Server Version#: 1.22.3.4523
Player Version#: 7.17
I currently have an iPad with IOS version 13.6 and want to upgrade to the latest IOS version (which is currently 14.6). I remember reading something a while back about having to do something special when you upgrade to IOS 14. I looked back at the Release Announcements for plex version 7.6 and there was a note that says:
“Please note: If you are running IOS 14, you will be presented with a system alert requesting permission for the app to find and connect to devices on your local network. You will need to accept this in order for the app to be able to access a Plex Media Server running locally.”
Questions:
(1) Are there any reasons or situations where it is dangerous to have this set to Yes?
(2) When does the Plex Media Server “run locally”? Is that how the Plex app on my iPad normally accesses Plex or does it usually go through the internet?
(3) I’ve been using Plex for years but this permission question worried me. Am I letting an intruder in if I set access to Yes?
(4) Does basically everybody say “Yes” to that permission question?
Sorry if these questions seem “junior” level but the “giving permission” just kind of threw me about a safety issue.
basically, the permission is to allow an app to access the network.
for plex, obviously network access is required.
for other apps, maybe something that doesn’t need, or you do not want to have access to the network, then you can deny it.
edit: volts beat me to a more detailed response, but I’ll leave below to go with his comments.
I wouldn’t consider it dangerous, unless an you get the request from an app that you do not expect to need the network.
your plex server always runs locally (or from wherever you have PMS installed that is), however it can be accessed locally and remotely via Plex Web if remote access is enabled and working.
note, some plex clients (like many tv based apps) load some/most parts dynamically from the internet, and while some may have some caching functionality, others may not work at all without internet. This is something completely different from your questions though.
no you are simply allow plex to access the network, just as it has for many years. the ios update simply gives you an option to deny access for whatever apps.
basically yes if you want to use a local server for plex
Apple is now requiring all apps that communicate locally to get this permission. The prompt is a security feature so that only known and trusted apps can communicate with the local network.
If you trust Plex, and have a Plex server on your local network (or cast media to other devices) you can grant this permission.
If there is a Plex Media Server on your local network, allowing the Plex App to communicate with it locally is ideal. It’s also necessary if you “cast” to other devices.
This is how Plex has historically worked with other devices on a local network. The change is that Apple is now requiring apps to get explicit permission to do so.
The permission setting controls if the iOS app on that device is allowed to communicate on the LAN. This permission is enforced by iOS on that device.
It doesn’t make any changes to your Plex Media Server (if you have one).
It doesn’t make any changes to your router or firewall security.
It isn’t required to say yes. If you don’t interact with a Plex server on the local network, it isn’t necessary to say yes.
For instance, if you only use a remote Plex server, or if you only use the free/ad-supported “Movies & TV Shows on Plex”, AND you don’t “cast” to devices on your network - you don’t need to enable this access.
