Almost every IPTV player app offers two ways to connect your subscription: Xtream Codes API (the simplest — server address, username and password) or an M3U playlist (a channel-list link, with the programme guide added separately). Both lead to the same channels and the same on-demand library. This guide explains both methods step by step, compares them honestly, and fixes the mistakes that cause most failed setups.
The 3 details you need
After signing up or starting your free trial, you receive a message (email or WhatsApp) containing:
- The server address — a URL, something like http://example.tv:8080. This is where your app connects.
- Your username.
- Your password.
The same message also includes your M3U playlist URL (a long link that already contains your login) and your EPG URL (the programme guide feed, used with M3U). Keep this message saved — you’ll need these details on every new device.
Copy them exactly, respecting upper and lowercase: most failed logins come from a single mistyped character or a stray space. Copy-paste beats typing every time.
Method 1 — Connecting with Xtream Codes API (recommended)
Xtream Codes is a login standard: the app sends your username and password to the server, and the server returns everything — channels, programme guide, on-demand — in one go. No separate guide URL to configure.
- Open your IPTV player app (on any device — phone, TV, Firestick, Apple TV).
- Choose “Login with Xtream Codes API”. The exact wording varies by app: “Xtream login”, “XC API”, “Add Xtream account” all mean the same thing.
- Enter the server address exactly as received — including http:// and the port number (the :8080 part) if present. This is the field people get wrong most often.
- Enter your username and password, watching case carefully.
- Confirm / Save / Login — then wait. The first catalogue load takes 2–10 minutes depending on your connection. Don’t close the app.
- Once loaded, browse by category. The programme guide fills in automatically — give it up to 10 minutes on first use.
That’s it. One login, everything configured. This is why we recommend Xtream wherever the app offers it.
Method 2 — Connecting with an M3U playlist
M3U is an older, universal standard: a text file (or URL) listing every channel. Any player can read it — but the programme guide doesn’t come along automatically, so you add it as a second step.
- In the app, choose “Add M3U playlist”, “Add via URL” or “Add playlist”.
- Paste the complete M3U URL from your access details — the whole thing, uncut. It already contains your login, so there’s nothing else to type.
- Confirm and let the channel list load (a few minutes the first time).
- Add the programme guide: find the app’s EPG / TV guide settings and paste the EPG URL from your access details. Without this step, the guide stays empty.
- Wait for the guide data to download (up to 10 minutes initially), then check the TV guide view.
Some apps accept an M3U file instead of a URL — don’t bother downloading it. The URL version stays up to date automatically; a downloaded file goes stale.
Xtream Codes vs M3U — honest comparison
- Ease of setup: Xtream wins — one login vs. playlist URL plus separate EPG URL.
- Programme guide: Xtream configures it automatically; M3U needs the EPG URL added manually.
- On-demand library: both give you the same movies and series.
- Compatibility: M3U works virtually everywhere, including very basic players; Xtream needs an app that supports the API (most modern ones do).
- Keeping up to date: both refresh automatically — Xtream on login, M3U each time the app reloads the playlist URL.
- Our recommendation: Xtream Codes whenever the app offers it. Use M3U only if your app doesn’t support Xtream login.
Setting up the EPG (programme guide) properly
The guide is what turns a channel list into actual TV — without it, you’re guessing what’s on.
- Xtream login: nothing to do. The guide downloads with the account and refreshes on its own. If it’s empty after 10 minutes, restart the app once.
- M3U login: paste the EPG URL in the app’s guide settings, then wait. Some apps let you set the refresh interval — once a day is plenty.
- Wrong times in the guide? Check the app’s time-zone / EPG offset setting — set it to your local zone (or UTC+1/UTC+2 for France, depending on the season). A 1–2 hour shift almost always means the offset is wrong, not the data.
- Guide empty for some channels only: normal. Not every channel carries guide data, especially smaller international ones.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
“Invalid login details” / “Authentication failed”
The number-one issue, and it’s a typo 95% of the time. Re-copy all three fields from our message — no leading/trailing spaces, exact case. Pay special attention to the server address: missing http:// or a dropped port number breaks it. If you’re certain it’s exact, message us on WhatsApp — we’ll verify your access from our side.
Catalogue stays empty after login
Allow more time for the first load — up to 10 minutes, especially on Wi-Fi. If it’s still empty after 15 minutes, force-close the app and log in again. Persistent emptiness is covered in EPG & login fixes.
M3U URL doesn’t work / “Playlist failed to load”
Use the complete URL — people often paste a truncated version (messaging apps sometimes wrap long links). Open our message, long-press the link, copy the whole thing. Don’t retype it by hand.
EPG never loads with M3U
You probably skipped the EPG URL step — the playlist alone doesn’t include guide data. Add the EPG URL from your access details in the app’s guide settings.
“Too many connections” / kicked off when a second device connects
Your plan allows a set number of simultaneous streams. Check your plan on the pricing page — and see the terms of service for the details.
Playlist works on the phone but not the TV
Same details, different app — the TV app is the suspect, not your access. Re-enter the details carefully in the TV app (remote typing causes typos), or use the app’s phone-linking feature if it has one.
Channels worked yesterday, dead today
First restart the app, then your router. If everything fails at once across devices, it’s worth asking us — message WhatsApp rather than reconfiguring everything blindly.
Some channels buffer, others don’t
That’s normal and network-related, not a setup problem — the full diagnosis is in our anti-buffering guide.
Tips for a smooth setup
- Copy, don’t type. Every manual transcription is a typo waiting to happen — especially server addresses.
- Set up on one device first. Get it working on your phone, confirm the details are right, then replicate on the TV.
- Keep your access message. You’ll need these details again for every new device, after app reinstalls, and if you ever get logged out.
- Don’t share your details. Your access is for your household — sharing it gets it flagged. See the terms.
- One method per app. Don’t add both Xtream and M3U for the same subscription in one app — duplicate channel lists cause confusion and EPG conflicts.
- Bookmark this page. When you buy a new TV or stick in a year, you’ll thank yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Xtream Codes or M3U — which should I choose?
Xtream Codes API, when the app offers it: setup is one login and the programme guide follows automatically. M3U is the fallback for apps without Xtream support.
Can I use my access on several apps?
Your access is intended for personal use within your household — install the player on your household devices. See our terms of service for the details.
I never received my access details.
Check your spam folder (email) and message requests (WhatsApp), then write to us via the contact page with the email you signed up with — we’ll resend them.
Do I need a different M3U for each device?
No — the same playlist URL and the same Xtream login work on all your household devices.
What’s the EPG URL for?
It’s the programme guide feed — what channel is showing what, and when. Xtream setups fetch it automatically; M3U setups need it pasted into the app’s guide settings.
My app asks for a “portal URL” — is that Xtream?
No — portal URLs are for MAG and Formuler boxes. In a phone/TV app, choose Xtream Codes or M3U. (Box owner? See our MAG & Formuler guide.)
Another problem? See our help and troubleshooting page, browse all setup guides — most people start with the Android guide — or try the service free for 24 hours: no credit card needed.