Xtream Codes vs M3U: which login should you use?

When you subscribe to IPTV, you usually receive your access in one of two shapes: an Xtream Codes login or an M3U link. They open the same service, but they don’t behave the same way in your player app.

What each one looks like

Xtream Codes gives you three fields:

• a server address, such as http://example.net:8080,
• a username,
• a password.

M3U gives you a single long link that usually contains those same details, plus a few parameters describing the format. You paste it into the app’s playlist field.

Side-by-side comparison

Which should you use?

Use Xtream Codes whenever your app offers it: TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, IBO Player and most tvOS players do. You get the guide and the categories without extra steps. See the login screens in our TiviMate guide and IPTV Smarters Pro guide.

Use M3U when the app only accepts playlists, for a quick test in VLC, or on older smart TV apps. Our M3U playlist guide covers each app.

Converting one into the other

Many M3U links are built from your Xtream details. A typical link looks like this:

http://example.net:8080/get.php?username=YOURNAME&password=YOURPASS&type=m3u_plus

Reading it backwards gives you an Xtream login: the server is the part before /get.php (here http://example.net:8080), and the username and password are the values after username= and password=. If your link doesn’t follow this pattern, simply ask us for the other format.

Troubleshooting

If an Xtream login fails, check the server address first: it needs http:// and the port (the number after the colon), but nothing after it. If an M3U link fails, copy it again without spaces. On a Firestick, typing long addresses with the remote is error-prone, so double-check every character. Need a login? Compare plans for the US, the UK or Canada.