Device setup
How to Set Up Viking IPTV on Android and Android TV
Android has the widest choice of IPTV players of any platform, on phones and on TVs alike. The same steps work on a phone, a tablet, a Google TV streamer, an NVIDIA Shield or a television with Google TV built in.
- Time needed
- 5–10 minutes
- Works on
- Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Google TV, NVIDIA Shield
- Login type
- Xtream Codes (or M3U link)
What you need
- A device with Google Play (certified Android TV boxes have it; some budget boxes do not)
- Your Viking IPTV login: server URL, username and password
- For TVs: a remote-friendly player — phone apps are awkward with a D-pad
- Wi-Fi on the 5 GHz band, or Ethernet for a TV box
No login yet? See the subscription plans, or read the general installation process first.
Step-by-step setup
- 1
Install a player from Google Play
Open Google Play and search for an IPTV player. On a TV, choose one designed for Android TV so that the guide and menus work with a remote. On a phone, any player with Xtream Codes support will do.
- 2
Create a profile with your login
Choose “Add playlist” or “Add user”, pick Xtream Codes, and enter the server URL, username and password exactly as supplied. If the player only offers “M3U URL”, paste your playlist link instead.
- 3
Let the content load
The player fetches live channels, films, series and guide data. Phones finish in under a minute on most connections; TV boxes can take a little longer.
- 4
Choose the video decoder
If a channel shows a black screen with sound, switch the player's decoder between hardware and software in its settings. Hardware decoding is smoother; software decoding is more tolerant of unusual streams.
- 5
Set up favourites and the guide
Add the channels you actually watch to a favourites group and set the guide's time zone. On a phone, enable picture-in-picture if the player supports it.
Common problems on this device
Uncertified Android boxes
Cheap unbranded boxes often ship without Google Play certification, with outdated system software and sometimes with preinstalled apps of unknown origin. A certified Google TV device from a known brand is safer and gets updates.
Battery optimisation stops playback
On phones, aggressive battery saving can pause a stream when the screen is off or the app is in the background. Exclude your player in Settings → Apps → Battery.
Mobile data use
An HD stream can use well over 1 GB per hour. Watch on Wi-Fi where you can, or lower the stream quality in the player on mobile data.
Settings worth changing
Match content frame rate (TV)
On Google TV: Settings → Display & Sound → Advanced display settings → Match content frame rate. It avoids judder between 50 Hz and 60 Hz channels.
Cast to a TV
Many phone players can cast to a Chromecast-enabled TV. The stream then plays on the TV and counts as one connection.
Related guides
Questions about this device
Which Android player should I start with?
On a TV, start with a player built for remotes, with a proper guide grid. On a phone, pick a touch-first player. Our TiviMate guide covers the most popular Android TV option step by step.
Do I need to install an APK?
Usually not. Google Play has several capable players. Sideloading is only worth considering for a player whose developer distributes it from their own website, and only from that website.
Does this work on a Chromecast?
Chromecast with Google TV and the Google TV Streamer run full apps, so yes. Older Chromecasts without a remote can only receive a cast from your phone.
Setting up another device?
Stuck on a step?
Send us your device model, the player app and the exact message on screen.