Why IPTV Categories Keep Re-sorting Themselves
IPTV categories keep re-sorting themselves because of technical limits in the apps and files you use, not because of a magical feature. In my testing, this is almost never a deliberate “feature” but a result of how IPTV data is handled.
Think of it like a messy desk. You organize it, but if someone keeps dumping new papers on it, it gets messy again. Your IPTV app is that desk.
What Is IPTV Category Sorting & How Does It Work?
Your IPTV service gives you a list of channels. This list is called a playlist. The playlist is just a text file.
Your IPTV app (like TiviMate or Smarters) reads this file. It shows you channels in groups. These groups are “categories” like Sports, News, or Kids.
How you sort them—by name, by favorite, by last watched—is saved in your app. But the original list comes from that file online.
Every time you open the app, it often reloads that file. If the file is built in a strange order, your app’s sorting can reset. It’s like your phone’s contact list reordering itself because it got a new update from the cloud.
Key Reasons for Re-sorting Explained
Here are the main causes, from my experience:
1. Playlist Updates: Your provider updates the channel list. The new file might have a different order. Your app sees this as a new list and applies its default sort.
2. App Cache/Crash: The app’s temporary memory (cache) gets cleared. This often happens on cheaper devices like Fire Stick when storage is full. Your sort settings are stored in cache and get wiped.
3. Missing EPG Data: EPG is your TV guide. If the guide data is missing for channels, some apps will push those channels to the bottom, scrambling your order.
4. Poor App Design: Some apps simply don’t save sort preferences well. This is a common bug in many free apps.
Performance & Optimization Secrets
You can fight the re-sort. Here are real fixes I use.
Step 1: Use a Better App. Apps like TiviMate or IMPlayer are famous for saving settings properly. They treat your sort order as a permanent user setting.
Step 2: Turn OFF Auto-Update. In your IPTV app settings, find “Update playlist on start” or “Auto-update”. Turn it OFF. You update the list manually when you choose.
Step 3: Clear Cache the Right Way. Don’t use “Clear Data”. Only clear “Cache” from your device settings. Clearing data will delete ALL your settings for sure.
Step 4: Use Favorites. Add your main channels to a Favorites list. This list is smaller and much less likely to be reordered by the app.
These steps help, but they are not a forever fix if your provider’s playlist file is badly made.
IPTV Sorting vs Alternatives: Comparison
How does this compare to regular TV?
Traditional Cable/Satellite: Channels are fixed. You cannot sort them. You get the order the company gives you. It’s stable but not flexible.
Streaming (Netflix, YouTube): They use smart algorithms. They sort content for you based on what you watch. You have little control.
Good IPTV Setup: You have total control… if the technology works. The promise is flexibility. The problem is the technical hiccups that take that control away.
The trade-off is clear. For total channel control, you need a stable premium IPTV service and a professional app. Without both, you get re-sorting chaos.
Expert Opinion on IPTV Re-sorting
This is a software problem, not a user problem.
From real setups, the core issue is that most IPTV apps are designed for a single, stable playlist. Today’s users have multiple sources that change often. The apps haven’t caught up.
A common mistake is blaming the IPTV provider first. Often, it’s the app on your device. Testing with a different app (like switching from Smarters to TiviMate) is the fastest way to find the culprit.
My verdict? Invest in a good, paid IPTV app. It makes a world of difference. The free apps cost you more in time and frustration.
FAQs about IPTV Categories Keep Re-sorting
Why did my favorites list disappear?
Your app cache was cleared, or the playlist updated and changed channel IDs. The app no longer recognizes your old favorites.
Can I stop this forever?
Probably not forever. You can minimize it with the fixes above. But updates and changes will always be a part of IPTV.
Is this a sign of a bad IPTV service?
Not always. It’s more a sign of a bad playlist structure or a weak app. A good provider sends a clean, well-ordered playlist file.
Will a factory reset help?
No! A factory reset will delete everything. It will make the problem worse. Never do this for a sorting issue.
Final Verdict & Conclusion
IPTV categories re-sort due to technical glitches. The main causes are playlist updates, app cache problems, and low-quality software.
The solution is twofold. First, use a professional IPTV app known for stability. Second, manage your playlist updates manually instead of automatically.
This gives you back control. Your channel order should stay how you set it. Remember, the best technology gets out of your way. A good IPTV setup does just that, letting you watch TV, not fight with it.
