Why I can't download movie files from user?

[CSG1986]

Server Version#: 1.24.1.4931 (both he and me)

Hi. I purchased a monthly subscription for Plex Pass, and a friend (without Plex Pass) allowed me to download from his server, however, I still can’t download.

The Plex documentation says this:

“The Downloads feature requires an active Plex Pass subscription on the user account performing the Downloads action”

I am the user account pretending to perform the Downloads action on my friend’s server. Then why I can’t download movie files from his server?.

Maybe that quote is wrong or outdated, and my friend also needs a Plex Pass in order to let me download from his server?.

He also can’t download movie files from my server. I allowed him to download from me.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[tom80H]

Maybe some confusion about the terminology of downloading… “downloads” refer to loading a video to a Plex client app for local playback – this can e.g. be done w/ Plex for Mac/Windows or (currently in preview) on iOS / Android mobile.

Plex does not support downloading media files from the browser to copy them.

[CSG1986]

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In order words, I’m silly and I wasted 5 bucks for nothing.

Well, it was my fault. Thank you very much for clarifying this for me.

But an option with name “Download file” in the drop down menu of a movie, and a feature of Plex Pass that promises “Downloads”… for sure it will lead to this kind of confusion on more users like me.

Cheers!

[CSG1986]

Sorry for “reopening” this thread, but I still have a doubt.

This Plex article says:

“If you’re logged into the same Plex account as you use on your Plex Media Server, the Download action in the web app lets you download the source file to the machine you’re using”

“You must be signed into the Plex Web App using the same Plex account as is signed in to the Plex Media Server.”

This means that, since I have a Plex pass, If I give my login username and password to my friend, and he in his machine logs into Plex using my account, he could use the “Download file” button on any movie from my server in the Plex web app to download / copy the original movie file on his machine?.

And same in the other way, if he purchases a Plex Pass and he let me log-in from my machine using his account, I could download any movie from his server to my machine?.

In theory it should work, right?.

And what about this unofficial thing?:

Best Plex Downloader: How To Download Media From Shared Plex Library

After I re-read @tom80H answer, I still can’t figure what this option does if it is not for let him download movie files from my own plex server:

Why this user CAN’T download from my server (no “Download file” available for him) while I have Plex Pass?.

And what about adding this user to my Plex Home? Will this allow him to download movies from my server?..

In theory, it should as per these quotes:

https://support.plex.tv/articles/downloads-overview/

https://support.plex.tv/articles/204234323-creating-a-plex-home/

“Managed Users in a Plex Home of a user with a Plex Pass will also be able to use Downloads.”

“With Downloads, if your device can Direct Play the file, it can “Download” it without needing to be transcoded.”

“You will need to be signed into your Plex account with an active Plex Pass subscription or be part of a Plex Home of a user with a Plex Pass.”

…right?.

[CSG1986]

I really don’t understand anything, all sources that I’m finding are saying or clearly hinting that the “Downlaods” feature is for what I expect, it is the “Download file” button that I can see in the drop down menu of any of my local movies to download that video file (the original file), and it is supposed that with Plex Pass I should see that same button in the shared media of my friend (because he allowed me to download), but the button is not present, and @tom80H answer says I’m confused with it and the “Downloads” feature does not refer to this?. Then what is the real meaning?, because really I don’t understand it at this point…

Someone could please clarify if Plex provides or not a built-in feature or methodology to:

1. Allow me to download / copy any movie from his shared media with me, to my machine.

2. Allow him to download / copy any movie from my shared media with him, to his machine.

Will the Plex Home work for this purpose?. Will other mentioned things work?, and he needs a Plex Pass to download from me or not?.

[tom80H]

As the server admin, you’re able to download stuff from your own server using the web app of Plex – this is the Download File action from the movie context menu you’re referring at.

If you have a Plex Pass you can download media into the Plex for Mac/Windows desktop app or the mobile clients for Android / iOS. This will work for media of your own libraries or libraries shared with you from friends who allow you to download that media. This feature is aiming at making a media item available for local playback (e.g. if you’ll be on the road or have an otherwise weak network connection.

Plex is not designed / targeted to share files so other users can copy them to their own server or distribute them otherwise.

This has nothing to do with being in a Plex Home or not.
As for sharing your credentials with your friend – keep in mind that will be tricky w/ regards to the Plex terms of use (same as Netflix won’t like it if you buy a membership and then spread it). In addition… if you give your friend your credentials, they’ll have full administrative access to your server and can turn it upside down / inside out or mess it up in any way only the server owner is supposed to be.