Plex choosing to transcode 4k down to 1080p when optimized version is available

[Manujito]

This is an Android specific open issue, I found this topic a while back:

Recent plex app update had regression ignoring video quality settings

Server Version#: 1.30.1.6562 / 1.31.0.6654 Player Version#: 9.15.0.38159 (should start with a version a week ago) I don’t think it’s a server side issue. I have two android devices with auto-updates and the app has been updated twice in recent week. And since then it just ignores my video setting (using 1080p instead of max quality). The video I tried to play has two versions: 4k and 1080p. I uploaded them and merged the two into a single item in plex. For these two devices, they don’t support…

I since joined the conversation, had a lenghty back and forth via PM with a staff member, and was then completely ignored. I wish they would acknowledge it and start working on a fix.