How to Install Plex Media Server on Ubuntu?


Plex is a global media streaming service and a media player based on the client-server model. You can turn your system into a media server and can access and stream audio, video, and images stored on it to a device where the plex client is installed. It organizes the media from your system and online services such as iTunes, iPhoto, etc.

Both Plex media server and Plex app (client-side application) are available for different platforms including Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, TV, etc.

In this article, we will discuss how to install and configure the Plex media server on Ubuntu.

Prerequisites

You should have access to a user account with superuser privileges.

Download Plex media server

First, go to the download page of the Plex media server on its official website and download the deb package of the Plex media server. OR you can copy the download link and use the wget command in your terminal.

Using the given command you can download this package from your terminal.

wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.23.3.4707-ebb5fe9f3/debian/plexmediaserver_1.23.3.4707-ebb5fe9f3_amd64.deb

After entering this command once you press the enter it will start downloading the package.

Installing Plex media server on Ubuntu

By default, the file will be downloaded in the Downloads directory on your system. Once it gets downloaded use the given command to install it on your system.

First, change your current working directory to Downloads or where the file is downloaded on your system and then use –

sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_1.23.3.4707-ebb5fe9f3_amd64.deb

The Plex media server will enable and start running automatically. You can check the status by using the given command.

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver

If it is not running on your system you can use the given command to start it.

sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

You can enable it to start automatically when you restart your system by using the given command –

sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver

Access plex media server through web

Plex media server listens on ports 32400 and 32401. Here I am using localhost to demonstrate this setup you can use some other Ip and configure your server. You can use the given URL in your browser to access the plex media server.

http://127.0.0.1:32400/web

This will open the page for authentication.

Use your preferred way and log in to the server.

Configure Plex media server

Once you get logged in you need to configure a few things. After login, on the first screen, it will ask you to enter the server name. Choose a friendly name so that it can easily be identified by plex apps and your network. After choosing a name click on NEXT to move to the next screen.

Plex organizes media on your system into libraries. You can add as many as libraries you want it could be of the same type. Click on ADD LIBRARY and select the media folder from your system to add it into a library.

Finally, finish the setup by clicking on the DONE. Next, it may ask you to customize the library if you don’t want to customize click on FINISH SETUP.

Access Plex media server using a plex client app

Plex client application is available for various platforms including Android, iOS, smart TV, Roku, Chromecast, and many others devices. You can visit the download page of the plex app on its official website.

Once it gets downloaded, sign in to the app using the same account you used to set up the Plex server on your Linux system. Now, you will be able to access all your libraries and media content from the Plex client application.

Conclusion

I hope you have successfully set up a plex media server and you are able to access media of your system on other devices by using a plex app. Now if you have any query then write us in the comments below.

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