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 16,500 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 streamed as often as you like, but they cannot be downloaded or watched offline.

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 Switzerland’s trilingual film platform for cinephiles in the digital age. We offer a curated streaming service and the country’s most comprehensive cinema guide. In our weekly newsletter, we provide informed and incisive commentary on major new releases in cinemas and on streaming.

Our streaming selection ranges from recent box-office hits to classics and follows the motto “Only Good Movies”: we deliberately limit our catalogue to around 1,000 mainstream and arthouse films, along with selected series, that our curatorial team considers worth watching. The catalogue is continuously updated. All films are available in HD and in their original language with a choice of subtitles, and, where available, with German or French dubbing. With our TV apps for Samsung, LG and Android TV devices, films come straight to the big screen. Streaming couldn’t be easier!

The entire catalogue is available with free Basic registration, either as individual rentals (CHF 8 per film) or through various subscriptions offering discounts of 20–50%. Subscriptions renew automatically but can be changed or cancelled at any time.

The Cinefile cinema guide provides a complete overview of cinema screenings across Switzerland, including arthouse cinemas, film museums and open-air screenings, with all essential film information, trailers and booking links.

All films in cinemas and on streaming can be saved to a personal watchlist and rated.