Yes, you need to create a free account to use Thrifty Streamer. This allows us to:

• Save your watchlist and preferences
• Track your viewing progress across sessions
• Provide personalized recommendations
• Sync your data across multiple devices
• Enable data export and backup features

Account creation requires only an email address and password. We don't ask for personal information like your real name, phone number, or payment details.

Adding shows is easy:

1. Click "Search Shows" in the navigation menu
2. Type the name of the TV show you want to track
3. Browse the search results from The Movie Database
4. Click "Add to Watchlist" for shows you want to track
5. The app will automatically detect available streaming services

Once added, shows appear on your dashboard where you can mark episodes as watched, view seasons, and manage streaming service assignments.

To change your password:

1. Click on your user icon in the top right corner
2. Select "Change Password" from the dropdown menu
3. Enter your current password
4. Enter your new password (minimum 6 characters)
5. Confirm your new password
6. Click "Change Password" to save

For security, your new password must be different from your current password and at least 6 characters long.

If you forget your password:

1. Go to the login page
2. Click "Forgot Password?" link below the login form
3. Enter your email address
4. Check your email for a password reset link
5. Click the link in the email (valid for 1 hour)
6. Enter a new password on the reset page

To export your data:

1. Go to the "Data" page from the main navigation
2. Click the "Export Data" button
3. Choose what to include in the export
4. Click "Download Export" to save the JSON file

What's included in exports:

• All shows in your watchlist with progress
• Streaming services and subscription status
• Service packages and pricing information
• Provider bundles and your selections

We recommend exporting your data monthly as backup and before major updates.

We use The Movie Database (TMDb) API to automatically detect streaming availability when you add shows. However:

• Regional Variations: Availability varies by country and region
• Licensing Changes: Shows move between services frequently
• Manual Override: You can manually edit service assignments
• Multiple Services: Shows can be assigned to multiple services

To manually assign services:

1. Go to your show's detail page
2. Click the "Edit Services" button
3. Select or deselect streaming services
4. Save your changes

To add a custom streaming service:

1. Go to the "Services" page
2. Click "Add Service" button
3. Enter the service name and monthly cost
4. Set whether it's free or paid
5. Choose subscription status (subscribed/not subscribed)
6. Save the service

You can also search for services by clicking "Search Services" to find additional platforms in our database.

Provider bundles are streaming services included with your cable, internet, or mobile phone plans. Many providers offer streaming services for free or at discounted rates.

How to Set Up Provider Bundles:

1. Go to the "Providers" page
2. Add your cable, internet, or mobile providers
3. View each provider's available bundles
4. Select providers you actually have
5. Get personalized bundle recommendations

Common Provider Benefits:

• T-Mobile: Netflix with Magenta MAX plans
• Verizon: Disney Bundle with unlimited plans
• Xfinity: Peacock Premium included
• AT&T: HBO Max with select plans

Using provider bundles can save $20-40 per month compared to individual subscriptions.

Value per service is calculated using this formula:

How It Works:

• Monthly Cost: The subscription fee you pay
• Unwatched Shows: Shows in your watchlist available on that service that you haven't finished
• Lower Values = Better Value: More shows per dollar spent

Example:

• Netflix costs $15.49/month and has 8 unwatched shows = $1.94 per show
• Disney+ costs $13.99/month and has 3 unwatched shows = $4.66 per show
• Netflix provides better value in this scenario

This helps you identify which services give you the most content for your money.

Immediate Savings:

• Cancel Unused Services: Unsubscribe from services with no unwatched shows
• Switch to Ad Tiers: Save 40-50% with minimal ad interruption
• Use Provider Bundles: Get services included with your phone/internet plan
• Annual Subscriptions: Pay yearly for 15-20% discounts

Long-term Strategies:

• Rotation Method: Keep 1-2 core services, rotate others monthly
• Seasonal Subscriptions: Subscribe only when favorite shows air
• Free Services: Use Tubi, Pluto TV, YouTube for 30-50% of viewing
• Content Calendars: Plan subscriptions around release dates

Most users save $30-50 per month using these strategies. Check our Money-Saving Tips page for detailed guidance.

If you can't find a show, try these troubleshooting steps:

Search Tips:

• Use Full Title: Search for the complete show name
• Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and punctuation
• Try Variations: Some shows have different titles internationally
• Include Year: Add the year if there are multiple shows with similar names

Common Issues:

• Very New Shows: Very recent releases may not be in TMDb yet
• Regional Content: Some shows may not be available in all regions
• Network Issues: Check your internet connection
• API Limits: TMDb may be temporarily unavailable

If a show still doesn't appear, it may not be in The Movie Database. You can suggest additions to TMDb directly on their website.

Browser Optimization:

• Clear Cache: Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Close Tabs: Reduce the number of open browser tabs
• Update Browser: Use the latest version of your browser
• Disable Extensions: Temporarily disable browser extensions

Connection Issues:

• Internet Speed: Ensure stable internet connection
• WiFi vs Mobile: Try switching between WiFi and mobile data
• VPN Impact: VPNs can slow down connections

Device Performance:

• Free Memory: Close other applications
• Restart Device: Restart your phone/computer
• PWA Installation: Install as a Progressive Web App for better performance

If issues persist, try using the app in an incognito/private browser window to isolate extension conflicts.

We collect minimal data necessary for functionality:

Account Information:

• Email address (for login and password recovery)
• Encrypted password (never stored in plain text)
• Account creation date

Usage Data:

• Shows in your watchlist
• Viewing progress (which episodes you've watched)
• Streaming service preferences and subscriptions
• App settings and preferences

Technical Data:

• Browser type and version (for compatibility)
• Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)
• Usage analytics (how features are used)

We do NOT collect:

• Real names or personal identity information
• Payment information (the app is free)
• Location data
• Contacts or device access

For complete details, see our Privacy Policy.

Currently, account deletion must be requested manually. To delete your account:

1. Export Your Data: First, export your data if you want to keep it
2. Contact Support: Send a deletion request to the administrator
3. Verification: We'll verify your identity for security
4. Complete Deletion: All data is permanently removed within 7 days

Note: Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure to export any data you want to keep before requesting deletion.

Thrifty Streamer is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that can be installed like a native app:

iPhone/iPad (Safari):

1. Open Thrifty Streamer in Safari
2. Tap the Share button (square with arrow)
3. Select "Add to Home Screen"
4. Name the app and tap "Add"
5. The app icon appears on your home screen

Android (Chrome):

1. Open Thrifty Streamer in Chrome
2. Tap the three dots menu
3. Select "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
4. Confirm the installation
5. The app appears in your app drawer

Benefits of Installation:

• Faster loading and better performance
• Works offline with cached data
• Full-screen experience without browser bars
• Easy access from your home screen

Yes, Thrifty Streamer has offline capabilities once installed as a PWA:

What Works Offline:

• View Watchlist: Browse your saved shows
• Mark Episodes: Update viewing progress
• View Details: See show information and seasons
• Manage Services: Update subscription status
• Calculate Costs: View value analysis

What Requires Internet:

• Search Shows: Adding new shows requires TMDb API
• Refresh Metadata: Updating show information
• Sync Data: Uploading changes to server
• Export Data: Generating backup files

Changes made offline are automatically synced when you reconnect to the internet.

Common Login Problems:

Incorrect Password:

• Use "Forgot Password?" link to reset
• Check for caps lock or incorrect keyboard layout
• Make sure you're using the correct email address

Account Not Found:

• Verify you're using the same email used for registration
• Check if you might have multiple accounts
• Register a new account if needed

Browser Issues:

• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Try logging in from an incognito/private window
• Disable browser extensions temporarily
• Try a different browser

Connection Problems:

• Check your internet connection
• Try refreshing the page
• Switch between WiFi and mobile data

Possible Causes:

Account Mix-up:

• Check if you're logged into the correct account
• Verify the email address in your profile
• You might have multiple accounts with different emails

Browser/Cache Issues:

• Try logging out and back in
• Clear browser cache and refresh
• Try accessing from a different device

Import/Export Issues:

• Check if you accidentally imported data in "replace" mode
• Look for recent export files as backup
• Review recent data management actions

Recovery Options:

• Recent Export: Import from your most recent backup
• Browser History: Check if data appears on other devices
• Manual Recreation: Re-add important shows from memory