Setup guide
How to Set Up an IPTV M3U Playlist
An M3U playlist is a link that gives your player the full list of channels in one go. You paste it into any IPTV app that has an “Add playlist” or “M3U URL” option, and the channels load. It's the most widely supported way to add a subscription — especially on Smart TV apps that link to your TV's MAC address.
Updated · By the 4kiptvsubs team
Quick answer
- What it is
- A link to your channel list
- Works in
- Almost every IPTV player
- TV guide
- Separate XMLTV (EPG) link
- Alternative
- Xtream Codes login
What is an M3U playlist?
M3U is a plain-text playlist format. An IPTV M3U file starts with #EXTM3U and then lists every channel as two lines: an #EXTINF line with the channel name, logo and group, and the stream address. Your player reads the file and builds the channel list from it.
You normally don't download the file yourself — you give the player the link, and it fetches the latest version each time it refreshes.
What your M3U link looks like
We send the exact link with your subscription or free test. It usually has this shape:
http://server-address:port/get.php?username=YOURNAME&password=YOURPASS&type=m3u_plus&output=ts
- type=m3u_plus includes channel logos and groups; plain
m3ulists channels only. - output=ts or output=m3u8 sets the stream format. Keep what we send unless a player can't play the channels.
The programme guide comes from a separate EPG (XMLTV) link, which ends in xmltv.php with the same username and password.
Adding the M3U link to popular apps
| App | Where to paste the link |
|---|---|
| TiviMate | Add playlist → M3U playlist → enter URL; add the EPG link under Settings → EPG |
| IPTV Smarters | Add user → Load your playlist or file/URL → M3U URL |
| VLC (Windows/Mac) | Media → Open Network Stream → paste the link |
| Kodi | PVR IPTV Simple Client → Configure → M3U playlist URL; EPG → XMLTV URL |
| SET IPTV, Smart One, IBO (Smart TVs) | On the app's website, with your TV's MAC address — see the Samsung and LG guides |
M3U or Xtream Codes — which should you use?
| M3U link | Xtream Codes | |
|---|---|---|
| Supported by | Almost every player | Most modern players |
| TV guide | Needs a separate EPG link | Loads automatically |
| Movies & series | Mixed into one long list | Separate, organised sections |
| Speed with large lists | Slower | Faster |
If your app offers both, choose Xtream Codes. Use M3U for apps that only accept a playlist link.
Common M3U errors and fixes
- “Playlist could not be loaded” / 401 or 403: the username or password in the link is wrong, the subscription has ended, or the maximum number of devices is already playing.
- 404 or “not found”: part of the link was cut off when copying. Copy it again in full.
- App freezes while loading: the full list is very large for some TV apps. Use Xtream Codes if the app supports it, or hide the channel groups you don't watch.
- No TV guide: add the EPG (XMLTV) link and refresh the guide.
FAQ
M3U playlist: FAQ
Where do I find my M3U link?
Can I use the same M3U link on two devices?
Is an M3U file safe to open?
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