The Kodi IPTV Simple Client (officially “PVR IPTV Simple Client”) is a free add-on from Kodi’s official repository that turns Kodi into a live TV player. You install it from Add-ons, paste your M3U playlist URL in its General settings, add your XMLTV guide link in the EPG settings, and your channels appear in Kodi’s TV section with a full program guide. This guide walks through each step on Kodi 21 “Omega,” the current stable release at the time of writing.
The add-on is a player only. It contains no channels and simply reads the M3U and XMLTV links you give it from a service you subscribe to.
What is the PVR IPTV Simple Client?
Kodi uses “PVR client” add-ons to connect to live TV sources. Most are made for a specific TV server or tuner. The IPTV Simple Client is the general-purpose one: according to the Kodi wiki, it takes an M3U playlist as the stream source and XMLTV as the guide source, and supports both multicast and unicast streams, radio channels and EPG.
It is different from the many third-party “IPTV add-ons” you may see promoted for Kodi, which often come from unofficial repositories. Stick to the official Kodi repository. If you are curious about the wider add-on scene, our guide to Kodi IPTV add-ons explains what to watch out for.
Before you start
- Kodi installed from kodi.tv or your device’s official store. Kodi runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (including Android TV) and more.
- An M3U URL from your provider, such as http://line.example.com/get.php?username=USER&password=PASS&type=m3u_plus.
- An XMLTV (EPG) URL, such as http://line.example.com/xmltv.php?username=USER&password=PASS.
- If you already use another PVR add-on, the Kodi wiki recommends disabling other PVR add-ons before installing this one.
On Linux, the add-on may be packaged separately by your distribution; the Kodi wiki points Ubuntu users to its PVR add-on page.
Step 1: Install the add-on
- Open Kodi and select the gear icon to open Settings.
- Go to Add-ons, then Install from repository.
- Open PVR clients and select PVR IPTV Simple Client.
- Select Install and wait for the confirmation.
If you do not see Install from repository, make sure you are using the official Kodi build rather than a modified “pre-loaded” version.
Step 2: Add your M3U playlist
- Go to Settings, then Add-ons, then My add-ons, then PVR clients.
- Select PVR IPTV Simple Client and choose Configure.
- In the General section, set Location to Remote path (Internet address).
- Select M3U play list URL and paste your link.
- Leave the option to cache the M3U locally on if your provider’s server is slow, so Kodi starts faster.
- Select OK to save.
If you have a playlist file on your device instead, set Location to Local path and browse to the file.
Step 3: Add the TV guide (XMLTV)
- In the same configuration screen, open the EPG section.
- Set Location to Remote path and paste your XMLTV URL.
- If times appear shifted, adjust the EPG time shift setting by the number of hours needed.
- Select OK. Kodi will ask to restart the add-on or will reload automatically.
Kodi matches guide data to channels using the tvg-id in the playlist. If a channel has no tvg-id, the add-on falls back to tvg-name. Missing or mismatched IDs are the most common reason only part of the guide fills in.
Step 4: Open Live TV
Go back to Kodi’s home screen and choose TV. You will find Channels, Guide, Recordings and Search. The first load can take a few minutes on a large playlist while Kodi imports channels and guide data.
Optional settings worth knowing
| Setting area | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Groups | Load only selected channel groups | Large playlists that slow Kodi down |
| Channel logos | Use logos from a folder or base URL | When your M3U has no tvg-logo values |
| Catchup | Enable catch-up and set the window in days | Only if your provider supports catch-up |
| Timeshift | Pause and rewind live TV | Devices with enough storage |
| Add add-on configuration | Add a second playlist and guide pair | Kodi 20 or later, more than one source |
The add-on’s settings use levels (Basic, Standard, Advanced, Expert). If you cannot find an option, raise the settings level at the bottom left of the Settings screen.
Catch-up supports several provider formats, including an Xtream codes mode, but it only works when your service actually stores past programs.
Fixing common problems
No channels appear
Open the M3U URL in a web browser. If it does not download or show text starting with #EXTM3U, the link or account is the problem. If it does, disable and re-enable the add-on under My add-ons, or clear data from Settings, then PVR and Live TV, then General, then Clear data.
Guide is empty or partial
Check the XMLTV link the same way in a browser, then check that tvg-id values in your playlist match the channel IDs in the guide. Our M3U playlist explained guide shows how to read and fix these tags.
Streams buffer
Kodi itself rarely causes buffering. Test the same channel in VLC; if it also buffers, see our IPTV connection troubleshooting guide.
Is Kodi the right IPTV player for you?
Kodi with the Simple Client is free, open source and very configurable, which makes it a great choice for a PC, a home theater computer or an Android TV box you like to tweak. It takes longer to set up than TiviMate or iMPlayer, and the guide feels less polished on a remote. For the family TV, a dedicated player is often easier.
Whichever player you choose, you need a service with an M3U and XMLTV link. Our plan, IPTV Journal, costs $89 for 12 months and provides both. You can see the plan details here. IPTV as a technology is legal; make sure any service you load into Kodi holds the rights to its channels.
FAQ
Is the Kodi IPTV Simple Client free?
Yes. The PVR IPTV Simple Client is free and open source, and it is available from Kodi’s official add-on repository. You only pay for the IPTV service you load into it, if any.
Does the IPTV Simple Client support Xtream Codes logins?
It does not have an Xtream login screen. It reads M3U playlists and XMLTV guides, so ask your provider for the M3U and EPG links for your account. Its catch-up settings do include an Xtream codes mode.
Can I add more than one playlist?
Yes, on Kodi 20 or later. Open the add-on, choose Add add-on configuration, and set up a second M3U and XMLTV pair. Each configuration appears as its own source in Live TV.
Why does Kodi say the PVR manager is starting and then nothing loads?
Usually the M3U URL is wrong, the account has expired or the playlist is very large. Check the URL in a browser, then try loading fewer groups from the Groups settings.
Can I record live TV with the IPTV Simple Client?
The add-on supports timeshift and catch-up, but it is not a scheduled recording backend. For scheduled recordings, Kodi users typically pair it with separate TV server software or choose a player that lists recording as a feature.
Author
Get IPTV Journal: 12 months for $89
20,000+ live channels, sports, PPV, movies and series on every device.
