Back Up Your Playlists and Move to a New Computer

Adding a source takes a moment. Rebuilding favorites, hidden categories and playback positions takes longer. A playlist backup keeps the supported parts of that library together so you can restore them after a problem or move them to another computer.

This guide describes the versioned backup available in IPTVnator 0.24. Its scope varies by source type, so check the table below before relying on it as your only copy of data.

Export before changing anything

1. On the computer with the library you want to keep, open Settings → Backup.
2. Under Import/export playlist backups, choose Export.
3. Save the JSON file. The suggested name includes the export date, for example iptvnator-playlist-backup-2026-10-04.json.
4. Keep a copy outside the app’s own data folder. If you are moving computers, transfer it through a location you control.

Export the receiving computer’s library too if it already has sources and favorites you care about. Restoring a snapshot can replace saved state for a matching source; preserving both backups gives you a record of each library before the import.

Settings → Backup contains both actions: Export creates the backup; Import restores it.

What travels in the file

An M3U backup includes the playlist text even if the original playlist came from a local file. It does not include the video files those entries may point to. Paths that worked on one computer may need updating on another.

The export includes connection credentials. Store it as private data, not as an attachment to a public support thread. If a report needs an example playlist, prepare a separate redacted example rather than sharing your backup.

Restore on the destination

1. Install a current supported version of IPTVnator on the destination computer.
2. Open Settings → Backup, choose Import, and select the exported file.
3. Read the summary: it reports sources that were imported, merged, skipped or failed.
4. Open each restored source and let any required catalog initialization finish.
5. Check a few favorites, recent items and, for Xtream, a saved playback position.

Xtream restores may need the catalog to load before saved items can be matched to their content. An imported source appearing in the list does not mean every catalog operation has already completed.

Stalker connects again using its restored source definition rather than transferring a running session. The provider’s device and connection rules still apply on the destination.

Understand what “merged” means

The importer recognizes sources from their connection identity. An M3U URL, an Xtream server and username, or a Stalker portal and MAC address can identify an existing source. For an M3U without a URL, the playlist content provides the match.

When an entry matches, the existing source is updated and its backed-up user state is applied. This is not a promise to combine every favorite from two different points in time. For example, importing an older snapshot can replace changes made after that snapshot.

Move the remaining pieces deliberately

Downloaded movies, episodes and recordings are not inside the JSON file, nor does importing a playlist backup recreate the Downloads library. Keep the media separately and do not assume that copying files alone registers them in the new app’s download manager.

Move local XMLTV files separately and select their new locations. Reapply other preferences, such as the selected player and update channel, on the destination.

A backup is also separate from recovery of sources missing after an older upgrade. If data has unexpectedly disappeared, first record the versions and what happened; repeatedly importing snapshots can make it harder to tell which state you are examining.

Related

• Choose between Stable and Nightly updates
• Add an M3U playlist and EPG
• Connect an Xtream account
• Connect a Stalker portal
• Download IPTVnator