STBEmu (free) and STBEmu Pro (paid) are Android apps that emulate a MAG set-top box. Instead of a username and password, they connect with a portal URL and a MAC address. Send us the MAC address shown in the app, we activate it, and you enter the portal URL we give you.
When should you use STBEmu?
STBEmu is ideal if you like the classic MAG box interface, or if you’re moving from a MAG box to an Android device and want the same look. For most people, TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro is simpler — but STBEmu is fully supported by IPTVMaple.
How to set up STBEmu Pro
- Install STBEmu or STBEmu Pro from the Google Play Store (or with Downloader on Firestick).
- Open the app. On first launch it shows a MAC address (it starts with
00:1A:79). Write it down. - Send us that MAC address on WhatsApp with your order or free trial request. We activate it and send you a portal URL.
- In STBEmu go to Settings → Profiles → your profile → Portal settings and paste the Portal URL.
- Under STB configuration, choose model MAG 250 or MAG 254, then restart the app.
Fixing common STBEmu errors
- “Loading portal” forever — check the portal URL ends with
/c/exactly as sent. - “STB blocked” or authentication failed — the MAC address in the app must match the one we activated.
- Buttons don’t work with the remote — enable “Use remote control” mapping in STBEmu’s keyboard settings.
STBEmu vs a real MAG box
A MAG box is dedicated hardware that does one thing well. STBEmu gives you the same portal experience on a device you already own, plus access to every other Android app.
STBEmu vs STBEmu Pro
| STBEmu | STBEmu Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid, one time |
| Interface | MAG-style portal | MAG-style portal with extra options |
| Best for | Trying the portal | Daily use on an Android box |
Prices and features are set by the developer, so check the Google Play listing. The portal setup in the steps above is the same for both.
Which STB model should I choose?
STBEmu imitates a MAG set-top box. For most portals, MAG 250 or MAG 254 works. If channels load but video fails, try another model in STB configuration, restart the app and test again. Settings such as the video player (hardware or software decoder) and resolution are in the same menu.
STBEmu troubleshooting
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Black screen after choosing a channel | Switch between the hardware and software video player |
| Portal loads but channels are empty | The MAC activated with us must match the app’s MAC exactly |
| App asks for the MAC again after a reinstall | A reinstall can change it. Send us the new one, or restore the old MAC in settings |
Prefer an app with a modern guide? See TiviMate on Firestick or the full IPTV apps comparison.
STB Emu, STB Emu Pro and “iptv stb”
“Stb emu pro”, “stbemu iptv” and “iptv stbemu” are the same Android app. It imitates a MAG box (see MAG) so you can use a portal link and MAC address on a phone, Android TV or Firestick. It’s a good fallback for people who already have a portal-style setup; most new users are better off with TiviMate or Smarters. Search “stbemu pro firestick” is answered in our Firestick guide. The 4K stb emu version needs a 4K device.
Smart STB: the MAG portal on Samsung and LG TVs
STBEmu runs on Android only. If your TV is a Samsung (Tizen) or LG (webOS) and your login is a MAG-style portal, the app people use is Smart STB. It does the same job as STBEmu: it imitates a MAG box in software.
- Install Smart STB from your TV’s app store (it is also on Android TV and Fire TV).
- Open it and note the virtual MAC address it shows. Send it to us so we can activate it.
- In the app’s settings, enter the portal URL we send you and restart the app.
Smart STB is a paid app with a trial; the fee goes to its developer, not to IPTVMaple. If you don’t specifically want the MAG look, you don’t need it: on a Samsung or LG TV, an app that takes an Xtream Codes login, such as IPTV Smarters, is simpler and free to try.
Official sources
StbEmu emulates the portal interface of MAG set-top boxes. The original hardware and its portal system are described by Infomir, the maker of MAG boxes.
