Install the official IPTV add-on
Kodi’s official wiki documents PVR IPTV Simple Client as the add-on for M3U live-TV streams and XMLTV guide data. The documented installation path is Settings > Add-ons > Install from repository > PVR clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client > Install. Kodi version names can vary slightly, but the add-on should come from the official Kodi repository rather than an unknown download.
After installation, open Settings > Add-ons > My add-ons > PVR clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client > Configure. The Kodi wiki uses this configuration path and separates playlist settings from electronic programme guide settings. If you use a different Kodi skin or a newer version with reorganized menus, search the Add-ons area for PVR IPTV Simple Client and then open Configure.
Add the M3U playlist
In the add-on configuration, open the General section and choose the playlist location and playlist type that match your source. For a remote source, select the URL option and paste the M3U URL. For a downloaded file, select the local file option and browse to it. The Kodi wiki confirms that IPTV Simple Client supports M3U playlist format; it does not make the source itself available.
Save the settings and allow Kodi to reload the PVR database. Then open the TV section and check whether channel groups and names appear. If the source uses required HTTP referrer or user-agent headers, confirm that the source provider’s format is compatible with Kodi’s add-on before attempting to edit the URL. Keep credentials out of screenshots and do not put a private URL into a public repository.
Add an EPG or XMLTV URL
The documented path is Settings > Add-ons > My add-ons > PVR clients > PVR IPTV Simple Client > Configure > EPG. Select the XMLTV URL field and paste the XMLTV URL supplied by the same source provider. Save the settings, then use Kodi’s PVR or TV guide refresh action. If the current add-on calls the area Guide rather than EPG, check the Kodi wiki for your version instead of guessing.
The playlist and XMLTV feed must share channel identifiers. Kodi’s documentation notes that tvg-id maps to the channel id in the XML file and that tvg-name can be used as a fallback. If listings are empty, inspect one playlist entry and one XMLTV channel entry for matching IDs. A valid XML document can still contain no matching programmes for your region or time window.
Use Kodi’s TV guide safely
Once the database refresh completes, open TV > Channels or TV > Guide. Test a channel whose source provider says it is live, then test a channel with known guide data. Kodi may need a restart after PVR settings change. The add-on, Kodi, the network, and the source all participate in playback, so an error in one layer can look like an error in another.
iPTiVi can help organize the sources and guide information available to your account, but it does not change Kodi’s add-on behavior or grant access to a stream. Keep Kodi updated through its own supported channel and use the current Kodi wiki for version-specific settings.
Troubleshooting
Playlist will not load
Reopen Configure > General, confirm the playlist location is URL or local file as intended, verify the M3U address, save, and restart Kodi if the PVR database remains stale.
EPG is not showing
Confirm the XMLTV URL is in Configure > EPG, refresh PVR data, and compare M3U tvg-id values with XMLTV channel ids. Check the Kodi wiki if your version moved the field.
Channels buffer
Test a second channel, confirm Kodi is not updating the PVR database, check network stability, and ask the source provider about stream health.
Guide time zone is wrong
Check Kodi’s time-zone and regional settings, then inspect the XMLTV timestamp offset. Use an EPG shift only after confirming the source’s timestamps are consistently offset.
FAQ
Which Kodi add-on should I use?
Kodi’s official wiki documents PVR IPTV Simple Client for M3U live-TV streams and XMLTV guide data.
Can I use a local M3U file?
Yes. The add-on supports a local playlist location as well as a remote URL.
Why does the guide show channels but no programmes?
The XMLTV feed may not match the playlist identifiers, may not cover the selected channels, or may not contain current programmes.