How to Add Plugins (“Channels”) to Plex

This guide will show you exactly how to install plugins (called “Channels”) in the Plex Media Server.

There are two types of Channels for Plex – supported and unsupported. The supported Channels are super easy to install. The unsupported Channels are easy to install as well, it’s just a bit more of a manual process. Either way, we’ve got you covered – we’ll explain exactly how to install both supported and unsupported Channels in the Windows and macOS versions of Plex.

Installing Supported Channels
Installing Unsupported Channels (Windows)
Installing Unsupported Channels (macOS)

Installing Supported Channels

1. Open your Plex Media Server.
2. To install an ‘official’ Channel, start by selecting the Channels link from the ONLINE CONTENT section of the main Plex navigation column.



3. Click the INSTALL CHANNELS button.



4. Now you’re at the Channel Directory. From here you can use the category menu on the left to find Channels that interest you. When you find one you want to take a look at, click it.



5. Click the INSTALL button.



6. Here’s where it gets a bit interesting. Depending on the Channel you installed, you may or may not be able to ‘use’ it from within the Plex Server interface (the one you’re using right now). Click the BROWSE button.



7. In all likelihood, nothing will be there – or – you’ll see an error message saying something along the lines of This channel is not responding. Have no fear.



8. Open one of your Plex Apps – iOS, Android, Xbox, etc. – and navigate to the Channels section in the App. Open the newly installed Channel from there.



9. Ta-da!



10. Not all Channels work within all Apps, and a lot of the time it’s just trial and error to figure out which ones work in each App. Typically a supported Channel will work in more Plex Apps than an unsupported Channel, but that’s certainly not always the case.

Installing Unsupported Channels (Windows)

Unsupported Channels are different from the supported ones in that they were created independently by developers all around the world. They’re also installed differently than the supported Channels, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to install unsupported Channels in Plex for Windows:

1. Make sure Plex is running by looking in your System Tray (the very bottom right-corner of Windows).



2. Now right-click on that same Plex icon in your System Tray and select Open Plug-ins Folder.



3. Now a Windows Explorer window will open and display your Plex plugins (Channels) folder. There will probably be a file named Services.bundle already.



4. To install an unsupported Channel, just drag-and-drop or copy and paste the file into this folder. All Plex Channels end in .bundle but most are distributed in .zip files, so make sure to unzip it first.



5. Now return to Plex and wait a few minutes. Odd I know, but it’ll take a moment for Plex to figure out a new Channel has been installed. Open the Channels section of Plex and you’ll see the newly installed one.

Installing Unsupported Channels (macOS)

Unsupported Channels are different from the supported ones in that they were created independently by developers all around the world. They’re also installed differently than the supported Channels, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to install unsupported Channels in Plex for macOS:

1. First make sure the actual plugin (Channel) file is ready – most are distributed as .zip files and you’ll need to unzip it first. All Plex Channel files end in .bundle



2. Open a Finder window and from the top Menu Bar select Go and then Go to Folder…



3. Paste in this line of text:

   ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins

   and then click the Go button.



4. A Finder window will now open up the Plex plugins (Channels) folder. There will probably already be a file in that folder, named Services.bundle



5. Now just drag-and-drop the plugin file into this folder. That’s it.



6. Wait a few minutes and then launch Plex. Select the Channels link from the ONLINE CONTENT section of the main Plex navigation column.



7. Ta-da! There’s your newly installed Channel.

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