TiviMate isn't an option — use Smart STB or SS IPTV instead, or pair the TV with a Firestick / Android TV box. See best IPTV for Smart TV for that path.

Install TiviMate.

Android TV / Google TV / Nvidia Shield (Play Store)

The easy path:

1. Open the Google Play Store on the TV.
2. Search TiviMate IPTV Player.
3. Install. Open.

That's it. From here, skip to first-time playlist login.

Firestick / Fire TV (sideload)

TiviMate isn't on the Amazon Appstore, so you sideload it from the developer's APK.

Before anything:

1. Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options → enable Install unknown apps for Downloader.
2. (Older Fire OS: enable "Apps from Unknown Sources" globally.)

Install Downloaderfrom the Amazon Appstore if you don't have it.

Then load the APK:

3. Open Downloader.
4. In the URL field, enter the official TiviMate APK URL from the developer's site (tivimate.com). Avoid third-party mirror sites — repackaged APKs sometimes include adware.
5. Downloader fetches the APK; click Install when prompted.
6. Open TiviMate. If the Downloader code method is what you prefer, look up the current code on the official Downloader code page — codes rotate over time, so verify the current one.

If Downloader shows "Failed to connect," your Firestick may have DNS or Wi-Fi issues — see the Firestick fixes in best IPTV for Firestick.

Android phone / tablet

Play Store. Search. Install. The phone build is identical functionally to the TV build, with a touch UI.

First-time playlist login (Xtream Codes or M3U).

Open TiviMate. You'll be prompted to add a playlist.

Choose the source type:

Xtream Codes

If your provider gave you a portal/server URL, username, and password. This is the preferred login type when supported. It gives you live channels, VOD, series, and EPG metadata as clean separate categories.

M3U Playlist

If your provider gave you a single M3U URL. Universal fallback. Works everywhere TiviMate runs.

Stalker Portal

If your provider uses MAC-based portal logins. Less common with TiviMate.

For Xtream Codes

1. Source type → Xtream Codes.
2. Playlist name → anything you'll recognize (e.g., "OTTV").
3. URL → exactly as your provider gave it (host + port, e.g., http://server.example.com:8080).
4. Username + password.
5. Next → TiviMate loads channels, VOD, EPG.

For M3U Playlist

1. Source type → M3U Playlist.
2. Playlist name → anything.
3. URL → your full M3U URL.
4. Next.

If TiviMate rejects the URL, double-check:

• No trailing slash or extra path beyond the host:port.
• For M3U, you're using the playlist URL — not a single-stream .m3u8. The M3U playlist guide covers the distinction.
• Subscription is active.

If you're not sure your URL is well-formed, the free M3U checker tool flags common URL issues.

EPG setup — the part most users skip.

If you logged in via Xtream Codes, TiviMate usually binds EPG automatically. If you logged in via M3U, or if your EPG is empty after Xtream login, you need to add an XMLTV source manually.

How:

1. Settings → Playlists → select your playlist.
2. Scroll to EPG source → Add.
3. Source type → XMLTV URL.
4. Paste the XMLTV URL your provider gave you.
5. Update interval → 12 hours is sensible.
6. Save.

TiviMate will fetch the XMLTV and bind it to channels by matching tvg-id. If the guide stays empty:

• Verify the XMLTV URL loads in a browser.
• Verify your M3U is the m3u_plus variant — older m3u URLs strip the tvg-id attributes EPG needs.
• Force a refresh: long-press a channel → Refresh EPG.
• Wait — the first EPG load on a large XMLTV file can take a minute.

For premium users, you can add multiple EPG sources. Useful if your provider's XMLTV is patchy for certain channels — overlay a region-specific guide on top.

Settings worth tuning.

Most TiviMate buffering complaints are solved by these two settings.

Two practical notes:

• Higher buffer means slightly longer initial load and a slightly later "live" point, but smooth playback when the connection dips. On Ethernet or strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 30 seconds is enough.
• Hardware decoder is faster and lower-power. Switch to software only when you see codec artifacts on specific channels — not as a blanket fix.

If buffering persists after tuning these, the network or device is the bottleneck, not TiviMate. Work through the IPTV buffering fix guide.

Multi-playlist setup (Premium).

If you have two IPTV subscriptions — or one paid plan plus iptv-org's free public channels — TiviMate Premium lets you stack them.

1. Settings → Playlists → Add playlist → repeat the login flow for the second source.
2. Switch between playlists from the main TV channels page → top-left Playlist menu.
3. Channels stay grouped by their source; EPG binds per playlist.

Practical use: keep a paid IPTV playlist for live sports and movies, and a separate iptv-org playlist for free public broadcasters and international news. They coexist cleanly.

Recording with TiviMate Companion.

For scheduled recording, you need both TiviMate Premium and the Companion app. Companion holds the recording engine; TiviMate sends jobs to it.

Setup:

1. Install TiviMate Companion alongside TiviMate.
2. Open TiviMate → Settings → Recordings → enable, point to Companion.
3. Set storage location (internal or attached USB).
4. To schedule: open the EPG, navigate to a future program, press Record.
5. Manage recordings from the Recordings tab.

Notes:

• Catch-up playback (rewinding to a program that already aired) depends on your provider's archive support. Without that, only future scheduled recordings work.
• Storage fills fast for HD recordings — attached USB is the practical option for serious use.

Common problems and fixes.

Frequently asked.

How do I set up TiviMate?

Install (Play Store on Android TV, sideload via Downloader on Firestick), open the app, add your IPTV as a new playlist using Xtream Codes (preferred) or M3U URL, paste the XMLTV URL as an EPG source, then raise the buffer to 30 seconds. That's the full minimum setup.

Is TiviMate free or paid?

The base TiviMate app is free. TiviMate Premium is a paid upgrade unlocking multi-playlist, multi-EPG, recording (with Companion), and PiP. TiviMate Companion is a separate app required for scheduled recording.

How do I install TiviMate on Firestick?

Enable Install Unknown Apps for Downloader, open Downloader, enter the official TiviMate APK URL, install. TiviMate is not in the Amazon Appstore — sideloading is the only path.

What's the difference between TiviMate Premium and Companion?

Premium is the UI/feature upgrade inside TiviMate itself. Companion is the separate background app that handles recording. You need both for scheduled recordings.

How do I add EPG to TiviMate?

Settings → Playlists → select your playlist → EPG source → Add → XMLTV URL → paste your provider's XMLTV URL. Save and force a refresh.

What buffer setting should I use in TiviMate?

Start with 30 seconds. Bump to 60 if you still see buffering on a connection that tests fine. Beyond 60, you only delay the start without smoothing playback.

Can TiviMate record IPTV?

Yes — with TiviMate Premium and the Companion app installed and configured. Companion provides the recording back-end.

Why is my TiviMate EPG empty?

Either the XMLTV URL isn't loaded, the M3U is the older m3u variant (no tvg-id), or the channel's tvg-id doesn't match any XMLTV entry. Re-add the XMLTV source and force refresh.

Where to go next.

• New to IPTV in general? Start with what IPTV is.
• Need to understand M3U vs Xtream Codes? See the M3U playlist guide.
• Setting up on Firestick? Pair this with best IPTV for Firestick.
• On a Smart TV? TiviMate isn't an option — see best IPTV for Smart TV.
• Buffering after setup? Work through the IPTV buffering fix guide.
• Need a working playlist to test with? OTTV's free trial gives you Xtream Codes + M3U + XMLTV in one go.