Install it only from the App Store. We do not support configuration profiles or modified iOS apps.
Updated
At a glance
- Devices
- iPhone, iPad, Apple TV
- Price
- Free to install, with a paid upgrade.
- Login
- Xtream, M3U
- Our view
- Very good. Editorial only, not a review score.
Best for. iPhone and iPad first, and Apple TV if you want the same app across the house.
Skip it when. Android and Firestick. GSE is an Apple app. Those devices have TiviMate, XCIPTV and Smarters.
Good and less good
Works well
- Xtream and M3U are both available.
- The iPhone layout is familiar if you already use GSE.
- You can paste the login instead of typing it with the Siri Remote.
Watch out for
- The paid upgrade inside the app is separate from the IPTV plan.
- AirPlay to a TV drains the phone and looks softer than a native player.
- A busy settings screen takes longer than iPlayTV on a first evening.
Set it up
Choose a device
Install GSE from the App Store. Tap the plus button, choose Xtream Codes, and paste the username, password and server URL. Refresh the guide. In Settings → Mobile Data, decide whether the app may use cellular.
Install the same app from the Apple TV App Store. Add the playlist there too. The iPhone copy does not automatically unlock the television. Use the iPhone keyboard as a remote if the URL is long.
Login and playback settings
Paste each Xtream field on its own. iOS often capitalises the first letter of a password. Check that before you decide the login is wrong. The M3U URL is the fallback.
- Buffer. On Wi-Fi, the default buffer is fine. On mobile data, lower the quality to HD before you increase the buffer.
- Decoder. Leave the player on its default decoder. Reopen a black channel once before you change settings.
- EPG interval. Refresh the guide after login, then leave it on a daily update if the app offers one.
- UK time. iPhone and Apple TV should use Set Automatically and the London timezone. The guide follows that clock.
If something goes wrong
Swipe sideways to see every column.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Password rejected | Auto-capitalisation changed the first character. | Turn off caps while you paste, or paste from the welcome message in one go. |
| Nothing in the App Store | The Apple ID country is not the UK, or Screen Time is blocking installs. | Check the store country and Screen Time, then search iPlayTV as well. |
| AirPlay stutters | Mirroring is not a native TV install. | Install GSE or iPlayTV on Apple TV, or use another supported television device. |
GSE Smart IPTV questions
Does GSE need a jailbreak?
No. The App Store version is the one this guide covers.
Will the iPhone app play on Apple TV automatically?
Only by AirPlay. For a proper setup, install the Apple TV version and add the playlist again.
Why is there an in-app purchase?
GSE sells its own upgrade through Apple. That is not the IPTV subscription.
Can two Apple devices share one plan?
They share the login. They can play together only if the plan has two connections.