Xtream Codes API Support for IPTV in GridStreamr

Xtream Codes is the most common API layer IPTV providers expose today. GridStreamr speaks that API natively — not as a fragile URL hack — so live TV, movies, series, provider EPG and TV archive flow into Smart Collections you can stream, enrich, record and share on your terms.

What the Xtream Codes API gives GridStreamr

When you add an Xtream account with host URL, username and password, GridStreamr uses the API to retrieve:

• Live TV — category trees, channel lists, stream URLs
• Movies (VOD) — posters, descriptions, stream endpoints where provided
• Series — seasons, episodes and playback URLs
• EPG markers — programme data when your provider publishes XMLTV through the panel
• TV archive — catch-up endpoints on supported channels (Premium TimeShift)

GridStreamr caches and organizes this material inside your account. Playback happens through the built-in IPTV player or via exported share tokens compatible with TiviMate, VLC and Kodi.

Adding your first Xtream account

A typical setup path:

1. Open Sources in GridStreamr
2. Choose Xtream Codes API
3. Enter host, username and password exactly as your provider issued them
4. Wait for category sync — large lines can take a minute on first load
5. Browse live TV, movies or series, or long-press entries to add them to a Smart Collection

Free tier allows one Xtream account. Premium removes that cap so you can attach specialty backups, regional lines or test panels alongside your primary source.

Documentation: Manage sources

Smart Collections on top of Xtream

Raw Xtream category trees are built for providers, not households. Smart Collections let you:

• Pull channels from one or many Xtream accounts into a single list
• Rename and reorder without altering the upstream panel
• Attach GridStreamr Global EPG when provider guide data is incomplete
• Share virtual credentials instead of your real login
• Schedule Home DVR recordings from curated channels

Example: keep a 2000-channel provider line connected but expose a 40-channel "Family Live" collection to your household share token.

EPG: Xtream provider EPG vs GridStreamr Global

Xtream panels often expose programme data through player API EPG endpoints. GridStreamr uses that when available and shows current/next on Free, full-day timelines on Premium. It does not import a separate provider xmltv.php URL into source settings.

When provider EPG is wrong or missing:

1. Open Smart Collection → Manage EPG
2. Select GridStreamr Global EPG (50,000+ channels)
3. Map channels to guide rows (Premium: Custom EPG Configuration and AI Auto-match with review)

Shared collections can export an XMLTV URL from Manage Shares for third-party players.

TimeShift and TV archive

TimeShift (Premium, v2.0.6+) activates when a live Xtream channel exposes archive from your provider:

• Tap TimeShift in the player
• Browse past programmes by day
• Start playback from the beginning, scrub within the window
• Use Back to Live to return to real time

Archive length is provider-defined — some channels offer 24 hours, others multi-day. GridStreamr does not create or host archive; it only plays what your panel exposes.

Guide: How to use TimeShift

Movies and series sorting

Xtream VOD libraries can be enormous. GridStreamr remembers sort preferences per account and category:

• Default provider order
• Date added
• Rating

Continue Watching syncs across devices on the same GridStreamr account — start on iPhone, resume on Android TV.

Pair VOD with TMDB (Premium + your free API key) for richer posters and metadata on matched titles.

Secure sharing model

Sharing raw Xtream credentials in chat is risky. GridStreamr's share tokens issue virtual Xtream username/password pairs scoped to a Smart Collection:

• Recipients configure TiviMate or GridStreamr with the virtual pair
• Your real host and login never leave your control
• Set expiration, revoke anytime, or share via @username

Export bundle for external apps:

• Virtual Xtream credentials
• M3U Plus URL (get.php?type=m3u_plus)
• XMLTV EPG URL

Blog: Share IPTV playlist securely

Combining multiple Xtream providers

Premium unlimited accounts enable merges like:

See How to combine multiple Xtream providers.

Xtream vs M3U in GridStreamr

Both plug into Smart Collections. Xtream typically wins on:

• Structured VOD with seasons/episodes
• Archive / TimeShift endpoints
• Dynamic category updates from the panel

M3U wins on:

• Simplicity — one URL, no API login
• Static channel lists from third-party generators
• Portability across dumb players

You do not have to choose exclusively. Read M3U vs Xtream Codes and the M3U player feature page.

Devices

Play and curate Xtream on iPhone, iPad, and Android. Android TV watches Smart Collections you build on phone (QR sign-in — no add-source on TV). Android Auto works on aftermarket head units. Apple TV support is on the way. CarPlay isn’t supported.

On Android TV, sign in by scanning a QR code from your phone. Android Auto installs with Download App code 2611137 or aftv.news/2611137 — Premium follows your phone subscription.

Home DVR from Xtream channels

Premium Home DVR records live TV and VOD titles from Smart Collections to storage you own — Mac, Windows, Linux or Docker. Pair the DVR service from the app over Wi‑Fi; schedules sync between app and dashboard.

GridStreamr does not cloud-host recordings. Files stay on your disk.

Troubleshooting common Xtream issues

Authentication failures

• Verify host includes correct scheme (http vs https) per provider instructions
• Check expiry date on subscription panels
• Avoid trailing slashes that break some panels

Missing VOD posters

• Enable TMDB with your API key (Premium)
• Some panels serve minimal metadata — enrichment helps live TV, TMDB helps movies/series

EPG gaps

• Map channels to Global EPG in Manage EPG
• Confirm the panel returns EPG data for your streams if you rely on upstream guide only; otherwise map Global EPG

Buffering

• Try alternate quality streams if provider offers SD/HD variants
• Network issues are between your device and the provider — GridStreamr does not proxy streams through its servers for playback

Free vs Premium Xtream features

Related reading

• Smart Collections
• M3U player
• EPG guide
• IPTV player
• Setup IPTV on Android TV
• Documentation