I have plex server running on my local network. Usually I use kodi and the plex addon to access my plex library. I got myself the new google androidtv/chromecast and installed kodi + plex addon on it, it works just fine. I also installed the plex player on the chromecast but that does not display my local plex server. I tried the plex app on my android phone (s20+ all up to date) also does not display my local plex install. On either device when I go via the browser and open my internal plex url it works and all kodi installs with plex addon as well. Why can I not access plex via the simple plex app on chromecast or android phone? mind you I have not linked my local install to my lifetime plex account and I do not want to and all works fine in kodi, how can i add my local install to the plex android app or activate the discovery etc. (in kodi plex addon there is the option to activate GDM and also to enter the IP addresses under which plex server is reachable, where is that in the plex android apps? thanks in advance!
Device discovery, particularly on a limited device as the Chromecast, always needs the help of plex.tv. Since you don’t sign in your server, plex.tv cannot do anything in this case.
Regular apps on Android, Chromecast etc. are not allowed to open ports and listen for broadcast messages on the local network, which would be necessary for discovery without signing in.
Thanks OttoKerner, but this is the new Google Android TV chromecast, also I know for sure that on my phone with the plex app I had access to my local library because I watched stuff on my phone and I never ever had the account connected to my local plex server. Any idea how I had that working? Or how to specify the local address/ip of my plex instance, then discover is not needed or is what you are saying I have to forget about it? thank you in advance
You will never be able to use Plex to its fullest without signing in.
Be it codecs, or Plex Pass features on the server. It is just not how plex was designed.
Thank you again OttoKerner, I do understand but I’m not interested in using Plex to its fullest features. I just want to be able to access/view my local library. I just got it working on my phone again. On the android phone app somehow my settings where gone: Settings–>Advanced—>Manual connections is where one adds the local IP addresses. That options is not available on the plex chromecast android TV version it seems or I cannot find it? any clue on that? TIA
