Why Updating IPTV Apps Matters
Keeping your IPTV apps updated ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. Outdated apps can have playback issues, EPG problems, or compatibility issues with newer stream formats. On Firestick, updating works differently depending on whether the app was installed from the Amazon Appstore or sideloaded.
Updating Apps from the Amazon Appstore
Apps installed from the Amazon Appstore update automatically by default. To check for updates manually:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Appstore
- Enable Automatic Updates if not already on
- For a manual update check: hold the Menu button (three horizontal lines) while hovering over the app icon on the home screen → select More Info → check if an Update button is available
IPTV Smarters Pro, available from the Amazon Appstore, updates through this process.
Updating Sideloaded Apps (TiviMate, XCIPTV)
Sideloaded apps do not update automatically. You need to manually download and install new versions:
- Open the Downloader app on your Firestick
- Navigate to the official website of your app (e.g. tivimate.com)
- Download the latest APK version
- Install it — it will install over the existing version without affecting your settings or playlists
- Open the app and verify your playlists are still present
Alternatively, some apps like TiviMate have a built-in update checker. Go to Settings → About in TiviMate to see your current version and check for updates.
Updating Firestick Firmware
Keeping your Firestick firmware updated improves performance and app compatibility:
- Go to Settings → My Fire TV → About
- Select Check for Updates
- If an update is available, select Install Update
- Your Firestick will restart to apply the update (takes 5–10 minutes)
What to Check After Updating
After updating your IPTV app, verify:
- Your playlist is still loaded and channels are accessible
- EPG is displaying correctly (force a refresh if not)
- Playback settings (decoder, buffer size) are retained
- If settings were reset by the update, reconfigure them as per our TiviMate guide
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Installing a TiviMate update over the existing version preserves your playlists, settings, and favourites. However, it is always good practice to note down your M3U URL or Xtream Codes credentials before updating.
In TiviMate, go to Settings → About. The current version number is displayed. Compare this to the latest version listed on the TiviMate website to see if an update is available.
Apps from the Amazon Appstore update automatically if automatic updates are enabled. Sideloaded apps like TiviMate do not auto-update — you need to manually download and install new versions.
Updates fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, and ensure compatibility with the latest stream formats. Running very old versions can cause playback issues and EPG errors.
Yes. Download an older APK version from a trusted source and install it over the current version. However, downgrading is only recommended if a new update caused specific issues.