TiviMate setup guide: playlist, EPG, premium
TiviMate is the IPTV player most experienced Canadian viewers settle on for the living-room TV. It runs on Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV only, it is built around live television with a timeline programme guide that looks like a cable box, and it handles the Xtream Codes login IPTV True North sends by e-mail without fuss. This guide covers installing the app, adding your playlist, loading the EPG, what TiviMate Premium adds and how the Companion app activates it, and the fixes for the errors people actually hit. No login yet? Start with the 24-hour free trial.
What is TiviMate and who is it for?
TiviMate is a third-party IPTV player for Android TV devices. TiviMate IPTV playback depends entirely on the login you add; the app carries no content; it plays whatever your provider's login supplies and arranges it into a channel grid, a timeline EPG, favourites and categories. It is for the viewer who watches a lot of live television (sports, news) on one main device and wants channel surfing to feel like broadcast TV, with direct channel numbers, a guide you can scroll by time, and recording.
It is not for phones, iPhones, Samsung or LG TVs, Roku or desktop; on those, use IPTV Smarters Pro or one of the players on our IPTV apps page. Many households pair TiviMate on the main Android device with Smarters elsewhere, on a 2- or 3-screen plan.
Supported devices
| Device | TiviMate works? | How to install |
|---|---|---|
| Nvidia Shield | Yes, the reference device | Google Play |
| Chromecast with Google TV | Yes | Google Play |
| Fire TV Stick 4K, 4K Max, Cube | Yes | Downloader app from the developer's site, or the Appstore where listed |
| Fire TV Stick Lite, older sticks | Yes, with limited memory | Same as above; keep one player installed |
| Formuler, generic Android TV boxes | Yes | Google Play |
| Sony, TCL, Hisense Android TVs | Yes | Google Play |
| Samsung, LG, Roku, Apple TV, iPhone, Windows | No | Use IPTV Smarters Pro or another player |
How to install TiviMate and add your playlist
- Install. On Android TV or Google TV, open Google Play and search TiviMate. On Fire TV, install Downloader from the Appstore, enable Apps from unknown sources under Settings, My Fire TV, Developer options, then use Downloader to fetch the TiviMate installer from the developer's site.
- Open TiviMate and press Add playlist.
- Choose Xtream Codes. Enter the server URL, username and password exactly as they appear in your IPTV True North e-mail. (If you only have an M3U link, choose M3U playlist and paste it.)
- Name the playlist and press Next. TiviMate downloads the channel list; wait for the count to finish.
- Confirm EPG. With Xtream Codes, the EPG source is detected automatically; press Done and let the guide load. Open the TV guide from the left menu to confirm programmes appear.
You are now watching. The next sections make it comfortable.
Setting up the EPG and channel list
- Guide loading slowly on first run: normal. The first EPG download is the largest; later ones are incremental.
- Update interval: Settings, Playlists, select your playlist, EPG, set Update to daily and pick an early-morning hour.
- Time offset: if programmes appear an hour off, set the EPG time shift under the same menu to match your time zone (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Atlantic).
- Hide categories: Settings, Playlists, your playlist, Manage groups, untick anything you never watch. A shorter list makes the guide faster.
- Channel numbers: TiviMate assigns numbers in list order; reorder groups so your most-watched category sits at the top.
- Catch-up: where the source offers it, a small clock appears on the channel; open the guide and scroll left to replay.
What TiviMate Premium adds
The free version plays a single playlist with a working guide. TiviMate Premium, a paid upgrade from the developer, adds:
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Playlists | 1 | Multiple |
| Favourites | No | Yes |
| Recording to local or USB storage | No | Yes |
| Scheduled recordings and reminders | No | Yes |
| Custom channel groups and ordering | Limited | Full |
| Catch-up | Yes | Yes |
| Guide customisation (rows, timeline, panel) | Limited | Full |
Premium is sold by the developer, not by IPTV True North, and its price is set on the developer's own channels; we do not quote it. For a main living-room device the upgrade is widely regarded as worth it for favourites and recording alone.
How to activate premium with TiviMate Companion
TiviMate Premium is bought and activated through a separate phone app called TiviMate Companion.
- On an Android phone, install TiviMate Companion from Google Play.
- Create an account in the Companion app and purchase the premium licence there (the developer offers yearly and lifetime options).
- On the TV, open TiviMate, go to Settings, Premium.
- Sign in with the same account you created in Companion.
- The premium features activate immediately on that device; the licence allows several TVs under one account, so repeat step 4 on your other Android devices.
No Android phone? The Companion app is Android-only; borrow one for the sign-up, after which the TV side needs only the account login.
TiviMate not working? Common fixes
- "Playlist failed to load" after entering Xtream Codes. Re-type the server URL, including http:// and the port, and the password. Copy from the e-mail if you can; one wrong character is the usual cause.
- Channels load, nothing plays. Check the device is online and that your plan's screen limit is not in use elsewhere. Then switch the decoder: Settings, Player, change Decoder from hardware to software or back.
- Buffering. Connect by Ethernet (the Shield and most boxes have a port; Fire TV needs an adapter), and increase the buffer under Settings, Player, Buffer size. The IPTV not working checklist covers the network side.
- EPG empty. Settings, Playlists, your playlist, EPG, Update now. Wait a few minutes.
- App slow on Fire TV Lite. Uninstall other players, clear TiviMate's cache, and hide unused groups.
- Premium shows as inactive. Sign out and back in under Settings, Premium, with the exact Companion account e-mail.
If it still fails, open the live chat, say "TiviMate on" plus your device, and name the step; the agent is there 24/7.
Frequently asked questions about TiviMate
How to add iptv to tivimate?
Press Add playlist, choose Xtream Codes, and enter the server URL, username and password from your IPTV True North e-mail. Name the playlist, press Next, let the channels download, and confirm the EPG. Five steps, detailed above.
Is TiviMate free?
The basic app is free and plays one playlist with a guide. Favourites, recording, multiple playlists and full guide customisation need TiviMate Premium, sold by the developer through the Companion app.
Does TiviMate work on Fire TV Stick?
Yes, on all current Fire TV models. Install via the Downloader app if it is not in the Appstore. The 4K and 4K Max models run it best; the Lite works with one player installed.
Can I use TiviMate on my Samsung TV or iPhone?
No. TiviMate is Android TV and Fire TV only. Use IPTV Smarters Pro on Samsung, LG, iPhone, Windows and Mac; the install hub has the steps.
Does TiviMate come with channels?
No. It is a player. Content comes from the login you enter; with IPTV True North that login arrives by e-mail after your trial request or order.
Which is better for IPTV, TiviMate or IPTV Smarters?
For a main Android TV device watched mostly for live TV, TiviMate. For Smart TVs, phones, Apple devices and first-time users, IPTV Smarters Pro. Both work with the same login; many households use both.
Set up TiviMate with a real login
Request the 24-hour trial, receive your Xtream Codes details by e-mail, and follow the five steps above on your Shield, Fire TV or Android box.
Set up TiviMate with a real login
Ask for the 24-hour free trial in the chat and add the playlist on your Fire TV or Android TV.