Getting started

From zero to a working stream in about fifteen minutes.

1. Install the client

Download from the official site: stremio.com/downloads.

• Windows / macOS / Linux — full desktop app, includes the local streaming server.
• Android / Android TV — mobile and TV apps; the TV version is the one to use on a set-top box.
• LG / Samsung TVs — install from the TV's app store where available.
• iOS / iPadOS — no native app; use Stremio Web and add it to your home screen as a PWA.

Avoid third-party installers

APKs and "repacks" from random sites are the most common source of malware in this ecosystem. If you sideload, use the official GitHub releases only.

2. Create an account (or use guest mode)

An account syncs your add-ons, library and watch progress across devices. Guest mode keeps everything local and makes no calls to Stremio's backend, at the cost of sync and some features.

TIP

If you plan to use more than one device, create an account. Switching later means re-adding every add-on by hand.

3. Set up playback before adding content

Open Settings and check these first — they prevent most "why does it buffer" threads:

• Hardware acceleration — on, unless it causes green or black video on old GPUs.
• Cache size — on desktop, raise it if you have disk space; a bigger buffer survives slow peers.
• Quality — "Auto" is fine; forcing 4K on a 1080p TV only adds buffering.
• Subtitles — set your preferred language and size now, not mid-episode.
• External player (Android) — if the built-in player struggles with a codec, install Just Player or MX Player and select it here.
• Autoplay next episode — on, unless you fall asleep to shows.

4. Install your first add-ons

Open the Add-ons screen. You have two ways in:

1. Community add-ons — the built-in catalog. Press Install on what you want.
2. Manifest URL — paste a link ending in manifest.json into the search box. This is how you install configured add-ons (AIOStreams, Comet, MediaFusion, Torrentio).

For a first setup, install:

• AIOStreams — one aggregator that covers most sources.
• AIOMetadata — better catalogs and artwork (optional but nice).
• OpenSubtitles — already installed, leave it.

5. Test it

Open Discover, pick a well-known movie, press play, and look at the source list. You should see several results grouped by add-on. If the list is empty, jump straight to Troubleshooting — it is almost always a missing debrid token or an add-on that is down.

6. Tidy up

• Reorder add-ons with the Addon Manager: the first add-on is asked first, so put your main source on top.
• Save your setup with the Account Bootstrapper so a new TV takes two minutes instead of an evening.
• Optionally connect Trakt for watch history that survives everything.

Next

• How add-ons work
• Debrid providers
• AIOStreams setup