How to load an M3U playlist on your TV, phone or PC

An M3U list is a text file with the addresses of your provider’s channels. To watch it, you just paste its URL into an IPTV player. Here’s how to do it on each device and what the most common errors mean.

**▶ Video:** How to add your IPTV list from your phone · The video loads from YouTube when you press play.

What exactly is an M3U list?

It is a list of links, one per channel, with each channel’s name, logo and category. The player reads it and organises it so you can browse the channels just like on a normal TV. Your provider gives it to you in one of these forms:

What your provider gives you	What it looks like	What it includes
M3U or M3U8 URL	An address ending in `.m3u` or containing `get.php?username=…&password=…`	Channels; sometimes movies and series as channels
Xtream Codes account	Server, username and password	Channels, movies, series, guide and expiry date
.m3u file	A downloaded file	The same as the URL, but it doesn’t update itself

💡 If your URL contains username= and password=, you also have an Xtream Codes account: it usually works better to load it that way. We explain it in M3U or Xtream Codes.

On a Smart TV (LG, Samsung, Android TV)

Typing the URL with the remote is slow and easy to get wrong. In Kastoo you do it from your phone (available today on Android, Android TV and iPhone; for LG and Samsung, under review):

Open Kastoo on the TVYou’ll see a QR code with the TV’s MAC and key.
Scan the QR codeMy Kastoo opens on your phone with your TV already identified.
Paste the URL and press SaveOr choose Xtream Codes and type the server, username and password.
DoneThe TV loads the list in a few seconds.

Kastoo welcome screen on the TV with the QR code for adding the list — On the TV, the QR code takes you to My Kastoo with the MAC and key already filled in.

On your phone (Android or iPhone)

Open the appOn the welcome screen you’ll see the “M3U list URL” field.
Paste the URLPress and hold the field and choose Paste.
Press “Load list”The channels appear sorted into categories.

Channel list in Kastoo on an Android phone — The list loaded on a phone, using the demo list.

On a computer

With the Kastoo extension for Chrome or Edge it works just like on your phone: open it, paste the URL and press “Load list”. You’ll find it in Kastoo on your computer.

In VLC

VLC can also open M3U lists, although without a guide or categories. It’s handy for checking whether a list works:

Open VLCOn your computer or phone.
Choose “Media → Open Network Stream”On a phone, “Network” or “Stream”.
Paste the URL and press PlayVLC will show the channels in its playlist.

If you get an error when loading the list

What you see	What it usually means	What to do
Error 401 or 403	Wrong username or password, or the account has expired or been blocked	Check your details and the expiry date with your provider
Error 404	The URL was copied wrongly or has changed	Copy it again, in full, with no spaces
Error 509 or “too many connections”	You are using the account on more devices than it allows	Close the app on the other device
It keeps loading	A very large list or a slow server	Wait a minute or try Xtream Codes

There are more details in the list won’t load or gives an error and in what HTTP errors mean.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get an M3U list?

Your internet TV provider gives it to you when you sign up for the service. Players like Kastoo don’t sell or include lists.

Can I load several lists?

Yes. In Kastoo you can add lists from different providers and switch between them from Home.

Does the list update itself?

If you load it by URL or with Xtream Codes, yes: the player reads it again. If you load a downloaded file, no.

What is the guide (EPG) URL?

A second address, in XMLTV format, with the TV schedule. Many lists already include it; if not, your provider can give it to you.

Try Kastoo on your Android phone or tablet

Free for 15 days with all features, no card needed. One licence covers 3 devices.

See how

Kastoo is just a player: it does not sell, host or include lists, channels, movies or subscriptions. The screenshots use a demo list with openly licensed content.