Channels: Whole Home DVR

Channels: Whole Home DVR

Live TV & DVR on your devices

527 ratings
79 reviews
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated

Features

Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #1 for iPhone
Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #2 for iPhone
Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #3 for iPhone
Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #4 for iPhone
Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #5 for iPhone
Channels: Whole Home DVR screenshot #6 for iPhone
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About

This app allows you to watch live TV and recorded shows on any device, even when you're away from home. It offers a unified viewing experience across all your platforms, with features like commercial skipping and the ability to record new episodes of favorite shows.

Record and watch on any device
Pause and resume viewing across devices
Schedule recordings remotely
Skip commercials automatically
Watch live TV with pause, rewind, and fast forward
Support for surround sound and closed captioning
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What's New in Channels

7.1.1

June 29, 2026

• NEW: downloads now display a Live Activity on iOS 26+ to provide progress while downloading • IMPROVED: reduced app install sized • IMPROVED: Massive reduction in memory usage • IMPROVED: TMDB identifiers are returned in the identifiers object of the Channels API on Apple TV (when they exist) • FIXED: Video was not being displayed over HDMI or via AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad • FIXED: No recordings would be displayed after switching DVRs under some circumstances • FIXED: Crash that could happen during data loading • FIXED: Crash that could happen with certain ATSC3 content

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User reviews

Thanky ou for Multi-Device Support!

I love this app. This has been a great platform for my home DVR having pulled the plug on cable. And being able to use the app on my M4 Mac Mini is just one more reason this app is a no-brainer. It’s stable, your site/community has great support, I simply have no notes. Thank you!

Great piece of software

I’ve been using Channels almost every day for years. This app has allowed me to get rid of two cable boxes, saving almost $30 a month. Admittedly the setup can be complex, but I am experienced in software.
The main features DVR, pausing and rewinding live tv, and being a media server serve all my non streaming media needs.
Plus in the years of using it, I have only encountered a couple of bugs.
This company should advertise this app more. Everyone always talks about Plex and Kodi. I know they are not 100% equivalent, but they share the same space.
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Excellent

Does what it says on the tin. I have been using this now for over 12 months and found it easy to use and very reliable. It would have gotten 5 stars if the guide search was improved. If I want to pick a day a week ahead I have to troll through day after day until I get to the day I want.

Love it

Everything is great except that I’m paying for this and my PiP is blocked by you guys having a “Rate our App” popup over the picture. Hopefully this goes away now…

Amazing

This is the absolute solution for an Apple tv device user that OS looking to combine live tv with personal collections and on demand apps. It is constantly updated with new features. Create your own virtual channels. Import your own media. Create collections. Download to devices. Integrate live tv from aerial and online sources. Deeplink content to apps you sibscribe to so content from Disney for example sits in your library next to your own content. So good.
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Developer apps

FAQ

What does the Channels app do?

The Channels app allows you to watch live TV and your recorded DVR content on any of your devices, including TVs, phones, and tablets. It provides a unified viewing experience, letting you record shows in one place and watch them on any device, even when you're away from home.

What are the key features of Channels?

Key features include recording shows and watching them on any device, pausing in one room and resuming in another, scheduling recordings remotely, and automatically skipping commercials. You can also watch live TV with full playback controls and access a 21-day TV guide.

How much does Channels cost?

The Channels app itself is free to download and use. However, to utilize the DVR features, you will need to install and run the Channels DVR Server on your home computer or NAS. The app does not have in-app purchases or ads.

What devices is Channels compatible with?

The app is designed to provide a unified experience across all your TVs, devices, and streaming platforms. This includes iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, and is noted for its performance on Apple TV.

How can I use Channels to watch TV?

Channels is ideal for cord-cutters who want to continue watching live broadcast TV and their recorded shows without a traditional cable subscription. It allows you to manage your recordings and live TV viewing from anywhere, making it a convenient replacement for cable DVR services.