How to Set Up IPTV on Android TV, Google TV and Nvidia Shield

Android TV and Google TV boxes (including Nvidia Shield, Chromecast with Google TV and Sony and TCL TVs that run Google TV) are the most flexible IPTV devices. The best players are in the Play Store, so there is no sideloading.

Steps

1. Open the Google Play Store on the device.
2. Search for TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro and install it. The differences are explained in our app comparison.
3. Open the app and choose Add playlist.
4. Pick Xtream Codes and enter the server URL, username and password, or choose M3U playlist and paste the link.
5. Let the channels and guide load. This can take a minute on the first run.

Settings that help

• Hardware decoding on, unless a channel shows green or black video.
• Buffer size to medium or large for live sport.
• Auto frame rate on devices that support it, so 50 and 60 fps content plays smoothly.
• Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi when possible.
• Update the EPG on a schedule so the guide stays current.

Set-up on Nvidia Shield and Google TV streamers

The steps are the same. Shield has more power for 4K and large lists. On Chromecast with Google TV use the remote microphone or the Google TV phone app to type long server addresses faster.

Common problems

• Channels missing. Reload the playlist and check for an expired subscription.
• Guide shows the wrong times. Adjust the time offset in the EPG settings: more on EPGs.
• Stutter on 4K. Check your speed with the calculator and use Ethernet.

Device details and downloads: Android TV boxes and free trial.