This guide shows you how to set up IPTV on a Mac in about 5 minutes, using either the IPTV Smarters Pro desktop app or VLC.
Reviewed by the RokuStream team ·
This guide is for the Mac. Not your device? See all supported devices.
Before you start
- A Mac running a recent version of macOS
- Your playlist URL or Xtream Codes username, password, and server URL
Steps
Choose your app: IPTV Smarters Pro or VLC
IPTV Smarters Pro gives you the same full interface as its Windows and mobile versions. VLC (free from videolan.org) works for basic playback with no dedicated IPTV app needed.
Option A: Install IPTV Smarters Pro
Download IPTV Smarters Pro for Mac from its official website, open the installer, and move it to Applications, then open it and enter your login details.
Option B: Use VLC
Open VLC, choose File → Open Network, and paste your M3U playlist URL into the network URL field, then click Open.
Confirm playback works
Play a channel to confirm smooth video and audio.
Allow the app in Security settings if macOS blocks it
If macOS shows a Gatekeeper warning for an app not from the App Store, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow it — this appears for any app downloaded outside the App Store, not something specific to IPTV apps.
Troubleshooting
macOS says the app "cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer"
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to the security section, and click "Open Anyway" next to the blocked app notice — this is standard Gatekeeper behavior for apps downloaded outside the App Store.
VLC shows an error opening the network stream
Confirm your M3U URL was copied completely and without extra characters, and that you're running a current version of VLC — update via VLC → Check for Updates if it's been a while.
Common questions
Still stuck? Contact support.