This guide will show you exactly how to watch IPTV on a Mac – using free software you probably already have installed!
Requirements
There are only two things you’ll need to watch IPTV – an IPTV provider and a device to watch it on. With that said, using a VPN while streaming almost anything is a good idea. If you need help setting one up on your Mac, we have a step by step guide explaining exactly how to do it.
With all of that out of the way – let’s jump it!
Watch IPTV on a Mac
- Do you already have VLC installed? If so, you’re ready to go! If not, download and install VLC from here first, then proceed to step #2. Note: Installing VLC is a breeze, it’s free and open source, and the general consensus is that it’s the best media player for macOS. I strongly agree.
- Locate the .m3u file that your IPTV service provided you with. Right-click (ctrl-click) the file, select Open With and then VLC. If VLC is the default already, the next time you want to watch IPTV just double-click the .m3u file instead of right-clicking it. If it’s not the default but you’d like it to be, we have a guide that explains exactly how to make VLC your default .m3u App (opens in a new window/tab).
- VLC will open and start your TV stream right away. Yes, it’s that easy.
- Now you’ll want to change the channel :) Click the Show/Hide Playlist button from the bottom menu in VLC (see screenshot).
- If you don’t see a Show/Hide Playlist button don’t fret – just select Window from the main macOS menu, and then Playlist… from the drop-down menu.
- When you’re watching IPTV in VLC the Playlist view is actually the “channel listing” – double-click one of them to change the channel.
- Ta-da!
- You have to admit, that was remarkably simple :)
Could you give me another option to watch m3u lists on mac? I would like to see the channels in groups instead of the channel listing as in VLC. I even bought 2 different apps in the app store and none of them works. I use a Mac Mini. Thanks