IPTV on Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV: a setup guide

Streaming sticks and boxes are the easiest way to add IPTV to almost any television. They plug into an HDMI port, bring a modern app store with them and often handle video better than the smart TV they’re attached to. Getting 4K Media TV running on one is usually a ten-minute job.

This guide covers Android TV, Google TV and Amazon Fire TV. The three are closely related, but their menus and app stores differ, so each step notes where they part ways.

Which platform are you using?

All three are built on Android, but they look and behave differently.

Android TV is Google’s original TV platform, found on many televisions and set-top boxes. Apps come from the Google Play Store.

Google TV is the newer interface built on top of Android TV, with more emphasis on recommendations. Apps still come from the Google Play Store. Many recent TVs use it, as do Google’s own streaming devices.

Fire TV is Amazon’s platform, used on its Fire TV sticks and boxes and on some televisions. Apps come from the Amazon Appstore rather than Google Play.

If you’re not sure which one you have, the About screen in the device’s settings shows the platform and software version. On Google TV it’s under Settings > System > About, and on Fire TV under Settings > My Fire TV > About.

Check your hardware first

Confirm what your device can do before you install anything, especially if 4K is the goal.

HD or 4K model. Many streaming sticks are sold in an HD version and a 4K version that look almost identical. Amazon, for instance, has sold Fire TV Stick models with and without 4K support. The model name on the box or in the About screen will settle it. An HD-only stick can’t show a 4K picture, and may struggle to play 4K streams at all.

HEVC decoding. 4K streams are usually compressed with HEVC, also called H.265. The 4K models from the main platforms generally support it, but older or lesser-known boxes may not, so check the specifications. Our compatible devices page gives a broader overview.

Output resolution. Once the device is plugged in, open its display settings. If the resolution won’t go above 1080p on a 4K TV, the device is probably connected to an HDMI port that doesn’t support 4K and HDCP 2.2. Moving it to a port labelled 4K or UHD usually sorts it out.

Power supply. Use the power adapter supplied with the stick rather than a USB port on the TV, which may not deliver enough power for stable playback.

Installing the player app

Your access email from 4K Media IPTV names the app recommended for your device. Install it from the official store only.

On Android TV and Google TV

1. From the home screen, open the Google Play Store. On Google TV you can also go to the Apps tab or use the search function.
2. Search for the recommended app by name, using the on-screen keyboard or the voice button on your remote.
3. Select the app and choose Install.
4. When it’s done, choose Open, or find the app later in your apps list.

On Fire TV

1. From the home screen, select Find, shown as a magnifying glass, or open the Appstore.
2. Search for the recommended app by name. Voice search through the remote’s microphone button works well here.
3. Select the app and choose Get or Download.
4. When it’s finished, choose Open. You can usually move the app to the front of your apps row so it’s always within reach.

If the recommended app isn’t available in your device’s store, contact our support team for advice rather than installing it from anywhere else.

Typing your access details without losing patience

Your details will be either a playlist link in M3U format or a server address with a username and password. Every character has to be exact, and a directional pad is a clumsy tool for long web addresses. Three tricks help.

1. Use your phone as a keyboard. The official remote apps for Google’s and Amazon’s platforms let you type on your phone once it’s on the same Wi-Fi network as the streaming device. You can usually paste text copied from your access email, which rules out typos altogether.
2. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard. Many devices accept one through the remotes and accessories, or Bluetooth devices, section of their settings.
3. Keep voice input for searching. It’s handy for finding apps but often mangles passwords that mix letters and numbers.

After you sign in, the app loads the channel list first and then the electronic programme guide. Give it a few minutes on the first run before deciding anything is wrong.

Get a wired connection if you can

Wi-Fi on a small stick tucked behind a TV is rarely at its best. The antenna is tiny, it’s surrounded by metal and cables, and the router may be several rooms away.

Most sticks have no Ethernet port, but you can add one. Both Amazon and Google sell Ethernet adapters for their streaming devices, and compatible third-party adapters are easy to find. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying. A wired link is the most reliable way to keep a 4K stream steady.

If a cable isn’t practical, connect to your router’s 5 GHz Wi-Fi band. Many sticks come with a short HDMI extender in the box, and using it to move the stick a few centimetres away from the back of the TV can improve reception. Not sure your connection is quick enough in the first place? Our guide to internet speed for 4K streaming explains how to test it properly.

Keep it running smoothly

Updates

System updates fix bugs and improve video playback. On Google TV, check Settings > System > About > System update. On Android TV, the same option is often found under Settings > Device Preferences > About. On Fire TV, go to Settings > My Fire TV > About and select Check for Updates. App updates come through the Play Store or the Amazon Appstore, so make sure automatic updates are switched on in the store’s settings.

When the app misbehaves

If the app freezes, the channel list won’t refresh or the guide shows old information, work through these steps in order.

1. Restart the device. Use the restart option in settings, or unplug it from the mains for 30 seconds.
2. Clear the app’s cache. This removes temporary files but keeps your login.
   • On Android TV and Google TV: go to Settings > Apps, select the app (you may need to choose See all apps first), then Clear cache.
   • On Fire TV: go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select the app, then Clear cache.
3. Check for an app update in the store.
4. Use Clear data only as a last resort. It resets the app completely, so you’ll need to enter your access details again.

You’re set up

Once the channels load and the guide fills in, add your most-watched channels to favourites so they’re a button press away. The IPTV setup guide has instructions for other devices, and if you’d rather use your television’s built-in apps, see our guide to setting up IPTV on a Samsung or LG smart TV. For anything the FAQ doesn’t answer, our support team is reachable through the contact page.