How to use the Virgin TV Control app

How you set recordings or a Series Link+ on the Virgin Media TV Control app depends on what type of device you’re using:

Using an Apple iOS device

To record a show or set a Series Link+ on your iOS device:

1. Find and select the show you want to record
2. Tap Get this show.
3. Choose to record a single episode or hit Create a Series Link+ to record the season

Using an Android device

To record or set a Series Link+ on your Android device:

1. Find and select the show you want to record
2. Tap the Record button
3. If you want to record just that episode, simply tap Record; or select Create a Series Link+ to record the whole season

For more information on recording, follow our help guide on how to record on your Virgin TV.

If you’ve got a Virgin TV V6 box, you can use the app to watch selected recordings on your mobile or tablet around the home. You can even download them from the Virgin TV V6 box and watch them on the go.

You’ll just need to be connected to your home network to stream or download your recordings. But once your recordings have been downloaded, you can play them anywhere. Say goodbye to boring train rides.

Note: You cannot download recordings from Virgin TV 360 boxes.

How you stream or download recording depends on what type of device you have.

How to stream or download recordings on Apple iOS

To stream recordings on your Apple iOS device, simply do the following:

1. Go to My Shows
2. Select the show you’d like to stream
3. Tap Watch

To download from recordings on your Apple iOS device:

1. Go to My Shows
2. Select the show you’d like to download
3. Tap Get Show and then Download
4. Set the downloading options and tap Download with these options

The show will then be saved in the On Phone tab, ready for you to watch.

How to stream or download recordings on Android

To stream recordings on your Android device, simply do the following:

1. Go to My Shows
2. Select the show you’d like to stream
3. Tap Watch
4. Select Watch on phone

To download from recordings to your Android device, simply do the following:

1. Go to My Shows
2. Select the show you’d like to download
3. Tap Get Show
4. Select Download
5. Set the downloading options and tap Download with these options

The download will show in the On Phone tab, where you can select it to watch.

How long do I have to watch a downloaded recording?

You'll have 30 days from the download date to watch it. After you start watching a recording, you will usually have 48 hours before it expires. The expiry times can sometimes vary between content providers.

How many times can a recording be downloaded?

Usually, you can download a recording twice per household. However, this can vary based on the content provider.

If you have more than one Virgin TV box and want to swap between them, follow the steps below:

iPhone, IPod Touch, or Android phone

1. Select the More menu
2. Tap Selected DVR
3. Tap the box you want to connect to and then tap Done

You’ll now see the Info screen for the box you selected if you’re connected to your home network, or the box’s Guide if you’re out and about.

On your iPad or Android Tablet

1. Tap the drop-down button at the top left of the screen
2. Select the box you want to connect to
3. Tap Done

You’ll now see the Info screen for the box you selected if you’re connected to your home network, or the box’s Guide if you’re out and about.

The Guide lets you browse the full TV listings for something to watch now or record for later. You can also look through past TV listings to watch programmes available on Catch Up TV.

The Guide on the app displays a list of all your available TV channels. You can explore the Guide in the following ways:

• Drag the list on the screen up or down to see more TV channels.
• Tap the arrow icons to see what’s been on or what’s coming up
• Tap the date/time at the top of the screen and use the selector to find the date you want. You can view channel listings for up to the next two weeks.
• Tap a show title to see information about it. You’ll also see a list of action buttons to help you decide what to do next. If a show is available on Catch Up TV you’ll see the catch up icon.
• Tap the Channel button to find channels faster – use the on-screen keyboard and simply enter the name or number of the channel you’re looking for.

You can choose how to display the TV Guide in the Settings menu. Choose from the following options:

• All Channels – Displays the full channel list
• Favourite Channels – Displays any channels you have selected as your favourites

Action buttons make using the app even easier. Check out our complete guide to what each button does below:

Watch Now

Tap this to start playing your selected show on the TV box.

Get From

Tap this to start watching a programme from On Demand.

Record

Tap this to set and manage your recordings through the Virgin TV Control.

Series Link +

Use this button to manage your Series Link recordings. You can change your recording options or cancel them.

Don’t Record or Stop Recording

Tap this to quickly cancel a recording you have previously set.

Delete

Tap this button to delete a single show.

Upcoming

Tap this to see all showings of a programme that are available to view within the next two weeks.

Explore

Tap the Explore button to find out more about a programme, like who’s starring in it, who’s directing it, or to discover programmes like it.

WishList™

You’ll see the Wishlist™ button when you select a cast or crew member using the Explore button. Tap Wishlist and the TV box will automatically record everything starring that cast or crew member when it’s shown on TV.

You can use the Virgin TV Control app on iOS to create a new WishList.

To do this:

1. Use the search bar at the top right of the screen to enter the title of the show, director or name of the actor you're interested in.
2. A list of matches will appear. Tap on the best match to see more information.
3. Select an actor or director and the WishList button will appear. Tap this to set up your WishList.
4. In the options page, slide the Auto-Record button to make sure the shows record.
5. Select your recording options.
6. When you're happy with your options, tap on Save WishList with these options.

To use your Apple iOS device as a remote:

1. Open the TV Control App
2. Tap the More button at the bottom right of the screen
3. Tap Remote Control from the menu
4. If you see a message letting you know you’re not connected to the Virgin TV V6 or TiVo box on the home network, simply press Connect.

And that’s all there is to it. You can now start controlling your TV box on your phone or tablet.

Once you’ve finished using the onscreen remote control just tap any of the Menu buttons at the bottom of the screen to return to any other part of the app.

To use your Android as a remote:

1. Open the TV Control App
2. Tap the Menu button at the top left of the screen
3. Tap Remote Control from the menu
4. You might then see a message saying you’re not connected to the Virgin TV V6 or TiVo box on the home network. If you do, simply press Connect.

You can now use your Android to control your TV box, just like a remote.

Once you’ve finished using the onscreen remote control, just tap the Menu button at the top left of the screen to return to any other part of the app.

Your onscreen remote control looks and works just like your Virgin TV V6 or TiVo remote. Drag your finger up and down the screen to see the buttons you can use:

• Tap Home on the top of the screen to bring up the Home screen on your TV.
• Tap at the top of your screen to bring up the onscreen keypad.
• To control a recording or pause live TV, use the buttons in the middle screen; you can, fast-forward, rewind, pause, skip forward and go back.
• Play a show in slow motion, record, use Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down or stop a video.
• Use the number keypad to select channels so you don’t need to scroll through the guide.

Gestures

If you prefer to swipe to control your TV, tap Gestures near the top right of the screen to open the gesture pad.

Additional info

The remote control feature can be set up with as many devices as you like, just as long as your phone or tablet is connected to the same home network as your Virgin TV V6 or TiVo box.

If you’re out and about, you’ll see the remote icon has an exclamation mark or an orange ‘x’ over it. You can only use the remote control feature when you are on the same home network as your Virgin TV V6 or TiVo box.