Home / Technology / Plex Locks Remote Access: Subscription Now Required
Plex Locks Remote Access: Subscription Now Required
26 Nov
Summary
- Remote access to Plex media servers now requires a subscription.
- New rules took effect on April 29, affecting users on various apps.
- Plex cites rising costs and new features as reasons for the change.
Plex is now enforcing new policies that mandate subscriptions for users accessing personal media servers remotely. Previously a free feature, remote access now requires either the server owner to hold a Plex Pass or the accessing user to purchase a Plex Pass or a Remote Watch Pass. These changes began rolling out on April 29, initially impacting users of the Plex Roku OS app.
The requirement for paid remote access is slated to expand to all other Plex TV apps and third-party clients in 2026. This strategic pivot by Plex aims to address rising operational costs and fund the development of new features, including integrations with Common Sense Media and a bespoke server management app. The company has also recently increased Plex Pass prices and ventured into movie rentals.
While Plex aims to boost subscription revenue and offer enhanced services, these new rules may alienate long-time users who relied on the platform's free remote access. As Plex evolves into a more subscription-focused service, alternatives like Jellyfin are becoming more attractive to users prioritizing media hosting software.
