Channels: Whole Home DVR

Channels: Whole Home DVR

Live TV & DVR on your devices

577 ratings
81 reviews
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • August 15, 2018
  • September 15, 2026

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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+1

What's New in Channels

7.1.2

September 15, 2026

• IMPROVED: startup time of the app • IMPROVED: guide performance when navigating and behavior when opening the guide • IMPROVED: handling of low disk space situations with remote streaming • IMPROVED: guide scroll behavior • IMPROVED: handling of remote streaming caches • FIXED: crash when opening PiP on the iPad app running on macOS • FIXED: Layout bug on tvOS causing items to render off the screen

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User reviews

Not great on a Mac

Because the app is native to iPads, and thus touch control, it’s poorly constructed for mice. Scrollbars don’t respond to mouse clicks or drags, which means you have to open the primary window large enough to accommodate any popup menus fully extended.

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!

Apple TV app does not function at all

No matter what option i choose, it can’t detect my location and “does not recognise” any postcode i enter

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.

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.