iOS app requests subscription when accessing TrueNAS/Scale Plex server on same network

Plex Players Mobile Devices
1

Server Version#: Version 1.41.6.9685
Player Version#: 2025.15.0

Have been running Plex on TrueNAS core 13.3 and then suddenly the iOS app complained it was incompatible with the server.
I decided to upgrade the NAS to TrueNAS Scale 25.04.0 and installed Plex v1.41.6.9685-d301f511a which seems to be a Docker image.
Had some initial problems accessing the server, and it reported that the remote access fails. I noted that Plex reports the remote address to be “172.16.1.2 : 32400”.
Can’t access this address on my local network.
The TrueNAS has an address in the 10.x.x.x range and the Plex server is accessible
at the same IP address but 10.x.x.x:32400.

I now can access the Plex server from PCs and from AppleTVs on the same network, but while my iPhone and iPads seems to find the server, they do not seem to find the server on the local network. When I access the server, it is found, and I can look at the metadata, but as soon as I try to play anything, it asks for a subscription for “remote access”.

If I try to cast from the iOS Plex App, it does not find any devices.
If I try to cast from Youtube, it will find my devices.

Looking at the Plex App settings on iOS, I have “local network” enabled.

Sent a message to Plex support and they did not understand my question
and just said that you have to pay for remote access nowadays.
I pointed out that it was not remote access, but have seen no reply on that.

Anyone have a clue what is wrong?

2

You need to clean this up, I can barely understand it. But from what I’m reading, you can’t access 172.16.1.2:32400. I’m assuming this is the plex address inside the docker environment itself.

There have been a few posts complaining about this, it seems, in certain configurations, Plex can’t detect that it’s in the same local network. Probably because the IP it’s using is not in the same subnet as your actual LAN.

I’m assuming that all your devices get the “subscription required” message? It’s hard to tell with how you described it.

3

I’m not a Docker expert. But as far as I understand it, its default configuration is inserting a NAT layer between the container and the local network.
Which means, unless you change the container configuration of your Plex server container to use “host” networking, your server and your local clients are technically on different networks and thus, the clients regard it as “remote”.

1 Like
4

Thank You,
I checked the Plex Apps setting on the TrueNAS/Scale and there is indeed a “Host Networking” checkbox which was unchecked. I checked it, and restarted the Plex server and the iOS application, and now it plays as expected.

I do not know if this is possible, but it seems to me that Host Networking should be the default when installing Plex on TrueNAS

1 Like
5

Yes, but OttoKerner led me to the solution which was to enable host networking on the docker image.

6

I believe docker containers start out isolated by default for security. It is up to you to route access to network and storage through docker settings.

7

A ”secure” configuration that does not work is not helpful.
If not configured from start, it should be obvious during the installation that the server will not be found, unless ”host networking” is checked.

8

You’re complaining, and you actually have a GUI to work with and a checkbox option. :sweat_smile: When I first started with Docker all I had was a command line :laughing:

9

Your point is?
Now when this is identified as a potential problem for new users, you think it is a good idea that they run into the problem?

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