Set up CineReel.
Connect to your Plex or Jellyfin server and start watching in a few minutes.
Requirements
- macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, or tvOS 17 or later
- A running Plex Media Server or Jellyfin server (10.8 or later)
- A Plex account (free), if you use Plex
Install from the App Store
Install CineReel from the App Store on your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV — see the download page for the link — then open it. Updates arrive through the App Store.
Allow keychain access
On first run, macOS asks for permission to store your credentials securely.
Enter your login (admin) password and click Always Allow. This stores your Plex token in the macOS keychain so CineReel never asks again.
Connect your server
Plex — the easy way, Sign in with Plex (CineReel Pro)
Open Settings › Servers and choose Sign in with Plex. CineReel shows a short code; enter it on your phone or computer and your servers appear automatically — no IP address, no token. Account sign-in is part of CineReel Pro; the manual method below works in the free version.
Jellyfin (10.8 or later)
On iPhone, iPad and Mac, open Settings › Servers, add your Jellyfin server and sign in with your username and password, or use Quick Connect. On Apple TV, open Settings › Servers › Connect to Jellyfin and enter the Quick Connect code.
Plex manually, with a server URL and token
Prefer to enter details yourself, or connecting to a server that isn't linked to your account? Open Settings › Servers, add a server, enter its URL and token, then click Save and Test Connection.
You need two things:
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Server URL | IP address or hostname of your Plex server |
| Plex Token | Your personal Plex authentication token |
On your local network
Use your server's local IP address:
http://192.168.1.100:32400
Remotely (outside your home network)
The easiest way to reach your server from anywhere — without opening ports or relying on Plex Relay — is Tailscale. Install it on both your Plex server and your Mac, sign in to the same account, and use the server's Tailscale IP in CineReel:
http://100.x.x.x:32400
How to set up Tailscale+
- 1Install Tailscale on your Plex server machine.
- 2Install Tailscale on the Mac (or iPhone) running CineReel.
- 3Sign in to the same Tailscale account on both devices.
- 4Find your server's Tailscale IP in the Tailscale admin console — it starts with
100. - 5Use that IP as your Server URL in CineReel.
Want to share access with friends or family? Go to Users in the Tailscale admin console and send them an invite link. Once they join your network, they can use the same Tailscale IP to connect CineReel to your server from anywhere.
Finding your Plex token
- 1Open plex.tv in your browser and sign in.
- 2Browse to any item in your library and click the ⋯ (more) button.
- 3Choose Get Info, then click View XML.
- 4In the URL that opens, find the
X-Plex-Token=parameter — that value is your token.
Alternatively, open the Plex Web app, click your avatar → Account and look for the XML Online section, which includes a direct link containing your token.
Test your connection
After entering your server URL and token, tap Save and Test Connection. CineReel will verify it can reach your server and confirm your token is valid.
Connected — you're good to go. Your library loads automatically.
Could not connect — double-check your IP address and that Plex is running. Outside your home network? Confirm Tailscale is active on both devices.
Troubleshooting
Keychain prompt keeps appearing+
Click Always Allow — not just Allow. If you accidentally clicked Deny, open Keychain Access, search for app.cinereel, delete the entry, and relaunch CineReel.
"Connection refused" on local network+
Confirm Plex is running and port 32400 is not blocked by a local firewall. Try opening http://<your-ip>:32400/web in a browser on the same network.
Works at home but not remotely+
Make sure Tailscale is running on both the server and your device, and that you're using the Tailscale IP (starts with 100.) in CineReel's server URL.
Still stuck? Email us or visit the support page.