How to import your feeds with OPML

OPML is the file RSS readers use to swap lists of feeds. If you already follow sources in Feedly, Inoreader or another reader, you don't have to add them one by one: export the file there and import it into MediaHeat / Reader.

1. Export the file from the reader you use today

  • Feedly: in a desktop browser, open feedly.com/i/opml. It doesn't work from the phone app. The file carries only public RSS feeds; Boards, Read Later and Feedly's AI feeds are left out.
  • Inoreader: go to Preferences → Account → Export and Backup and click Download OPML File.
  • Other readers: look for "Export", "OPML" or "Backup" in the settings. The file usually ends in .opml or .xml; Reader takes both.

2. Import it into Reader

  1. Sign in to Reader and open Manage feeds.
  2. Choose Import OPML and pick the file. Reader shows the feeds and folders it found.
  3. Tick what you want to bring over, or use Select all, then click Import selected.
  4. Reader tests each feed before saving it ("Checking OPML feeds…") and ends with a count of what came in and what failed. Feeds you already follow aren't added twice.

What happens to your folders

Folders in the file become folders in Reader, empty ones included. A feed that sat in two folders shows up in both. Afterwards you can move, rename and delete anything in Manage feeds.

Limits and refused feeds

The Free plan takes up to 20 feeds and Premium up to 200. If you tick more feeds than your plan has room for, Reader says "You reached your plan's feed limit" before importing; untick a few and try again.

Some feeds don't make it in:

  • addresses that look personal, with a token or password in the link, and feeds generated by your old reader (addresses on inoreader.com, feedbin.me or feedproxy.feedly.com). Swap in the site's own feed;
  • adult-content feeds, which Reader does not accept;
  • feeds that don't answer, or are too large, when Reader tests them.

If the file nests folders too deeply or is too large, Reader asks you to simplify or split it and import again.

If you ever leave

In Manage feeds, Export OPML lets you pick feeds and folders and downloads mediaheat-feeds.opml. It's the same format other RSS readers import.

No file at all?

The first time you open Reader, it offers two starter lists, one of Brazilian sources and one in English. You can also paste a feed address in Manage feeds, or browse for sources on the Discover feeds tab.