The Apple ecosystem is a stable but somewhat closed environment for IPTV. The good side: apps installed from the App Store have been reviewed, the devices work comfortably with one another, and thanks to AirPlay sending the picture from a phone to a television is one tap away. The hard side: iOS has no concept of an APK — if an app isn't in the App Store, there is no way to install it.
On this page we have written the three devices up separately: iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The subscription is the same on all three; the difference is only in the setup steps and in getting the picture onto a television.
Which apps work on iOS
There are fewer IPTV players in the App Store than on Android, but the ones that work work reliably. Two apps have proved themselves over a long time.
IPTV Smarters Player
It works on the same logic as the Android version: Xtream Codes login, live channels, a films and series section and the programme guide. On iPhone and iPad the interface adapts to the screen.
GSE Smart IPTV
One of the oldest and most tried-and-tested players on iOS. It works both with Xtream Codes and with the playlist method, and has parental controls and EPG support. Some features open with a one-off payment.
Apple TV apps
There are tvOS versions of the same players. On Apple TV it is enough to open the App Store and search for the app name — the same subscription details as on the iPhone work.
Some IPTV players are not available in every country's store. If an app doesn't appear in the search, that doesn't mean there is a problem with the device. In those cases we point you to an alternative that is available in the App Store — we don't steer you towards paid or sign-up routes.
Setting up on iPhone and iPad
- Open the App Store, search for IPTV Smarters Player or GSE Smart IPTV and install it.
- Open the app. On the login screen choose the Xtream Codes API option (in GSE this section is called Xtream Codes API and sits under the “+” button).
- Enter the username, password and server address we send you. Copying and pasting from WhatsApp is the most reliable route — iOS autocorrect can change letters you type by hand.
- Once the list has loaded the categories open. On an iPad you can split the screen in two (Split View) and run a channel on one side and another app on the other.
iOS automatically capitalises the first letter in a text field. Because the password and the server address are case-sensitive, this is the most common cause of a failed login. Check that the shift key on the keyboard is off, or copy and paste the details instead.
Sending the picture to a television with AirPlay
The picture on an iPhone or iPad can be sent to an Apple TV or to a television with AirPlay support (most modern Samsung, LG and Sony models support it).
Put both devices on the same network
The iPhone and the television must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If the phone is still on mobile internet, the AirPlay list appears empty.
Open Control Centre
Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen and tap the Screen Mirroring icon.
Choose the television
Pick the Apple TV or the television's name from the list. On the first connection a four-digit code appears on screen — you type it into the phone.
Open a channel
Open a channel in the player and go full screen. The picture appears on the television while the controls stay on the phone.
Latency and dropouts with AirPlay
With live broadcasts such as football AirPlay sometimes adds a second or two of latency, and when a neighbour's television is running at the same time there can be dropouts. The cause is congestion on the Wi-Fi channel — AirPlay sends the picture over the network and wants plenty of bandwidth. A few practical fixes:
- Where you can, put both the phone and the television on the 5 GHz network.
- Switch Low Power Mode off on the phone — that mode restricts network activity and breaks AirPlay.
- If there is a large file download or a cloud backup running in the background, stop it.
- If you need a permanent answer, a cable connection with a USB-C / Lightning → HDMI adapter works without latency.
- If you can run the app on the television itself, that is the steadiest option — see the Smart TV guide.
Setting up on Apple TV
If you use an Apple TV it is more comfortable to leave the phone out of it: the app runs directly on tvOS and is controlled with the remote.
- On the Apple TV, open the App Store, search for the player's name and install it.
- Open the app and choose the Xtream Codes login.
- Don't use the Apple TV remote control to type the details — a notification appears on the iPhone, and typing with the phone's keyboard is both faster and free of mistakes.
- Once the channel list has loaded, add your favourite channels to favourites.
Some Apple TV models have an Ethernet port. If you are going to watch 4K channels, a cable connection gives a steadier result than Wi-Fi. What 4K needs we wrote on the 4K page.
Problems specific to Apple devices
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The app isn't in the App Store | It isn't available in the store's country | We pick an alternative player |
| The login isn't accepted | Autocorrect changed a letter | Copy and paste the details |
| The AirPlay list is empty | The devices are on different networks | Put both on the same Wi-Fi |
| The AirPlay picture breaks up | Wi-Fi congestion, Low Power Mode | The 5 GHz network, switch the mode off, or an HDMI adapter instead |
| The stream stops when the app goes to the background | iOS restricts background activity | Keep the app in the foreground; for long viewing use an Apple TV or the television's app |
| The picture stays small on an iPad | The app hasn't gone full screen | Tap the full-screen button in the player and hold the device horizontally |
Network, battery and data
The quality of IPTV on an iPhone depends on two things: the stability of the network and the device's power mode. Set both once and no problem comes up afterwards.
- Wi-Fi is better. At home, connect to the 5 GHz network. Full HD needs 12–15 Mbps, and modern home networks usually have it.
- Lower the quality on mobile internet. Watching over 4G is possible, but an hour of Full HD uses serious data. If you are on a capped plan, choose the HD option in the player.
- Low Power Mode cuts the stream. That mode restricts background network activity; for long viewing it is more comfortable to switch it off and put the device on charge.
- A phone isn't the best device for long viewing. Because the screen stays on, the battery drains quickly and the device gets warm. For daily viewing an Apple TV or the television's own app suits better.
If the same channel is smooth on the phone but freezes on the television — or the other way round — the cause isn't the subscription but that device's network reception. This comparison is the fastest way to find a problem: open the same channel on both devices and write us the result on WhatsApp.
Subscription and price
iPhone, iPad and Apple TV don't need separate subscriptions — all three work with the same details. The only thing that affects the price is the number of screens open at the same time.
- 17,960 live channels
- HD, Full HD and 4K
- Film and series archive
- Works on every device
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- 17,960 live channels
- HD, Full HD and 4K
- Film and series archive
- Works on every device
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- Price stays fixed
- 17,960 live channels
- HD, Full HD and 4K
- Film and series archive
- Works on every device
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- Price stays fixed
- Free setup
If the children are using the phone while the adults are using the television at the same time, you will need the multi-device plan. All the figures: prices. Payment methods: payment page.
iPhone, iPad or Apple TV — write which one you use. We pick the app and do the setup together.
Frequently asked questions
Which app do I need for IPTV on iPhone?
IPTV Smarters Player and GSE Smart IPTV are the two most stable options in the App Store. The first resembles the Android version in its interface, the second offers more settings.
We work out on WhatsApp which one runs comfortably on your iOS version. Extra features in the app may carry a one-off fee — that payment is not included in our subscription.
Does IPTV work on Apple TV?
Yes. The players have tvOS versions, they are installed from the App Store and they open with the same subscription details as on the iPhone. Because they are controlled with a remote, they are more comfortable for daily viewing than a phone.
When typing the details, use the iPhone keyboard instead of the Apple TV remote — a notification appears on the phone automatically.
Why is there latency with AirPlay?
AirPlay sends the picture over Wi-Fi, so network congestion affects it directly. With a live sports broadcast a second or two of latency is considered normal.
The order of fixes: put both devices on the 5 GHz network, switch Low Power Mode off on the phone, stop any background downloads. If the latency is unacceptable, a cable connection with an HDMI adapter or the television's own app gives a better result.
Is it possible to install an APK on iOS?
No. iOS only allows installation from the App Store, and an APK is an Android format. That is why there are fewer apps to choose from on iPhone than on Android.
There is an upside to that: apps in the App Store go through review. If the player you need isn't in the store, we point you to an alternative — we don't steer you towards routes that compromise the device's security.
Can I do something else on the iPad at the same time?
Yes, with iPadOS's Split View you can divide the screen in two: a channel on one side and a browser or a notes app on the other. In Picture-in-Picture mode the channel carries on in a small window.
Which of those modes works depends on the player — we check it on your iPad during the setup.
If I close the phone, does the subscription open on another device?
Yes. The subscription is not tied to a device: closing the app on the phone and opening it on the television needs no extra payment. The limit is only on the number of screens open at the same time.
If you need two screens at once, the 2-device rate is 18 AZN a month — cheaper than buying two separate subscriptions.