This guide explains how the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) works in IPTV apps and how to get it loading correctly, in about 5 minutes.
Reviewed by the RokuStream team ·
Before you start
- An IPTV player app with a playlist or Xtream Codes login already added
- An EPG URL, if your app requires one to be added separately
Steps
Check whether your login method already includes EPG data
Xtream Codes logins typically deliver EPG data automatically as part of the login; a plain M3U playlist sometimes needs a separate EPG URL added manually, depending on your source.
Find the EPG settings in your app
Look under Settings → EPG (or Guide) in your player app for an option to add or refresh an EPG source.
Add the EPG URL, if applicable
If your setup requires a separate EPG source (an XMLTV URL), paste it exactly as given into the EPG settings field.
Refresh/reload the guide
Trigger a manual EPG refresh if the app has that option — the guide can take a minute or two to populate fully, especially for a large channel list.
Confirm program listings appear on channels
Check a few channels to confirm they show current program information, not just a blank timeline.
Troubleshooting
Channels load fine but the guide is completely empty
This points to a missing or incorrect EPG source rather than a channel-list problem — confirm whether your setup needs a separate EPG URL, and that it was entered correctly if so.
Some channels show program info and others don't
This usually reflects the underlying EPG data source having incomplete listings for certain channels, rather than an app setting — there's often little to be done about individual channel gaps beyond confirming you're using the most current EPG source available.