Joining a Plex Media server

Russell Bateman
June 2026
last update:

How a friend, starting from scratch, accepts an invitation to join a Plex Media server from its owner.

subscribing friend server owner

1. Set up a Plex Media user account

  1. Using any browser (phone or computer), go to the Plex Sign Up page.
  2. Click the Sign In button at upper right. An illustration of what you'll see is on the right here (click to enlarge).
  3. Sign up using one's e-mail address. Do not sign up using Google or Apple.
  4. There are no credit card details required; do not offer any and do not sign up for any monthly or yearly plan. The only plan needed is through the server owner.
  5. Communicate the e-mail address with the Plex server's owner.

2. Owner invites a friend to view titles on the server

  1. Open the Plex web-based (browser) application and click Settings (the wrench icon).
  2. Under the server name, select Users & Sharing.
  3. Click Grant Access in the top right corner.
  4. Enter the email address of the friend to invite and click Continue.
  5. Select the libraries you want to share with the friend, then click Invite.

3. Set up the streaming device (or smart TV)

  1. Download the Plex application from the streaming device's application store (e.g., Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, or Google TV).
  2. Open the application and select Sign In.
  3. The screen will display a 4-character code. In a phone or computer browser, go to plex.tv/link, sign in to the Plex account, and enter the code from the TV screen.
  4. Once the handshake is completed, the TV screen will automatically refresh.

4. Accept the Invite & Adjust Settings

  1. Check the e-mail inbox (of the e-mail address the Plex account was set up with) and clicks the Accept Invitation link.
  2. In the Plex streaming device application, navigate to the navigation menu (left sidebar) to find the server listed.