Best IPTV Apps for Android TV (2026 In-Depth Guide)

Alex · IPTV Specialist Updated: February 25, 2026 12 min read 38,200+ views

NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, Sony Bravia – we tested 15+ IPTV players to find the smoothest EPG, best 4K playback, and user-friendly interfaces. Your perfect Android TV app awaits.

Quick take

🏆 TiviMate is the best overall for live TV with a gorgeous guide. IPTV Smarters Pro is easiest for beginners. Perfect Player is lightweight for old boxes. IMPlayer offers built-in Real‑Debrid. All tested on Android TV 12 and 14.

Why Android TV is the best IPTV platform

Android TV (including Google TV) runs on millions of devices: NVIDIA Shield, Philips, Sony, Xiaomi, and affordable TV boxes. Unlike Firestick, Android TV has the Play Store, better hardware decoding, and supports advanced audio (Dolby Atmos) and frame rate matching. With the right IPTV app, you get a seamless cable‑like experience.

Top 5 IPTV apps for Android TV (compared)

TiviMate

Editor's choice

Best EPG, multiple playlists, recording option. Premium ~$5/yr.

IPTV Smarters

User friendly

Xtream & M3U, parental lock, built-in player. Free.

IMPlayer

Debrid + Trakt

Real‑Debrid, Trakt, nice modern UI. Free/paid.

Perfect Player

Lightweight

Highly customizable, fast on 1GB RAM boxes. Free.

Detailed comparison table

App	M3U/Xtream	EPG quality	Recording	Multi-screen	Price
TiviMate	Both	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐	(premium)	4	Free / $5/yr
IPTV Smarters Pro	Both	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐		4	Free
IMPlayer	Both	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐	(premium)	4	Free / $10 one-time
Perfect Player	M3U only	⭐ ⭐ ⭐			Free
Kodi + IPTV Client	Add-ons	⭐ ⭐ ⭐			Free

How to install IPTV apps on Android TV (two methods)

From Google Play Store (easiest)

On your Android TV home, open Play Store, search for the app (e.g., “TiviMate” or “IPTV Smarters”) and install. This is the safest method.

Sideload APK (if app not in your region)

Enable “Unknown sources” (Settings → Security → Unknown sources). Install “Downloader” from Play Store. Open Downloader and enter the APK URL (e.g., from the official site). Download and install.

Always download from official sources to avoid malware.

Setting up your IPTV subscription

Most apps support both Xtream Codes API (server + username + password) and M3U URL. Open the app, select “Add playlist”, choose your method, paste credentials. Wait for channels to load. For EPG, make sure the provider supplies an XMLTV url; many apps auto‑configure it.

Deep dive: TiviMate – the gold standard

TiviMate offers a TV‑guide similar to cable: channel groups, catch‑up, recent channels, and an excellent EPG. Premium unlocks recording, multiple playlists, and more. It’s a must‑try for Android TV power users. Tip: install TiviMate Companion on your phone to send playlists easily.

Best apps for low‑end devices (1GB RAM)

If your TV box has 1GB RAM, avoid heavy apps like IMPlayer. Use Perfect Player or OTT Navigator – both are light and fast. Disable animations in developer options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IPTV app works best with NVIDIA Shield?

TiviMate is the top choice. It takes advantage of the Shield’s performance and supports frame rate switching.

Can I get free IPTV on Android TV?

You can add free M3U playlists, but they are often unstable. We recommend a premium service like StarShare for reliability.

Do I need a VPN for IPTV on Android TV?

Not mandatory, but highly recommended to avoid ISP throttling. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have Android TV apps.

Can I record IPTV on Android TV?

Yes, TiviMate (premium) allows recording to USB or network storage. IMPlayer also supports recording.

Which app supports Dolby Atmos / 5.1?

Most apps passthrough audio if your device supports it. TiviMate and IMPlayer work well with surround sound.

Get a premium IPTV service optimized for Android TV

StarShare IPTV works flawlessly with TiviMate, Smarters, and all players. 12,000+ FHD/4K channels, 60,000 VOD. Try our 24h free trial.

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Pro tip: For the best Android TV experience, set your IPTV app to “Auto frame rate” (if available) to match 24/25/50 fps and eliminate judder.

— This guide was last updated February 2026 by the StarShare IPTV team. We personally test every app on multiple Android TV devices.