How to watch iQIYI, Tencent Video, Mango TV and Chinese live TV in Singapore

Singapore and Beijing share a time zone 简体中文繁體中文English

In short: there’s no time difference between Singapore and Beijing, so live broadcasts from China air at the same clock time for you. When the China versions of iQIYI, Tencent Video, Mango TV and similar apps show a region restriction in Singapore, install Homeway and light the moon gate, and they’ll play. Many shows aren’t in the international versions at all, so you need the China version to see them. Xiaomi TVs, Xiaomi boxes and most Android boxes can install Homeway directly.

No time difference: live TV from China in sync

Singapore is on UTC+8 all year, exactly the same as Beijing, and neither observes daylight saving. That’s a rare convenience among overseas Chinese communities: China’s evening prime time is also Singapore’s evening, so after dinner you can switch on the TV and watch the same live broadcast at the same moment as viewers in China, with no time zone maths and no late nights.

Singapore celebrates Lunar New Year too, so the Gala starts at eight right after the reunion dinner, and you count down to midnight together with China. See watching the Spring Festival Gala abroad for the details.

International versions vs. China versions

In Singapore, some Chinese video apps come in an international or overseas edition. These work here without any help, but their content differs from the China versions, and many dramas, variety shows and live channels simply aren’t in them. The China versions have the full catalogue, but open them in Singapore and you’ll often see “only available in mainland China”.

Homeway works with the China versions: iQIYI and its TV app, Tencent Video and its TV app, Mango TV and its TV app, plus Yangshipin, Bilibili, Youku, Migu Video and more. The full list is on supported apps. With Homeway on, the China versions show the same catalogue you’d see in China. The international versions already work in Singapore, so they don’t need Homeway.

Memberships work the same way: to watch members-only content in a China version, sign in to your own membership account in that app. Homeway only deals with region restrictions; it doesn’t sell memberships.

Which TVs and boxes to use in Singapore

• Xiaomi TVs and Xiaomi boxes: very common in Singapore. The overseas models usually run Google TV or Android TV, so the Homeway TV app installs directly. You’ll find them at Courts and Challenger, and on Shopee and Lazada.
• An Android box you already own: plenty of Singapore households already have an Android TV box; just install Homeway on it, no need to buy anything.
• Sony, TCL and other Google TV sets: these work.
• Samsung, LG, Hisense VIDAA: the built-in systems can’t install it; plug in an Android box instead. See watching on Samsung and LG TVs.
• Set-top boxes from your TV provider: generally can’t install third-party apps, so they aren’t devices Homeway runs on.

Speed: bandwidth is rarely the issue, Wi-Fi is

Home fibre in Singapore generally has plenty of bandwidth. For reference, 1080p needs a steady 5 Mbps or more and 4K needs 15–25 Mbps, which typical home fibre covers comfortably. Homeway only relays the playback authorization requests; the video downloads from the server nearest to you, with no detour.

So when it does buffer, Wi-Fi is the usual suspect: a router left where the fibre comes in, often by the front door or in a corner, leaves a weak signal for the TV in the living room or bedroom. Connect the TV or box by Ethernet where you can, or move the router closer. More fixes are in what to do about buffering.

Prices shown in Singapore dollars

New users get a free 7-day trial on first sign-in, on every device, with no card required. After the trial you move to the free plan, which you can keep using on one phone. TVs, tablets and computers need Standard (2 devices) or Family (5 devices), billed monthly. Open the pricing page from Singapore and prices are shown in SGD.

And in case you were wondering, the company behind Homeway, CHARMLOT PTE. LTD., is registered in Singapore.

Getting started on TV, phone and computer

TV (Xiaomi TV, Android box)

1. If there’s Google Play, search for “Homeway” and install it. If not, open homeway.tv/tv in a browser or downloader app, or install from a USB drive; all the methods are in the TV install guide.
2. Scan the QR code on the TV with your phone to sign in, then light the moon gate.
3. Open the China TV apps of iQIYI, Tencent Video or Mango TV for dramas, or CCTV’s TV app for live channels.

Phone

1. On Android, see the Android install guide; on iPhone, download it from the App Store.
2. Sign in with an email code and light the moon gate.
3. Open the China versions of iQIYI, Tencent Video or Mango TV, and the shows that were region-blocked will play.

Computer

1. On Windows, install the Windows app; on a Mac, use the browser extension for Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
2. Light the moon gate and watch on the iQIYI, Tencent Video or Mango TV websites in your browser.

Related: fixing “only available in mainland China”, watching CCTV live abroad, Homeway vs. a VPN back to China, guides for other countries.

Try Homeway

Free for 7 days for new users, no card required, on your TV, phone and computer in Singapore.