Last updated: November 10, 2026. Disclosure: Mayolia and eKoPlayer have the same owner. We recommend it where it fits and say where other options are better.
The best IPTV player for Android TV and Google TV is TiviMate if you want recording and a classic channel-guide layout, and eKoPlayer if you want a no-account app with a one-time or one-year price. iMPlayer, Televizo and XCIPTV are free-to-start alternatives, and Kodi suits people who like add-ons. All of them install from Google Play on most Android TV and Google TV devices.
These are players only. They contain no channels, so you add a playlist (M3U) or an Xtream Codes login from a source you’re authorised to use. If that’s new to you, read what IPTV is first.
Which IPTV player should you pick for Android TV?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want recording and a guide grid | TiviMate | Its Play listing names TV guide, catch-up, recording and multi-view |
| You want no account and a flat price | eKoPlayer | 7-day trial, then $5 for a year or $10 once, per device |
| You want to try something free first | Televizo, XCIPTV or iMPlayer | Free to install, with ads or a premium upgrade |
| You want a media centre plus IPTV | Kodi | IPTV through the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on |
| Your TV also runs Fire OS or Samsung Tizen OS | eKoPlayer | One app family across Android TV, Fire TV and Samsung 2021+ sets |
How did we pick these players?
We haven’t run lab tests, and we won’t make up scores. The picks come from each app’s official Google Play listing and developer site, checked on November 10, 2026, plus common user reports on forums.
On a TV, three things decide the experience: the app has to be built for a remote (D-pad), the guide has to be readable from the couch, and switching channels has to be quick. Touch-first apps tend to fail the first test.
Which devices count as Android TV or Google TV?
Android TV is Google’s TV operating system. Google TV is the newer interface that runs on top of it. Players built for one work on the other.
- Chromecast with Google TV and the Google TV Streamer
- Onn 4K streaming devices (Walmart’s own brand)
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Smart TVs from Sony, TCL and Hisense that run Google TV or Android TV
- Many Android TV boxes from other makers
Our setup guides cover IPTV on Google TV, IPTV on Nvidia Shield and IPTV on an Android TV box. Amazon Fire TV is a different system, covered in the best IPTV app for Firestick guide.
How do the best Android TV IPTV players compare?
| Player | On Android TV / Google TV | Price model | Guide / catch-up / recording | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TiviMate | Yes (Armobsoft FZE; also Fire TV) | Free with in-app Premium | Listing names TV guide, catch-up, recording, multi-view | Its Play listing was reported missing in July 2026 and was listed again in November; App Store apps with its name are clones |
| eKoPlayer | Yes (Google Play) | 7-day trial, then $5 per year or $10 once, per device | XMLTV guide, catch-up where the source supports it; no recording | One licence per device |
| iMPlayer | Yes (separate TV listing) | Free with premium upgrade | Check the listing | Install the TV listing, not the mobile one |
| Televizo | Yes | Free with ads and in-app purchases | Check the listing | Reported as removed in March 2026, since listed again |
| XCIPTV | Yes | Free with ads and in-app purchases | Check the listing | Many provider-branded copies |
| Kodi | Yes | Free, open source | Guide via PVR add-on | Longest setup |
What does each Android TV IPTV player do best?
TiviMate
Best for: people who want recording and a traditional guide layout.
Pros: Its Google Play listing names a TV guide, catch-up, recording and multi-view. It’s made for TV screens and remotes and has a long track record among cord-cutters.
Cons: Android TV and Fire TV only: there’s no iOS, Apple TV, Samsung or LG app. If you see a TiviMate-named app in the App Store, it’s a clone. Its Play listing disappeared for a while in July 2026, which is a reminder not to depend on one app. Details in our TiviMate alternative page and TiviMate not working fixes.
Price model: Free with in-app Premium.
eKoPlayer
Best for: households that use several kinds of TV and want one app everywhere, without an account.
Pros: M3U, M3U8 and Xtream Codes, multiple playlists, XMLTV guide with a whole-hour time-shift for guides that run early or late, catch-up where your source supports it, favourites, search, subtitle and audio-track selection, a parental lock, and multiscreen on devices that support it. It’s designed for the D-pad remote. There’s no email or sign-up, and it ships empty.
Cons: No recording or DVR. One licence per device. We own it, so read our eKoPlayer review with that in mind. If recording matters to you, TiviMate is the better fit.
Price model: 7-day free trial that starts by itself, then $5 for one year (no auto-renewal) or $10 once, per device. Google Play installs activate in the app through the store.
iMPlayer
Best for: trying a free app with an upgrade path.
Pros: By HzApps, with a dedicated TV listing on Google Play.
Cons: The premium upgrade is where extra features sit. Check the current listing before you assume what’s free.
Price model: Free with a premium upgrade.
Televizo
Best for: a free app that also runs on Fire TV.
Pros: Free on Google Play for Android, Android TV and Fire TV.
Cons: Ads and in-app purchases. A March 2026 report listed it among apps removed from stores; it’s available again.
Price model: Free with ads and in-app purchases.
XCIPTV
Best for: people who want a free option across phone, tablet, Android TV and Fire TV.
Pros: By OTTRUN. Free to try.
Cons: Ads and in-app purchases. Provider-branded copies are everywhere, so check the developer name. Related reading: XCIPTV alternative.
Price model: Free with ads and in-app purchases.
Kodi
Best for: people who want a media centre that also does live TV.
Pros: Free and open source from the Kodi Foundation. IPTV works through the official PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on.
Cons: More setup than a dedicated IPTV app. See our Kodi IPTV alternative page if it’s too much.
Price model: Free.
How do you install eKoPlayer on Android TV or Google TV?
- On the TV’s home screen, open the Google Play Store (on Google TV, use Apps, then search).
- Search for “eKoPlayer: IPTV Player & M3U” and select Install. You can also check the Google Play listing.
- Open the app. The 7-day free trial starts automatically.
- Add your playlist: an M3U URL, or the Xtream Codes server URL, username and password.
- Add an XMLTV guide URL if your source provides one.
- When the trial ends, buy the licence inside the app. It’s for that TV only.
Typing on a TV remote is slow. Many people enter long URLs using the Google TV phone app’s keyboard or a USB keyboard instead.
Should you use Google Play or sideload on Android TV?
Use Google Play whenever the app is there. You get automatic updates and you avoid files of unknown origin. TiviMate, eKoPlayer, iMPlayer, Televizo, XCIPTV and Kodi are all reachable that way, though Kodi’s official site also offers downloads.
Sideloading is a fallback for devices without Google Play or when a listing disappears. If you do it, download only from the developer’s own site. eKoPlayer’s direct APK is at ekoplayer.com/ekoplayer.apk, and the download page lists the options. Never use APK mirror sites or “premium unlocked” versions: they are a standard way to pick up malware, and some can quietly steal your playlist logins.
What Android TV tips are worth knowing?
Audio problems. Some TVs and sticks can’t decode certain audio formats such as AC3, E-AC3 or DTS in some apps. Switch the audio track in the player, try another player, or change the device’s audio output (for example PCM/stereo instead of Dolby Digital passthrough). More in IPTV no sound.
Guide issues. If programme times are wrong, check the XMLTV URL and use a time-shift in whole hours. See IPTV EPG not working.
Buffering. Wired Ethernet beats Wi-Fi for live streams. Try our buffering fix list.
Storage. Cheap sticks run out of space fast. Clear cache for apps you don’t use.
Many playlists? Learn the difference between the login types in Xtream Codes vs M3U.
What should you avoid?
- APKs from mirror sites, “free M3U lists” and cracked premium versions.
- Apps copying a famous name. Check the publisher on the Play listing.
- IPTV Smarters Pro: its official availability is unclear. A March 2026 report listed it among about 36 IPTV apps removed from stores. See IPTV Smarters alternative.
- Perfect Player and OTT Navigator: we couldn’t find original Google Play listings in November 2026.
If you’d rather not manage playlists, licensed US services such as Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Philo use their own apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is TiviMate still the best for Android TV?
It’s still a strong choice if you want recording, but it isn’t the only one. Its Play listing vanished for a time in July 2026, so keep an alternative handy.
Does eKoPlayer work on Google TV?
Yes. It installs from Google Play on Android TV and Google TV.
Can I record with eKoPlayer?
No. It has no recording or DVR.
Do I need an account?
Not for eKoPlayer. It has no sign-up or email requirement. Other apps differ, so check each listing.
Which is best on Nvidia Shield?
Any of the players above run on it. See IPTV on Nvidia Shield for setup.