Install Plex on Apple TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

Leveraging Plex with Your Apple TV: Accessing Your Local Media

Although Apple promotes the Apple TV as a central hub for streaming, the true heart of premium content often resides within your personal collection. This guide details how to access your extensive home media server using Plex.

The Rise of Streaming and the Value of Local Media

Modern streaming devices, such as Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku, are largely focused on on-demand content. While services like Netflix and Hulu are popular among those cutting the cord, there remains a significant advantage to utilizing locally stored media.

Accessing TV shows, films, and music saved on your network reduces strain on your internet bandwidth, typically delivers superior quality, and ensures accessibility even during internet outages.

Plex: Bridging the Gap Between Apple TV and Your Media Library

For users with substantial media libraries—ripped from discs or recorded via DVR and stored on a PC or dedicated server—integrating their Apple TV with this local content is a logical step.

Fortunately, Plex simplifies this process. It's a complimentary media organization tool and server platform designed to effortlessly share your movies, television programs, music, and photos across various devices, including the Apple TV.

Compatibility Considerations

This instruction set pertains to the official Plex application specifically designed for Apple’s tvOS. This means it is compatible with the 4th generation Apple TV and newer models.

If you possess a 2nd or 3rd generation Apple TV and are willing to undertake a more complex setup, PlexConnect offers a solution for connecting older units to your Plex Media Server without requiring jailbreaking.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits:

Reduced Bandwidth Usage: Stream from your local network instead of relying on internet speeds.
Enhanced Quality: Often experience higher resolution and bitrate than streaming services.
Offline Access: Enjoy your media even without an internet connection.

Essential Requirements

Related: A Guide to Plex Setup for All Your Devices

To proceed with this guide, several components are necessary. Primarily, you will require an Apple TV device. Additionally, a complimentary version of Plex for tvOS will be needed, which we will acquire during the installation process.

Crucially, access to a Plex media server is essential for connectivity. This server can be one you personally manage, or one that has been generously shared with you by a friend.

We have previously detailed the steps for installing and configuring Plex Media Server. If you haven't completed this step, we recommend doing so before continuing. Once finished, return to this guide to learn how to install the Plex client application on your Apple TV.

Installing Plex on Your Apple TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

The overall Plex experience is notably user-friendly, and this is particularly evident during the installation process. The Plex app for Apple TV is well-designed, and linking it to your existing Plex system has been streamlined for simplicity.

Begin by powering on your Apple TV and navigating to the App Store from the main screen, as illustrated below.

Within the App Store, choose the search function and type in "Plex". Ensure you select the official "Plex" application, avoiding similarly named options such as "Simple X - for Plex".

On the application details page, as shown below, select the "Install" button to begin the download and installation.

Upon completion of the installation, the "Install" button will change to "Open". Clicking this button will launch the Plex application.

Following the Plex splash screen, you will be asked to sign in to your Plex account. A security code will then be displayed on your screen.

Take note of this four-character alphanumeric code and visit Plex.tv/link to enter it, thereby linking the Apple TV Plex app to your account. Confirmation of this link will appear on both the website and the Apple TV app.

After the confirmation message, all Plex media servers associated with your account will become visible. As demonstrated in the screenshot below, our media server is named "plexmediaserver_1". Select your desired server to access its content.

Choose the server to which you want to connect and begin enjoying your media.

Accessing Your Media with Plex on Apple TV

The primary interface of the Plex application for Apple TV, as illustrated in the screenshot, provides access to your movies, TV shows, music, and photo collections. Our test server contained only movies and television programs, resulting in a focused selection. Furthermore, users can access custom playlists and explore Plex channels, which function as integrated applications offering streaming content from sources like PBS and the BBC.

Selecting "TV shows" will demonstrate the media playback options and the on-screen controls available. Navigation is simplified through features like "Recently Added" and visually appealing cover art for each media item.

For demonstration purposes, we’ve chosen Futurama. A comprehensive overview of the show is presented, including details, available seasons, and convenient options to resume playback from the last viewed episode or initiate a randomized episode playlist.

During media playback, the Apple Remote facilitates control over pausing, playing, volume adjustment, and fast-forwarding or rewinding through swiping gestures on the touchpad. Additional details about the media can be accessed by swiping down on the remote’s touchpad.

The Apple TV Plex app controls are considered highly functional and intuitive. They provide all essential features needed for comfortable viewing, maintaining the user-friendly design that defines the Plex media center experience.

With minimal setup required, you can transform your Apple TV into a hub for accessing all the media available on your home network, facilitated by the free and user-friendly Plex app.