How to set up a screen on SignM8: web player, LG webOS & Android

Getting a screen up and running on SignM8 is straightforward — usually under 10 minutes. This guide covers all three ways to connect a display: the browser-based web player, LG webOS commercial displays, and Android devices.

TL;DR

Every player type shows a short pairing code (and a QR) when it first opens. Enter that code under Screens → Claim Screen. That code is not the Play via URL address. On LG Play via URL, after the screen is playing, copy the long on-screen launch URL (https://signm8.com.au/player#k=…) into the TV’s Set URL.

Option 1: Web Player (any screen with a browser)

The web player is the simplest way to get a screen running. If you have a Chromium-based browser and an internet connection, you're ready to go — no app download required.

What you need

A TV or monitor connected to any device that runs a Chromium browser (Raspberry Pi, Windows or Mac PC, Android box, Android stick, etc.)
An internet connection (wired ethernet is most reliable, but Wi-Fi works too)

Step 1: Open the web player

On the device connected to your screen, open Chromium or Google Chrome and navigate to:

https://signm8.com.au/player

Tip: For a clean full-screen experience, start Chrome in kiosk mode from the command line: chrome --kiosk https://signm8.com.au/player Or simply press F11 to go fullscreen once the page has loaded.

Step 2: Note the pairing code

The screen will display a 6-character pairing code and a QR code. Keep this screen in sight — you'll need the code in the next step.

Step 3: Claim the screen in your dashboard

Log in to your SignM8 dashboard
Go to Screens → Add Screen
Enter the 6-character pairing code (or scan the QR code with your phone)

Step 4: Name and claim

Give the screen a descriptive name (e.g. "Café – Front Counter") and click Claim. The screen on your TV will refresh and is now linked to your account.

Step 5: Assign content

In the Screens section, select your new screen and assign a playlist or schedule. Content will start playing within seconds.

Option 2: LG webOS Signage (UR640S and similar)

webOS Signage panels (UR / UH / UL, including 43UR640S0TD) can run the native SignM8 IPK. Hospitality PK640S sets cannot — those use Play via URL or Pro:Centric, not this IPK.

Native IPK 1.2.1 (IDCAP) — no USB

Clock Set Automatically. Wired ethernet. Play via URL / URL Loader Off.
Settings → EZ Setting → SI Server Setting → Local, Type IPK, FQDN On.
URL https://signm8.com.au/lg.ipk (must end in .ipk).
Upgrade REMOTE, Auto Set Off, confirm APPLICATION UPGRADE, reboot.
Claim the short pairing code. Overview should show Signage IPK / IDCAP.

USB fallback: FAT32, application/com.lg.app.signage.ipk, same SI menu with Upgrade USB. Not App Management.

Play via URL fallback

Set URL to https://signm8.com.au/player only — not the website home, and not the pairing code.
SAVE → Reboot to Apply. Claim the short QR code.
When playing, the red overlay shows a long URL with #k=. That string goes in Set URL. SAVE → Reboot to Apply.
Power-cycle: same screen, no new QR.

Putting the 8-character pairing code after #k= will fail login (401) and mint a new QR.

Option 3: Android Devices

SignM8 runs as a native Android app on a wide range of devices — Android TV boxes, Android sticks, tablets, and Samsung commercial displays (SSSP excluded — see note below).

What you need

Any Android device running Android 8.0 or newer
The SignM8 APK file (downloaded from your dashboard)

Step 1: Download the APK

In your SignM8 dashboard, go to Screens → Download Apps → Android and download the SignM8 APK file.

Step 2: Allow installation from unknown sources

Android devices block apps from outside the Google Play Store by default. To allow the SignM8 APK to install:

Open Settings → Security (or Settings → Apps → Special App Access on newer Android versions)
Enable Install unknown apps for your file manager or browser

This setting is only needed once for the installation.

Step 3: Install the APK

Transfer the APK to your Android device (via USB cable, ADB, or a file manager app) and tap the file to install. Confirm any permission prompts.

Step 4: Launch and claim

Open the SignM8 app. A pairing code will appear — follow the same claim steps as the web player.

Samsung SSSP (Tizen) note: Samsung commercial displays running Tizen (SSSP) use a different platform to Android. A dedicated Samsung app is on our roadmap (M-20). In the meantime, use the web player option on a separate media device connected to the display.

Troubleshooting

The screen shows an "Offline" badge in the dashboard Check that the device is connected to the internet. The SignM8 player sends a heartbeat every 60 seconds — if a heartbeat is missed, the screen is marked offline. Check network cables or Wi-Fi settings on the device.

The pairing code has expired Pairing codes expire after a few minutes. Refresh the browser or restart the app to generate a fresh code.

The screen isn't appearing after I claimed it Wait about 30 seconds and refresh the Screens page in your dashboard. If it still doesn't appear, check that the device is online and try unclaiming and re-claiming.

I need to re-pair a screen (e.g. after replacing hardware) In your dashboard, go to Screens → [Screen name] → Unpair. Then restart the player on the new device — a fresh pairing code will appear.

Next steps

Getting started with digital signage — full beginner guide
How to update your menu board — keep your content fresh
Integrator guide — managing multiple clients

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