Android is the most flexible platform for ViviMate. It runs on phones, tablets, TV boxes and many Smart TVs, and it supports some of the most capable IPTV players. The catch is that a player that's great on a TV box can be awkward on a phone, and the other way round. This guide helps you match the device to the right setup.
Phone, tablet or TV box?
| Device | Best suited player | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV box or Google TV device | TiviMate | Designed for a TV and a remote, with a full TV-style guide grid. |
| Android phone or tablet | IPTV Smarters | Touch-friendly layout that works well on smaller screens. |
| Android-based Smart TV | TiviMate or IPTV Smarters | Same as a TV box; see the Smart TV guide for TV settings. |
Both players are third-party apps made by independent developers, not ViviMate products. Amazon's Fire TV devices also run a version of Android, but they use a different app store. If that's your device, follow the dedicated ViviMate Firestick guide instead. Every other supported device is listed on the ViviMate compatible devices page.
Install the player from Google Play
- Open Google Play on the device you'll watch on.
- Search for the player by name and check the developer before installing.
- Open the app once it's installed and allow any permissions it needs to play video.
Some players, TiviMate included, offer extra features in a paid tier that you buy from the developer. That purchase is separate from your ViviMate subscription and is optional for basic viewing.
Add your ViviMate login
Choose Xtream Codes where the player offers it, then enter the server address, username and password from your setup message. On a TV box, a phone keyboard app or a USB keyboard makes typing long addresses much faster than the on-screen keyboard. If you have an M3U link instead, paste it into the player's playlist URL option. The M3U vs Xtream Codes guide explains which to use.
Tips for Android TV boxes
- Use a wired connection if the box has an Ethernet port. It's the most reliable option for live sport and 4K.
- Set the display resolution to match your TV in the box's display settings, so 4K streams are shown in 4K on a 4K TV.
- Keep storage free. Boxes with little storage slow down as the player's cache grows; clearing the cache from the app settings helps.
- Restart the box now and then to clear memory, especially on budget models.
Tips for Android phones and tablets
- Exclude the player from battery optimisation if playback stops when the screen turns off or the app is in the background.
- Watch your data on mobile networks; HD streaming uses a lot of data per hour.
- Try the other decoder in the player's settings (hardware or software) if a channel shows a black screen or stutters.
Get more from Android players
Android players tend to offer the richest guide and catch-up features. To go back to programmes that have already aired on supported channels, see the ViviMate catch-up guide. For a fuller comparison of the supported apps, read the ViviMate IPTV player guide.
Need help?
If the player won't log in or the channel list won't load, start with the ViviMate troubleshooting guide. For anything else, contact ViviMate support and say which Android device and player you're using.
