How to Record Live TV on IPTV (PVR Guide 2026)

Can I Record IPTV like Sky+?

One of the first questions I get asked is, "Can I still record my soaps?" The answer is yes, but it's a bit different to your old Sky or Virgin box.

Most IPTV apps don't have built-in storage, so you need to provide it.

The Best Setup: TiviMate + USB

In my extensive testing, the TiviMate app combined with a simple USB drive is the most reliable recording setup.

What you need:

A Firestick (4K Max is best).

An OTG Cable (costs about £3 on Amazon). This allows you to plug a USB stick into your Firestick.

A USB 3.0 stick (32GB or 64GB is plenty).

How to set it up:

Plug the OTG cable into your Firestick power port, then plug the power cable and USB stick into the OTG cable.

Format the USB stick to FAT32 so the Firestick can read it.

Open TiviMate, go to Settings > Other > Recording.

Point the "Recordings Folder" to your new USB drive.

Now, you can just go to the TV Guide, long-press "Select" on any future programme, and hit Record. It works surprisingly well.

The Cloud Alternative: Catch-up

Honestly? I barely record anything anymore because Catch-up is so good.

With PrimeStream, most major UK channels have a 7-day rewind feature. You just scroll back in the guide to yesterday, click the show, and it plays instantly. No storage needed.

Common Recording Issues

"Recording Failed": This usually means your device ran out of space. This is why the external USB stick is crucial.

Corrupt Files: If your internet drops during the recording, the file might break. Recording requires a very stable connection.

If you are serious about recording, consider an NVIDIA Shield Pro, which has USB ports built right in.