Establish the intended point in time
An import is not automatically a union of everything that ever existed. IPTVnator’s backup guide says a recognized source is updated and its backed-up user state is applied. A snapshot from an earlier date can therefore replace later changes for that matching source.
Before importing, write down the desired result. Recovering last week’s favorites after accidental edits is different from moving an old computer’s sources into a destination with a newly organized library. Both involve a backup file, but they do not imply the same accepted state.
Preserve both snapshots before choosing
Export the current receiving profile and retain the older source snapshot separately. Give them names that identify the device and date. Choose a small representative set to compare: an older favorite, a recently added favorite and one removed item whose absence matters.
This comparison supplies an original acceptance test. If the older favorite returns while a later addition disappears, the result may match restoration of the older snapshot. Without the pre-import comparison, the same result can look like unexplained data loss. Keep the expected list private and independent of the application display.
Read the source-identity result
The developer documents identity-based matching for existing sources, using connection information or, for an M3U without a URL, its content. Read the import summary rather than assuming every imported row is a new source. A merged result and a newly created source need different follow-up checks.
Inspect the intended source after import and compare the selected representative items. Do not repeatedly import the same older snapshot while trying to preserve changes made afterward. Decide which dated state should be authoritative and use your retained snapshots to keep that decision recoverable.
Keep account access separate from restored state
A recognized source can still need a working current connection before its catalogue is fully usable. If a restored source cannot connect, investigate its account route separately from whether the expected favorites were applied. A familiar source name is not proof of a current login session.
The useful outcome is a deliberate restoration decision and a documented comparison. If a combined set of favorites is the real goal, do not assume the backup importer promises that reconciliation. Preserve both records and use supported application actions to organize the accepted result.
Questions answered
Does “merged” promise all old and current favorites will be combined?
No. The guide describes applying the backed-up state to a recognized source. Decide which snapshot should supply that state.
Why compare a few named items before importing?
They make the intended point in time reviewable. A recent addition and an older favorite reveal more than simply checking that the source title appears.
Sources & further reading
Official references for the subjects discussed. Service terms and device software can change.