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Are you a music lover who enjoys streaming your favorite tunes on Plex? Imagine being able to control your music with just your voice, and seamlessly integrate your Plex music library with Alexa. Well, the good news is that it’s entirely possible! In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of playing Plex music on Alexa, step by step. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be able to effortlessly enjoy your favorite tracks with the power of voice commands. So let’s dive in and unlock the potential of your Plex music library with Alexa!

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

To get started, you’ll need a few things:

1. An Amazon Alexa-enabled device, such as an Echo Dot or Echo Show.
2. A Plex account and an active Plex Media Server.
3. A stable internet connection.
4. A smartphone or tablet with the Plex app installed.

Now that you have these essentials ready, let’s move on to what requires your focus in order to play Plex music on Alexa.

What Requires Your Focus?

Before we jump into the methods, there are a few key areas that require your attention:

1. Ensure that your Plex server is accessible from outside your home network. You can do this by setting up remote access in your Plex server settings.
2. Make sure your Plex media libraries have been properly organized and include your music collection.
3. Enable the Plex skill on your Alexa device by linking your Plex account in the Alexa app.

With these important points covered, let’s proceed to the methods of playing Plex music on Alexa.

Method 1: Via Voice Commands

Playing Plex music on Alexa is as simple as using voice commands. Here’s how:

1. Start by saying "Alexa, open Plex" to your Alexa device.
2. Alexa will respond with "Welcome to Plex. What would you like to play?"
3. Now, you can say commands like "Alexa, play [song/album/artist/playlist] on Plex," and Alexa will start playing the requested music from your Plex library.

Pros:
1. Easy and convenient way to control your Plex music library with voice commands.
2. Provides a hands-free experience, allowing you to focus on other tasks while enjoying your music.

Cons:
1. Limited control options compared to using the Plex app directly.
2. May require clear enunciation and specific phrasing for voice commands to be recognized accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: How do I stop or pause the music when playing through Alexa?

A: To stop or pause the music, simply say "Alexa, stop" or "Alexa, pause."

Method 2: Using the Plex Skill

Another method to play Plex music on Alexa is by utilizing the Plex skill. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap on the "Menu" button in the top-left corner and select "Skills & Games."
3. In the search bar, type "Plex" and select the Plex skill from the results.
4. Tap on "Enable to Use" to link your Plex account with the skill.
5. Follow the prompts to log in with your Plex credentials and grant access to Alexa.
6. Once the skill is enabled, you can now use commands like "Alexa, ask Plex to play [song/album/artist/playlist]" to control your Plex music library.

Pros:
1. Provides additional functionality and control options through the Plex skill.
2. Allows for more specific requests, such as playing songs based on particular criteria like genre or release year.

Cons:
1. Requires initial setup and linking of accounts.
2. May need to remember and use specific commands to access desired music.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Can I skip to the next song or go back to the previous song using the Plex skill?

A: Yes, you can skip to the next song by saying "Alexa, ask Plex to skip" or go back to the previous song by saying "Alexa, ask Plex to go back."

Method 3: Via Bluetooth Connection

If you prefer a more direct approach, you can connect your Alexa device to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and play Plex music. Follow these steps:

1. On your Alexa device, say "Alexa, pair" to enter Bluetooth pairing mode.
2. On your smartphone or tablet, go to the Bluetooth settings and search for available devices.
3. Select your Alexa device from the list of available devices to establish the connection.
4. Once connected, open the Plex app on your mobile device and start playing any music from your Plex library.
5. The audio will now be played through your Alexa device via the Bluetooth connection.

Pros:
1. Allows you to play Plex music on Alexa using your device’s native Plex app.
2. Offers full control and access to all features and functions of the Plex app.

Cons:
1. Requires a Bluetooth-enabled device to establish the connection.
2. Relies on the stability of the Bluetooth connection for uninterrupted playback.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Can I control the music playback using voice commands when playing through Bluetooth?

A: No, controlling music playback through voice commands is not possible when playing music via Bluetooth. You’ll need to use the controls within the Plex app on your mobile device for playback control.

Method 4: Using the Plex Web App

If you prefer using a web browser to access your Plex music library, you can utilize the Plex web app to play music on Alexa. Here’s how:

1. Open a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
2. Go to the Plex web app by entering "https://app.plex.tv” in the address bar.
3. Log in with your Plex account credentials.
4. Once logged in, navigate to the music section and select the desired song, album, artist, or playlist to start playing it.
5. On your Alexa device, say "Alexa, ask Plex to play from web" to sync the playback with the Plex web app.