Before we get started with the actual SO Player on Firestick setup, I provided a Primer also. You should learn the basics so that you don’t get lost or confused like so many have. If you are more of the visual type, my video tutorial should come in handy that lets you see everything in action.
I cover the SOPlayer app download steps below. This will also lead you to the recommended IPTV service needed to sign up and activate the app to start watching your favorites online.
Using the Latest Firestick/Fire TV Version Would be Wise…
The Firestick 4k was used and I suggest using the latest version of the Fire Stick or Fire TV device — See Amazon. You want to avoid issues such as app crashes and poor streaming performance. Because the SO Play app connected to the IPTV service uses IP Lock technology, you cannot use a VPN service to change your IP address.
Who Am I…
You can call me the Web TV Guy. I test-reviewed many Internet TV products and services over the years. This also includes testing/reviewing many different TV apps and streaming TV/VOD services. The SOPlay is one of the most popular apps around today.
Already have this app installed? Scroll further down to sign up and subscribe to one of the SOPlayer IPTV services listed.
You can continue reading below to use SO Player. Or use LUX Player which is an extremely similar app. It’s always good to read and learn as much as you can. We educate you here so that you avoid making mistakes and getting lost.
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!…
Beware of IPTV service websites calling themselves SOPlayer with the app name in the URL. They are using the name of this app to lure you to their website and purchase their service that supports a different app. Take a close look at the TV app they are supporting. Contact them and ask what is the name of the app(s) they are supporting. Read below to learn more about the.
We test-reviewed many IPTV services and TV apps over the years and still do. I’m a firmer believer in giving people what they want. What you read is what you get. We also provide a Top 10 IPTV Services Comparison Chart for those who want more and want to compare. This comes with written reviews, video reviews, and tutorials that cover everything from beginning to end to get set up with a top IPTV service.
Other websites don’t provide information on where to get the activation/login credentials to activate and use the app to watch TV online. I provided links further down to get the streaming TV/VOD content you want to be delivered to the TV app to watch your favorites online.
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Newbies…
Newcomers find it easier to use SOP (SOPlayer) to watch TV online. However, there’s a little bit of a learning curve setting this up on the Firestick, Fire TV, or NVIDIA Shield. but never fear I’m going to make everything easier for you.
There are some extra steps that we must undergo to sideload the app when using devices with an Android operating system. In the end, you’ll know how to download and install the Apk version of the app for each device you may have.
Let’s Get Started, Shall We?…
Part 1 – Click Here (Understanding Basics)
Please don’t skip the primer below and go to the step-by-step written guide. I also provided the video installation setup as well. I will take you through the SO Player for Firestick step-by-step further down. The screenshots should be a big help as well. It’s okay if you don’t want to click the link above to read Part 1 of this guide. Part 2 here has the setup instructions — the bread-and-butter stuff you need.
App and IPTV Service Primer
The primer will educate you by providing you with a basic understanding to help avoid making crucial mistakes down the road and getting yourself confused or lost. This website receives many chat messages and while we are not a streaming TV/VOD service, and don’t provide any support, many come to us because they don’t know what they do.
What is SO Player?
Let’s start with the app so you have a better understanding of the SO Player Firestick setup. In no way, shape, or form the app delivers streaming TV/VOD content by itself. This has nothing to do with any satellite, cable, or fiber optic companies that deliver live channels and/or VOD.
Simply put, this is a free-to-download middleware app. It has the technology that helps deliver streaming TV/VOD content from the IPTV service. All the streaming content is delivered across your IP address whereas you need to install any antenna, receiver, or set-top box.
All TV apps with their technology also help organize the streaming content that includes feature enhancements such as Parental Control, tracking what you watched recently, Add to Favorites, search tool, etc. Many of these apps come with the EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) feature whereby you can program the TV guide. You can read more here.
Where to Find the App?
You can get the SO Player download from the Google Play Store depending on which compatible device you use. Or, you can find it inside your compatible device built-in or internal app store.
You cannot download SO Player directly on the Firestick or Fire TV device because the app download can’t be found in the Amazon App Store. More on this later.
4 Basic Requirements Needed:
- High-Speed Internet Connection: You should have a minimum of 30 Mbps, 60 Mbps is better, but 100 Mbps is recommended. See why when reading this article. You can use an ethernet cable (hardwire) for your main smart TV, and use WiFi for all your other compatible devices if you want.
- Compatible Devices: The app can be installed on Android (TV, Box, Smartphone), Devices with Android Operating Systems (Firestick, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield), and Smart TV (Samsung, LG).
- SO Player IPTV App: This is a free app/apk download but doesn’t deliver any streaming TV/VOD content once installed. The app must you activated by the IPTV service when emailing the activation/login credentials.
- IPTV Service: The app/apk connects to the IPTV service servers when activated. All the streaming content comes from the IPTV and they provide support for the content delivery and app. You don’t go anywhere else to get support, not even the SO Player website. You must return to the IPTV service website each time to renew your subscription.
NOTE: SO Play can no longer be found in the Apple Play Store. Unless you already have the app installed on your compatible device, you won’t be able to install it on any iOS/Apple device. However, there’s a very similar TV app that’s compatible with the same devices including iOS/Apple and Roku. Look further down for the links to IPTVs including SO Player IPTVs.
What Is An IPTV Service?
They are not affiliated with any cable, satellite, or Fios company that delivers live channels and VODs. All the streaming content comes from the Internet in IPTV servers. You don’t need any hardware to install, just 4 requirements stated above.
Since IPTVs don’t deliver all your US local TV channels, you might want to invest in an indoor HDTV antenna within a 100, 200, or more-mile radius. Connect it to your TV and scan for all your local channels. you can do this even with the SO Player on Firestick setup. Just switch to your TV to watch local channels if the IPTV doesn’t deliver a specific channel you want.
You must always remember the name of the IPTV service and know where to find their website. Remember, you only go to them when support is needed. And when the time to renew your subscription, you must return to their website to pay again. They will send you emails immediately with one important you having your activation/login credentials (Provider ID, Device Pin Codes, Username/Password).
IP Lock System
The SO Player technology and IPTV service that supports the app use an IP Lock system. What this means is you cannot change your IP address, and therefore cannot use a VPN service. If you are thinking about taking your compatible device with the app download already installed to a friend, neighbor, or family member’s place, you not be able to watch TV online. Your original IP address is locked in.
iOS/Apple Devices Update
Unfortunately, the SOP download iPhone and iPad is not more. SOPlayer was removed from the Apple Play Store during the summer of 2023. So as it stands now, no one can download SO Player to iOS/Apple devices anymore. But there is another way if you consider installing the LUX Player app/apk which has a very similar platform as SO Play.
Everything is pretty much the same including streaming content delivery. See the links to recommend IPTVs below.
Firestick / Fire TV Device
I never tested any IPTV service with the supported TV app installed on the Fire Cube, Fire TV device, or any old version of them. What I do know is you are better off using the latest version which at the time of putting this setup guide together the 4k version was used. I read that individuals used an old version and suffered through app crashes, poor streaming performance, etc.
So this should forewarn you to try to use the latest version of the Firestick, Fire TV, or any compatible streaming device for that matter. In my opinion, the Amazon Firestick is by far the best streaming device to use for IPTV services or any streaming TV/VOD service.
Understanding SOPlayer App/Apk
Because you cannot find the SO Play app inside the Amazon App Store, you must sideload the SOPlayer Apk for the Firestick instead. This requires downloading and installing the Downloader app which is included in this guide.
The apk URL must be entered into the Downloader app to commence the download and install process. You must now think Apk file. Also, note that you can use the Fire TV device and NVIDIA Shield. These devices also use the Android operating system.
Watch Setup Installation on Video…
The video tutorial above shows the download and install setup.
To get a complete visual of the entire process of downloading and installing SO Player, click the video image below. This will take you to the video tutorial to watch the entire setup. Or, look further down to read the step-by-step guide.
Downloader Link
The SO Player downloader link is needed. You simply download the app from the Google Player Store or your internal device app store. You only need the Downloader app for devices that use the Android operating system.
This includes the Firestick, Fire TV, and NVIDIA Shield. If you follow the guide or watch the video tutorial below, it shows how to install the Downloader app.
You don’t need to look for the SO Player link to download. What you do need is the SO Player Apk URL to type into Downloader. This allows you to download and install the app on your Fire TV, Firestick, or NVIDIA Shield device. Get More Info on Downloader Link Here
Our Written Reviews, and Video Review/Tutorials
Below you will find a few IPTV services that support the app to sign up to get the subscription or free trial to activate the app/apk. I also provided LUX Player IPTVs if you want to use LUX Player for any iOS/Apple device or Roku. Both the app and IPTV services have the same everything.
I provided links to read the full IPTV service review and video review/tutorials to learn all you can about the service. It doesn’t matter which one you choose, one isn’t better than the other.
Just understand what the SO Player does and what the IPTV service does. Everything starts and ends with the IPTV service, not the app.
Where to Sign Up to Activate App to Watch Web TV
You can skip ahead and go to Step 6 further down where you will find a couple of IPTV services supporting the SO Play app. I also provided alternative IPTV apps. Keep in mind that SO Play cannot be downloaded to iOS/Apple devices anymore and it’s not compatible with Roku. But LUX Player is compatible. I also provided links to read the full review.
Choose any one of the IPTVs listed and save all the others. Remember where you saved them because you might want to switch to another IPTV down the road. Also note that if you don’t see emails from the IPTV immediately after signing up, look in your Spam or Junk mail folder.
Again, you want to save all emails to refer back to them. This will help you to remember the name and where to go to get support or renew your subscription.
Part 1 – Click Here (Understanding Basics)
Download/Installation Process
Because the SO Play cannot be found inside the Amazon app store, we must install Downloader. This is the only way to complete the download SOPlayer Firestick setup. The Downloader app allows you to install the Apk version of SO Play. But before we can do this, you must set up a certain parameter in the Firestick Settings first.
The Fire TV device may be somewhat different from the Firestick. If so, you will have to figure things out what you need to do. I’m using the Firestick and never used the Fire TV device before. Now let’s get started…
Step 1: Setting Up Unknown Devices
1. Go to your Firestick or Fire TV Home screen.
2. Scroll to the far right to select the Gear icon.
3. Scroll down to select ‘My Fire TV’ to open.
4. Scroll down and select ‘Developer Options.
5. Scroll down and select ‘Apps from Unknown Sources’. If it’s already ‘On’, do nothing. If it’s ‘Off’, you need to select it to turn it ‘On’.
6. Select the ‘Turn On’ button.
Use the Firestick remote to head back to the Home screen where we started.
This completes the first part to Download the app/apk to the Firestick. Now you must complete the next part of the download process.
Step 2: How to Download & Install Downloader App
Before you can complete the SO Player App Firestick setup, you must complete the Downloader installation process. Then you will be able to use the special Apk URL to install the apk version of the app.
Follow the steps below…
1. Go to your Amazon Firestick Home screen.
2. You must now search for… Downloader
You can use either Alexa Voice and say… Downloader … to find the app or… Select ‘Find’ as displayed below. Scroll down to select ‘Search’.
3. Now type in… Downloader … on the keypad. You probably won’t need to type the entire word for it to appear (See red arrow).
4. Select the Downloader app image that appears.
5. Click the ‘Download – You own it’ icon to commence downloading the Downloader app.
6. The Downloader app will commence the downloading process…
7. The Downloader app is now being installed…
8. When the app finishes installing, click the ‘Open’ icon.
9. Look towards the bottom of the screen, over to the right, and select ‘Allow’.
10. In the next screen, select the long yellow ‘OK’ bar.
11. Now you are inside the Downloader app on the Home screen.
Enable JavaScript…
12. Next, we need to make sure one parameter is enabled. This may not be necessary because this parameter was preset by default but check anyway. In the left column, scroll down to select ‘Settings’ and Scroll down to highlight ‘Enable JavaScript’. If the box at the right is already checked, do nothing.
If the box is unchecked as you see below, then you need to check the box (enable it). Just select inside the highlighted section for ‘Enable JavaScript’ to open.
13. In the pop-up window, scroll right and select the yellow ‘Yes’ button.
14. Now you will see the Enable JavaScript box checked.
Ok, now that we have the first part out of the way preparing for the download, I will cover the 2nd part of installing the app/apk on the Firestick.
Step 3: How to Download SO Player on Firestick
To complete the setup, you will need the SO Player Apk URL. This is what’s called sideloading the app which is the Apk file URL. Remember SOPlay cannot be found inside the Amazon Firestick or Fire TV. The setup does require more steps.
I provided two apk URLs below that you can type in the address bar inside the Downloader app. Again, you have the option to watch the video (see link or image above) to see everything.
I wrote an entire article on Downloader Link for SOPlay if you want to read it to learn more. But you will find that link as you continue following the steps below.
So let’s go through the How to Install SO Player on a Firestick right now.
Start Here…
1. Scroll up and select ‘Home’ in the left column of the Downloader. If Downloader isn’t already open, then open the app. It will take you directly to the ‘Home’ screen. Select inside the address bar to get a blinking cursor.
If you’re looking for the latest version, I’m going to give you the Apk URL. Simply enter this SO Player Apk URL into the Downloader app Typepad: bit.ly/soplayr
You can always go directly to the Google Play Store to find SO Play to install it. If your smart TV or streaming device has a built app store or app store, go there to find and install the app.
If you cannot find SOPlay, then it means your TV or device is not compatible. I suggest using a Firestick. You’ll never go wrong. All IPTVs list that device as compatible.
The URL above will give you the latest version. However, some IPTV services are using the older version of the app. According to them, the older version sometimes performs better. This is why you should always start with finding the IPTV service first and use the apk URL they provide.
Step 3 Continues…
2. There are two SO Player Apk URLs provided. Use one or the other to type into the Downloader app Typepad as shown below…
bit.ly/soplayr or https://bit.ly/osoplay
As for the second apk URL you see above, you have the option to download/install either the latest or older SOPlayer Apk URL. But only install the older version if you know why you are doing it. As I stated in the video tutorial, you should have the latest version of your Firestick or Fire TV device. At the time of writing this guide and creating the video tutorial, the Firestick 4k was used.
3. After typing in the apk URL, scroll down the Typepad to highlight the ‘Go’ button and select it. You are now getting ready for the download.
4. The process is now connecting…
5. Now you should see the download in progress or better yet the apk download in progress.
Step 4: How to Install on Firestick
The download is completed and the install part will soon be completed. Next, a popup window appears. At the bottom, ‘Cancel’ is already highlighted.
1. Scroll right to highlight and select ‘Install’.
2. Now the app/apk installation progress begins. Give it some time to complete.
3. The entire installation process is now completed. The SO Player Apk is installed. Select ‘Done’ at the bottom of the popup window.
4. Now we want to delete that SOPlayer Firestick Apk URL file that you typed in earlier. You don’t need it anymore and you want to save storage space. Scroll Right to highlight the yellow ‘Delete’ button and select it to delete the Apk URL.
5. In the next popup window, scroll left and select the ‘Delete’ button again.
6. Now the Apk URL file is removed from the Firestick.
Step 5: Moving SOPlay to Firestick Home Screen
1. Go to the Firestick Home Screen. The new app/apk is not shown on the Home Screen so we must put it there. Scroll right to the ‘3-square +’ icon to select it…
2. Select ‘My Apps’
3. Scroll down and find SO Player. Just highlight it. Do Not select to open.
4. Read the white print at the bottom of the screen. Use your Firestick remote and press the 3-line button.
5. Over to the right, you will see a popup list. Select ‘Move to front’.
6. Now the SO Player apk is moved to the Home Screen. Go have a look…
That’s it!… You’re all done. Now give yourself a pat on the back.
Mission Accomplished
You completed the download and install setup. Good for you. A job well done.
We are now ready to find the ideal IPTV service to watch many of your favorites online. This is where I recommend a top SO Player IPTV service to you. You will have a few to choose from.
There’s a full written video review to learn more and see everything with your own eyes. Continue reading below…
Step 6: IPTV Service Signup, Subscription & Activation
Now that the download has been completed, the app must be activated. You need an IPTV service trial or subscription.
You can complete the setup first or last. It’s up to you. SO Player IPTVs to get a trial or subscription from:
SOPlayer IPTV Provider 1 or Read Full Review (New service, same as other one below…)
SOPlayer IPTV Provider 2 or Read Full Review
NOTE: Will be closing their doors to new subscribers soon.
SO Player can no longer be downloaded from the Apple Play Store to iOS/Apple devices anymore.
How to Download to Other Devices
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Alternatives to SO Player IPTVs
LUX Player IPTV1 or Read Review
LUX Player IPTV 2
NOTE: Compatible with iOS/Apple & Roku devices
NOTE: The free trial usually isn’t available when the big PPV fights/boxing/special events air on Saturday. The trial will return the following weekend.
You have the option to either install SO Player first or subscribe to the IPTV service first. Either way, you will need the IPTV service activation/login credentials to activate and use the app to watch TV online. You will receive emails from the IPTV service provider immediately after you subscribe.
Additional Information…
Make sure when you sign your email address is spelled correctly. You must also create a password. Write them both down. You will need them when going to the IPTV service website and clicking ‘My Account’ to sign in.
One of the emails you receive from the IPTV service will include instructions, links, and your activation/login credentials. In the latter, you get the Provider ID, 4 Device Pin Codes, Username, and Password. You will be required to enter that data in SO Player to activate it.
If you don’t see any emails from your IPTV service provider, then look in your Spam or Junk mail folder. If any emails are in that folder, just move them to your regular email inbox.
Final Notes
Most IPTV services have the Firestick listed as compatible. You can also use the Fire TV device. You may need to make some adjustments when following the video tutorial. Same thing for the written guide.
Completing the setup requires more steps than other compatible devices. But once you get past the SO Player for Firestick download and install setup, you’re done with the technical part.
The SO Player Firestick guide requires more steps than using a compatible smart TV. The screenshot images above should be a big help. Watching the video allows you to see the SO player download and installation process in action.
If you have more than one Firestick or Fire TV device you will need to follow the same SO Player app setup again from beginning to end. I know it takes some time to complete but the reward is sitting back and enjoying watching your favorites online throughout your household and devices.
