The fastest way to get Jellyfin on your TV

You connect Jellyfin to your TV by installing the Jellyfin app on a device that plugs into your TV — a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV box, or even a computer with HDMI output. Once installed, you open the app, enter your Jellyfin server address (the IP address or domain name where your media library lives), and log in with your username and password. Your TV then displays your movies, shows, and music directly from your home server.

The device you choose depends on what you already own and what features matter to you. Roku and Fire Stick are the cheapest entry points. Android TV boxes give you the most flexibility. Apple TV works best if you use other Apple devices. A computer connected via HDMI works but ties up that computer for streaming.

Key Takeaways

  • Jellyfin runs on Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, and computers — pick based on what you own and your budget.
  • You need your Jellyfin server's IP address or domain name and your login credentials to connect any device.
  • Most TV devices install Jellyfin from their app store in under five minutes, then connect to your server in seconds.
  • If your TV has a built-in app store but no Jellyfin app, you can use AirPlay, Chromecast, or DLNA to stream from a phone or computer instead.

Jellyfin apps available for different TV devices

Roku has an official Jellyfin app in the Roku Channel Store. Search for "Jellyfin", install it, and launch it. You will be asked for your server address and login details on first run.

Fire Stick (all generations) supports Jellyfin through the Amazon Appstore. Search for "Jellyfin", install, and open it. Fire Stick will ask for your server address and credentials the first time you launch the app.

Apple TV (4th generation and newer) has Jellyfin in the App Store. Open Settings, go to Apps, search for Jellyfin, install it, and launch. You will enter your server details on first run.

Android TV devices (Sony, TCL, Hisense, and others with Android TV built in) have Jellyfin in the Google Play Store. Open the Play Store, search for Jellyfin, install, and open it. The app will prompt you for your server address and login on first launch.

Windows or Mac computers connected to your TV via HDMI can run Jellyfin through a web browser or the desktop app. Open your browser, navigate to your server address (usually something like 192.168.1.100:8096), and log in.

Finding your Jellyfin server address

Before you can connect any device, you need to know where your Jellyfin server is. If your server is running on a computer on your home network, open that computer and look for the Jellyfin dashboard or web interface — it usually displays the server address on the home page or in settings.

The address will be either an IP address (four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.100:8096) or a domain name (like jellyfin.example.com) if you set up remote access. Write this down or take a screenshot before you sit down to connect your TV device.

If you set up Jellyfin on a NAS (network-attached storage device) like a Synology or QNAP, the server address is the NAS's IP address plus the port Jellyfin runs on, usually 8096. Check your NAS settings or Jellyfin documentation for the exact address.

Step-by-step connection for Roku and Fire Stick

These steps are nearly identical for both devices. On your Roku or Fire Stick remote, navigate to the home screen. Press the button to open the app store (Channel Store on Roku, Appstore on Fire Stick). Use the search function and type "Jellyfin". Select the official Jellyfin app and press Install.

Once installed, launch the app. The app will ask you to enter your server address. Type the IP address or domain name you found earlier — for example, 192.168.1.100:8096 or jellyfin.example.com. Press Next or Continue. The app will then ask for your username and password. Enter your Jellyfin login credentials and press Sign In. Your library should load within seconds.

If the app cannot find your server, check that your Roku or Fire Stick is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Jellyfin server. If they are on different networks, you will need to set up remote access on your Jellyfin server first, which requires additional configuration outside the scope of this guide.

Connecting through Apple TV and Android TV

On Apple TV, go to Settings, then Apps, then App Store. Search for Jellyfin, select it, and press Install. Once installed, press Open. The app will ask for your server address and login details. Enter them the same way you would on Roku or Fire Stick.

On Android TV, press the Home button on your remote. Navigate to the Apps section (usually on the left side of the home screen). Open the Google Play Store, search for Jellyfin, and select Install. Once the app is installed, press Open. You will see a screen asking for your server address. Type it in, press Next, and enter your username and password on the next screen.

Both devices will remember your login after the first connection, so you will not have to enter credentials every time you open the app. If you change your Jellyfin password later, you may need to log out and log back in on the TV app.

Using Jellyfin when your TV does not have a native app

If your TV does not have Jellyfin in its app store, you have three alternatives: AirPlay (if you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac), Chromecast (if you own a Chromecast device or a TV with Chromecast built in), or DLNA (if your TV supports it).

With AirPlay, open Jellyfin on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, select a video or song, and look for an AirPlay button (usually a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Tap it and select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV. The content will stream from your phone or computer to your TV.

With Chromecast, open Jellyfin on your phone or computer, select a video, and look for a Chromecast button (usually a rectangle with curved lines). Tap it and select your Chromecast device or TV. The content will stream to your TV.

DLNA is less common but works on some older TVs and media players. If your TV supports DLNA, you can use a DLNA client app on your phone or computer to browse your Jellyfin library and send content to your TV. This method is slower and less reliable than AirPlay or Chromecast, but it works when nothing else does.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If the app cannot find your server, first check that your TV device and your Jellyfin server are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your TV's network settings and confirm the Wi-Fi name matches the network your server is connected to. If they are on different networks, you will need to configure remote access on your Jellyfin server, which involves setting up a domain name and possibly a reverse proxy — this is beyond the scope of a basic connection guide.

If you entered the server address correctly but the app still will not connect, restart both your TV device and your Jellyfin server. Unplug the TV device for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then try connecting again. If the server is running on a computer, restart that computer as well.

If the app connects but shows "No Media" or an empty library, check that your Jellyfin server has media files added to it and that those files are in a folder Jellyfin is configured to scan. This is a server-side issue, not a connection issue — the app is working, but the server has nothing to show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Jellyfin on a smart TV that does not have an app store?

Not directly through an app, but you can stream to it using AirPlay, Chromecast, or DLNA if your TV supports one of those standards. Older smart TVs often support DLNA. Newer ones usually support Chromecast. Check your TV's manual or settings to see which standard it uses.

Do I need to pay for Jellyfin or the TV app?

No. Jellyfin is free, and all official Jellyfin apps for TV devices are free. There are no subscription fees or in-app purchases required to use it.

What if I want to watch Jellyfin outside my home network?

You will need to set up remote access on your Jellyfin server. This typically involves creating a domain name and configuring your router or using a reverse proxy service. This is more advanced and requires changes to your server configuration, not just the TV app.

Can multiple people use Jellyfin on the same TV?

Yes. Each person can have their own Jellyfin account with separate watch history, favorites, and recommendations. Log out of the app and log in with a different username to switch users. The app will remember each login separately.

Why is my video buffering or stuttering on the TV?

This usually means your Wi-Fi connection is weak or your server is busy. Move your TV device closer to your Wi-Fi router, or connect it with an Ethernet cable if possible. If your server is running on an older computer, it may not be powerful enough to stream multiple videos at once — check your server's CPU and memory usage while streaming.