To make a favourite group in TiviMate, open your channel list, press and hold OK on a channel, and add it to Favourites. Then open the group settings to rename, sort and hide groups. This guide shows each step in plain words.
| Task | Where to do it | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Add a channel to Favourites | Channel list, press and hold OK on a channel | A short list of the channels you watch most |
| Create more than one favourites list | Favourites options in TiviMate Premium | Separate lists such as News, Kids or Sport |
| Reorder groups | TiviMate settings, channels section | Your best groups sit at the top |
| Hide groups you never use | TiviMate settings, channels section | A shorter, cleaner list |
| Fix slow or stalling streams | Provider setup and network settings | Smoother playback |
What favourite groups are in TiviMate
TiviMate is an IPTV player app. It plays a playlist that your provider gives you. A playlist can hold thousands of channels, so finding one can be slow.
A favourite group is a short list that you build yourself. It sits next to the groups that came with your playlist. You pick the channels, and you choose the order.
Think of it like the speed dial on a phone. You do not scroll through every contact. You tap one button and you are there.
Provider groups and your own groups
There are two kinds of groups in the app.
- Provider groups come from the playlist. You do not write them, and the provider can change them.
- Favourite groups are yours. They stay the way you set them.
Because the favourites are yours, they are the best place to keep order. A provider update will not wipe out your own work.
Why they matter on a big playlist
A large playlist is slow to browse with a remote. Every press of the arrow key costs time. A favourite group cuts that to a few presses.
It also helps the whole family. Each person can have a list that fits what they watch.
Before you start
A few small checks save trouble later. Take a minute to go through them.
- Update TiviMate to the current 5.x version from your app store.
- Make sure your playlist has loaded and the channel list is not empty.
- Check that your remote has an OK (select) button and a back button.
- Decide on two or three group names before you begin, such as News, Kids and Movies.
Some features, such as several favourite lists, belong to TiviMate Premium. The Premium upgrade is a separate purchase from your stream subscription. If an option is missing on your screen, check that first.
Plan your groups on paper
A plan makes the work quick. Write down who watches and what they like. Then give each person or topic one group.
Keep each group under about 25 channels. A short list is easy to scan. A long list brings back the same problem you wanted to solve.
How to create a favourite group in TiviMate
The steps below follow the usual TiviMate flow. Menu names can differ a little between app versions, so use the wording on your own screen as your guide.
- Open TiviMate and go to the channel list.
- Move to a channel you watch often.
- Press and hold the OK button on your remote. A small menu opens.
- Choose the option to add the channel to Favourites.
- Repeat for each channel you want in the group.
- Go back to the group list and open Favourites to check the result.
That is all it takes for a basic list. You now have one group with only your picks.
Add many channels faster
Do not leave and enter the menu each time. Stay in one provider group and work down the list. Press and hold OK, add, then move one step down.
Work through one provider group at a time. This keeps you from missing channels, and it keeps your mind on one topic.
Create more than one list with Premium
With TiviMate Premium you can keep more than one favourites list. This is the best way to split by person or by topic. You might make a list for News, one for Kids and one for Movies.
Look in the favourites options for an entry to add or manage lists. Give each list a short name. Short names fit on a TV screen and are easy to read from the sofa.
How to organize your groups
Creating a group is half the job. Order is the other half. A tidy order means you never hunt for a channel again.
Put the most used group first
Open the TiviMate settings and look for the channels or groups section. There you can move groups up and down. Place your top group first.
When you start the app, your favourite list is then the first thing you see. That alone can save a lot of scrolling each evening.
Reorder channels inside a group
Inside a favourite list you can also move channels. Put the ones you open most at the top. Place the ones you open rarely at the bottom.
A good rule is to sort by habit, not by letter. Your morning news goes first. The movie you watch on Friday can sit lower down.
Hide groups you never use
Playlists often hold groups from many countries and topics. You will never open most of them. In the same settings area you can hide groups.
Hiding does not delete anything. You can bring a group back at any time. It just clears the clutter so your own groups stand out.
Rename groups so they make sense
Short, clear names help the whole family. Use plain words such as Kids, News and Movies. Avoid long names that get cut off on the screen.
If your provider group names are messy, your own favourite names can fix that. You decide what each list is called.
Sample setups you can copy
Not sure where to begin? Here are three simple layouts. Change the names to fit your home.
| Home type | Suggested groups | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Family with children | Kids, Family Movies, News | Children open only the Kids list |
| Single viewer | Daily, Movies, Documentaries | Three lists cover every mood |
| Language learner | Home Language, Target Language, Music | Switch language with one press |
Start with three groups. You can always add more later. Too many groups bring back the clutter.
Keep your favourites safe
Your lists are only useful if they last. A few habits protect your work.
- Do not clear the app data unless you must. This can remove your lists.
- If your provider sends a new playlist link, use the same playlist entry when you can.
- Check your lists after a major app update to make sure they look right.
- Write down your group names in a note, so you can rebuild them fast.
If a channel vanishes from a favourite list, the provider may have renamed or moved it. Remove the old entry and add the channel again from the provider group.
Daily habits that keep your lists tidy
A good setup can drift over time. New channels appear, old ones fade, and tastes change. A few small habits keep your groups useful.
Review once a month
Set a reminder to open your favourite lists once a month. Remove channels you have not opened in weeks. Add the new ones you now watch. This takes about five minutes.
A short list is a fast list. When a group grows past what you can scan at a glance, it is time to trim it.
Let each person own a list
In a shared home, arguments about the remote are common. Give each person a named list. Mum has News, the children have Kids, and you have Movies. Nobody needs to change the others' lists.
Tell everyone to add channels only to their own group. This keeps each list clean, and it keeps the peace.
Use clear, matching names
Pick one style for names and stick with it. For example, use one or two plain words each time. Do not mix long and short names, or capital letters with small ones. A matching style looks neat and reads fast on a large TV screen.
Check the guide after you sort
After you build your lists, open the TV guide. Look at the channels in your favourites group. If a channel shows no guide data, the playlist may name it in a different way. Remove it and add the right version from the provider group.
Tips for different screens
TiviMate works on several kinds of devices. The remote changes from one to the next, so the way you press and hold can feel different.
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: use the centre select button on the remote and hold it down for a second or two.
- Android TV box and Xiaomi Mi Box S: the OK button in the middle of the arrow pad works the same way.
- Phone or tablet remote apps: some let you tap and hold on the screen, which can be easier than a small remote.
If the menu does not open, hold the button a little longer. A very short tap only plays the channel.
Use the keyboard for names
Typing with a TV remote is slow. If your device lets you pair a small keyboard or use a phone to type, use it when you name your lists. It makes renaming much quicker.
What to do when a list gets out of control
Sometimes a favourite list grows messy. There may be double entries, old names and dead links. Do not fight it for an hour. Start again in a simple way.
- Write down the ten channels you watch most.
- Clear the messy list or make a new one with a clear name.
- Add only those ten channels.
- Use the app for a week, and add more only when you truly miss something.
This small restart often gives a better list than the old one. You keep only what you really use.
Make playback smooth for your groups
A neat list does not help if a stream stutters. Smooth playback depends on your provider, your network and your player settings.
SubTV IP is a paid premium streaming subscription with 1, 3 or 12 month plans and instant activation after the order. It lists TiviMate 5.x among its supported players. The service describes a 99.9% uptime goal, a server cluster built to reduce stalls and 4K, 60 fps HEVC streams. Payment options include PayPal and credit card, and support is on WhatsApp.
You can set up TiviMate on devices such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Android TV boxes, the Xiaomi Mi Box S, and other devices on the supported list. The same favourite lists work the way described above on each one.
Two network tips
If your internet provider slows your stream, two small changes can help.
- Set your DNS to Cloudflare, which uses the address 1.1.1.1.
- Set the buffer or cache size to 5,000 ms in the player.
The buffer is a small store of video that loads ahead of the part you watch. A bigger store gives the stream more room when your connection dips.
For news about streaming and TV technology, sites such as Digital TV Europe and ExtremeTech are useful places to read.
Common problems and quick fixes
Cause: you are on the wrong menu. Fix: use the long press
A short press on OK opens the channel. It does not open the menu. Press and hold OK until the small menu appears, then pick the favourites option.
Cause: a feature needs Premium. Fix: check your TiviMate plan
If you cannot add a second list, the app may need the Premium upgrade. Open the app settings and look at your plan. That upgrade is separate from your stream subscription.
Cause: the playlist refreshed. Fix: re-add missing channels
A refresh can change channel names. When that happens, a channel in your favourites may stop matching. Remove the dead entry and add the channel again.
Cause: the list is too long. Fix: split it
If scrolling feels slow again, your list has grown too big. Split it into two smaller groups with clear names.
Your next step
Pick one group today and add your ten most watched channels. Then set the group first in the order. You will feel the difference the same evening.
If you still need a stable provider to go with your neat lists, 👉 Get Instant Access Now and start building your groups once your plan is active.