How to Set Up Kodi for IPTV in 2026 — PVR IPTV Simple Client Guide

Kodi is one of the most powerful free media centres available, and when combined with the PVR IPTV Simple Client addon, it becomes a capable IPTV player. Unlike dedicated IPTV apps such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro, Kodi requires more initial configuration — but it rewards that effort with exceptional flexibility, broad device support, and the ability to combine IPTV channels with local media files in a single interface.

This guide walks through the complete setup process for IPTV in Kodi using the PVR IPTV Simple Client.

Before configuring Kodi, make sure you have an IPTV subscription that provides an M3U URL. Read our guide on what to look for in an IPTV service before signing up. For a UK-focused breakdown of IG IPTV's channels and pricing, see the IG IPTV Complete UK Guide 2026. For a broader technology overview see the IPTV — The Complete Guide 2026.

What Is Kodi?

Kodi is a free, open-source media centre application maintained by the XBMC Foundation. Originally developed as a media player for the original Xbox, it has evolved into a fully featured entertainment system that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Fire TV, Raspberry Pi, and more.

Kodi is highly extensible via addons — small plugins that add specific functionality. For IPTV, the key addon is the PVR IPTV Simple Client, which is built into Kodi (no separate download needed) and enables the app to receive and display live IPTV channels from an M3U playlist.

Supported Platforms

Kodi runs on:

Note for Fire TV Stick users: Kodi requires sideloading on Amazon devices. The process takes about 5 minutes using the Downloader app. Full instructions are below.

What You Need Before Starting

• A Kodi installation (see platform instructions above)
• An IPTV subscription that provides either an M3U playlist URL or an M3U file
• (Optional) An XMLTV EPG URL for programme guide data, if your provider supplies one

Step 1: Install Kodi

Windows / Mac

1. Go to kodi.tv/download.
2. Select your platform.
3. Download and run the installer.
4. Follow the setup wizard.

Amazon Fire TV Stick

1. Install the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore.
2. Open Downloader.
3. Navigate to the URL: https://kodi.tv/download and download the Android ARM version.
4. Install the downloaded APK file.
5. Enable "Allow from this source" if prompted.

Android TV

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for "Kodi".
3. Install and open.

Step 2: Enable the PVR IPTV Simple Client

The PVR IPTV Simple Client is built into Kodi but must be enabled:

1. Open Kodi.
2. On the home screen, click the Settings gear icon.
3. Go to "Add-ons".
4. Select "My add-ons".
5. Select "PVR clients".
6. Find "PVR IPTV Simple Client" in the list.
7. Click it and select "Enable".

The addon is now active. Next, you need to configure it with your M3U playlist.

Step 3: Configure the PVR IPTV Simple Client

1. After enabling the addon, click "Configure" (you will be prompted automatically, or access it again via My Add-ons → PVR clients → PVR IPTV Simple Client → Configure).
2. The configuration screen has several tabs.

General Tab — Adding Your M3U Playlist

If your provider gave you an M3U URL:

1. Set "Location" to "Remote path (internet address)".
2. In the "M3U playlist URL" field, enter your M3U URL exactly as provided by your IPTV service.
3. Click OK.

If your provider gave you an M3U file:

1. Set "Location" to "Local path".
2. Navigate to the downloaded M3U file on your device.
3. Click OK.

EPG Tab — Adding Programme Guide Data

If your IPTV provider supplies an XMLTV EPG URL (many do):

1. Click the "EPG" tab.
2. Set "Location" to "Remote path".
3. Enter your EPG URL in the field provided.
4. Set "EPG cache days" to 3–7 days.
5. Click OK.

Step 4: Restart Kodi and Load Channels

1. After clicking OK, Kodi will ask you to restart to load changes. Click "Yes".
2. After restarting, Kodi will download your M3U playlist and EPG data. This may take 30–120 seconds for large channel lists.
3. Once loaded, your channels appear under:
   • TV (on the main menu bar) — Live channels
   • Radio (if your M3U includes radio streams)

Step 5: Navigate Channels in Kodi

Accessing Live TV

1. Click "TV" on the main Kodi menu.
2. Select "Channels" to see your full channel list.
3. Channels are organised by group (as defined in your M3U playlist).
4. Select a channel to begin watching.

Using the EPG Grid

1. Go to TV → Guide.
2. The EPG grid shows all channels and their current programmes.
3. Use your remote or keyboard arrow keys to navigate.
4. Press OK/Enter on any programme to watch the live channel or (if supported) access catch-up content.

Channel Groups and Favourites

Your M3U playlist organises channels into groups. Access these via:

• TV → Channels → select a group from the left panel

You can also add channels to favourites by pressing the C key (keyboard) or long-pressing the OK button (remote) on a channel and selecting "Add to favourites".

Improving Your Kodi IPTV Setup

Adjust Video Buffering Settings

Kodi's default buffer settings are minimal. Increasing the buffer reduces stuttering on live streams:

1. Navigate to your Kodi user data folder:
   • Windows: %APPDATA%\Kodi\userdata
   • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Kodi/userdata
   • Android/Fire TV: Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata
2. Create or edit the file advancedsettings.xml with:

<advancedsettings>
  <network>
    <buffermode>1</buffermode>
    <cachemembuffersize>104857600</cachemembuffersize>
  </network>
</advancedsettings>

This sets a 100MB memory buffer — significantly better for live streams than the default.

Use Input Stream Adaptive for Better Stream Handling

For providers that use adaptive bitrate streaming (HLS/DASH), enable the InputStream Adaptive addon:

1. Go to Add-ons → My Add-ons → VideoPlayer InputStream → InputStream Adaptive → Enable.

This addon allows Kodi to dynamically switch stream quality based on your available bandwidth.

Install the Catch-Up TV & More Addon

For time-shifted TV and official UK catch-up services alongside your IPTV channels:

1. Go to Add-ons → Install from repository → Kodi Add-on repository → Video Add-ons → Catch-Up TV & More → Install.

Troubleshooting Common Kodi IPTV Issues

Channels Not Loading After Configuration

• Ensure your M3U URL is correct and accessible — test it in a browser
• Check that the PVR IPTV Simple Client is enabled (Settings → Add-ons → My add-ons → PVR clients)
• Restart Kodi completely
• Wait 2–3 minutes after restarting for channel import to complete

EPG Not Showing Programme Data

• Verify your XMLTV EPG URL is correct
• Go to TV → Guide and wait — initial EPG download can take several minutes
• Ensure "EPG cache days" is set to at least 1 in the addon configuration
• Force refresh the EPG: Go to Settings → PVR & Live TV → Guide → Update now

Buffering on Kodi

• Increase the advancedsettings.xml buffer settings (see above)
• Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet
• In the player settings, try a different decoder (Settings → Player → Videos → Render method)
• See our complete IPTV buffering fix guide for more solutions

Kodi vs Dedicated IPTV Apps

Kodi is best for: Users who want to combine IPTV with local media files, Raspberry Pi users running LibreELEC/OSMC, and technically minded users who want maximum customisation.

Dedicated IPTV apps are better for: Users who want quick setup, a clean TV interface, Xtream Codes support, or catch-up TV functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kodi include IPTV channels by default? No. Kodi is a media centre application — it does not include any channels itself. You need to provide an M3U playlist from your own IPTV subscription and configure the PVR IPTV Simple Client addon.

Can Kodi use Xtream Codes IPTV credentials? Not directly via the PVR IPTV Simple Client — it only supports M3U URLs. However, most IPTV providers that use Xtream Codes also provide an M3U URL that you can use in Kodi. Ask your provider for your M3U URL.

Is Kodi better than TiviMate for IPTV? For IPTV specifically, TiviMate has a better EPG, cleaner interface, and easier setup than Kodi. Kodi's advantage is its ability to combine IPTV with local media and the breadth of available addons. Choose TiviMate for IPTV only; choose Kodi if you want an all-in-one media centre.

Does Kodi work on Fire TV Stick? Yes, via sideloading using the Downloader app. The process takes about 5 minutes. Performance is good on the 4K Max but can be slow on older Fire Stick models.

Can I record IPTV with Kodi? Yes, but it requires additional configuration. Kodi's PVR recording function works with the PVR IPTV Simple Client and requires you to specify a storage path for recordings. Recordings are saved as video files that can be played back from Kodi's library.