Permission request — Integrating Emby into JellyWatch (Android application)

[asgard25 51]

Hello Emby team,

I am the developer of JellyWatch, an Android application designed to monitor and administer Jellyfin servers (for example: active sessions, users, tasks, etc.).

Currently, JellyWatch only supports Jellyfin, but I would like to add the possibility to connect to and interact with Emby as well (e.g. viewing sessions, users, etc.).

Before starting development, I would like to confirm whether such integration is allowed, in accordance with your terms of use, licenses, or available APIs.

Here are some of my questions:

• Does Emby allow third-party (non-official) applications to access the server via the API for monitoring and management functions?

• Are there any legal or contractual restrictions (license, copyright, API terms of use) regarding the use of parts of the Emby API by unofficial client applications?

• If yes, what are the conditions to comply with (API key, attribution, brand usage, usage limits)?

• Is there any official Emby API documentation I should follow to ensure compliance?

• If the integration is permitted, are there any technical or version constraints (Emby server versions, API stability) I should keep in mind?

I am fully committed to respecting any clauses, attributions, or rules you set, and I am open to collaborating with you to ensure the integration remains compliant.

Thank you very much for your time and your feedback.

Best regards,
Max

[ebr 16169]

Hi. In general, the answer to your question is yes you can certainly do this.  However, we'd like it if you changed the name of your app .  I think this would be beneficial to you in the long run as well.

I can get you more detailed answers to your questions tomorrow.

Thanks.

[asgard25 51]

Hello, thank you for your reply, the name change remains complicated because I am alone developing in my free time, so starting from scratch remains complicated

[ebr 16169]

On 10/2/2025 at 2:23 AM, asgard25 said:

Are there any legal or contractual restrictions

All our standard terms would apply.

On 10/2/2025 at 2:23 AM, asgard25 said:

Is there any official Emby API documentation I should follow to ensure compliance?

See here: https://dev.emby.media/

And use this forum for questions: https://emby.media/community/index.php?/forum/47-developer-api/

[ebr 16169]

On 10/2/2025 at 2:23 AM, asgard25 said:

usage limits

Your app would talk directly to someone's personal server so there wouldn't be a need for any kind of usage limits.

On 10/2/2025 at 2:23 AM, asgard25 said:

brand usage

We hold a registered copyright for "Emby" and our logo so just be sure you reference that in any usage.

[asgard25 51]

5 hours ago, ebr said:

Your app would talk directly to someone's personal server so there wouldn't be a need for any kind of usage limits.

We hold a registered copyright for "Emby" and our logo so just be sure you reference that in any usage.

Thank you very much for your help and also to the moderator who accompanied me by private messages I find that the help you provide is really very good and professional, however the name change is complicated for us because it would involve a change of visual identity in addition to the name change, I am alone on the project and it is on my free time. Thank you!

[Luke 42077]

MediaWatch?

[darkassassin07 652]

On 10/2/2025 at 2:49 PM, ebr said:

we'd like it if you changed the name of your app

Why?

[user24 313]

7 hours ago, asgard25 said:

the name change is complicated for us because it would involve a change of visual identity in addition to the name change,

I agree. It is not just the name but a purpose-built brand you would be changing (even if you are a small business entity).

Just a thought... JemWatch is still distinctive and could apply to both Jellyfin + Emby. This would still slightly dilute the nice brand image that has already been already created, but could potentially lead to faster/wider market take up with additional Emby customers. You could still keep the cool purple logo and brand theme exactly as it is, and possibly add a green theme app option for Emby?

Whatever you do - good job so far BTW! - the screenshots of the app look very professional and well thought out.

[asgard25 51]

2 hours ago, user24 said:

I agree. It is not just the name but a purpose-built brand you would be changing (even if you are a small business entity).

Just a thought... JemWatch is still distinctive and could apply to both Jellyfin + Emby. This would still slightly dilute the nice brand image that has already been already created, but could potentially lead to faster/wider market take up with additional Emby customers. You could still keep the cool purple logo and brand theme exactly as it is, and possibly add a green theme app option for Emby?

Whatever you do - good job so far BTW! - the screenshots of the app look very professional and well thought out.

Hi, thanks a lot for your feedback!
I’ve actually received quite a few positive comments about the design, which is great to hear. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m working alone on this project in my free time.

Changing the name is both simple and complicated:

• I would need to change the website domain.

• If I want to be precise, I’d also have to change the Android package name, which basically means creating a brand-new app.

• Another option would be to release a second app, but then I’d have to maintain two apps at the same time, which is quite heavy.

So it’s a tricky decision. I know there are many Emby users, but the challenge is actually promoting the app to them. Right now I don’t really have any proper channel for that, and the risk—like on the Jellyfin Reddit or forum—is getting banned for “advertising.”

[user24 313]

39 minutes ago, asgard25 said:

So it’s a tricky decision. I know there are many Emby users, but the challenge is actually promoting the app to them. Right now I don’t really have any proper channel for that, and the risk—like on the Jellyfin Reddit or forum—is getting banned for “advertising.”

Exactly. There are other popular third-party cross-compatible apps promoted here (e.g. Symphonium) that you may have seen already. But the dilemma is that JellyWatch just doesn't only directly promote your app, it also indirectly promotes Jellyfin. Therefore it makes sense that Emby would prefer you to change the name, but it becomes a lot more more work for you that takes time and effort away from the technical development. If you make your app work with Emby, then that is ultimately good for both you and Emby and perhaps will outweigh the current brand narrowness disadvantage???

Edited October 4, 2025 by user24

[asgard25 51]

Hello, I've already made good progress. If anyone wants to be a beta tester, let me know!

[vincen 71]

10 hours ago, asgard25 said:

Hello, I've already made good progress. If anyone wants to be a beta tester, let me know!

Hi @asgard25

Would be happy to test and report  Can test in Android 14 on Cubot King Kong X

Thanks

[asgard25 51]

You can send me your emails in a private message so that I can add you to the list of internal beta testers (please note that this is in beta, several features have not yet been implemented)

[yocker 1247]

On 10/6/2025 at 2:07 PM, asgard25 said:

You can send me your emails in a private message so that I can add you to the list of internal beta testers (please note that this is in beta, several features have not yet been implemented)

Looks like an awesome project, would love to help test!

[asgard25 51]

3 minutes ago, yocker said:

Looks like an awesome project, would love to help test!

Welcome 

[CBers 7450]

On 06/10/2025 at 13:07, asgard25 said:

You can send me your emails in a private message so that I can add you to the list of internal beta testers (please note that this is in beta, several features have not yet been implemented)

Sent you a PM.
 

[asgard25 51]

I'm sharing some pictures of the app with you!