Downgraded PMS to Fix Plugins, Need Old Android APK For Client

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.16.3.1402
After downgrade
Server Version#: 1.14.1.5488
Player Version#: 3.77.4

Upgraded PMS to 1.16.3.1402 and realized that that’s the version where plex discontinued support for Plex Plugins / Channels. I am very disappointed with this decision and now regret paying premium pass to the company who just makes the decision without alternative.

In product life cycle management, one is always required to leave alternative to roll back a decision especially when the customer base is as wide as Plex.

Because I was running PMS from VM, I quickly restored the previous snap-shot.
now, my VM is at PMS Version 1.14.1.5488. With web-client version 3.77.4, my plugins are working again from the browser. That gives me confidence that my server is back in business and is supporting plugins.

Now, I am stuck with the client. FireStick had pulled the latest client. Needless to stay broken one that doesn’t support plugins. Because, I didn’t think that Plex will make a hasty decision and therefore, I do not have an old APK file. If anyone in the community has an old version of android APK for plex client, can you please share?

Also, shout out to Plex Management, if you are listening. Know how to manage product right and when you make a huge decision. Always leave the path to revert it open for yourself and for your customers. This way you don’t make your customer unhappy to the point where they regret choosing you in the first place.

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I could not agree with you more!! I have several FireTV’s which are now essentially broken until Plex pushes out what will hopefully be a quick fix to this. Just last week I actually purchased 2 Toshiba TV’s with FireTV built in as we use plex for 90% of our media, so they will both be getting returned to Amazon with the explanation if Plex don’t sort this in a few days. Unbelievable how unprofessionally they have handled it!

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This was announced nearly a year ago

If you love plug-in architecture you can use Kodi or Emby or Jellyfin

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Was this announcement emailed to users? Or was it just published on their website? Because if it was just on their website then Plex has no one to blame but themselves for this reaction. No one has time to review the website of every manufacturer of every product one owns just to see “announcements.”

And regarding this “announcement” made last year, it wasn’t like users had a chance back then to stop this change. So forum members throwing “the announcement was made a year ago” argument into every topic regarding plugins isn’t really fair. It’s only natural that now the plugins are missing users are bringing up their objections.

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it was announced both email and website.

also, you are both a year late in outrage, please review the dozens if not hundred other thread about removal of plugins.

https://forums.plex.tv/search?q=plugin%20removal

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It is never too late to be outraged! And like I said, if you and/or Plex management thought that everyone get it out of their system before the removal, you live in a fantasy world. The real outrage occurs when the change happens and people notice it is missing.

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I’m just as angry as anyone else.

But that aint gonna change plex’s mind any more than the thousands of others angry posts.

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I was lucky to have a snapshot of PMS version that had support for the plugin as there is no old version of plex media server software available on the internet. At least I could not find it. So, I managed to get the server side fixed by restoring snap-shot.

Next thing was to get apk file of old client.
After a bit of research, I could locate it on one of website.

I did un-install Plex client from fire stick installed using apk file that I had downloaded. Now, my plugins are functional.

I am not sure if Plex Inc would like me to post a link to old client’s apk file that still supports plugin, Hence, I am keeping it to myself.

Now that you know the trick, a bit of googling will let your firestick back in business.
If not, you can send me a private message.

For the record, Plex Inc, hire a product manager who will know how to do product life cycle management. When you drop an important feature, you should always leave an option for the customer to disagree with you and keep the relationship.

If this was a corporate decision to make more profit, you will regret it as you will have much angrier and upset tech like me. If you don’t respect your customer, it would be just a matter of time they would stop being your customer.

Anyway, good luck with a genius product manager who is proposing crazy decision like drop plugin, drop watch later, drop iPhoto.

What you are left with is just an index to see library’s metadata and search with it. Good luck getting premium pass for that.

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