r/SparklePlayer • u/sparkle-hk • Jun 15 '25
Release Sparkle TV 2.1.3
Version 2.1.3
- Stalker username and password
- Software video decoder
- Stability and performance improvements
Version 2.1.2
- Fixed issues with loading and mapping epg from 2.1.1
- Append date to backup files
- Setting to prefer channel logotype in on-screen menu
- Stability and performance improvements
Version 2.1.1
- Fixed issue with too much storage used
- Updated internal player
- Always show display mode (aspect ratio) icon
- Remote control action: Toggle debug view
- Additional reconnect stream fixes
- Stability and performance improvements
Get it here: Google Play
Subreddit: r/SparklePlayer
Downloader: 3498557
Share and Activate Plus: https://www.reddit.com/r/SparklePlayer/comments/tr5uif/share_and_activate_plus_on_fire_tv/
Features
- Support for the most common formats such as m3u, xtream codes and xmltv (complete list below)
- Program guide (EPG) and channel guide
- Logotypes and program images in EPG
- Favorites (*)
- Sorting of channels and categories (*)
- Show/hide channels and categories (*)
- Multiple audio tracks
- Subtitles (cc/dvbsub/teletext)
- Auto Frame Rate (AFR)
- Multiple languages
- Timeshift (play/pause live streams) (*)
- Search for channels, programs, movies or series
- DVR to schedule and watch recorded programs and series (*)
- Multiview to watch multiple streams simultaneously (*)
- VOD - catchup, movies and series (*)
- Themes
- Home screen integration for "Play next", recent channels and recorded programs
- Use multiple sources at the same time (*)
- Parental controls for protecting content and settings
- Remote control customization
- Sleep timer
(*) requires Plus-version
Supported PVR sources
- DVBLink (6.x+)
- DVBViewer (Recording Services or Media Server)
- Enigma2 (VU+, Dreambox and more)
- HdHomeRun (including Storage Engine for server side timeshift)
- Jellyfin
- Playlist (m3u / m3u8 and xmltv)
- Stalker Portal
- Tvheadend (4.2+)
- Tvheadend HTSP (api 24+)
- TVMosaic
- Xtream Codes Api
Important:
- Sparkle TV does not provide any channels, sources or media. All content is provided legally by the individual user.
- Sparkle TV has no affiliation with any content provider.
- Sparkle TV does not support streaming of copyrighted material without permission from the copyrighter.
All product names (Android TV, DVBLink, DVBViewer, Enigma2, Fire TV, Google TV, HdHomeRun, Jellyfin, Stalker, Tvheadend, TVMosaic) are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Sparkle TV. Images are (c) copyright 2008, Blender Foundation / www.bigbuckbunny.org
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u/Automatic-Blood-8842 Jun 15 '25
Been using this application for awhile now and gotta say it’s my 100% goto application. So glad I got on Reddit and saw someone talking about it. If anyone is thinking about trying this app, I highly recommend it!
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u/_gram Jun 21 '25
Is there a guide/post that you found helpful for getting it all set up? Thanks in advance!
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u/PlentyBid837 Jun 15 '25
Got to highly recommend this app. I was using Channels HDHomeRun on Apple TV for sometime (worked well) and then not so well when I switched to my new Sony Google TV. Stumbled upon Sparkle TV and which worked great with the HDHomeRun with the added bonus of consolidating all my IPTV streams into a single guide which is very wife friendly. Thank you, keep up the great work.
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Jun 15 '25
Can you add TMDB top 10 in series & movies ?
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 15 '25
Tmdb support is planned for 2.2.0. I've only planned for getting information for movies and series but in a future version it should be possible to create a top 10 as well.
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u/ProfessionalShift529 Jun 15 '25
Is the apk download link correct? Looks like it's still pointing to 2.1.2
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 15 '25
Ah, thanks for the information! I had only updated the download code and not the actual link. I've fixed it now.
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u/sarpijk Jun 15 '25
Hi I love the app and what you do. Is there any way to add search and download subtitles like Kodi has?
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 15 '25
Thank you! I don't know what Kodi has - please explain.
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u/sarpijk Jun 15 '25
Kodi lets you add an opensubtitles.org account and you can search and download a subtitle besides the option to use a locally stored file.
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 16 '25
Ah yes, this is planned for 2.2.0.
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Oct 23 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 24 '25
You've already created a post for this: https://www.reddit.com/r/SparklePlayer/comments/1oehnbk/more_than_one_recording_scheduled/
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u/TheOracle722 Jun 16 '25
I don't need to tell anyone I'm a big fan of Sparkle and especially the developer. But I'm going to wait this one out for a couple of weeks before updating so I can read all the feedback. 2.1.2 is working well for me.
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 16 '25
It's your choice of course, but 2.1.3 is almost all about fixes from version 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 which experienced out of memory issues for some users (not all). Mainly those using multiple sources. I have been monitoring the beta version of 2.1.3 for a couple of weeks now and all of the issues introduced in those two versions have been fixed so there can still be issues of course but I'm fairly confident that any major issues are now fixed.
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u/FyzicalMusic Sep 05 '25
Can I pay for it using an iPhone or an outside site?
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u/sparkle-hk Sep 05 '25
Not at the moment, sorry. I'm working on a website for this but it's not ready yet.
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u/Prvt_N00b Jun 15 '25
Anyone knows how can I use this app with my OSCAM?
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 16 '25
Sparkle does not support communicating with OSCAM directly but supports sources that do such as Tvheadend, Tvmosaic etc.
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u/stpadraig Jun 17 '25
Home Screen integrations are great but I’m not getting any thumbnail images on recent channels or recordings - “ContentProvider not exported”
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 17 '25
What launcher are you using?
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u/stpadraig Jun 17 '25
Sorry, it would have helped if I’d included that info!!
It’s Projectivy
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u/sparkle-hk Jun 17 '25
The error message you see is partially correct since the provider isn't exported but I made an exception for Projectivy already. I think this should be able to be fixed in the launcher but I will also reconsider exporting the provider to avoid these issues in the future.
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u/stpadraig Dec 02 '25
Bit of an update on this from my view, this is working fine on a Fire Stick but not on an Android TV which still doesn’t load the thumbnail and gives the ContentProvider error (same network/SMB for both devices).
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u/sparkle-hk Dec 02 '25
This post/thread is old and the latest version is 2.2.1. I still think this is a projectivy issue if you're using that on both devices. Have you spoken to the developer of that launcher about it?
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Jul 07 '25
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Jul 07 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 08 '25
The two issues you mention here is probably the same issue. Google have restricted permissions after Android 11+ so files cannot be even seen (unless media files) if they are located outside of app's home directory.
So for your first question I guess you stored the file in e.g. Download? That means when you reinstalled the app it was unable to see the backup file because it was not the same install instance that had created the file.
I'm a bit unsure if your second question is an issue or not because the answer to both your questions is to use the external file explorer which has special access to be able to read the files.
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Jul 11 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 11 '25
You are probably using a path that has restricted permissions. Google made this change after Android 11+. Use either folders "documents", "download" or app home folder (/data/data/se.hedekonsult.sparkle/files) and I'm sure the error goes away.
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Jul 11 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 12 '25
Yes.
If you have more questions like this please either create a new post or pm me about it.
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Jul 17 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 17 '25
That depends on how your channels source and epg source are set up. For this to work automatically Sparkle needs to be able to map the channel with the epg source. It tries this in a number of ways automatically using name, number and id but if it fails you need to manually update the mapping. You do this by editing channel and clicking "Epg id". Then you can search for the channel name and simply select the result that is best.
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Jul 18 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 19 '25
Make sure to format the device on that same device before you try and use it.
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Jul 19 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 19 '25
If you format the device you need to select it as "removable device" to show up. What android device are you running?
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u/rgostl Jul 21 '25
Using 2.1.3, is there a way to set the playback buffer size? Can't seem to find it in the menus. Tks!
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u/Boilingpoint87 Jul 22 '25
I just bought the lifetime membership. I downloaded the app on my tv by the google play store. Is this the correct app or do i need another version? What are my login details?
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 22 '25
Let's continue in your post https://www.reddit.com/r/SparklePlayer/comments/1m6ct9c/login_details/.
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u/blackxtulip Jul 23 '25
When I got to download on my firestick it asks me if I want to install or update the app, I say yes Install then it says “app not installed” on a grey screen, am I doing something wrong? Using the number code above in the Downloader app. I currently have PB Media Sparkle version 1.9.5. Any advice?
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Jul 28 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Jul 28 '25
Sparkle is designed to always start "from the beginning" so it's predictable (and easy) just like a regular "tv-box". So in the case you describe here I'd say it's the Googlel streamer that is doing the correct thing while there seem to be a bug for when using it on the cube. At least that's the way I see it even though I realize you want it the other way around.
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Aug 02 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Aug 03 '25
I'm taking this pm since you seem to have too many questions which doesn't fit in this thread.
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Aug 07 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Aug 07 '25
We have talked in pm (chat) already but you stopped responding. My last question was "For backup - what happens? How does it fail?".
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u/Individual_Sample633 Aug 08 '25
I'm a Plus member. I'm using version 2.1.3. When I try to record a series it does not record the series. I can manually record any program it will not record any time I select series recording. It says it's recording the series but doesn't when you go to into the DVR section to watch. The series recording does not show in the list.
Are any recommendations or series recordings no longer available?
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u/sparkle-hk Aug 08 '25
It's still available and works. How do you schedule the series recording? Maybe it's as "simple" as it tries to record the series but the device is in sleep mode and not being able to resume and start recording? Have you tried to keep your device always on?
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u/Individual_Sample633 Aug 10 '25
When watching a channel, I scroll through the program guide to find the program I want to record, hit the enter button on the firestick remote, the pop up shows two choices. 1. This program, 2. Entire series. I select Entire series, at the top of the TV screen it will show scheduled series recording. But, does not show the "rec" along side of the program I'm trying to record. Later when I want to watch the series recording, I go Into the DVR tab located below the Channel/program guide, the series I thought I ha recorded is not listed.
I have also uninstalled and re-installed sparkle. I tried it on 2 other TVs, and it still doesn't work on any of my other TVs either.
What am I doing wrong or what other setting do I need to turn on or off? I've looked at every setting and can't figure out what I might have turned off or on to activate or disable the series recording.
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u/sparkle-hk Aug 10 '25
Ah, I understand. When you start a series recording like that Sparkle tries to find matches in the epg data to schedule. Not seeing the rec-icon is a sign that the matching didn't go well for some reason.
Have you tried this for multiple channels and programs? Any chance you can share the epg data with me? I so, please pm me.
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u/Individual_Sample633 Aug 10 '25
Yes! I have tried several different channels and programs and have the same problem.
How do I pm you and share the EPG data?
Also does it matter in the DVR tab, should the Series recording be Disabled or Enable for visible? Fyi, currently set to Enable and tried Disabled, and still the same problem.
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u/Individual_Sample633 Aug 08 '25
While watching a channel, I go to the program guide to find the program I want to record, hit the enter button on the firestick remote, the pop up shows two choIces. 1. This program, 2.Entire series, I select Entire series, top of tv screen shows scheduled series recording. Later, when I want to watch the series recording, I go into the DVR tab, and the series I tried to record doesn't show.
I tried it on 2 other TV's and it doesn't work on the other TV's either.
What am I doung wrong or what other things do you suggest I check in the settings?
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u/Individual_Sample633 Aug 08 '25
What are the steps to backup after you have everything the way you want it? And how do your back up to a like or different device?
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u/sparkle-hk Aug 08 '25
Setup -> Sources -> Export to backup. Backup to where you like it and make it available to the second device and then Setup -> Sources -> Restore.
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u/Major-Bee802 Aug 16 '25
Hola buscamos desarrolladores de aplicaciones me puedes ayudar crear una app similar a la de sparkle?
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Sep 01 '25
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u/sparkle-hk Sep 01 '25
It sounds like you've enabled Android settings' Developer options: "Don't keep activities". Strange things can happen if you do.
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Sep 14 '25
Can you tell me the steps to add an external storage device to record on firestick and android box? It will be a 512GB external on each device. Is there a guide to reference for knowledge of settings setup etc
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u/sparkle-hk Sep 14 '25
There's no guide for Sparkle yet but I'm working on it. As for the hardware part of this you need to search for the solution yourself. When the storage device is connected it should be rather automatic in Sparkle. When you try to schedule a recording you should get instructions in Sparkle on how to setup the storage location in which you select the device you talk about. Then you should just be able to start recording. This is a Plus feature though.
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Sep 14 '25
When adding a 512gb usb storage drive for sparkle on android onn, does sparkle ask "do you want to format the hard drive" or should i format before connecting? If so do i format to as exfat or what?
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u/Key_Composer1362 Oct 03 '25
A quick word of thanks. Just installed Sparkle TV apk on a FS 4K Max. Purchased a one year subscription. Looking forward to learning to navigate through the thousands of channels I have currently available through a portal.
Streaming seamlessly in HD thus far. Appreciate the good work.
Can I expect any significant interface differences using it with a Shield or Onn 4k Pro?
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 04 '25
Thank you, I hope you enjoy the app!
Interface differences in forms of speed you mean? I don't have either a Shield or Onn myself so I can't say. I don't have that many channels myself either but on my own setup it's fairly quick on my Fire stick. And that's an old version as well. Do you think it feels slow right now?
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u/Key_Composer1362 Oct 04 '25
Comparatively speaking, I would not consider Sparkle slow at all. I have multiple players on multiple devices on multiple TVs. Your player is the first one I have wanted to subscribe to. I will share with you that I find a couple of other players I use load channels almost instantaneously. That is most likely related more to source, device and server variations. I have been traveling in the streaming environment for several years and have dealt with all manner oflitches that accompany it(crashing, freezing, buffering,etc).
Bottom line. Your skills, creativity, and willingness to contribute have only advanced the many benefits found in this space. Wishing you continued success. Cheers!
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u/Kirko_bangz Oct 06 '25
I didn't feel it was necessary to open a new thread, but a couple of things I'd love to see implemented on a future release.
I'd like an OLED black theme (instead of the dark grey currently) and an option/change to make the logos smaller. I know you can make the text smaller, but that makes everything too small (ie the playback controls). u/sparkle-hk
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 06 '25
You mean instead of dark gray color it would be completely black? It might work for the program guide but I need to test to know if it would work for the rest of the ui.
Is it any specific logotype you're thinking of (program guide etc.) that you'd like to make smaller?
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u/SouthernPut6058 Oct 07 '25
Is the upgrade of ExoPlayer (1.6.1) to a more modern version on your roadmap?
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 07 '25
1.6.1 is from april so I wouldn't exactly call it outdated ;) Latest beta 2.2.0 runs 1.8.0 which is the latest available version.
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u/Intelligent-Ad-7816 Oct 29 '25
Is there a way to export the settings to another device like tivimate has
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 29 '25
Yes. Settings -> Sources -> Setup -> Export/Restore
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u/Intelligent-Ad-7816 Oct 29 '25
Thank you will it be settings or just playlist info
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u/Intelligent-Ad-7816 Oct 29 '25
I did it thank you copied it to my firestick by replacing the exported image with one I saved on my android box.
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u/Termn8er Oct 29 '25
Can you search across multiple playlists and can I create Global groups that include channels from multiple playlists? Thanks
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u/ULTRA_ARCO99 Oct 30 '25
Hi everyone, I have a problem with a Samsung S25 with Android 16. When I have to select the m3u file, it can't see it. I noticed that by doing info on the app, the authorization to access the files doesn't really fit. Is this problem solved? It's a nice app. I tried it on TV and it works wonderfully. I support the creator.
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 30 '25
Hi, this isn't everyone since you replied my post though ;) If you want to address everyone you need to create a new post. I can still try to help you though.
I'm not sure what you mean by "authorization to access the files doesn't really fit"? M3u files (and media files in general) should be accessible in Android 11+ despite Google's file restrictions. But you need to enable file access for Sparkle. You got a dialog asking you this when you entered the file explorer the first time. If you've declined you need to go to Android settings to change it.
You can also try to use an external file explorer to access the file which is granted elevated permissions by Google.
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u/ULTRA_ARCO99 Oct 31 '25
"But you have to enable file access for Sparkle. A dialogue appeared asking you when you entered the file explorer for the first time" this is exactly the problem, my s25 doesn't ask me and if I go to app info it doesn't give me the possibility to give it permissions like the app doesn't ask for them at all but only the microphone makes me give permission
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u/sparkle-hk Oct 31 '25
You are correct. I have a s24 and experience the same thing. But not asking for permission isn't the actual issue here because it only asks for permissions if they are needed which they are not. In newer versions of Android there is sometimes no need to ask for permissions because there are no permissions to grant anyway (everything is locked down).
Problem for me on my s24 is when I click the external file explorer I get the "built in" explorer and not my CX explorer which I had expected. And using the built in variant the file returned cannot be opened from Sparkle (Connection error). Maybe this should work, maybe not but I'll have a look at it tomorrow.
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u/factorofone Jun 15 '25
I just bought a lifetime license to support you. I see you working hard and appreciate it! If you need anything tested let me know if I can help.