Already own one of these? You're watching tonight.

The short version

ElephTV is an Android app. Anything that runs the Google Play Store — or can sideload an APK — will run it. That covers the overwhelming majority of TVs and TV accessories sold in South Africa from about 2019 onwards: Hisense (Android/Google TV models only, not VIDAA), TCL, Skyworth, Sony, Xiaomi Mi, JVC and most no-brand "Android TV" units. It also covers most Android phones and tablets, tested compatible Firestick models, and Windows PCs via an emulator.

Smart TVs with Google Play (easiest)

If your TV's home screen has the Google Play Store, you're a five-minute setup away. Open Play Store, search for the player listed in your delivery email, install it, paste your activation code. Many Hisense, TCL, Sony and Skyworth Android/Google TV models from the last few years (Hisense VIDAA sets are not supported) are in this category.

Android TV boxes (also easy)

Generic Android TV boxes — H96, X96, Mi Box, Mecool and similar — are the cheapest way to get Streaming TV on an older non-smart TV. Plug it into HDMI, connect Wi-Fi, install from Play Store or sideload the APK from our /download page.

Amazon Firestick (sideload)

Firesticks don't have Google Play, so you install via the free Downloader app. Enable "Apps from Unknown Sources" in Firestick settings, then point Downloader at the APK URL we send you. Five-minute job. Both the standard Firestick and the 4K Max are supported.

What's not supported (and what to do)

Samsung TVs (Tizen OS) and LG TVs (webOS) are not Android — ElephTV does not run on them natively. Same for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV (iOS / tvOS). Use a compatible Android/Google TV device connected through HDMI instead.

Internet requirements

Minimum 10 Mbps for stable Full HD, 25 Mbps recommended for 4K and multi-device households. Works on Vumatel, Openserve, Frogfoot, MTN Fibre, Rain LTE/5G and Telkom — anything stable. Mobile data works too, but a single Full HD stream uses about 1.5 GB per hour.