OttPlayer: Installation and Setup

OttPlayer is a free cross-platform IPTV player. Its main distinguishing feature is centralized playlist management: instead of loading playlists onto the device, you upload them to your account on the website, and they then sync across all your TVs, smartphones, and tablets. Like any player, it has no channels of its own, so you need a subscription with a provider.

For an even more detailed walkthrough with screenshots of every step, see the help section of Arlekino.TV: step-by-step guide to setting up OttPlayer.

Player Features

  • Works almost everywhere: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Samsung, LG, and Hisense Smart TVs, as well as WebOS and Netcast
  • M3U, M3U8, HLS, RTSP, and TS formats
  • TV guide and channel logos load automatically
  • Support for program archives (catch-up)
  • Completely free with no built-in ads

Step 1. Creating an Account

Unlike most players, setup starts not in the app but in a web browser. You can’t go any further without this step.

  1. On your computer or smartphone, open the official website ottplayer.tv (also available as ottplayer.es)
  2. Click “Sign up” in the top right corner
  3. Enter your email, choose a password, and confirm your registration via the link in the email you receive
  4. Log in to your account

Step 2. Adding a Playlist on the Website

  1. In your account, click the profile icon in the top right corner and select “Playlists”
  2. Enter a playlist name, anything you like, for example “My channels”
  3. In the source field, paste the direct link to the M3U playlist from your provider. You can also upload a downloaded .m3u file, but a link is more convenient because it updates automatically
  4. Click “Save”
  5. If your provider offers program archives, open the playlist settings (the gear icon next to it) and turn on the “Archive support” toggle

Step 3. Installing the App and Signing In

  1. Open the app store on your TV, set-top box, or smartphone: Google Play, App Store, Samsung Apps, or LG Content Store
  2. Find OttPlayer with the purple icon and install it
  3. Launch the app and open “Settings” → “Authorization” (called “Account details” in some versions)
  4. Enter the email and password for your account on the website
  5. The player will offer to register the device. Give it a clear name, for example “Bedroom TV”, and confirm

Step 4. Linking the Playlist to Your Device

  1. Go back to the app’s home screen and tap “Refresh” (the icon with two arrows)
  2. Once the playlist appears, you’re ready to watch

If the playlist doesn’t appear, the problem is the device link. Go back to the “Playlists” section on the website, click the gear icon next to the playlist, find the “Devices” block, and turn on the toggle next to the name of your new TV or set-top box. Save the changes on the website and tap “Refresh” in the app again. This is the most common reason beginners see an empty screen.

Step 5. Useful Settings

These options are in the “Settings” menu inside the player; this applies to Android and Smart TV.

  • Media player type. If channels lag, break up into pixels, or lose sound, switch the decoder, for example from ExoPlayer to the system player or IjkPlayer
  • Buffering. If your internet connection is unstable, increase the buffering time: channels will take a little longer to switch, but playback will stop cutting out

The player is only half the story: the channels come from the provider. If you don’t have a subscription yet, check out our IPTV service rankings with prices, channel counts, and terms. Guides for other players are in the app setup section.