Kodi IPTV Setup GuidePVR IPTV Simple Client 2025
Learn how to set up IPTV on Kodi using the PVR IPTV Simple Client. Complete guide for all devices including Firestick, Android, Windows, and more.
Why Use Kodi for IPTV?
Free & Open Source
Kodi is completely free with no subscriptions or hidden fees. Fully open-source and community-driven.
Works Everywhere
Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Firestick, Raspberry Pi, and more.
Full EPG Support
Complete Electronic Program Guide integration with customizable views and schedules.
Recording Capable
Record live TV directly to your device storage (with supported backends).
Highly Customizable
Thousands of skins, add-ons, and settings to personalize your experience.
Media Center
Not just IPTV - manage local movies, music, photos, and streaming services.
Step 1: Install Kodi & PVR Client
Install Kodi and the PVR IPTV Simple Client add-on
Download Kodi
Visit kodi.tv and download Kodi for your device. For Firestick, search 'Kodi' in Amazon App Store or sideload from kodi.tv.
Install Kodi
Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. Default settings work fine for most users. Launch Kodi after installation.
Navigate to Add-ons
From Kodi home screen, go to Add-ons (puzzle piece icon in left menu). This is where we'll install the IPTV client.
Open Add-on Browser
Click 'Download' (or 'Install from repository' depending on Kodi version). This opens the official Kodi add-on repository.
Find PVR Clients
Scroll down and select 'PVR clients'. This category contains all live TV add-ons including IPTV clients.
Install PVR IPTV Simple Client
Find and select 'PVR IPTV Simple Client'. Click 'Install'. Wait for the add-on to download and install.
Configure the Client
After installation, click 'Configure' (or find it in Add-ons > My Add-ons > PVR Clients). Now we add your IPTV details.
Step 2: Configure IPTV Settings
Add your VIP TV UK M3U playlist and EPG
General Settings
In PVR IPTV Simple Client settings, go to 'General' tab. Set 'Location' to 'Remote Path (Internet address)' for M3U URL.
Add M3U URL
In 'M3U playlist URL' field, paste your VIP TV UK M3U URL from your welcome email. This contains your channel list.
Configure EPG
Go to 'EPG Settings' tab. Set 'XMLTV URL' to remote path. Paste your EPG URL from welcome email.
Set EPG Timeshift
Set 'EPG time shift' to 0.0 for UK timezone. Adjust if your EPG times appear wrong.
Channel Logos (Optional)
In 'Channel Logos' tab, you can add a URL for channel icons if provided. This adds logos to your channel list.
Save and Enable
Click OK to save settings. Go to Add-ons > My Add-ons > PVR Clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client > Enable.
Restart Kodi
Restart Kodi for changes to take effect. Upon restart, channels will load. Find them under 'TV' in the main menu.
Recommended Kodi Skins for IPTV
Estuary (Default)
Clean, modern skin that comes with Kodi. Good performance, familiar layout.
Best for: New users, low-powered devices
Arctic Horizon
Beautiful, Netflix-style interface with smooth animations and customization.
Best for: Modern look, powerful devices
Aeon Nox
Feature-rich with extensive customization. Popular long-running skin.
Best for: Power users who want control
Confluence
Classic Kodi skin, lightweight and efficient. Familiar to long-time users.
Best for: Nostalgic users, older devices
Advanced Performance Settings
Cache Size
advancedsettings.xml
<buffermode>1</buffermode> <memorysize>157286400</memorysize>Increases buffer to 150MB for smoother streaming
Read Buffer Factor
advancedsettings.xml
<readbufferfactor>5</readbufferfactor>Allows faster buffering (5x normal rate)
Hardware Acceleration
Settings > Player > Videos
Enable HW accelerationUses GPU for video decoding (smoother playback)
Troubleshooting
⚠️ PVR IPTV Simple Client not in repository
Solution: Make sure you're using Kodi 19 (Matrix) or newer. Older versions use different PVR clients. Update Kodi from kodi.tv.
⚠️ Channels not loading
Solution: Verify M3U URL is correct. Check internet connection. Try loading M3U URL in a web browser to test. Restart Kodi after configuration.
⚠️ EPG not showing
Solution: EPG takes time to load (10-30 minutes for first sync). Verify EPG URL is correct. Check EPG timeshift is 0 for UK. Force EPG refresh in settings.
⚠️ Buffering during playback
Solution: Increase Kodi cache: advancedsettings.xml with larger buffer size. Use wired connection. Lower stream quality if available.
⚠️ No sound on channels
Solution: Check Kodi audio settings: System > Audio. Try passthrough off. Some channels have multiple audio tracks - switch in playback settings.
⚠️ Kodi crashes when loading TV
Solution: Large playlists can cause issues. Clear cache: delete 'Textures13.db' in Kodi userdata. Reduce playlist size if possible. Update Kodi.
⚠️ 'TV' menu not appearing
Solution: Enable PVR in Settings > Interface > Skin > Configure Skin > Main Menu Items > TV. Also ensure PVR client is enabled in Add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kodi legal for IPTV?
Kodi itself is completely legal - it's just a media player. The legality depends on the content you watch. VIP TV UK provides access to content through our IPTV service. Using Kodi as your player is simply a personal choice.
Kodi vs dedicated IPTV apps - which is better?
Dedicated apps (TiviMate, Smarters) are generally easier to use and better optimized for IPTV. Kodi is more versatile (handles local media, multiple sources) but has a steeper learning curve. For pure IPTV, dedicated apps are usually better.
Can I use Xtream Codes with Kodi?
PVR IPTV Simple Client uses M3U URLs, not Xtream Codes directly. However, you can usually get an M3U URL from your Xtream Codes credentials: http://server:port/get.php?username=XXX&password=XXX&type=m3u_plus
Why is Kodi slow with IPTV?
Kodi wasn't designed primarily for IPTV, so it can be slower than dedicated apps. Solutions: increase cache size, use wired connection, try a lighter skin, disable unnecessary add-ons, use a more powerful device.
How do I update channel list in Kodi?
Go to Add-ons > My Add-ons > PVR Clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client > Settings. You can force a playlist refresh, or set automatic update intervals.
Can I record IPTV in Kodi?
PVR IPTV Simple Client doesn't support direct recording. For recording, you'd need a backend like TVHeadend. Alternatively, use an IPTV app that supports recording like TiviMate.
Which Kodi version should I use?
Use the latest stable version (Kodi 21 'Omega' as of 2024, or Kodi 20 'Nexus'). Older versions may have compatibility issues with newer add-ons and streams.
How do I install Kodi on Firestick?
Kodi is available in Amazon App Store - just search 'Kodi' and install. If not available in your region, enable 'Apps from Unknown Sources' in Firestick settings and sideload using Downloader app.
Ready to Use Kodi for IPTV?
Get your VIP TV UK subscription and start streaming on Kodi today.