Organizing media files manually can be a real chore. Fortunately, applications like Plex Media Server can save you a lot of time. Plex Media Server lets you organize and stream your movie collection, TV shows, music, and photos.
It comes with a centralized media library that stores all your data in one place, accessible from any device. It includes both a server application and a desktop application, and it supports most operating systems, including the latest Ubuntu 24.04.
Ways to Install Plex Media Server on Ubuntu 24.04
Here are the different methods to install Plex on Ubuntu 24.04.
Through the Ubuntu App Center
The easiest way to install Plex on Ubuntu is through the Ubuntu App Center.
Step 1: Search for Plex in the Ubuntu App Center.
Step 2: Click Install.
Step 3: After installation, click Open or search for Plex Media Server in the application menu to launch it.
Through Deb File
Another method is to use the .deb file.
Step 1: Download the .deb file from the official Plex website. Select the OS type and then the distribution.
Step 2: Install Plex on Ubuntu 24.04 using the following command, replacing the filename with the actual downloaded filename:
sudo apt install ./plexmediaserver_1.40.1.8227-c0dd5a73e_amd64.deb
Through Snap Package Installer
You can also use the snap package installer to install Plex Media Server, and its desktop client.
Step 1: Execute the following command to install Plex Media Server:
sudo snap install plexmediaserver
Step 2: Verify the installation by listing all applications installed via snap:
sudo snap list
Step 3: Launch Plex Media Server by searching for it in the applications menu.
Through its Official Repository
By default, the apt package manager doesn’t have the Plex Media Server package in its repository. Therefore, you need to add the Plex repository.
Step 1: Add the Plex repository GPG key for package validation:
curl https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-keys/PlexSign.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/plexserver.gpg > /dev/null
Step 2: Add the repository link to the sources.list directory and update the apt package list:
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/plexserver.gpg] https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list
Step 3: Install Plex Media Server on Ubuntu 24.04:
sudo apt install plexmediaserver
How to Configure Plex Media Server on Ubuntu 24.04
To properly use Plex Media Server, some configurations are required.
Step 1: Check the service status of Plex Media Server:
sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver
Step 2: If the service is not active, enable and start it:
sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver
sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver
Step 3: Add port 32400 to the firewall (the default port for accessing the Plex server):
sudo ufw allow 32400
Step 4: Access the Plex Media Server in your browser using your device’s IP address and the default port number:
http://<system-ip-address>:32400/web
Step 5: Sign up for a Plex account.
Step 6: Set up the server by providing a server name.
Step 7: Add a link to your media library.
Step 8: Finish the server setup. You can also install the desktop application via Flatpak, Snap, or the Ubuntu application center.
Now, your media library will be synced with Plex.
How to Remove Plex Media Server From Ubuntu 24.04
To remove Plex Media Server from Ubuntu 24.04, follow the instructions below based on the installation method used.
Removing Plex Installed Through the Plex Repository
Step 1: Remove the Plex Media Server package:
sudo apt remove --autoremove plexmediaserver
Step 2: Remove the GPG key files from the keyrings directory:
sudo rm plexmediaserver.gpg
sudo rm plexserver.gpg
Step 3: Remove the Plex repository from the sources directory:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list
Removing Plex Installed Via Snap
Step 1: Execute the following command:
sudo snap remove plexmediaserver
Removing Plex Installed Via Ubuntu App Center
Step 1: Search for Plex in the Ubuntu App Center.
Step 2: Click Uninstall using the meatball menu (three vertical dots).
Plex Media Server is a great application for organizing and streaming your media files, essentially creating your own personal Netflix. The easiest method to install Plex is through the Ubuntu App Center.