What is the current situation with "remote controller" operation of Android app?

Plex Players Mobile Devices
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Server Version#: latest version, as of 8th Dec 2023
Player Version#: latest version as of 10th dec 2023
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

Can someone let me know whether it is or is not possible to use the current version of the Plex Android app to act as “remote controller” for Plex on another device or on the server?

According to this current page, created in 2022. It is possible. https://support.plex.tv/articles/203082707-supported-plex-companion-apps/

But I cannot find any option for this in the app, and when searching for information I have found posts claiming that this functionality is no longer available. I cannot find any kind of manual for the Android app.

Thanks

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The Android mobile and iOS apps are both able to control other Plex apps within the same local network.
Provided that both devices are indeed within the same network,
and that the app which is to be controlled is one of the supported ones, this should be possible.

There might be a need for the presence of a running Plex server within the same network, depending on the type of the app which is to be controlled. Some apps are not allowed to open a network port themselves, to listen for remote control commands. This is due to restrictions of their platforms. (most Smart TV apps belong into this category)
These apps depend on the presence of a plex server within the local network, to act as a “remote relay”.

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Hi Otto

Thanks for your reply. I’m running Plex Server and Player on a Windows 11 (Pro) PC. I have the app installed on my Android phone. I can see and play files from the server on the phone, but I want to ‘remote control’ the PC’s playback via its audio interface and that’s what I cannot find any controls or settings within the android app for.

It’s reassuring to know that you think this should be possible, so I’ll keep trying.

Thanks again

Jez

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If you are using the Plex Web app or “Plex for Desktop” on the PC, then these are apps which cannot be controlled, as listed on https://support.plex.tv/articles/203082707-supported-plex-companion-apps/
If you need a Plex app for PC which can be controlled you can either use “Plex HTPC” (for music and video content), or Plexamp (music only).
If this is about music, I recommend Plexamp. Both on the phone and on the PC.

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Thanks Otto, you probably just saved me a lot of internet searching and head scratching!

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I had looked at that page, but hadn’t read it properly it seems. I had looked at

"Controller and Receiver Plex Apps

These Plex apps can act either as a Controller or a Receiver.

Android (mobile)
iOS
Plexamp"

and assumed the android app could be the controller, but I now see that there are some apps that cannot be controlled.

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