How to Install and Setup Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV

If you’re anything like me, you love streaming your favorite TV shows and movies but hate being forced into expensive subscriptions. A few years back, I was a loyal Plex user until I discovered Jellyfin—a completely free, open-source media server that does everything Plex does (and more). After some research, I found a way to run Jellyfin on my Samsung Smart TV. And believe me, the process is a game-changer for anyone looking to cut down on costs without sacrificing quality.

Is It Possible to Install Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV?

While Jellyfin is not specifically made for Samsung Tizen TVs, with a few tips and tricks, you can install and set up Jellyfin on a Samsung Smart TV. The process may seem a bit complicated at first, but after you read the guide carefully, it should not be as difficult.

However, the answer to this question is yes because this guide is all about that. If you have ever thought that Jellyfin is only available for Android, Windows, and Linux, you are partially right. Here, we will show you how to install Jellyfish on Samsung Smar TV.

Why Jellyfin on a Samsung Smart TV?

Before going into the steps, let me explain why I decided to switch from other media servers to Jellyfin—and why you might, too.

Benefits:

• Zero Cost: Unlike Plex, which has paid tiers, Jellyfin is 100% free. No subscriptions, no hidden fees.
• Open Source: Being open source means the community is constantly improving it, and you get to enjoy new features without waiting for commercial updates.
• Privacy First: With Jellyfin, your data isn’t being tracked for profit. You have complete control over your media library.
• Flexibility: Even though Samsung Smart TVs run on Tizen OS (and Jellyfin isn’t natively supported), I found a workaround that makes it work seamlessly.

Requirements:

• A Windows PC: This guide uses Windows to set up and deploy Jellyfin to your TV.
• Samsung Smart TV: Ensure it’s connected to the same WiFi network as your PC.
• Tizen Studio: This is Samsung’s development tool for their Smart TV platform. Download the latest version here.
• Jellyfin.wgt File: The Jellyfin widget package designed for Tizen. Download the latest stable version from the Jellyfin GitHub releases page. (Avoid beta or pre-release files.)
• Basic Networking Info: Know how to find your PC’s IP address (I’ll cover that in a minute).
• A Dash of Patience: While the steps are straightforward, a little troubleshooting might be necessary.

How to Install and Setup Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV

Thankfully, being an open-source software has its own set of perks. And that’s why the developers and contributors have found a way out to install and setup jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV with some twists and turns.

Step 1: Download Jellyfin

You might be thinking that the first step should be related to some TV work. However, that’s not the case with Samsung Smart TV. For installing Jellyfin on your Samsung Smart TV, you will need to download Jellyfin on your PC and then install it on your smart TV. While this may sound a bit intimidating, it is not.

Remember, this is an advanced level of procedure. Therefore, make sure that you stick to this guide for as long as you can. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. On your Windows PC, download Tizen Studio. Here’s the link.
2. Now, go to this GitHub page and download Jellyfin.wgt. It is present at the bottom. Make sure that you don’t download any Master or Pre-release files.
3. Install Tizen Studio on your PC and make sure that your PC and Samsung Smart TV are connected to the same WiFi.
4. If you don’t know your IP, click on the Start button and type CMD, and press Enter.
5. In the Command Prompt window, type: ipconfig /all and press Enter.
6. Now, check the “IPv4 Address:” Write it down somewhere.

That’s it. Now, you need to follow up with the next step and move toward your Samsung Smart TV because the next step involves working with it.

Step 2: Enable Developer Mode on Samsung Smart TV

The first step towards installing and setting up Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV is enabling the developer mode. By default, developer mode is never turned on, and you should also not turn it on if you have children at your home using the TV.

The Developer Mode, as said, on Samsung TV unlocks a powerful and complicated architecture that is only beneficial when you plan to do something aggressive. With that being said, here are the steps to enable developer mode on Samsung Smart TV:

1. Turn on your Samsung Smart TV.
2. When on the Home Screen, using your remote, click on Apps.
3. Now, while on the Apps Page, on your remote, directly type 12345.
4. You will now be presented with a toggle to enable Developer Mode. Do that.
5. Next, enter the IP address of the computer, as already discussed in Step 1. Hope you have written it somewhere.
6. Now, restart your TV.
7. When your TV restarts, go to the Apps Page, and you should see Developer Mode written at the top.

Step 3: Install and Set up of Jellyfin on Samsung Smart TV

Now comes our guide’s third step, probably the most important one. This is because doing this wrong can break your system. And doing it in the right way will open up gthe ateway to a world full of possibilities where you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows absolutely free of cost. If you are ready, proceed further with these steps:

1. When you are able to see your Samsung Smart TV in Developer Mode, turn on your PC.
2. Launch the Tizen Studio that you installed before.
3. Once opened, go to Remote Device Manager.
4. Click on the + icon and set a name for your TV and also enter the IP Address. This IP address is the same as you have written before.
5. Assign a port for your TV. By default, the port is 26101.
6. Click on Add.
7. Now, go to this address on your PC:  C:\tizen-studio\tools\ide\bin. You can go there by simply following this path or copying and pasting it on your address bar.
8. Next, right-click on an Empty Space, and from the pop-up menu, click on Open in Windows Terminal.
9. Copy and paste this code: Tizen install -n Jellyfin.wgt -t <ABCD>. ABCD is the name of the TV you set in the above steps.
10. If this code does not work, enter this instead: .\tizen install -n Jellyfin.wgt -t <TV name>.

Now, Jellyfin is successfully installed on your Samsung Smart TV. Keep your PC in the same state and restart your Samsung Smart TV. If you see a clock revolving on your screen, wait until it goes away and then restart. Next, when you turn on your TV, you should be able to see the Jellyfin app appearing in the apps section on your Smart TV.

Step 4: Connecting Your TV to the Jellyfin Server

1. On your PC, if you haven’t noted it already, repeat the steps from Step 1.3 to verify your server’s IP address.
2. You have two options:

• Directly Through the Jellyfin App:
  The Jellyfin app might prompt you to enter your server details. Input your server’s IP address and the port (default is 8096 for HTTP or 8920 for HTTPS if enabled).
• Using the TV’s Web Browser:
  Alternatively, open the built-in browser on your TV and type in:

Replace <ServerIP> with your actual server IP.

3. Enter your Jellyfin credentials (username and password) that you set up during your server configuration. Once logged in, the Jellyfin app will sync with your media library.

The Bottom Line

I know this process might seem a bit technical, but once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll enjoy the freedom of streaming your media without any subscription fees. Jellyfin is constantly evolving, and by following this guide, you’re taking advantage of a robust, community-driven media server that respects your privacy and offers unmatched flexibility.

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