Server Version#: Shield Server 1.43.2.10687
Player Version#: Android Phone Client 2026.9.0
I have Plex running on an Nvidia Shield Pro 2019. I currently use it basically as an OTA DVR. I have an external SSD connected to the Shield for storage of the recordings.
I also have a large collection of music I ripped with iTunes many years ago, stored on a external hard drive connected to my PC that has been dormant for awhile. I’ve tired of using Amazon Prime Music and Spotify (for a number of reasons), so I thought maybe I could put my old iTunes library back to use, and stream the music files to my car through my Shield, Android phone, and Android Auto. I’m thinking of using PlexAmp, but I don’t really know if it woulld work. Thus I am here for advice.
My first idea was to copy all of the .MP3 files from my iTunes library to an external USB SSD drive and connect it to my phone. Having done that, I could play the music to AA wirelessly using PowerAmp (it plays iTune files just fine), and it worked reasonably well. But I discovered some problems: I don’t like having to plug the drive into my phone all the time with a USB cable, and having to hide it in my car. And when I disconnect the drive from my phone, the phone complains about an improper disconnect and tells me to restart the phone. I really want a minimal-effort way to play music, like I do from the aforementioned streaming services.
Can I take the USB SSD drive and plug it into the open USB jack on my Shield? What’s the proper way to get Plex to recognize the new source of music files and accept them into a library? If I can get remote access working (I’m behind CGNAT and would have to pay for a static IP), will PlexAmp be able to play my music through Android Auto?
I’m not too concerned about organizational issues or stuff like that for now. I usually just play music at random from the streaming sources today (like the old days of FM radio), but I may want to do more in that area once I get it working.
Please let me know if there’s any recommended method to this madness (ha ha). I don’t want to mess up my current Plex setup in the process. Thanks.
