macOS app on local network only sees server as remote

Plex Players Desktop Players
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1

Server Version#: 1.42.2.10156
Player Version#: 1.110.0.351-4e48eb83

Hi community! :waving_hand:

I’ve just rebuilt my home server from scratch (new local IP and server name). I have the macOS “Plex for Mac” app that I use to access Plex on my Mac which is telling me that the server is “Remote”. It’s odd, because everything is running on the same network. Moreover, If I open a browser and access the Plex webapp, I can run a local stream with no issues.

I’m not on VPN, and the local server IP is the standard 192.168.x.x

Have gone through all the forum posts on this topic and can’t seem to find a solution.

Suggestions greatly welcome.

2

My initial guess would be DNS. In order for the native app to connect directly, it has to be able to resolve the server’s *.plex.direct FQDN to an IP address. If it cannot, if will fall back to using the public address of the server which will be seen as a remote connection.

I’d suggest changing the DNS servers for the macOS host to 1.1.1.1 (primary) and 8.8.8.8 (secondary), reboot the system, and see if it works. If it does, you can configure your router to hand out those DNS servers via DHCP for the entire network.

3

IIRC, there is a “local network” access privilege in MacOS.
This has to be granted to each app individually, which shall be able to access other hosts within the local network.

4

Bingo! Thank you @OttoKerner that was the issue. One of those things that feels complicated but is actually so simple!

If anyone else has the issue it’s just:

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and then a toggle for Plex

5

Better check if it’s granted to all Plex apps, like Desktop player, Plex Media Server, and Plexamp.