I purchased a Lifetime Plan years ago, now what?

Plex Media Server Remote Access
1

I purchased a lifetime subscription years ago so I could watch my content on my phone from outside my home. Now, I have to pay more!!

Did Plex change its policy as far as streaming? I let my family log into my server to watch my content, and there was no charge. Is Plex charging for that now?


Moderator Edit: I combined your posts, as they both refer to remote access. @FordGuy61

2

You most probably did not purchase a lifetime Plex Pass back then, but the one time app fee for unlocking the mobile app.

3

See:

If you are referring to the $5 USD unlock fee, that removed the one minute timeout on mobile apps. It had nothing to do with remote streaming.

In March 2025, Plex changed how remote streaming is handled.

  • The one minute timeout on mobile apps is removed. The $5 unlock fee is no longer required.
  • Remote streaming now requires a Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass.

On March 23, 2026, Plex changed remote access requirements for Smart TVs. A Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass is now required. See the support document linked above.

TL;DR:

  1. If you have a Remote Watch Pass, then you can stream remotely from your server or any server shared with you.
  2. If you have a Plex Pass, then you can stream remotely from your server or any server shared with you. Additionally, anyone you share with can stream remotely from your server.
  3. If you have neither pass, then others you share with must have their own Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass to stream remotely from your server.
5

It was a lifetime Plex Pass, and I was able to stream from my phone. What about my family who watches my content, do they now have to pay a fee?

6

This is not fair. I paid almost $100 for the lifetime premium years ago!!

7

Sounds like you purchased a Plex Pass - although its not showing under your account here on the forum. Was it perhaps purchased under a different account/email back then?

8

It should be under another email, but when I log into plex on my phone with that email, it shows Plex Pass in my account info, but I cannot see my content.

9

What account is your Plex server using? Sounds like it’s using a different account. If that’s the case, you need to get your Plex Pass account assigned to your Plex server. Someone will need to chime in on how to do that as I’m not sure myself.

However, once you have your Plex Pass account assigned to your Plex server, you can stream remotely as normal (along with any family members).

10

I’m pretty sure you can just sign out of the server, sign back in with the new account. However will probably need to share the server with users again if it’s not already.

12

Plex Media Server version? 1.43.0, 1.43.1, etc.
Plex Media Server platform? Win/Mac/Linux/Docker/etc.

You need to claim the server with the account that has the Plex Pass.