Ongoing issue with remote access & sharing

Plex Players Mobile Devices
,
1

Server Version#: 4.147.1
Player Version#:
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

Hey Plex Support,

I need help clearing up a remote access issue. Been using Plex for over 17 years — I’ve got my library set up, it runs smooth, and I share with close friends. That’s all I need. No extras, no fancy stuff. Just a solid stream and a good movie night.

You confirmed in a recent email:

“It looks like the {Email removed by mod} Plex account is the one with the Plex Pass.”

That’s my main account, and it’s the one hosting my server, “bigdog.” I’ve had Plex Pass for years (I was told I was grandfathered in), and everything should just work… but it’s not.

:wrench: What’s Going Wrong

  • I tried sharing my library with David Silver (davidsilver248).
  • He added me and sees me listed under “Friends,” but on his smart TV, he sees no libraries — just my name.
  • On his mobile phone, he could see my movies, but when he clicked “Watch,” it hit him with a paid subscription wall.
  • Meanwhile, my own mobile app (on my iPhone) was also giving me the “Watch” paywall at the time.

:brain: What I Tried (and What Might’ve Made It Worse)

To troubleshoot, I activated Remote Watch via Apple Subscriptions on my iPhone — it said “Free Trial,” so I figured I’d test it out to see if it unlocked global access for others. It did fix the streaming issue on my iPhone, but not for David.

Then I realized my iPhone was logged into a different email account: **{Email removed by mod} ** (not my main one). That was a side account I used briefly — I’ve since:

  • Deleted the “tommygunnfilms” account
  • Canceled the Apple Remote Watch subscription
  • Made sure everything now runs through {Email removed by mod}

Still, David’s access isn’t working.

:red_question_mark: What I Need to Know

  1. Why did David hit a paywall when trying to stream my content if I already have Plex Pass?
  2. How does Plex Pass interact with Remote Watch?
  • Your last email implied only one user at a time can stream remotely unless everyone has their own Watch Pass — even if I already have Plex Pass. That’s never been the case before and isn’t listed anywhere in the Pass description.
  1. Why can’t David see my libraries on his smart TV despite being connected as a friend?

What I’m Trying to Do (Nothing Fancy)

  • I run the “bigdog” server on Plex.
  • I have Plex Pass.
  • I just want to share my movie library with a few close friends, like I always have.
  • I don’t need hardware transcoding, downloads, or DVR — just basic remote streaming, no surprises.

If something’s changed with how sharing works i guess there nothing else i can do, I’m fine with that — just give it to me straight and tell me what I need to do. No guessing games.

Appreciate your help,
Tommy Gunn

2

A couple of suggestions:

  • Log into your server via https://app.plex.tv. Navigate to Settings → [Select Server Name] → General. Make sure your server is claimed by the intended account.
  • Navigate to Settings → Account. Again, ensure you’re logged in as the appropriate account. It will also show your Plex Pass subscription status.

If that all checks out, then there’s some other technical issue. See if your friend can see your shared libraries when logged into another app (not the new experience apps) such as via the browser.

Also, that’s not your server version; that’s the web app version. The server version is found under Settings → [Select Server Name] → General.

In the end, if you have an active Plex Pass, nobody with whom you share requires one, nor a Remote Watch Pass.

3

It doesn’t, it only has a RemoteWatchPass. You should be able to see this by looking at your receipt from the app store you purchased it from. A remote watch pass only gives you access to view remotely, not others.

( to be clear i saw the email the agent sent you and though they did mistype in the first sentence you quoted, the second stated you have a Remote Watch pass. and was clarified in another email without the mistype after you asked again about it.)

4

Right I did not have a remote watch before I only added that to see if that would fix it fro my friend but it did not can not remove the remote it will be stuck on there for the next 3 months even tho I cancelled it cuz of the free trial. I can’t remember what it said prior.
So to clarify each friend who wants to see my movies has to buy the remote watch pass.

5

Yes, or you need a Plex Pass.

  • Remote Watch Pass only works for the individual account that has it.

  • Plex Pass of a server admin, allows all given access to stream remotely from that admin’s server.

6

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.