AnExplorer does not support DLNA/UPnP browsing. To access media server files (Plex, Jellyfin, NAS), use AnExplorer's SMB client or FTP client to connect directly to the storage where your media lives. This gives you full read/write access — better than DLNA's read-only browsing. See the Media Server Access guide for setup steps.
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard that lets smart TVs, NAS devices, and media players share media on a local network. While AnExplorer doesn't support DLNA browsing directly, you can access the same media files using SMB or FTP — which gives you more control (upload, rename, delete) than DLNA's read-only view.
Alternative: Direct File Access via SMB
Instead of DLNA, connect AnExplorer directly to your NAS or PC's shared folder:
| DLNA | SMB | FTP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General file browsing | Limited (media files) | ✅ Full filesystem | ✅ Full filesystem |
| Photos, music, video | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Upload files | ❌ (read-only) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Non-media files (ZIPs, APKs) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Works with smart TVs as server | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Works with Plex, Jellyfin | ✅ | ❌ (separate) | ❌ |
DLNA is best for reading media from a server. For full file management, use SMB or FTP where available.
Common DLNA Sources
| Device / App | DLNA server type |
|---|---|
| Synology NAS | Media Server app (DLNA/UPnP) |
| QNAP NAS | DLNA Media Server (built-in) |
| Kodi (on TV or PC) | UPnP/DLNA server |
| Plex (free account) | DLNA compatible |
| Jellyfin | DLNA/UPnP server |
| Windows PC | Windows Media Player network sharing |
| Smart TV | Some act as DLNA servers (Samsung, LG, Sony) |
| VLC (desktop) | UPnP renderer + server |
How to Connect to Media Servers (SMB / NAS Client)
Instead of relying on read-only DLNA discovery, connect directly to your media server or NAS using AnExplorer's built-in SMB Client:
- Open AnExplorer → tap the section card on the Home screen
- Tap Connections → tap the + button
- Select SMB (or FTP / WebDAV)
- Enter the NAS / Server IP address (e.g.
192.168.1.100), port, and your credentials - Tap Connect
- Your media library appears as a browsable drive — stream movies and music directly using the built-in ExoPlayer media player or download files for offline playback
Connecting to Popular Media Storage
Synology NAS
- In Synology DSM: Ensure SMB service is enabled under Control Panel → File Services → SMB
- In AnExplorer: Add new SMB connection using your Synology IP and DSM credentials
- Access your
/video,/music, and/photoshared folders directly
QNAP NAS
- In QNAP QTS: Confirm Microsoft Networking (SMB) is active in Control Panel → Win/Mac/NFS
- In AnExplorer: Add SMB connection to the QNAP IP address
- Browse and stream media at full local Wi-Fi speeds
Jellyfin / Plex Host PC
- Share your media storage folder over standard Windows/Linux SMB sharing
- In AnExplorer: Connect via SMB to stream directly to phone, tablet, or TV
Why SMB is Superior to DLNA
| Capability | DLNA (Generic) | AnExplorer SMB Client |
|---|---|---|
| Read & stream media | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| Upload new files | ❌ Read-only | ✅ Full write access |
| Non-media files (APK, ZIP, PDF) | ❌ Media only | ✅ Full file management |
| File management (rename, delete, move) | ❌ Unsupported | ✅ Full file management |
| Subtitle support (.srt) | ⚠️ Protocol-dependent | ✅ Supported in ExoPlayer |