Learned something new

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#:Latest
Player Version#:zLatest

So I might be an idiot, but I just found out something new about using Plex.

I’ve been using Plex for my photo library viewing. I have PMS on my Mac which when I click on “Open Plex…” opens my libraries in Safari as expected.

I have the Plex IOS app on my iPhone so I can view my stuff away from my Mac.

What I always did before leaving location where Mac is located is “Open Plex…” and have my browser open with the libraries.

It turns out (I think) that I don’t need to have Plex on my Mac running in order to view my stuff on the iPhone when off site. So I guess Plex app is a media server-getter, whatever you would call it.

Is this correct? I always thought that the desktop version had to be launched and logged into in order for the app version to work. Can you confirm I no longer need to do this? An if I don’t, does this apply to cellular network too?

Again, sorry for novice ?

Thanks.

Jonathan

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You need PMS running on your Mac
The Web Client in Safari does not…

You should be able to use your iPhone that way at home and remotely if you have remote access setup correctly…

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The Plex Media Server needs to be running to serve media to the player apps. The Server is a background app that is always running. If you see it in the task tray on bottom right(Windows) or in Menu bar on top right (Mac) it is running. “Open Plex” does not start it running, it only opens up the interface in browser window.

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Thanks for explaining.

Plex has lots of “parts”. I didn’t know that if you see the Plex icon on the Mac os menu bar it means the app is running in the background.

So it must be one of the “Start up” things that is enabled so when you start computer it is just on.

But great to know I no longer have to have any browsers open and be signed in on desktop to use Plex remotely with the ios app.

I will give this all a test in a day or so.

Thanks again.

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A month late, but I can confirm Safari doesNOT need to be running. Just the plex “engine” thing that starts up when computer boots.

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