How to Switch From Cable to IPTV in 7 Simple Steps

The hardest part of leaving cable is not the technology. It is the timing. Cancel too early and the TV goes dark. Cancel too late and you pay for two services.

This tutorial on how to switch from cable to IPTV is built around that problem. You will follow seven steps in a specific order, so your new service is proven before the old one disappears. Set aside an evening for the setup and a few days for testing.

What you will need

How to switch from cable to IPTV: seven steps

1. 1

   Write down what you watch

   Make a short list of the channel types and shows that matter to your household. Ask everyone at home. This list becomes your test plan in step four.

2. 2

   Check your internet speed and Wi-Fi

   Stand next to the TV and run a speed test on your phone. If the result is low or unstable, move the router closer, use a cable or plan for a wired connection. HD works on most home connections, while 4K asks for more.

3. 3

   Choose your device

   A smart TV works on its own. An older TV needs a streaming device in the HDMI port. Read the setup guides for smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Android or iPhone and iPad to see which one suits you.

4. 4

   Request a free trial

   Message us on WhatsApp, tell us your device and receive trial login details. Install a compatible IPTV player app, sign in and wait for the channel list to load.

5. 5

   Test it like you really live

   Watch at the times you normally watch. Open the TV guide, try catch-up TV on a program you missed and check that your list of must-have channels is there. Keep cable active during this step.

6. 6

   Pick a plan

   If the trial works, choose the plan length and the number of screens. Our plans and prices range from $12.99 for 1 month to $64.99 for 12 months, with extra screens for the other TVs in your home. Not sure what to compare? Our checklist on how to choose an IPTV service covers the nine questions to ask first.

7. 7

   Cancel cable and return the box

   Once the new service has worked for several days, call your cable company, cancel the TV package and keep the internet. Ask when and where to return the equipment, and keep a receipt.

How long does the whole switch take?

Most of the time goes to testing, not setup. Activation on View IPTV usually happens within 5 to 15 minutes after your payment is confirmed, and installing the app takes about ten minutes. Plan a few days of side-by-side viewing, and you will be ready to cancel in about a week.

What changes in daily life

Day to day, the biggest difference is the remote and the menu. Instead of a cable box, you open an app, and your channels, TV guide and on-demand titles live in one place. Give everyone at home a few days to find their favorite channels, and mark them as favorites so they are one press away.

You may also notice that you are no longer tied to one room. The same login can work on a phone or tablet, so a show can follow you to the kitchen or the bedroom. If you travel, bring your device and sign in to the same app.

Costs to expect during the switch

• A short overlap: cable and the new service run side by side while you test.
• Possible equipment: a streaming stick if your TV is not a smart TV.
• Early cancellation terms: ask your cable company if your contract has any, before you call to cancel.
• Nothing extra for internet: you keep the plan you already have.

Switching more than one TV

If you have several TVs, decide how many will be on at the same time. That number is how many screens you need. Two screens cost 50% more than one, and three cost 90% more, so a household with one main TV and a bedroom TV can choose two screens. The setup on each TV is the same as on the first one.

• Install the same player app on each device and sign in with your details.
• Place a streaming stick behind older TVs with an HDMI port.
• Use Ethernet cables on the TVs that you watch the most.

Common questions after the switch

Most new users ask the same things in the first week: where to find the guide, how to mark favorites and how to move to a new device. The FAQ page covers these. And if you pick the 12-month plan, moving to a new device later is free, which is helpful when you replace a TV.

Worried about fees? See how to cancel cable without penalty in 7 mistakes to avoid. Renting? Read TV for renters without cable first. To see what you pay today before you switch, read what cable TV costs per month once fees and boxes are added. For a broader view of the process, our cord cutting guide explains the basics, and cable TV alternatives compares the options. For general consumer information on TV and internet service, see the FCC consumer guides.

Have more than one TV? Our guide to watching TV in multiple rooms without a cable box shows how to set up every room before you cancel.

Conclusion: switch with confidence

Knowing how to switch from cable to IPTV is mostly about order. Check your internet, test for free, choose a plan and cancel last. If something does not work on your device, the 7-day refund policy is there as a safety net.

Ready for step four? Request your free trial on WhatsApp and follow the steps above.

Frequently asked questions