Media server developer Plex is tightening conditions for remote access via external media players. As Firecore, the development team behind the media player Infuse, announced, streaming from a remote Plex server via third-party apps will strictly require a paid license starting at the end of this week.
Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass to Become Mandatory
Until now, users of alternative media players like Infuse were able to access their home media libraries on the go without an active subscription. Some third-party clients bypassed the verification that is built into the official Plex apps for remote access. That is now coming to an end: Moving forward, Plex will require either a regular Plex Pass, a lifetime Plex license, or a so-called “Remote Watch Pass” for this use case.
Plex appears to be changing the way verification is handled—it is conceivable that the check will run more strictly on the server side in the future.
Home Network Access Remains Unaffected
There is an all-clear for local use at home: Anyone running Infuse or other third-party apps exclusively on the same home network as the media server will not need to purchase a subscription or make configuration changes. Local playback remains completely free of charge.
Options for Affected Users
Those who want to access their media library outside their own four walls without a Plex license have several alternatives. Technically, remote access can still be achieved using a virtual private network (VPN) or tools like Tailscale. If the connection on the go is established in such a way that traffic is treated as being on the local network, the remote streaming restrictions do not apply.
Another alternative going forward is switching to a different platform, such as Jellyfin.
Quellen: Stadt-Bremerhaven
