Organise series in iCouldPlay: check seasons, episodes and filenames

Common series problems include episode two mistaken for season two, specials mixed into regular runs and multiple editions merged. iCouldPlay infers information from names and folders. Clear numbering before verification gives watching and resume a firmer structure.

Begin with a three-episode sample

Copy the first three episodes of a series you own into a practice folder. Play beginnings to confirm actual order before examining filenames. Download order, modification dates and narrative order may differ; do not number solely from the current system listing.

Record official title, season and episode. For regional or broadcast-order differences, choose the intended catalogue order and compare actual contents. Clear records explain later discrepancies without guessing from posters.

Do not begin with dozens of seasons mixed with extras and resolutions. Three episodes test names and order first; expand after success to keep problems traceable.

Give season and episode distinct places

A common pattern is “Series - S01E01.mkv” and “Series - S01E02.mkv”. S marks season and E episode within it. Replace title, season and extension with actual details; these are only format examples.

Leading zeros, such as 01, 02 and 10, help human browsing. Do not write episode twelve as S12 or replace season numbers with filming dates. Remove conflicting season/episode identifiers instead of expecting guessing.

Retain original extensions and consistent series naming within a season. Keep necessary edition details after a stable identity. If Chinese, English and abbreviations alternate, first test grouping under one common name.

Folder structure should clarify content

Use a series folder with season subfolders. Include title/season in folders and season–episode numbers in filenames so copied files remain identifiable outside their parent folder.

Scan the actual sample folder. A parent may include unrelated media; an empty or cover-only folder cannot yield expected episodes. For scope, see Folder-scanning tutorial.

After scanning, check that all three belong to one series and that episode numbers match your records, before processing the whole season. A series cover proves a group exists, not that every episode is recognised.

Check specials and compilations separately

Specials, extras, previews and regular episodes may use different numbering. Check the source’s system before inserting extras into normal sequences. Some use season zero or Specials, but verify recognition in the current version.

One file containing two episodes does not become two by copying it under two names. Copies repeat content without splitting it. Keep a compilation marker and inspect playback; if splitting manually, save separately and check cuts, subtitles and audio.

Some releases use absolute episode numbers while catalogues restart each season. Establish the mapping first; absolute episode one hundred is not automatically episode one hundred of a season. Preserve original numbers when uncertain rather than making misleading renames.

Distinguish editions without relying on posters

One episode may have different resolutions, subtitles or edit lengths. Even with a shared poster, preserve filename or folder distinctions. Check source and duration before playback so another copy is not mistaken for lost progress or subtitles.

Before keeping only one edition, inspect unique audio, subtitles or content in the other. Do not test associations by deleting cards: some actions delete local video files. Display organisation and content deletion are different.

Renaming or moving watched items may require path recognition again. Note episode and position, then check resume after the new entry opens. Equal series names do not guarantee progress merging across editions.

Verify playback and resume episode by episode

Play some of episode one, exit and reopen to verify position. Open episode two and confirm it really follows, with the right list selection. Check at least a middle and final episode too, not just the first.

If playback advances automatically, verify the next file’s actual content and number. Correct filename order does not guarantee media grouping. If it opens another edition or season, recheck source and numbering instead of hiding the issue through manual navigation.

For Emby or Jellyfin series, verify seasons and episodes on the server first and compare iCouldPlay. Fix server-side misclassification at its source. See Correct metadata matching.

Checks for missing episodes

Check scan scope first, then source and filters, then another possible series grouping. For an existing but absent file, record name, format and hierarchy and reproduce in a small folder rather than rescanning the whole drive.

After organising, continue with Search and resume. Checked October 23, 2026 against public iCouldPlay 1.1.0. See Official App Store description and Apple release information.