You can side-load a previous version of the Plex client app.
I recommend you install the appropriate official remote control app for your device on your smartphone, because then it will save you from having to type a long URL out with the on-screen keyboard.
For the NVidia Shield that is the Shield TV app.
For Amazon Fire Stick that is the Fire TV app.
- First you need to uninstall the Plex client you have on the device now.
- Install a file download app. Downloader works fine for this (also available on Amazon’s store). You’ll need to allow Downloader access to read/save files when prompted the first time you open it.
- If you’re on a Fire Stick, go into your device settings and turn on the ability to install apps from untrusted (not Amazon Store) sources.
- On your phone, open the Android Release Announcements thread from the Plex forums on your web browser.
- Find the version of the Plex client app you want, and long press and copy the link for the version of the app for your device.
- For Fire Stick, that is the “Amazon Fire OS Devices (armv7a)” version.
- For Shield Pro, it’s the “Google Play (arm64v8a)” version.
- For Shield (tube style), it’s the “Google Play (armv7a)” version.
- Using the control app on your phone. Paste the link into the navigation box on the Downloader app. (Note: If you opt not to use the remote app, you need to type the entire address of the link into the box instead. This is doable, but will take some time and you have to type it exactly.)
- Open the address in Downloader.
- It will prompt you to download the file and then install the APK. On the Shield you will likely get a security warning on the Shield to add a permission to install files from the Downloader app (this isn’t hard and it prompts you for it).
- Once the older Plex app is installed, you can delete the original file you downloaded back on the Downloader app.
- Open the Plex client app and you’ll need to re-link it to your Plex account.
