How to load a playlist in OnTiv

Updated October 11, 2026 · 3 min read

OnTiv plays playlists you bring yourself. This guide walks through each way of loading one, what to expect afterwards, and what to check when a playlist refuses to load.

Before you start

• You need a playlist (or login) from a source you are entitled to use. OnTiv does not supply one.
• M3U/M3U8 links and files are free for everyone, with no account needed.
• Xtream Codes logins are part of Premium and need you to be signed in.
• Any current desktop or mobile browser works. There is nothing to install.

Option 1: load an M3U / M3U8 link

1. Open ontiv.app and choose Start Watching Free (or Launch player).
2. In Playlist Controls, pick the M3U / M3U8 URL card.
3. Paste the full link, starting with http:// or https://. The box may come pre-filled with a public demo playlist from a third-party project; replace it with your own link.
4. Load the playlist. Your channels appear, grouped by category.

Use the search box to find a channel, the category filter to narrow the list, and the star on any channel to add it to your favorites.

Option 2: load an M3U / M3U8 file

1. Pick the M3U / M3U8 File card.
2. Choose the .m3u or .m3u8 file from your computer or phone.

File upload is also the answer when a link will not work — for example a playlist stored on your own network, or one you edited by hand.

Option 3: Xtream Codes (Premium)

Xtream Codes gives you live TV, movies, series and a program guide from a single login. Pick the Xtream Codes card and enter the three things your provider gave you:

• Server URL — the base address, usually with a port, such as http://example.com:8080. Do not paste a full playlist link here.
• Username and password.

You can test the connection before loading. Stalker Portal logins (portal address plus MAC address) are available in OnTiv's Windows desktop app. For the differences between all three source types, see M3U vs Xtream Codes vs Stalker Portal.

Saved playlists

Once a playlist has loaded, OnTiv saves it on your device so you can reconnect, edit it or switch between several playlists later without re-entering anything. If you sign in with a Premium account, your saved playlists, favorites and settings can sync across your devices.

If a playlist will not load

• "Please enter an M3U playlist URL" — the field is empty. Paste the link and try again.
• Test the link in a new browser tab. If it does not download a file or show text there, the link is wrong, expired or blocked. Ask your provider for a fresh one.
• Links to devices on your own network (addresses such as 192.168.x.x or localhost) are refused. OnTiv fetches playlist links through a small server-side proxy that only reaches publicly reachable addresses, which is a safety measure. Download the file and use the file option instead.
• Redirects are not followed. If your link redirects somewhere else, open it in a browser, copy the final address, and use that.
• Very large playlists (over about 15 MB) are rejected. Trim channels you do not need, or split the list into several files.
• Loading again and again in quick succession can trigger a temporary rate limit. Wait a minute and retry.
• The provider returned an error (such as 401, 403 or 404) — that comes from the provider's server. Check that your subscription is active and the link is current.
• It loads, but channels will not play — see fixing buffering and playback errors.

Good habits

• Star the channels you watch most, so they are one click away.
• Use category management to hide groups you never open.
• Keep playlist links and Xtream credentials private — they are effectively passwords.