Many Smart TV IPTV players — such as IBO Player Pro, SET IPTV and Smart One — are paid apps: they offer a free trial, then ask for an activation fee paid to the app developer. The fee is linked to your TV's MAC address and is separate from your IPTV subscription, which pays the provider for the channels.
Two separate payments
| You pay | For | To |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Channels, guide, on-demand, login | Your IPTV provider |
| App activation | The player app on that TV | The app developer |
See IPTV apps vs providers for why they're separate.
How MAC-address activation works
- You install the app on your TV; it shows a MAC address and often a device key.
- On the developer's website you enter that MAC address and upload your playlist (M3U link or Xtream details).
- The app on the TV downloads your playlist on its next start.
- After the trial, you activate the app for that MAC address by paying the developer.
The MAC address is a hardware identifier for the TV's network adapter; it doesn't give anyone access to your TV.
Typical terms to check
- Trial length before activation is required.
- One-off or yearly activation.
- One device per activation — a new TV usually means a new activation.
- Refund policy of the developer.
How to avoid paying twice
- Use a free player if your TV's store offers one.
- Use a streaming stick instead — Fire TV and Google TV players like IPTV Smarters are free, and TiviMate's free version plays everything. See the best device for IPTV.
- Pick one app rather than activating several.
Guides for specific apps
For which TVs support which apps, see IPTV for Smart TV and the Samsung and LG guides.
