As an Apple TV 4k owner, I was frustrated to discover that Plex didn’t seem to be supported. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I managed to get Plex working with my Apple TV 4k, as well as other solutions I discovered along the way.
Apple TV 4k does support Plex, as long as it is a 4th generation Apple TV. Older generations are not supported.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Apple TV 4K not supporting Plex | Apple TV 4K does support Plex for the ad-supported video on demand in the Plex app, only for the 4th generation Apple TV and newer. |
| Downloading Plex app | To use Plex with Apple TV 4K, first download the Plex app from the tvOS App Store and launch it. |
| Setting up Plex on your computer | You will need to set up Plex on your computer in order to stream content onto the Apple TV. |
| Stuttering when streaming on Plex app | Users who experience stuttering when streaming on the Plex app should turn off the Direct Play setting in their Plex account. |
Table of Contents
Does Apple TV 4k support Plex?
Fourth generation Apple TVs do support Plex, although it is only for the ad-supported video on demand in the Plex app.
Unfortunately, if you have an older generation Apple TV, the Plex app isn’t supported. This is because these older models do not come with the Plex app already installed, and they don’t allow for new apps to be added.
Read more: why does my Apple TV go black?
How to use Apple TV 4k with Plex?
Newer Apple TVs, 4th generation and older, can install the Plex app through the tvOS App Store. Locate the Plex app in the store on your Apple TV.
Download the app on the television. Once you download the app, launch the app and follow the instructions on the screen to connect to your account.
Once connected, select the Plex service from the list to start streaming your content.
Keep in mind that you will have to set up Plex on your computer in order to stream your content onto the Apple TV.
If you don’t have the app currently installed on your computer, visit the official Plex website and download the latest software. Follow the instructions to install the Plex app on your computer before installing it on the TV.
If you have an older Apple TV model, you may still be able to use Plex, though it is a long drawn out job that isn’t recommended.
It is a more complicated process that requires reconfiguring your network, your Apple TV, and your host device. This is done using Python scripts and can be rather difficult.
Read more: Why is my Apple TV lagging?
Why is my Apple TV 4k stuttering with Plex?
You have just set up Plex on your Apple TV, you start streaming content, and all of a sudden the TV starts stuttering. This is a quick way to ruin your night.
Thankfully, you’re not alone. It is not uncommon for 4K Apple TVs to experience stuttering when streaming on the Plex app.
Apple TV users who have experienced this issue have reported that turning off the Direct Play in their Plex account typically fixes the issue.
This seems to be an issue with the Plex app itself and not the Apple TV. At the time of publication, there was no update to the Plex app that addressed this issue.
For the time being, turning off the Direct Play setting is the only fix for this problem.
