M3U8 is a text-based media playlist format widely used in HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). Whether for live or on-demand video, M3U8 files act as a "directory" telling players where to fetch video segments. This guide covers multiple methods to find M3U8 streams.

💡 What is M3U8?

An M3U8 file is essentially a text file containing URLs of one or more media files. Players read this file and sequentially load video segments from the listed URLs, enabling smooth streaming playback.

Method 1: Browser Developer Tools (Recommended)

This is the most common and effective method, works for most video sites.

Detailed Steps:

Open Developer Tools

Press F12 (or Cmd+Option+I on Mac) on the video page to open browser dev tools

Switch to Network Tab

Click on the "Network" tab

Filter M3U8 Requests

Type ".m3u8" or "m3u8" in the filter box

Play the Video

Start playing the video and watch the network requests

Copy M3U8 URL

Find requests ending with .m3u8, right-click and select "Copy link address"

💡 Pro Tip: If too many results, try filtering "master" or "index" - these are usually keywords for the main playlist.

Method 2: View Page Source

Some websites embed M3U8 URLs directly in HTML source code. In such cases, you can quickly find them by viewing the source.

Steps:

Right-click on the video page, select "View Page Source"
Press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on Mac) to open search
Search for "m3u8" or ".m3u8"
Find the complete URL and copy it

Method 3: Network Capture Tools

For encrypted or complex video sites, professional network capture tools may be needed.

🔧 Fiddler

Powerful HTTP debugging proxy for Windows

• HTTPS decryption support
• Request filtering
• Free to use

🦈 Wireshark

Professional network protocol analyzer

• Deep packet analysis
• Cross-platform
• Open source

📱 Charles

Preferred capture tool for Mac

• User-friendly interface
• Mobile capture support
• Paid software

🌐 mitmproxy

Choice for CLI enthusiasts

• Open source
• Programmable
• Python ecosystem

Method 4: Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions can automatically detect M3U8 links on pages, making it more convenient.

Recommended Extensions:

Video DownloadHelper - Chrome & Firefox, detects multiple video formats
HLS Downloader - Specifically for detecting and downloading HLS streams
Stream Detector - Lightweight stream detection tool

Method 5: Public Live Sources

There are some public M3U8 live stream resources available on the internet.

📺 IPTV Sources

Many open-source IPTV projects on GitHub contain M3U8 URLs for TV channels worldwide.

📡 Official Streams

Some news media and government agencies provide official public live streams.

⚠️ Note

Public sources may be unstable and URLs may change frequently. Consider using auto-updating sources.

Important Notes

🚫 Copyright Issues

Ensure you have permission to use streaming content. Unauthorized use of copyrighted content may violate laws. This article is for educational purposes only.

🔒 Security

Only use M3U8 streams from reliable sources. Avoid unknown or untrusted sources to prevent malware or security risks.

📱 Player Compatibility

Not all players support M3U8. Use professional players like VLC, PotPlayer, or our online player.

Common Issues

Q: Found M3U8 link won't play?

Possible reasons: 1) Link expired; 2) Requires specific headers (Referer, User-Agent); 3) Geo-restrictions; 4) DRM protected.

Q: Why are there multiple M3U8 links?

HLS typically has a master playlist and multiple sub-playlists (different qualities). The master playlist contains all quality indexes and enables auto-adaptation.

Q: How to tell if it's live or VOD?

Check M3U8 content: If it contains #EXT-X-ENDLIST tag, it's usually VOD; without this tag, it's usually live.

Summary

There are many ways to find M3U8 streams. Browser developer tools are most recommended for their simplicity. Once you have the M3U8 link, use our online player to play directly without installing any software.

How to Find M3U8 Live Streams? Complete Guide