How to guide: Emby connect, remote access and basic port forwarding
Entry posted by sross44 in Emby
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EMBY HOW TO BLOGS
We will be releasing a variety of how to blogs over the next few weeks during the holidays. A lot of people will be home and have some time to "tinker" with their home servers and these little entries will be a great starting point to working more closely with your server. For more in depth knowledge that these blogs do not cover, or any questions that may pop up, please reach out to any of the staff members on the forums in the appropriate channels and we will be glad to assist you.
What Is Emby Connect?
Emby Connect is a cloud-based service that simplifies remote access by linking your Emby account to your home server. Instead of manually entering your server's IP address, Emby Connect lets you log in using your Emby account and automatically connects you to your server. This allows for a easy interface to share with your family members who may not even know what an IP address is!
It is important to note, though, that Emby Connect is entirely optional. It is not required for remote access as you can always use the address of your server and the local credentials you setup.
Setting Up Emby Connect
Here’s how to configure Emby Connect for seamless remote access:
1. Link Your Emby Server to Your Account
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Log in to your Emby Server: Open your browser and navigate to the Emby Server dashboard (e.g.,
http://localhost:8096). - Go to the Users section: On the sidebar, select Users.
- Link to Emby Connect: Find your user account and click the More button (three dots). Then, choose Connect to Emby Connect.
- Sign in to Emby Connect: Enter your Emby Connect account credentials. If you don’t have an account, create one at emby.media/connect.
2. Enable Remote Access
- Navigate to Settings: From the sidebar, select Settings > Network.
- Verify Remote Access: Ensure the box labeled Allow remote connections to this Emby Server is checked.
- Test your connection: Use a device outside your home network to log into your Emby account via the Emby app or web interface. Your library should appear automatically if configured correctly.
Tip: Emby Connect still requires port forwarding or UPnP, as discussed next.
Setting Up Manual Port Forwarding
If Emby Connect doesn’t meet your needs or you prefer direct control, you can manually configure port forwarding on your home router. This ensures your server is accessible from outside your local network.
What Is Port Forwarding?
Port forwarding allows specific incoming traffic (ie, requests to your Emby Server) to bypass your router’s firewall and reach your server directly. It’s a secure and efficient way to enable remote connections.
How to Set Up Port Forwarding
Step 1: Access Your Router Settings
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Find your router’s IP address. Commonly, it’s
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1. You can confirm this by typingipconfig(Windows) orifconfig(macOS/Linux) into the command line. - Open a web browser and enter the IP address to log into your router.
- Log in using your router’s username and password (check the router’s manual or sticker if you’re unsure).
Step 2: Set Up Port Forwarding
- Locate the Port Forwarding section: It may be under labels like NAT, Virtual Server, or Advanced Settings.
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Create a new rule:
Service Name: Enter a descriptive name like "Emby Server."
Internal IP Address: Enter the local IP address of your Emby Server (find this in Emby > Settings > Network > LAN IP).
Internal Port: Use
8096for HTTP or8920for HTTPS (if you have SSL configured).External Port: Match this to the internal port (
8096or8920).Protocol: Choose TCP or TCP/UDP.
- Save the rule: Apply the changes and restart your router if necessary.
Step 3: Test Remote Access
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Open a browser and enter your external IP address and port (e.g.,
http://<Your_External_IP>:8096). - If configured correctly, you’ll see your Emby login page.
Best Practices for Security
While remote access is convenient, it’s important to secure your Emby Server:
- Use a strong password for your Emby account.
- Enable HTTPS: Configure an SSL certificate to encrypt your traffic (via Let's Encrypt or another provider). There are a lot of posts on the forums on how to set this up and a lot of different options in which to do so.
- Restrict access: Use the IP whitelist/blacklist feature in Emby’s Network settings to limit who can connect.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
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Can’t access the server remotely?
Verify the external IP address matches your public IP (use whatismyip.com).
Check for typos in your port forwarding rule.
Confirm your firewall isn’t blocking the connection.
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Dynamic IP issues?
If your ISP frequently changes your public IP, consider setting up Dynamic DNS (DDNS) to link a domain name (e.g.,
emby.myserver.net) to your IP.
Conclusion
Setting up remote connections in Emby is straightforward with options like Emby Connect and manual port forwarding. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Emby Connect or the control of direct address access, you can enjoy your media library wherever you go.
Happy streaming!
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