Plex is a well-known media centre app just like Kodi. It is a two-in-one tool that can be used to organize your media contents and play the same. Plex is not only available for Android, iOS, Apple TV, Windows and Mac PC, Xbox, but it can be installed on the Linux/Ubuntu PC as well. So with Plex on Ubuntu, you can store all your multimedia files like photos, music, podcasts, videos, shows, DVR, etc, under one roof and access the same on any device at any time.
Use the search bar to find your favourite contents or stay up-to-date with personalized recommendations like a newscast, podcasts, etc. With the premium subscription, any Linux PC users can stream, watch, and record free over-the-air HD TV. The article will help you out with the steps to install Plex on Ubuntu/Linux PC in detail.
Related: How to Install Plex on Kodi?
How to Install Plex on Ubuntu
You can follow the step by step procedure to install Plex on Linux.
#1. On your Linux PC, open the command prompt initially to type in the command given below and import Plex repository’s GPG.
$ curl https://downloads.plex.tv/plec-keys/PlexSign.key | sudo apt-key add –
#2. Secondly, you should add the Plex APT repository to the system software repository list by entering the command as follows.
$ echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list
#3. When the Plex repository is enabled, you need to update the apt package list to install the Plex Media Server’s latest version by using the command
$ sudo apt install apt-transport-https
$ sudo apt update
$sudo apt install plexmediaserver
#4. After that, you have to check the running type of your Plex Service by entering the command as
$ sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver
#5. Finally, you will get the output on the command prompt as
plexmediaserver.service – Plex Media Server for Linux
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Mon 2018-06-25 10:42:28 PDT; 35min ago
Process: 2544 ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c /usr/bin/test -d “${PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR}” || /bin/mkdir -p “${PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR}” (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 2556 (sh)
Tasks: 56 (limit: 2321)
CGroup: /system.slice/plexmediaserver.service
Related: How to use Plex on Chromecast?
Steps to Configure Plex as a Media Server
#1. Just before configuring Plex as a media server, you should create directories to store the Plex media files. Enter the command as follows
$ sudo mkdir -p /opt/plexmedia/ {movies, series}
#2. After that, you should enable the read and execute permissions to your media files using the command
$ sudo chown -R plex: /opt/plexmedia
#3. To further proceed with the server configuration, you should open the web browser to type in as http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:32400/web and you will see the screen that asks to sign in to your Plex web.
#4. Click on any of the platforms like Google, email, or Facebook to create a Plex account or simply log in if you have an account already.
#5. On the next page, you should click on the GOT IT button.
#6. Provide your name for Plex Media Server and check in the box that read as Allow me to access my media outside my home.
#7. You shall click on the Next button and then click on Add Library option to proceed further.
#8. Meanwhile, you have to choose your media preference and enter the name for the folder. Tap on NEXT button.
#9. Select BROWSE FOR MEDIA FOLDER and click on ADD LIBRARY to add the files to the server.
#10. After that, click on the NEXT option followed by DONE to complete the configuration procedure of Plex Media Server.
#11. When the configuration is completed, the Plex web dashboard will be shown and you can finally access all its features on Ubuntu PC.
Related: How to install Plex on Apple TV?
To Sum Up
You can install Plex on Ubuntu/Linux PC just by following the above-given guidelines. The procedure will work for those desktop’s that are running on Ubuntu 18.04 and other Linux PC’s. With this, you can access the Plex video streams online for free. For those who wanted to access the premium version of Plex can purchase Plex Pass subscription.
For any queries about this article, kindly leave us a comment.