Is Media Center the official Plex app for Android TV?

No. Plex publishes its own Android TV app. Media Center is an independent player that connects to the Plex Media Server you run — and to a Jellyfin server too, if you have one — with profiles and kids rules managed from one dashboard.

Is Media Center a Plex alternative?

It is an alternative app for watching your Plex server, not a replacement for the server itself. You keep running Plex Media Server; Media Center gives your household a different way to watch it on Android TV, phones and tablets.

Not to connect your server, or to watch at home. For watching away from home, Plex has announced that during 2026 third-party apps, Media Center included, will need a Plex Pass on the server owner's account or a Remote Watch Pass for each viewer. Plex sets these rules; see Plex's announcement and support site for what applies to your account.

Can my family use it without a Plex account?

Yes. Household members sign in to Media Center with the email you invited. They never need their own Plex login.

Does it work outside my home?

Yes, once Plex Remote Access is enabled. Media Center takes every address your server has from Plex, including the one away from home, and follows it when your public IP changes.

Does it work on Android phones and tablets too?

Yes. The same Google Play download runs on Android phones and tablets on Android 7.0 or later, with Picture in Picture and casting to a TV.

How to Watch Plex on Android TV and Google TV

Updated October 18, 2026 · 6 min read

You already run Plex Media Server. This guide connects it to Media Center on Android TV, Google TV, Android phones and tablets — with a profile for each person, a kids profile that sees only what you allow, and a TV that signs in by scanning a QR code.

What you need

Plex Media Server, with Remote Access enabled (Settings › Server › Remote Access) if your household watches away from home — how to set it up.
The Plex account that owns the server — you sign in with Plex on Plex's own page; there is no token or address to copy.
An Android TV or Google TV device, or an Android phone or tablet on Android 7.0 or later.

Connect Plex to Android TV, step by step

Create a Media Center admin accountOpen themediacenter.net/admin/register, enter your name and email, and type the one-time code you are sent.
Sign in with PlexChoose Sources, then Add a source, then Plex, and click Sign in with Plex. Plex opens its own sign-in window: sign in with the account that owns your server and approve Media Center. Your Plex password is never entered on our page.
Pick your serverMedia Center lists the account's servers with the addresses each one has: Home network, Away from home and Plex relay. Pick yours; your browser checks it directly and lists the libraries it found. If Away from home is missing, turn on Plex Remote Access so your household can watch outside your home.
Choose what Plex serves and saveTick movies, series, or both. Only libraries your server actually answered for are offered. Every address is saved, and Media Center keeps them up to date by itself.
Invite your householdUnder Households, invite each person by email. They never need a Plex account of their own.
Install Media Center on Android TV and scan the QR codeOn Android TV or Google TV, install Media Center from the Google Play Store. The sign-in screen shows a QR code: scan it with your phone, sign in with your invited email, and the TV signs itself in. On Android phones and tablets, sign in with your email.

Why use Media Center for Plex on Android TV

Plex and Jellyfin in one app. If you also run Jellyfin, connect both and choose which serves movies and which serves series. See Plex and Jellyfin together.
Household accounts you control. You invite people by email; nobody needs a Plex account, and there is no sign-up inside the app.
Kids profiles. A kids profile sees only titles with the content ratings you allow (G, PG, TV-Y and so on), and grown-up profiles can have a PIN. How to set one up.
No typing on the remote. The TV signs in with a QR code scanned on your phone.

Media Center on Android TV: a series page with its episodes

Troubleshooting

A library is not showing. Only libraries your server answered for when you added the source are offered. Make sure the library exists on the server you picked, then add the source again.
It works at home but not away. The dashboard shows that the source only works on your home network. Turn on Remote Access in Plex Media Server until it says Remote Access is enabled, then click Update addresses.
Everything stopped loading at once. Removing Media Center under Authorized Devices, or signing out of all devices in your Plex account, disconnects it. Add the source again with Sign in with Plex.

Frequently asked questions

Is Media Center the official Plex app for Android TV?: No. Plex publishes its own Android TV app. Media Center is an independent player that connects to the Plex Media Server you run — and to a Jellyfin server too, if you have one — with profiles and kids rules managed from one dashboard.
Is Media Center a Plex alternative?: It is an alternative app for watching your Plex server, not a replacement for the server itself. You keep running Plex Media Server; Media Center gives your household a different way to watch it on Android TV, phones and tablets.
Do I need Plex Pass?: Not to connect your server, or to watch at home. For watching away from home, Plex has announced that during 2026 third-party apps, Media Center included, will need a Plex Pass on the server owner's account or a Remote Watch Pass for each viewer. Plex sets these rules; see Plex's announcement and support site for what applies to your account.
Can my family use it without a Plex account?: Yes. Household members sign in to Media Center with the email you invited. They never need their own Plex login.
Does it work outside my home?: Yes, once Plex Remote Access is enabled. Media Center takes every address your server has from Plex, including the one away from home, and follows it when your public IP changes.
Does it work on Android phones and tablets too?: Yes. The same Google Play download runs on Android phones and tablets on Android 7.0 or later, with Picture in Picture and casting to a TV.

Get started with Media Center

Media Center plays the Plex and Jellyfin servers you already run on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android and Android TV. It ships with no content of its own. The person who runs the server sets it up once; everyone else just installs the app.

You run the Plex or Jellyfin server

Create your admin account, connect your server and invite the people who watch. The Free plan covers one household.

Set up your household

Your name, your email and a one-time code. No card needed.

Already have an account? Sign in

Someone invited you

Install the app and sign in with the email your administrator invited. There is nothing to set up.