# IPTV, explained plainly

Short, honest answers to what people ask when they set up IPTV, from the team that makes Aina. Most of it is true of any good player, not only ours.

Updated 2026-10-02. By the Aina IPTV team. https://ainaiptv.com/guides/

## Getting started

- [What is IPTV?](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/what-is-iptv/): How television over the internet works, and what you need to watch it.
- [M3U or Xtream Codes?](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/m3u-vs-xtream-codes/): The two ways providers hand out a subscription, compared side by side.
- [Is IPTV legal?](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/is-iptv-legal/): The technology, the services and the player: where the line is drawn.
- [IPTV glossary](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/iptv-glossary/): M3U, M3U8, HLS, EPG, XMLTV, VOD, catch-up and the rest, in plain words.

## Setting up

- [How to add an M3U playlist](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/how-to-add-m3u-playlist/): From the link your provider sent to your first channel, step by step.
- [How to sign in with Xtream Codes](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/xtream-codes-login/): Server URL, username and password: what each one is, and the usual mistakes.
- [How to add a TV guide (EPG)](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/how-to-add-epg/): Where an XMLTV guide comes from, how to add one, and why it can look empty.
- [How to watch IPTV on your TV](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/watch-iptv-on-tv/): Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV or Chromecast: the ways to the big screen.

## When something goes wrong

- [How to fix IPTV buffering](https://ainaiptv.com/guides/fix-iptv-buffering/): Why streams freeze, how to tell whose fault it is, and what helps.

## About Aina

What the app does on each screen, and how it compares with what a player should be.

- [The best IPTV player](https://ainaiptv.com/best-iptv-player/): What separates a great IPTV player from the rest, and how Aina measures up.
- [Every feature](https://ainaiptv.com/features/): Live TV, the guide, films and series, the player, downloads and privacy, in full.
- [iPhone and iPad](https://ainaiptv.com/iphone-ipad/): Picture in Picture, Google Cast, and films downloaded for the flight.
- [Android phones and tablets](https://ainaiptv.com/android/): Every channel, film and series in your pocket, with downloads and Google Cast.
- [Apple TV](https://ainaiptv.com/apple-tv/): A full TV guide and every channel, driven by the Siri Remote alone.
- [Android TV and Google TV](https://ainaiptv.com/android-tv/): Made for the remote: a focus rail, ten-foot type and D-pad zapping.