Any one else think Plex is ridiculous for this crap about a monthly fee for something we have already paid for. Let me explain. Years ago I purchased the iOS app. This allowed me to stream my own content from my devices. Now they pull this crap and when confronted they give a lame excuse that the “app you bought was to remove the 1 minute limitation.” Really? Even when confronted with the App description they tried to claim the same.
Nowhere in that does it say “1 minute limitation.” What it clearly states is “Enable Streaming playback on iOS Devices.”
Am I alone in feeling that Plex has completely disregarded their own description in lieu of godfathering users in? I understand that Plex is a money making entity, but I also understand that if you are a business and you charge a set fee for your service (such as a cell phone plan) you should honor your commitment to the user/purchaser.
I think that, not only does this show a great disrespect to the user, but is also driving users to diffferent streaming platforms. Jellyfin, Emby and the like.
“ The item descriptions for in-app purchases are naturally limited in what can be included and displayed. The limitation that existed in older versions of our iOS app was a straight 1-minute playback limitation when streaming personal content from a Plex Media Server—whether remote OR local. That’s what the activation purchase removed and that’s what it referred to. It was not a blanket removal of any and all possible future playback restrictions.
The previous activation purchase does not allow remote playback with our new restrictions. If you want to play remotely, you’ll need to meet the requirements that we’ve shared previously. You can make use of the extended trial for Remote Watch Pass if you wish to do so. If you don’t want to start a Remote Watch Pass (or Plex Pass), you’re free to make such a decision.
We’ve already explained the situation and options available to you. We’ll not be responding more on this topic.” - Response from Chris (Plex, Inc.)
Clearly they are disrespectful in their replies to users as well. I do not feel an extended trial is an excuse for their inaction and disrespect toward us the users.
That is true, but what is also true is that was last modified May 6th 2025. I purchased this 8 years ago. During which the description state “activates Plex (enable Streaming.”) An article from a little over a month ago can hardly be used to justify something from 8 years ago.
Though I respect your reply and attempt to justify what plex has done, I respectful disagree that it can be justified. Also you may find my complaint to be petty or moot, but I do not feel I should have to pay a month fee for something I paid a one-time fee for. Hypothetically speaking what happens if Plex next decides to change the app version with a new clause, “Lifetime subscriptions were only for the xxx version and below.” Really.
That may be true now, but if you go back and look at the archives, it didn’t mention anything about local vs. remote streaming…the official documentation was changed in May of 2025.
What you paid for is now free. The unlock fee removed the one-minute limit. That limit no longer exists. The new Plex mobile apps do not have a time limit on playing video.
What was once free now requires payment. Remote streaming is no longer a free service. It requires a Plex Pass or Remote Streaming Pass.
I’m sorry, was that not clear in my post? Here’s my point, 99.9% of people have cellphone. Most carriers change plans at least once a year. When that happens they do not tell current users, you have to switch or discontinue our service. It’s called Grandfathered in. So, as you stated “What was once free.” However Remote Streaming was not free 8 years ago. I paid a one-time flat fee to allow remote streaming, so respectfully that comment is a moot point.
To be clear I am not here to argue with anyone, but to state my frustration with a app/service.
Remote streaming was free eight years ago. It was free until April 29, 2025.
Your one time fee did not allow remote streaming. It removed a one minute limit that applied to all streaming, both local and remote, using a mobile app..
Hmm, if it were free, could you tell me why I paid, and in fact the photo above sate “iOS App Activation (enable Streaming playback on iOS devices?” Free to stream not I clearly paid. Hmm.
People on here will clearly defend Plex, as they clearly defend everything else. Some will oppose and some will defend.
I appreciate the replies, but this will clearly go nowhere as those replying are clearly going to defend Plex’s new changes.
Believe it or not I do fully understand what has been said, I also know what the situation was. I refuse to pay a monthly fee to view my own property. I will be solely using a more transparent and still free service.
If your willing, uninstall the new app, manually install the previous legacy one and then block it upgrading.
The legacy app will likely work for years so your good until then. Android is easier than ios but there is specific steps in the forum, just do a quick search and you’ll find it.
Yes, this would work with Android as finding the .apk is easy. As for iPhone it only works if you have an older iPhone that can still be jailbroken with cydia. As for newer phones (especially ones running the dev beta iOS 26) this is not a truly feasible option because you would have to sideload the ipa file, that is after you found the legacy version.
Of course it was changed. The rules had changed by then, the one-time fee no longer applies. And the article was changed to include that information, so no one would be confused about which rules are current and which are not.
There is not a giant conspiracy lurking behind every corner…
