# Running PlexConnect on an ATV without internet

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763>\
**Category:** Apps & Creations\
**Created:** [July 20, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763 "2013-07-20T18:23:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![looping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@looping](https://forums.plex.tv/u/looping)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/1 "2013-07-20T18:23:36Z")

</div>

Hi Everybody.

&nbsp;

I'm trying hard to make PlexConnect running smoothly disconnected, on simple a local network without internet.

&nbsp;

The main issue is very simple: With no connection, I only get the 'Home' and 'Settings' icons, and then I'm unable to launch Plex. Where I am, I do not have any internet link, but would like to use Plex.

&nbsp;

Not too sure, but think that the ATV is trying to grab a bag.xml file from apple before displaying missing icons. Any chance to have something embedded into PlexConnect to solve this issue?

&nbsp;

Thanks.

&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![baa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/baa/32/2026_2.png) [@baa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/baa)\
**Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/2 "2013-07-22T20:39:56Z")

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We looked into this... basically to add an "own" PlexConnect to the aTV home screen.

Unfortunately this area of aTV to Apple communication is not understood at all. So for now, you are out of luck... it would be nice, wouldn't it?

If you get an idea how to attack this and get more information, we really would appreciate a hint :-\>

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**Author:** ![looping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8dc957/32.png) [@looping](https://forums.plex.tv/u/looping)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/3 "2013-07-23T11:20:37Z")

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From my very basic investigations, when ATV starts up, 2 things happen:

- it gets a bag.xml from ax.init.itunes.apple.com, depending on the ATV osversion; 5.0.2 is unencrypted, while latest (6) contains apparently a signature and encrypted content.

At this stage, I could put this bag.xml file on my own web server, and make force the ATV to use this instead of the online original website.

This bag.xml also contains some updated url; If I do not first get the bag.xml, it never goes to next step, and never tries to reach the second url.

- it then contact a pool of server, and one of them is e673.g.akamaiedge.net using https/443 port.

With only the first url ax.init.itunes.apple.com pointing to my apache with bag.xml and the&nbsp;e673.g.akamaiedge.net reaching the real destination, I did manage to make some of the icons appearing, including trailers... but the point is, as&nbsp;e673.g.akamaiedge.net is using https using full certificate negotiation, I don't see any possibility to go further.

May be based on an older version of firmware, where the protocol was not yet encrypted?

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**Author:** ![tribalpilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tribalpilot/32/4951_2.png) [@tribalpilot](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tribalpilot)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/4 "2013-08-17T22:46:22Z")

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> Hi Everybody.
> 
> I'm trying hard to make PlexConnect running smoothly disconnected, on simple a local network without internet.
> 
> The main issue is very simple: With no connection, I only get the 'Home' and 'Settings' icons, and then I'm unable to launch Plex. Where I am, I do not have any internet link, but would like to use Plex.
> 
> Not too sure, but think that the ATV is trying to grab a bag.xml file from apple before displaying missing icons. Any chance to have something embedded into PlexConnect to solve this issue?
> 
> Thanks.

Hey looping,&nbsp;

You obviously understand a bit more than I do regarding all of this... but I am interested as well in seeing if there is a way to get PlexConnect to work in a situation where there is no internet. I live overseas and we go days at a time sometimes with our internet being down for days on end, and when that happens, the "apple trailers" channel obviously isn't there so I can't get things running...&nbsp;

I was just wondering if you had figured out a way to get this to work? &nbsp;Thanks so much!!!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hcourtney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/22d042/32.png) [@hcourtney](https://forums.plex.tv/u/hcourtney)\
**Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 9:57am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/5 "2013-09-16T09:57:44Z")

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> From my very basic investigations, when ATV starts up, 2 things happen:
> 
> - it gets a bag.xml from ax.init.itunes.apple.com, depending on the ATV osversion; 5.0.2 is unencrypted, while latest (6) contains apparently a signature and encrypted content.
> 
> At this stage, I could put this bag.xml file on my own web server, and make force the ATV to use this instead of the online original website.
> 
> This bag.xml also contains some updated url; If I do not first get the bag.xml, it never goes to next step, and never tries to reach the second url.
> 
> - it then contact a pool of server, and one of them is e673.g.akamaiedge.net using https/443 port.
> 
> With only the first url ax.init.itunes.apple.com pointing to my apache with bag.xml and the&nbsp;e673.g.akamaiedge.net reaching the real destination, I did manage to make some of the icons appearing, including trailers... but the point is, as&nbsp;e673.g.akamaiedge.net is using https using full certificate negotiation, I don't see any possibility to go further.
> 
> May be based on an older version of firmware, where the protocol was not yet encrypted?

Would like to replace at least the standard trailers icon with a plex icon, but from what I can see, this icon/png file is already stored locally and does not get pulled from apple server address? So not able to be replaced?  
&nbsp;

```
file:///Applications/AppleTV.app/movie-trailers@1080.png
```

So like your thinking of having a local bag.xml and point the ATV to it... would be nice to add a standalone icon for plex..

Looks like some resources here: [http://hdweb.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/FakTV/](http://hdweb.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/FakTV/)

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**Author:** ![wahlman.j](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/wahlman.j/32/6441_2.png) [@wahlman.j](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wahlman.j)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/6 "2013-10-04T05:50:32Z")

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I have plexconnect working with or without internet. Using plexconnects new app, added via addsite. This is before apple pulled the plug on addsite when I added it. My ip and dns is set to automatic discovery. I can still use the trailers.app as intended. Plexconnect will not work without having your pc on, if you use the old way to run it thru trailers.app and point your dns to your pms server it should work without internet no issues at all, channels will not work obviously but at least you can watch your locally saved content. Also you could get infuse from atv flash black to play you content. Its not as nice as plexconnect but it will work for browsing your machine for content.

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**Author:** ![dale\_coop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/dale_coop/32/7185_2.png) [@dale\_coop](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dale_coop)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/7 "2013-10-04T10:00:29Z")

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You still can use it, even if you reboot your aTV (without internet connected, of course) ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wahlman.j](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/wahlman.j/32/6441_2.png) [@wahlman.j](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wahlman.j)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/8 "2013-10-04T12:53:33Z")

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It works even if I reset my atv.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tmm1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tmm1/32/305979_2.png) [@tmm1](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tmm1)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/9 "2013-10-04T13:13:12Z")

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Custom icons are stored in "/var/mobile/Library/Application Support/Front Row/ExtraInternetCategories.plist". On a jailbroken device you can edit this file by hand and add "apps" which will work even when internet access is not available.

---

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**Author:** ![henris](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/henris/32/3956_2.png) [@henris](https://forums.plex.tv/u/henris)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/10 "2013-10-04T13:22:47Z")

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Instead of trying to get this working with aTV perhaps you could try any of the other client options? One is a Samsung Smart-TV which have built-in Plex support. Or if you already have a tv then a **[Sony NSZ-GS7](http://www.sony.co.uk/product/google-tv/nsz-gs7)** (Google TV) which isn't that much more expensive than an aTV. I have all of these three and Sony produces the nicest Plex experience (imho) but only Samsung Smart-TV has 24p support.

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**Author:** ![bberu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@bberu](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bberu)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/11 "2015-10-08T19:26:04Z")

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> @wahlman.j said:  
> I have plexconnect working with or without internet. Using plexconnects new app, added via addsite. This is before apple pulled the plug on addsite when I added it. My ip and dns is set to automatic discovery. I can still use the trailers.app as intended. Plexconnect will not work without having your pc on, if you use the old way to run it thru trailers.app and point your dns to your pms server it should work without internet no issues at all, channels will not work obviously but at least you can watch your locally saved content. Also you could get infuse from atv flash black to play you content. Its not as nice as plexconnect but it will work for browsing your machine for content.

Just experiencing an internet connexion shut down, and plex is not working…  
Impossible to access the olexconnect interface, even if I haven’t changed anything in aTV configuration (DNS still pointing on MacMini PMS server)  
Can’t understand why as the local network is working fine. (I can access the NAS interface without any problem from the ipad)

Any idea ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wahlman.j](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/wahlman.j/32/6441_2.png) [@wahlman.j](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wahlman.j)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/12 "2015-10-08T21:55:22Z")

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This is a know bug & you have a few options. Sign out of myplex on PMS (not PlexConnect) and it should work. If you do not have the all the apps loaded start a hotspot if possible and get the storeFront (apps) to load or run an extension cord to a neighbors if possible or hook to their wifi and load the storefront. If you get the apps to load DONT unplug the aTV from power and hook back into your wifi or ethernet @ your location and pull in the ip and set the DNS to your normal PMS more info here on the bug(s):

[https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/181956/plex-home-pms-myplex-bug-s#latest](https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/181956/plex-home-pms-myplex-bug-s#latest)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bberu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@bberu](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bberu)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/13 "2015-10-09T04:28:31Z")

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Hi

That’s odd because I cannot access plexconnect at all.  
From the trailers app, when entering it I only have the black screen and the spinnig wheel.  
I exit plex home from PMS but cannot do anything on plexconnect since I can’t enter plexconnect interface on aTV…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wahlman.j](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/wahlman.j/32/6441_2.png) [@wahlman.j](https://forums.plex.tv/u/wahlman.j)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/14 "2015-10-09T05:08:58Z")

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I have lost internet before and absolutely had plexconnect working still. Sign out of myplex on your PMS then test. If you still have your trailers app on your aTV then half the battle is over. I thought it was just signing out of PMS myplex, maybe sign out of myplex on plexconnect also. It’s been awhile since I lost my ISP but do remember a workaround to get it back via myplex sign out.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bberu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@bberu](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bberu)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/15 "2015-10-09T21:32:23Z")

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Yeah, very unclear to me. Internet came back, but I’ll have to make some tests for next time, just in case…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/running-plexconnect-on-an-atv-without-internet/38763/16 "2019-12-20T23:44:55Z")

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