How to Set Up IPTV on Kodi in 2026 (Complete PVR IPTV Simple Client Guide)

To set up IPTV on Kodi, install the free, built-in PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on, point it at your provider’s M3U playlist URL and XMLTV (EPG) URL, then enable Live TV — your channels and program guide load directly into Kodi’s native TV section within minutes. This guide covers the full process for Windows, Android, Fire TV, and Linux, plus the Xtream Codes workaround, catchup/timeshift setup, and fixes for the most common configuration errors.

Kodi is free, open-source software available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Xbox, which is why it remains one of the most widely used IPTV players in 2026. Unlike dedicated IPTV apps, Kodi treats your channels as a genuine PVR (Personal Video Recorder) source — meaning you get a real program guide, channel groups, and recording-style controls rather than a bare channel list. This guide covers the general PVR IPTV Simple Client method using an M3U/Xtream playlist and EPG link. If your provider only issues a portal URL, MAC address, and STB device details instead of an M3U link, follow our separate Stalker/Ministra client guide instead — that is a different protocol and add-on.

What You Need Before You Start

• A working IPTV subscription with an M3U playlist URL (or Xtream Codes login details) and an XMLTV/EPG URL. If you don’t have one yet, start a free RevoIPTV trial to generate both instantly from your dashboard.
• Kodi 20 (Nexus) or newer installed — Kodi 21 (Omega) and later are recommended in 2026 for improved PVR stability and HEVC/H.265 decoding.
• A stable internet connection; wired Ethernet is strongly preferred over Wi-Fi for HD/4K channels.

Step-by-Step: Install and Configure PVR IPTV Simple Client

Phase 1 — Install the Add-on

1. Download Kodi for your device from kodi.tv/download and complete the installer.
2. Open Kodi, go to Settings (gear icon) → Add-ons → Install from repository.
3. Select Kodi Add-on Repository → PVR clients → PVR IPTV Simple Client.
4. Click Install. Kodi may prompt to install a dependency — accept it.
5. Once installed, go back to My add-ons → PVR clients, open PVR IPTV Simple Client, and select Configure.

Phase 2 — Add Your M3U Playlist and EPG

6. On the General tab, set Location to Remote Path (Internet Address), then paste your M3U Playlist URL into the field provided.
7. Switch to the EPG Settings tab, set Location to Remote, and paste your XMLTV URL. Enable Cache EPG in memory for faster guide loading on future launches.
8. Click OK to save, then toggle the add-on to Enabled from the PVR clients list.
9. Go to Settings → Player settings → PVR & Live TV and confirm Live TV is switched on (Kodi enables it automatically the first time a PVR client is activated).
10. Return to the Kodi home screen, open TV → Channels, and wait for the initial channel scan and guide sync to finish.

Once the scan completes, your channels appear under TV with a scrollable EPG grid comparable to a standard cable guide — select any channel to start streaming immediately.

Using Xtream Codes Credentials Instead of an M3U Link

PVR IPTV Simple Client does not have a native Xtream Codes API login screen — it only accepts M3U and XMLTV URLs. If your provider gave you an Xtream Codes server, username, and password rather than a direct M3U link, generate a compatible M3U URL using this format and paste it into the M3U Playlist URL field exactly as with a standard link:

http://server:port/get.php?username=YOUR_USERNAME&password=YOUR_PASSWORD&type=m3u_plus&output=ts

RevoIPTV dashboards provide the ready-made M3U link directly, so most subscribers never need to build this URL manually. Full field-by-field documentation for the add-on is maintained on the official Kodi Wiki.

Enabling Catchup and Timeshift (Watch Past Programs)

Recent versions of PVR IPTV Simple Client support catchup (archive) playback and timeshift, letting you rewind live channels or replay shows from the EPG if your provider’s playlist includes catchup tags. In the add-on’s General tab, set Override catchup mode for all channels if your M3U doesn’t already flag catchup-enabled channels, and use Catchup correction to fix a mistimed archive if replays appear offset by a few hours (usually a timezone mismatch). Timeshift on live streams requires the inputstream.ffmpegdirect add-on, which buffers from the moment you started watching so you can pause and rewind, though it cannot seek before that point. The add-on’s source and changelog are published on its GitHub repository.

PVR IPTV Simple Client vs. Other Kodi IPTV Methods

Tips for the Best Streaming Experience

• Restart Kodi after the first setup if channels don’t appear right away — this clears any initial caching delay.
• Keep your M3U URL private. It functions like a password; sharing it can trigger simultaneous-connection limits or account suspension.
• Use wired Ethernet for HD and 4K streams whenever possible to avoid Wi-Fi-related buffering.
• Disable 'Adjust display refresh rate' in Player settings if you notice stuttering on channel changes.
• You can control Kodi remotely from your phone using the official Kodi remote app instead of a physical remote or keyboard.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• No channels loading: Paste the M3U URL into a browser first — it should download or display a file starting with #EXTM3U. If it returns an error page, the link has expired or was copied incorrectly.
• EPG shows no program data: This is almost always a mismatch between the tvg-id values in your M3U and the channel IDs in your XMLTV file. Confirm both URLs with your provider, then force a guide update from the TV Guide context menu.
• Buffering or freezing: Switch to wired Ethernet, lower stream quality in your provider dashboard, or check that no other device is saturating your bandwidth.
• Add-on not listed under Download: PVR IPTV Simple Client lives under Install from repository → PVR clients, not the general add-on browser — it ships with Kodi and needs no external repository.
• Channels loaded but guide is empty after 10+ minutes: Delete and re-add the EPG URL, then restart Kodi; a corrupted local EPG cache is a common cause.

Looking for a different device? Our IPTV tutorials hub covers Firestick, Smart TV, and installing Kodi on Fire TV specifically. If your box uses Kodi purely as a launcher, see our guide to Kodi add-ons to understand how PVR clients differ from video add-ons. For app-by-app comparisons, browse the full IPTV applications guide, and check subscription pricing or our reseller packages if you’re setting up multiple devices.

FAQ

Is IPTV on Kodi free?

Yes, Kodi and the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on are both completely free and open-source. You still need a paid IPTV subscription to obtain a working M3U playlist and EPG URL — the add-on itself has no channels built in.

Which Kodi version works best for IPTV in 2026?

Kodi 21 (Omega) or newer is recommended. It includes a more stable PVR manager, better EPG rendering performance, and native H.265/HEVC decoding for HD and 4K IPTV streams.

Can I use Xtream Codes login details instead of an M3U link?

Yes, but not directly — PVR IPTV Simple Client has no dedicated Xtream Codes login screen. Convert your Xtream server, username, and password into an M3U-formatted URL (see the Xtream Codes section above) and paste that into the M3U Playlist URL field.

Can I watch IPTV on Kodi without a computer?

Yes. Kodi runs natively on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV boxes, Raspberry Pi, and Apple TV via sideloading — no PC required. Follow the same PVR IPTV Simple Client steps on any of these devices.

Why does my EPG show no program data?

The most common cause is a mismatched or missing XMLTV URL, or tvg-id values in the M3U that don’t match the XMLTV channel IDs. Re-confirm both URLs with your provider and force a guide refresh from the context menu.

Does PVR IPTV Simple Client support catchup or rewinding live TV?

Yes, if your provider’s playlist includes catchup tags, you can enable archive playback and timeshift in the add-on’s General settings, though live timeshift requires the separate inputstream.ffmpegdirect add-on.

Can I use RevoIPTV with Kodi?

Yes. RevoIPTV provides both an M3U playlist URL and an EPG/XMLTV URL from your subscriber dashboard — exactly what the PVR IPTV Simple Client requires. Start a free trial to get your credentials and follow the steps above.