Open TiviMate, go to "Settings > Backup and restore", and choose "Create backup". Save the file to a USB drive or cloud folder. To restore, open the same menu, pick "Restore", and select that file.
This keeps your playlists, groups, favorites and app settings safe when you change devices or reset the app.
| Task | Where to go in TiviMate | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Create a backup | "Settings > Backup and restore > Create backup" | One backup file you can store anywhere |
| Restore a backup | "Settings > Backup and restore > Restore" | Your setup comes back on the same or a new device |
| Check a restore | Home screen and channel list | Playlists, groups and favorites in place |
| Fix a failed restore | File location, app version, playlist link | A working setup again |
Why a backup matters
Building a clean TiviMate setup takes time. You add your playlist, hide groups you never watch, sort channels, mark favorites and adjust the look of the app.
If the device breaks or you clear the app data, all of that work can vanish in a second. A backup file turns a long rebuild into a short restore.
You should make a backup in these cases:
- Before you move to a new streaming box or TV.
- Before you update the app to a new version.
- Before you clear the app cache or data.
- Before a factory reset of the device.
- After you finish a big round of changes to groups and favorites.
Think of it like saving a game. You do it before something risky and after something important.
What you need before you start
Gather these items first. It makes the steps below smooth.
- TiviMate installed on your device. The service in this guide supports TiviMate 5.x.
- A storage place for the backup file. A USB stick, the device's own storage, or a cloud folder all work.
- Your playlist details from your provider, in case you need to add the playlist again by hand.
- A stable internet connection, so the channels can reload after a restore.
- Your remote control with the OK, Back and arrow buttons.
If you use a subscription from SubTV IP, keep your order email handy. It holds your playlist details.
What a backup usually contains
A TiviMate backup is a single file. It stores the choices you made inside the app. In general, that means your playlists, channel groups, favorites, and the app's settings.
It is not a copy of the video content. It does not hold any streams. It is only your setup, so it stays small and easy to move.
Because the app can change from one version to the next, always read what the app shows on screen. If a menu looks a little different on your version, follow the closest option with the same name.
How to back up TiviMate step by step
Follow these steps on the device where your setup already works.
- Open TiviMate and wait for the home screen to load.
- Press the left arrow or the menu button on your remote to open the side menu.
- Select "Settings".
- Scroll down and select "Backup and restore".
- Choose "Create backup".
- Pick a folder where the file will be saved. If the app asks for permission to use storage, select "Allow".
- Confirm the save and wait for the message that says the backup is complete.
- Copy the file to a second place, such as a USB drive or a cloud folder, so you have two copies.
That is all. The whole process takes about a minute on most devices.
Give the file a clear name
If your file manager lets you rename the file, add the date. For example, add the month and year to the name. Later, you will know which backup is the newest.
Keep the old files too, at least the last two. If a new backup turns out to be wrong, you can go back one step.
How to restore TiviMate step by step
Use these steps on the same device after a reset, or on a new device with a fresh TiviMate install.
- Install TiviMate on the new device and open it.
- Move the backup file to the device. Use a USB drive, a cloud folder, or a file transfer app.
- If the app asks you to add a playlist on first launch, you can skip that part and go to the settings first.
- Open "Settings > Backup and restore".
- Select "Restore".
- Browse to the folder that holds your backup file and select it.
- Confirm the restore and wait while the app loads your data.
- Go back to the home screen and let the channel list and the guide refresh.
When the refresh ends, your playlists and groups should be back as they were.
Check that everything came back
Do a quick review after every restore. It takes two minutes and saves you from surprises later.
- Open the channel list and look for your usual groups.
- Check that your favorites are still marked.
- Open the guide and see that program data is loading.
- Play one channel and make sure the picture and sound work.
- Open the settings and confirm that your choices, such as the look and the playback options, are the same.
If one item is missing, do not panic. Read the next section.
If a step fails
Most problems come from a few simple causes. Find your problem below, then try the fix.
Cause: the app cannot see the backup file. Fix: move it to a simpler location
Some devices hide folders from apps. Copy the file to the main storage of the device or to a USB drive. Then open "Settings > Backup and restore > Restore" again and browse to it.
Also check that you gave TiviMate permission to read storage. Without it, the file list will look empty.
Cause: the restore stops or shows an error. Fix: use the same or a newer app version
A backup made on a newer version may not load on an older one. Update TiviMate on the new device, then try again. Keep the app on the same major version on both devices when you can.
If the file still fails, try an older backup that you saved earlier.
Cause: channels are empty after the restore. Fix: refresh or re-add the playlist
The backup stores your setup, but the channel list still comes from your provider. If the list is empty, open the playlist settings and refresh it. If that does not help, add the playlist again with the link or details from your provider.
Check that your subscription is active and that the details are typed exactly. One wrong letter breaks the link.
Cause: playback buffers after a restore. Fix: adjust your network settings
If streams stutter after you move to a new device, the cause is often the network and not the backup. Two changes can help:
- Set your device or router DNS to Cloudflare, which is 1.1.1.1.
- Set the buffer or cache in the player to 5,000 ms.
These steps can reduce slowdowns that come from your internet provider. The exact menu name for DNS depends on your device, so look under its network settings.
Cause: favorites or groups look different. Fix: restore again from a clean install
If you restored on top of a half-set-up app, old data can mix with the new data. Clear the app data, open TiviMate fresh, and run the restore once more before you change anything else.
Move your setup to a new device
A backup is the quickest way to switch hardware. The steps are the same on every device type. Examples that work with this service include Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Android TV Box, Xiaomi Mi Box S and other Android based players.
- Create a fresh backup on the old device.
- Copy the file to a USB drive or a cloud folder.
- Install TiviMate on the new device.
- Move the file to the new device.
- Run "Settings > Backup and restore > Restore".
- Check your playlist, groups and favorites.
Some devices, such as Samsung Smart TV (Tizen), LG webOS and Apple TV, use other player apps. The service lists IBO Player Pro, IPTV Smarters Pro, Kodi 21 and Flex IPTV as supported players too. Those apps have their own backup tools, so a TiviMate file will not load there.
Good backup habits
A few small habits keep your setup safe for years.
- Back up on a schedule. Pick a simple rule, like the first day of each month.
- Back up before changes. Do it before updates, resets and big edits.
- Keep two copies. One on the device and one somewhere else.
- Keep your playlist details apart. Store them in a safe note, so you can re-add the playlist if needed.
- Delete very old files. Too many files make it hard to find the right one.
Communities such as Reddit r/PleX often talk about home media habits like backups, storage and network setup. The same ideas apply to your TiviMate files. For general news about shows and entertainment, Entertainment Weekly is a handy read when you are not setting things up.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most lost setups come from small slips. Watch for these.
- Keeping the only copy on the device. If the device fails, the backup fails with it. Always copy the file out.
- Backing up once and forgetting. A file from last year will not hold your new groups and favorites.
- Clearing data before checking the file. Make sure the backup file opens and has a normal size before you reset anything.
- Restoring over a messy setup. Start from a clean app to avoid mixed data.
- Skipping the review. A two minute check right after the restore catches problems early.
A simple plan for a device reset
If you plan to reset your streaming box, follow this order. It keeps the risk low.
- Create a new backup in "Settings > Backup and restore > Create backup".
- Copy the file to a USB drive and to a cloud folder.
- Write down your playlist details from your order email.
- Reset the device.
- Install TiviMate again and restore the file.
- Review your groups, favorites and one playing channel.
After the reset, you may also need to sign in to your other apps again. TiviMate itself will be back to normal as soon as the restore ends.
Keep your network settings in mind
Many people think the backup covers everything on the device. It does not. It only covers what lives inside the app, so treat your router and device choices as a separate list to note down.
A restore brings back your TiviMate choices, but it does not change your router or device network. If you moved to a new place or a new router, set the network up again. Use Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) if your internet provider slows streams, and keep the player buffer at 5,000 ms. Then play a channel for a few minutes and watch for stutter.
Keep your playlist ready for the restore
A backup helps only if your playlist still works. A paid premium subscription with instant activation gives you the playlist details right after your order. The service supports TiviMate 5.x, offers 1, 3 or 12 month plans, and takes payment by PayPal or credit card. Support is available on WhatsApp if you get stuck while you set things up.
The service also states 99.9% uptime, a server cluster built to stop freezing and 4K streams at 60 fps with HEVC. When your player is backed up and your playlist is ready, a device change takes minutes.
Quick checklist
Use this table as a last review. If every row is done, your setup is safe and ready to move.
| Step | Done when |
|---|---|
| Create backup | The app says the backup is complete |
| Copy a second file | The file exists on a USB drive or in the cloud |
| Install TiviMate on the target device | The app opens to the start screen |
| Restore | The app finishes loading your data |
| Review | Groups, favorites and a channel all work |
