Install Plex Media Server on Linux Mint 20 - Step by step guide ?

Plex Media Server is a great multimedia tool that will turn your Linux Mint into a features multimedia server. With Plex, you can stream your music or movies from any device at home.

Here at LinuxAPT, as part of our Server Management Services, we regularly help our Customers to perform related Software Configuration queries on Linux systems.

In this context, we shall look into how to install Plex Media Server on Linux Mint 20. 

Steps to Install Plex Media Server on Linux Mint 20 Ulyana

1. Perform System Update

It is important to make sure your system is up to date by running the following apt commands in the terminal:

$ sudo apt update

2. Install Plex Media Server on the system

There are different ways on installing Plex Media Server on Linux Mint.

i. Install Plex Media Server from source

To do this, Run the below command to download Plex Media server to your system:

$ wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.20.4.3517-ab5e1197c/debian/plexmediaserver_1.20.4.3517-ab5e1197c_amd64.deb

$ sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_1.20.4.3517-ab5e1197c_amd64.deb

After installation, the Plex Media Server runs automatically. Check status with the below command:

$ sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.service

ii. Install Plex Media Server using Snap

Here, install snap from the Software Manager application:

$ sudo apt install snapd

To install Plex Media Server, simply use the following command:

$ sudo snap install plexmediaserver

How to access Plex Media Server ?

In order the access Plex Media Server, simply open a web browser and type the following address. Change the IP address with your Linux Mint 20 IP address:

http://your-ip-address:32400/web

To use the Plex Media Server, you will need to create a Plex account or sign in with your existing account or sign in to Google/Facebook or Apple account.

How to use Plex Media Server ?

• To use the Plex Media Server, you will need to create a Plex account or sign in with your existing account or sign in Google/Facebook/Apple account.
• Once you sign up for the new account/sign in, you will be redirected to the "How Plex Works" page, where it shows How Plex Works. Click the "GOT IT" button.
• You may wish to subscribe to Plex Pass that gives you numerous features such as Offline videos, Watch and record TV broadcasts, Camera Upload, Parental controls, etc. Click the close button if you do not want to subscribe to Plex Pass.
• On the next screen set the Plex Server name and click Next. Leave the box checked for Allow me to access my media outside my home.

How to Add Media Library to Plex Media Server ?

First, we will create a folder for placing movies and tv shows. Here, for this demo, W will create a folder /movies and add it to the Plex media server as a library:

$ sudo mkdir /movies
$ sudo chown plex.plex /movies/

Next, Click on ADD LIBRARY.

Select the Library type suitable for your media folder and then name your library. Click NEXT.

On the next screen, click the BROWSE FOR MEDIA FOLDER.

Choose the media folder manually or type the folder path and then click ADD.

Finally, click the ADD LIBRARY.

You should see the added library we added just now. Click NEXT.

Click DONE to complete the Plex Media Setup.

How to Update Plex Media Server ?

Enable the Plex repository on your system by running the below command:

$ sudo sed -i 's/\#\ deb/deb/g' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list

When a new version of the Plex Media Server is released, you can update it with the following command:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt --only-upgrade install plexmediaserver

How to Uninstall Plex Media Server from your Linux Mint 20 system ?

To completely remove the Plex Media Server from the computer, first make sure the Plex Media Server is not running. Then execute the following command:

$ dpkg -r plexmediaserver

Finally, Remove the directory, /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/:

$ rm -d /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/

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