Access Media Servers from Android with AnExplorer
Media servers like Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, and Kodi organize your photo, music, and video libraries and make them accessible across devices. AnExplorer can browse these servers' file contents via DLNA/UPnP or directly via SMB and FTP if the server runs alongside a NAS.
This guide covers both the native media server integration (DLNA) and direct file access approaches.
Media Servers Supported
| Server | Protocol | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plex | DLNA (free) or direct SMB | DLNA works on free Plex accounts |
| Jellyfin | DLNA built-in | Open-source, self-hosted |
| Emby | DLNA | Similar to Jellyfin |
| Kodi | UPnP server | Enable in Kodi settings |
| Synology Media Server | DLNA | Runs on Synology NAS DSM |
| QNAP DLNA Media Server | DLNA | QNAP built-in app |
| Windows Media Player library sharing | DLNA | On Windows 10/11 |
| VLC Desktop | UPnP | Enable in VLC > Preferences |
Approach 1: Browse via DLNA (Easiest)
Most media servers expose DLNA/UPnP automatically:
- Open AnExplorer
- Tap + > DLNA / UPnP
- AnExplorer scans and lists discovered media servers
- Tap the server name (e.g., "Plex Media Server" or "Jellyfin")
- Browse categories (Movies, Music, Photos)
- Download individual files to your phone for offline access
DLNA gives you the server's curated view of media. See the full DLNA guide for troubleshooting discovery issues.
Approach 2: Direct SMB Access to Media Files (Full Control)
If your media server runs on a NAS or a PC that also has SMB enabled, you can access the actual media files directly — not just the server's media library view:
- Connect AnExplorer to the NAS or PC via SMB (see SMB guide)
- Navigate to the media library path (e.g.,
/data/media/Movies/,/volume1/Media/) - Browse, copy, move, or delete files directly
This method gives you full filesystem access — you can rename mismatched files, move items between folders, delete duplicates, and manage metadata files alongside the media.
Plex Setup for DLNA
- Plex Media Server (on PC or NAS) > Settings > DLNA
- Enable DLNA Server
- AnExplorer discovers "Plex Media Server" on the network
- Browse your Plex libraries from AnExplorer
Note: Plex DLNA works differently from the Plex app. You see raw files without Plex's transcoding, subtitles, or remote sync features. Use it to download original files locally.
Jellyfin Setup for DLNA
- Jellyfin web interface > Dashboard > DLNA
- Check Enable DLNA
- No restart needed — AnExplorer discovers it in minutes
Jellyfin DLNA is simpler than Plex and doesn't require an account. It's a great option for self-hosted media that you want to access from multiple apps including AnExplorer.
Kodi Setup for UPnP Server
- Kodi > Settings > Services > UPnP/DLNA
- Enable Share my libraries
- Kodi appears as a UPnP server discoverable by AnExplorer
This is useful if you have a Kodi setup on a TV box and want to download TV show files directly to your phone for travel.
What You Can Do Once Connected
| Task | Method |
|---|---|
| Stream video directly | Open with a video player app from AnExplorer |
| Download for offline | Long-press > Download / Copy to local storage |
| Check file metadata | Long-press > Properties (shows codec, size, bitrate) |
| Delete old files (space management) | SMB direct access (not DLNA — DLNA is read-only) |
| Browse episode folders | DLNA (organized) or SMB (raw filesystem) |
Comparing Access Methods
| DLNA | SMB Direct | FTP Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sees media library organization | ✅ | ❌ (raw filesystem) | ❌ |
| Full filesystem access | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Upload new media | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Delete or rename files | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Works without NAS (Plex on PC) | ✅ | Depends | Depends |
| Speed on LAN | Medium | Fast | Medium |
For media management (adding files, removing duplicates, reorganizing folders), SMB direct access is better. For browsing organized media libraries, DLNA is more convenient.