How can we help
with PixelPlay?

PixelPlay is a native iOS media player for live TV streams. It is a Bring Your Own Content (BYOC) utility — the app itself does not include, host, or provide any TV channels or video content.

You connect your own content sources (M3U playlists, Xtream Codes providers, or the optional free public catalog) and PixelPlay plays them through a polished, native interface.

No. PixelPlay does not come with any pre-loaded channels, streams, or video content. It is a player — like a web browser for live streams.

You can optionally browse the free public catalog powered by the open-source iptv-org project, which lists publicly available, legally free channels from broadcasters around the world.

There are two ways to get started immediately:

• Free public channels: Open the app → tap the + button on any empty tab → select Legal Public Channels → tap Activate. Over 8,500 legally free channels from 170+ countries are available with no setup.
• Your own source: Open the app → go to Settings → Content Sources → Add Source → enter your M3U URL or Xtream Codes details.

No account is required to start watching.

No. PixelPlay works fully without an account. Sign-in (via Apple ID or Google) is optional.

An M3U file is a plain-text playlist format that lists stream URLs. Many IPTV providers distribute their channel lists as M3U files or URLs ending in .m3u or .m3u8.

To add one in PixelPlay: Settings → Content Sources → Add Source → M3U URL, then paste your playlist link.

Xtream Codes is a widely-used IPTV server API. If your provider gives you a portal URL, username, and password instead of an M3U file, that's Xtream Codes.

To add it: Settings → Content Sources → Add Source → Xtream Codes, then enter your portal URL, username, and password.

The free version includes one custom source (plus access to the public catalog). With PixelPlay Pro ($9.99, one-time) you can add unlimited M3U and Xtream Codes sources.

PixelPlay plays streams exactly as provided by your source. If a channel doesn't load, the issue is almost always with the stream itself, not the app:

• The stream URL may be offline or geo-restricted.
• Your source provider's servers may be temporarily down.
• The stream format may not be supported by the iOS media engine (HLS/m3u8 works best).

Try the same channel in Safari by pasting the stream URL directly. If it doesn't work there either, the stream is the issue, not PixelPlay.

PixelPlay Pro is a one-time $9.99 purchase (no subscription) that unlocks:

• ♾️ Unlimited Sources — add as many M3U and Xtream providers as you need
• ⧉ Picture-in-Picture — watch while using other apps
• ▣ Multi-View — up to 4 live streams at once
• 🔒 Channel Locks — protect content with Face ID / Touch ID
• 📊 Advanced TV Guide — full 24-hour EPG grid with scrollable timeline

Open PixelPlay → go to Settings → PixelPlay Pro → Restore Purchase. Make sure you are signed in to the same Apple ID used for the original purchase. Your Pro status will be restored at no charge.

If Restore does not work, please contact support and include your Apple ID email (not your password).

No. Pro is a non-consumable, one-time in-app purchase. You pay once and own it forever, including all future Pro feature updates. There is no monthly or annual fee.

First, try Settings → PixelPlay Pro → Restore Purchase. If Pro still isn't active after restoring, please email our support team with your Apple ID email and we will resolve it promptly. Do not share your Apple ID password with anyone.

Try these steps in order:

• Check your internet connection — live streams require a stable connection (5+ Mbps for HD).
• Tap the channel again to reload the stream.
• Refresh your source: Settings → Content Sources → pull-to-refresh.
• Try a different channel from the same source to determine if it's one channel or all.
• If all channels fail, the issue is likely your source provider's servers. Contact your provider.

PiP requires PixelPlay Pro. If you have Pro and PiP still doesn't work:

• Make sure PiP is enabled on your device: iOS Settings → General → Picture in Picture → toggle on.
• PiP only works with streams that iOS can natively play (HLS/m3u8). Some stream formats may not support it.
• Swipe up from the player (or press Home) while a stream is playing to trigger PiP.

Some streams contain multiple audio tracks (e.g. different languages). Tap the stream once to show the player controls, then look for an audio track selector. Try selecting a different track.

Also check that your iPhone is not in Silent mode (the switch on the left side of the device).

EPG data depends on your source providing an XMLTV URL. If your M3U playlist includes an #EXTM3U url-tvg header, PixelPlay will load EPG automatically.

If there is no EPG data in your source, the guide section will appear empty — this is expected behaviour and not a bug.

Please try the following:

• Force-quit and relaunch PixelPlay.
• Update to the latest version from the App Store.
• Restart your iPhone.

If the issue persists, email us with a description of what happened, your iPhone model, and your iOS version (found in iOS Settings → General → About). Crash reports are sent automatically to help us fix issues faster.

PixelPlay is a media player utility. It does not provide, host, or distribute any content. The app is fully compliant with Apple's App Store Guidelines.

Users are solely responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to access the streams they connect. PixelPlay recommends using only legally acquired content or publicly available, open-source channels.

PixelPlay collects minimal, anonymous analytics to improve the app (e.g. crash reports, feature usage counts). We do not track what you watch, and we do not sell or share your data with advertisers.

Your Xtream Codes password is stored securely in your device's iOS Keychain and is never uploaded to our servers.

Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

If you signed in to PixelPlay, you can delete your account at any time from Settings → Account → Delete Account. This permanently removes your account and all associated data from our servers.

Local data (favorites, history) is removed when you uninstall the app, or via Settings → Clear History & Favorites.