Kodi IPTV: How to Set Up PVR IPTV Simple Client (2026)

Kodi is a free, open-source media center for computers, Android TV, Fire TV and more, and it can play IPTV with the official PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on. You get live channels and a full TV guide inside Kodi’s interface. This guide covers how to install Kodi and the add-on, how to add your playlist and TV guide, and how to stay safe.

How IPTV works in Kodi

Kodi doesn’t play IPTV on its own. The official Kodi wiki describes PVR IPTV Simple Client as the PVR add-on that receives IPTV directly in Kodi, without separate backend software. It supports M3U playlists for live TV and radio, and XMLTV for the TV guide. You add your playlist link once, and your channels appear in Kodi’s TV section with a grid guide.

Kodi is a player, like the other apps in our best IPTV player guide: it doesn’t include channels. SubscribeIPTV isn’t affiliated with Kodi.

Install Kodi

• Windows, Mac and Linux: download Kodi from the official website, kodi.tv.
• Android TV, Google TV and Android phones: install Kodi from Google Play or from kodi.tv.
• Fire TV with Fire OS: use the Downloader app with the official Android download from kodi.tv. Vega OS Fire TV models can’t install it.

Install PVR IPTV Simple Client

The Kodi wiki recommends disabling any other PVR add-ons before you install this one. Then:

1. Open Settings > Add-ons > Install from repository.
2. Choose PVR clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client.
3. Select Install.

Add your playlist and TV guide

1. Go to Settings > Add-ons > My add-ons > PVR clients, choose PVR IPTV Simple Client and select Configure.
2. In the playlist settings, set the location to a remote path (internet address) and paste your M3U link.
3. In the EPG settings, paste your XMLTV guide link.
4. Select OK and restart Kodi so the channels and guide load.

Have an Xtream Codes login instead of an M3U link? Our Xtream Codes guide shows how to build both the M3U link (get.php) and the TV guide link (xmltv.php) from your server, username and password. Menu names can vary a little between Kodi versions.

Watch live TV in Kodi

Open TV from Kodi’s home menu. You’ll see your channel list, and the Guide view shows a grid of what’s on now and next, like a cable box. Channel groups from your playlist appear as separate lists, so you can jump straight to sports, news or movies.

Stay safe with Kodi

Kodi itself is safe and legal, but it’s often bundled into “builds” and third-party add-ons that stream unlicensed content. Those can carry malware, stop working without warning and expose you to legal risk. Install Kodi from kodi.tv or an official app store, use add-ons from the official repository, and pair it with a legitimate IPTV subscription.

Fix common problems

• No channels appear: check that the M3U link is complete and that your plan is active, then restart Kodi.
• The guide is empty or the times are wrong: check the XMLTV link, then use the add-on’s EPG time shift setting if programs are offset; our EPG guide explains how guide links work.
• Streams buffer: use Ethernet if you can and see our buffering fixes.
• Login errors: see our failed to authorize guide, which applies to any player.

Prefer a simpler app? TiviMate on Android TV or VLC on a computer are easier to set up. Need a login to try Kodi? Start a free 24-hour trial or see the plans for our IPTV service.

Kodi IPTV FAQ