Check if you already have what you need
Stremio runs natively on phones, computers, and most modern smart TVs. There's a good chance you don't need to buy anything.
Android or iPhone — install Stremio from the App Store or Play Store.
Download directly from stremio.com.
Google TV (TCL, Hisense, etc.), Samsung (2021+), LG, and Fire TV all have native Stremio apps. Just search for "Stremio" in your TV's app store — if it shows up, install it and move on to step 2.
Stremio isn't available on Roku, and a dumb TV has no app store at all. You'll need a small streaming stick — see below.
The Onn 4K Streaming Device (Walmart's house brand) is the go-to recommendation — it runs Google TV with full Play Store access, so Stremio installs like any normal app. No sideloading, no fuss.
Works fine for Stremio but noticeably less snappy than the 2026 model — slower menus, slightly longer load times. If it's in stock and you want to spend as little as possible, it'll get the job done. Check availability in-store as it's often sold out online.
The reliable default. Faster processor, 8GB storage, Google TV with Gemini, consistently in stock at Walmart. Best value for most people.
More powerful, nicer experience, and not from Walmart if that matters to you. Worth it if you want something more premium or it's on sale. It's a small box rather than a stick.
Install Stremio
Install Stremio on whatever device you're using. It's free.
After installing
- 1Open Stremio and create a free account, or log in if you have one. Your addons and watch history sync across all your devices via this account.
- 2Skip any prompts to add content for now — the Bootstrapper in step 4 will handle all of that.
Sign up for TorBox
TorBox is what makes everything work well. It costs a few dollars a month and gives you fast, high-quality streams with no buffering. It works from multiple locations (home, travel, mobile data) and has no filters blocking content.
- 1 Go to torbox.app and create a free account.
- 2 Go to Plans and pick a paid tier. The annual plan works out cheapest per month.
- 3 After paying, go to Settings → API Key and copy your API key — you'll need this in the next step.
Run the Bootstrapper
The Stremio Account Bootstrapper sets up your entire addon configuration in one shot — Torrentio, Comet, metadata, subtitles, all wired up with your TorBox key. No need to install or configure each addon individually.
- 1 Open the Bootstrapper in your browser and log in with your Stremio email and password. Everything runs locally in your browser — nothing is sent to a third-party server.
- 2 Select a preset. Standard is the right pick for most people — Torrentio, Comet, metadata, and subtitles without going overboard.
- 3 Find the Debrid Service section, select TorBox, and paste in your API key.
- 4 Click Install / Sync. The Bootstrapper pushes the full addon configuration to your Stremio account in a few seconds.
- 5 Open (or restart) the Stremio app. Your addons will already be there — Stremio syncs across all your devices automatically once the account is updated.
Preset comparison
- →Minimal: Torrentio + Comet (5 results each) + subtitles. Fast and clean. Good if you want something simple that just works.
- →Standard: Torrentio + Comet + MediaFusion + metadata + subtitles. Best balance. Start here.
- →Full: Everything. More results, more clutter. Fine if you want maximum coverage.
You're set up — here's how to use it
Search for any movie or TV show in Stremio. Click it, then click Watch Now. You'll see a list of stream sources — pick the highest quality result with a TorBox or debrid badge next to it.
What the stream labels mean
- ⚡Cached: TorBox already has this file ready. Near-instant start, full speed. Always pick these first.
- ↓Not cached: TorBox grabs it on demand. A little slower to start but still works fine.
- ○No badge: Direct stream, no TorBox. Use as a last resort — speed and quality vary.
Your setup syncs everywhere automatically
Log into your Stremio account on any device and your full addon configuration will already be there. You only need to run the Bootstrapper once.
Troubleshooting
Common issues
- ?No streams showing up: Double-check your TorBox API key was entered correctly in the Bootstrapper. Re-run it with the correct key and sync again.
- ?Addons didn't appear in the app: Force-close and reopen Stremio, or log out and back in. Sync can take a minute to propagate.
- ?Buffering on cached streams: Rare with TorBox — try a different stream result, or pick a lower quality or smaller file size option from the list. If it's still happening, check your internet connection.
- ?Error when trying to play a file: Occasionally a stream will error out in Stremio's built-in player. Try opening it in a different video player — when the error appears, look for an option to open with an external player and try VLC, ExoPlayer, or whatever's available on your device.
- ?Can't find something: Very old or obscure titles sometimes have fewer sources. Try searching with just the year included, or check the spelling.
- ?New movie still in theaters: If a film hasn't been released on any platform yet, it may be unavailable entirely or only available as a low-quality recording filmed in a movie theater. Once it hits home release, a proper version usually shows up within 24 hours.