Last Updated on February 6, 2023
Plex is a one-step media tool that organizes local media files to be played on other devices. It is a media outlet that supports various popular systems. It creates a central server so you can draw videos, audio files, and photos from it later on other platforms.
You can keep up with your favorite TV show anytime with the help of Plex. Better yet, it is free to use. Get Plex installed on your FireStick now.
Contents
How to Get Plex on FireStick
1. Sign up on Plex
Before you get to enjoy the perks, you have to sign up on Plex. You can complete this step either with your computer or smartphone. There is no need to use the TV browser.
- Go over to https://www.plex.tv.
- Click on the Sign Up button in the top right corner.
- There are four ways to create an account. You can either continue with your Google account, Facebook account, or Apple account. Alternatively, you can start fresh by using a new email address to sign up.
- You will receive a confirmation email once it is successful.
- After that, it’s time to choose your membership package.
While Plex does give plenty of free benefits, paying members to have access to far more perks. The monthly cost is $5, the yearly cost is $40, or you can buy out Plex for lifetime access for $120.
Plans can be canceled anytime, except the lifetime access plan. Users are not obliged to pre-pay a large sum of membership fees, giving freedom to those tempted to try it. New features are constantly being updated to spice things up.
2. Install Plex on FireStick
Luckily, Plex is officially available in the FireStick App Store. It makes the whole process so much easier. When an app is not available on the App Store, the only way to install it is through a third-party app. It can be perfectly safe to do so but the steps are much more complicated. Hence, it is usually easier for you to find an alternative if a specific app is unavailable.
- First, turn on your device and direct yourself to the front page of the FireStick menu.
- On the menu bar, navigate to Find.
- Click on it and you will see a drop-down menu.
- Choose Search, which will be the first option on the left.
- Type in Plex or use your voice command to input the word, although voice command is quite unlikely to recognize the word “Plex.”
- Plex will pop on first in the search result. Its icon literally says PLEX with an orange stroke over the X. That’s the app you are looking for.
Select it. - Underneath the app description, there is an orange download button that says “Get. Free to download”.
- Press on it to start the installation process.
The entire process should be completed within a minute. If you see buffering for over five minutes, it is possible that either your internet connection is terrible or something is wrong. You should run troubleshooting to diagnose the issue.
The button will turn into an orange sign that says “Open” once it’s done. This is the most crucial step. You should only start the installation when you have a stable internet connection, as it could lead to file corruption otherwise.
Open the app and you are directed to Plex. You can now sign into your account and start exploring all the benefits included in your membership package. To link your account here, you will have to enter a code in the app to your desktop version.
There are other methods to unofficially uninstall Plex on your FireStick that supposedly grants you more perks and freedom in changing the settings. However, it is not recommended since Plex is already listed in the App Store. Users should download the app through the official channel when it is available to minimize security risks.
How to Use Plex on FireStick?
The user interface of Plex is quite intuitive. Its layout is almost identical to all the mainstream media platforms. Novice users will get the hang of the flow in no time. On the front page of Plex, you get a top menu bar for system preferences and search while the content down below is about the latest shows and movies.
There is a search bar in the top left corner. You can easily find any genre or specific shows. Use the discovery tools to check out some trending short clips and podcasts. Plex emphasizes promoting various entertainment channels.
Regional podcasts and news are constantly being promoted so you can keep updated with the coolest trends in the area. National shows are also presented based on your personal preferences. The system automatically suggests new content that you might like.
You can also access media files locally stored. Arranging files from different platforms is possible with Plex. The centralized processing makes your entertainment unit unique and accessible anytime. Paying members will see more exclusive content and hit shows on the front page.
Parental control is part of the Plex experience for young children. Switching over to accounts with parental control is fast and simple. Parents can change settings to create several user profiles for their children. You can have full control over what your kids can watch.
With the subscription, you can access extra footage in selected movies. The behind-the-scenes footage is exclusive to certain platforms. You can also access its music library and artwork for other entertainment purposes.
Plex has a great variety in delivering quality entertainment content. It is a wonderful choice for households seeking an affordable plan to fit everyone’s needs. From 3 to 80 years old, every member will be happy with the features here.
Is Plex safe?
Yes. Being officially available already adds to its credibility. There are strict regulations for an app to be officially listed. Therefore, Plex is certainly safe to use.
However, FireStick has no control over Plex’s privacy policy or other apps’ privacy settings for that matter. You should go through the terms and conditions in your membership contract carefully.
Plex does not contain any viruses and is a great organizational media tool for all your content. It centralizes media distribution so you no longer have to jump among different platforms to keep up with your favorite shows.
Among its competitors, Plex is able to deliver a smooth workflow to simplify the steps for users switching between programs. Every movie is just a few clicks away.
Users should also be reminded that unofficial apps are not necessarily scammy. Some companies prefer not to have their apps widely available. Individual assessments should be performed to decide the legitimacy of each app.
How to Secure Your Network?
Whether you are using your FireStick or laptop, you should always secure your network. Cybercrimes are getting more vicious. Many internet users are unaware of the importance of safeguarding their connection, giving cracks for hackers to slip through.
The best way to secure your network is to activate a VPN. Your internet requests hit through the VPN server first before it is rerouted to the destination. That way, you are in the perfect disguise. No one will be able to track down where the request originates.
Covering your tracks makes it hard for criminals to scavenge information. Besides, you are exposed to a whole lot more entertainment sources when you can unlock the geographical limitations.
It is advised that every internet user activates a VPN before each session. So far, this is the best way to secure your data and penetrate through household devices to further extort information from your family.
If you are traveling and looking to have your FireStick with you, a VPN will save you a world whirl of nightmares. Theoretically, a VPN should not slow down your internet connection or quality.
But some inferior VPN service providers may show delayed feedback, leading to a drop in frame. Choose reputable VPN companies for the best performance.
Avoid entering personal details on public devices as much as you can. Public networks are never safe enough. In addition, when you log into your account on someone else’s device, be sure to log out and never save your password there. Erase browsing history if you can.
Never download files from unknown sources without verifying them first. While FireStick may not provide an official channel to download your favorite apps, you should never install files from third-party companies you don’t trust.
Only install third-party apps from reputable companies. The system may not be able to block viruses in these files since they are not from the App Store. It is your responsibility to ensure the legitimacy of these apps.
A lot of people neglect online security, leading to monetary loss or identity theft. This can be prevented with these simple steps.
Summary
Installing Plex is trouble-free. Why not get a hold of this user-friendly media tool to get all your media files sorted? Sign up now to enjoy the benefits and a fuss-free chill night.
