Matinee Support

Something not working, or a question about your purchase? Write to sergiusil@proton.me and say what happened, which iPhone and iOS version you have, which kind of source (Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, playlist, network folder, a video on the iPhone) and, for the car, which car (make, model, year). One person reads that mailbox, and you will normally hear back within two business days.

There is no Matinee account and no Matinee password, so there is nothing to recover — just email us. Please don't send us your server passwords or playlist links; we never need them.

What you need in the car

A car with CarPlay that supports video apps. If Matinee's icon isn't on your car's screen, check iPhone Settings → General → CarPlay → your car → Customize; if it isn't listed there, that car does not show video apps.

Adding a server, playlist or folder

In Matinee open Settings → Sources → Add source and pick the kind:

Videos on this iPhone. Pick from Photos or Files (MP4, MOV, M4V). Matinee sees only what you pick and copies it into the app.
Plex. Tap Sign in with Plex, go to plex.tv/link and enter the code shown. Your Plex password never goes through Matinee. Then choose your server.
Jellyfin or Emby. Type the server address as your server shows it (for example 192.168.1.20:8096), then your username and password — or use Quick Connect and approve the code on your server.
IPTV playlist. Paste the link, choose an .m3u file, or scan a QR code with the link. Have an Xtream login instead? Tap Have an Xtream login? Sign in instead and enter the server URL, username and password. The TV guide (XMLTV) link is optional; it is filled in for you when the playlist includes one. Matinee includes no channels — add a playlist you already have.
Network folder. Choose SMB (for example smb://nas.local/Movies) or WebDAV, then the folder's username and password if it has one.

When Matinee asks to find devices on your local network, tap Allow — that is how it reaches your server or folder at home. Said no by mistake? Turn it on in Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → Matinee.

"Can't reach" my server or folder

At home: check that the iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi as the server and that local network access is on (see above).
Away from home: your server needs a public address or a VPN to your home network. Plex away from home needs Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass on your account or the server owner's. Network folders play at home only.
For the road, download first: downloads play anywhere, with no signal.
A playlist link didn't load: check that it opens in a browser as text and ends in .m3u or .m3u8. If the provider's account has expired, the link stops working on their side.

Why video shows on the car's screen only when parked

CarPlay shows video only while the car is parked. When you drive, Matinee keeps playing as sound, and the picture comes back when you park — your car and iOS make this switch, not Matinee. Choose what to watch before you set off, and never watch while driving.

To watch in the car: connect your iPhone to CarPlay, find Matinee on the car's screen, and when you are parked, tap it — what you were watching is first under Continue. Your first video on the car's screen is free, start to finish.

Kids mode

Kids mode shows only what you picked — in lists, the TV guide, search and on the car's screen. Leaving it takes your PIN. Forgot the PIN? Tap Forgot? and confirm with your iPhone passcode or Face ID. After five wrong PINs, kids mode pauses for 30 seconds.

Managing your purchase

Purchases are handled by Apple, not by us. We never see your card.

To see, change or cancel a subscription: open the Settings app → tap your name → Subscriptions → Matinee, or in Matinee go to Settings → Manage subscription. Cancelling stops the next renewal and leaves access until the paid period ends. Deleting the app does not cancel it.
Lifetime: a one-time purchase that never renews. Buying it does not cancel a subscription you already have — cancel that yourself as above.
To restore a purchase on a new iPhone or after reinstalling, open Matinee → Settings → Restore Purchases. The same Apple Account must be signed in.
Refunds are issued by Apple, not by us: go to https://reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with your Apple Account.

If a purchase went through and Pro did not unlock, try Restore Purchases first, then write to us — include the Apple receipt so we can find it.

Your data

Your sources, logins, watch history and downloads stay on your iPhone — only where you stopped watching is also synced with your own Plex, Jellyfin or Emby server. Matinee connects straight to the servers and playlists you add, never through us. To remove everything, open Settings → Delete all my data — your purchase stays with your Apple Account. To also sign Matinee out on your server's side, remove it under Authorized Devices on plex.tv or under Devices in your Jellyfin or Emby dashboard. The full detail is in the Privacy Policy: https://great-apps-s.github.io/matinee/privacy

The documents

Published by Sergiu Silosiev.