FAQ

WHICH DEVICES ARE TV APPS AVAILABLE FOR?

Current status (February 2026): In addition to our proven TV app for devices running Android TV, TV apps are now also available for the following devices and operating systems:

Samsung: All devices from model years 2021/22 onward, or running Tizen 6.5. You can find your device’s operating system by clicking the Settings icon on your device. We are awaiting Samsung’s approval to enable additional device generations back to model year 2017 / Tizen 3.0.

LG: All devices from model year 2020 onward, or running webOS 5.0 or webOS 22 and later. You can find your device’s OS information via the gear icon on your remote control, then: All Settings > General > Devices > TV Information > webOS.

Sony and Philips: All devices running Android TV, approximately from model year 2017 onward, identifiable by the presence of the Google Play Store app when you open Apps.

TV boxes and media players: All boxes running Android TV, e.g. Swisscom Box 5 and Box 21 (IP1800 and IP2000), Salt Android, Green, Chromecast stick incl. Google TV, Strong, Xiaomi, Nvidia, etc., identifiable by the Google Play Store app when you open Apps.

Download: On Samsung and LG, click Apps and search for “cinefile.” On Android TV, click Apps, open the Google Play Store, and search for “cinefile.”

Login: On first login, scan the QR code or enter the email address registered with Cinefile and your password. After that, no further login is required.

Additionally: All films can of course also be streamed from laptops or PCs using the Chrome browser via Chromecast, or with Safari via AirPlay, to your TV or to Google and Apple media players.

WHAT does the cinefile newsletter offer?

The free newsletter from cinefile provides free weekly information about our new releases and all important movie premieres with concise short reviews. With more than 14,500 subscribers, it is the largest weekly film newsletter in Switzerland.

HOW CAN I PAY ON CINEFILE?

You can pay for all individual rentals and subscriptions by credit card or TWINT.

HOW CAN YOU GIVE CINEFILE VOUCHERS AS A GIFT?

We offer online vouchers and high-quality gift cards for our Take 1-4 subscriptions.

CAN THE FILMS ALSO BE PURCHASED AND DOWNLOADED AND WATCHED OFFLINE?

All films can also be purchased and then streamed as often as you like. Downloads and offline viewing should be available from summer 2025.

CAN I INTERRUPT THE STREAMING?

Yes, you can interrupt the streaming of any movie as often as you like and also watch entire movies several times. However, there is a restriction that each film is available for a maximum of 7 days after rental and 48 hours from the first playback. When renting entire seasons of a series, the loan period is 30 days per season.

CAN YOU ALSO USE CINEFILE ABROAD?

Yes, as long as you have deposited the Swiss payment method TWINT with us. Exceptions to this rule are noted with the films in question .

WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT CINEFILE?

Founded in 2018, Cinefile is the trilingual Swiss film platform for a cinephile audience in the digital age.  We operate a selective film streaming service and the most comprehensive cinema guide in Switzerland. All important new releases in cinemas and streaming are presented and commented on in our weekly newsletter.

The streaming selection ranges from the latest cinema hits to classics and is based on the motto "Only Good Movies": we deliberately limit the range to a maximum of 1000 entertainment and arthouse films and series and are constantly updating it. The selection team only chooses what it thinks is worth watching. All films are available in HD and original version with freely selectable subtitles, some also in German or French dubbed versions.

The complete range is available with the free Basic registration for individual rental (CHF 8.00 per film) or in the Light and Take 1/2/3/4 subscriptions. The Light subscription includes 2 films per half-year, the Take subscriptions 1-4 films per month or 6-24 per half-year with discounts of between 20 and 50 percent. The subscriptions are automatically renewed, but can be upgraded, downgraded or canceled at any time at the end of the respective subscription period.

The cinefile cinema guide offers a complete overview of the Swiss cinema program with all the important information and reservation links for all films, including arthouse cinemas, film museums and open airs.

All cinema and streaming films can be saved and rated in a personal watchlist.