Mobile Streaming Balance
On mobile devices, you'll want to balance quality with battery life and data usage. This guide covers settings for both WiFi and cellular scenarios.
WiFi Streaming
Best quality on your home network.
Best quality on WiFi away from home.
Cellular Streaming
Prevents accidentally using all your data.
Good balance of quality vs data usage. Adjust based on your plan.
Data Usage Reality Check
- 720p @ 4 Mbps ≈ 1.8 GB per hour
- 1080p @ 10 Mbps ≈ 4.5 GB per hour
- 4K @ 20+ Mbps ≈ 9+ GB per hour
Choose wisely based on your data plan!
Keep OFF on stable WiFi. On cellular, auto-adjust can help with variable signal.
Plays original files without server conversion.
Allows minor format adjustments.
Quality for downloaded offline content.
Only download on WiFi to save data.
Download Before You Go
Traveling? Download content on WiFi before leaving. You can watch without internet and save your mobile data for other things!
Chromecast
You can cast from Plex to a Chromecast device. Tap the cast icon while browsing to select your Chromecast.
Better Option: Direct Streaming
For best quality when casting
Rather than casting from your phone, use the native Plex app on your Chromecast/TV directly. This gives better quality and doesn't drain your phone battery.
On Android 8.0+, Plex supports Picture-in-Picture mode:
- Start playing a video
- Press the home button or swipe up
- Video shrinks to a corner window
- Continue using other apps while watching!
Quick Reference - All Settings
- ✓ Home Streaming: Maximum
- ✓ Remote Streaming: Maximum
- ✓ Cellular Quality: 4 Mbps 720p (or your preference)
- ✓ Limit Cellular Data: ON
- ✓ Direct Play: ON
- ✓ Direct Stream: ON
- ✓ Download over Cellular: OFF
Buffering issues
- Check your connection speed
- Lower streaming quality
- Move closer to WiFi router
Can't find server
- Verify remote access is enabled on server
- Check server is online at app.plex.tv
- Try signing out and back in
High battery usage
- Lower streaming quality (less processing)
- Lower screen brightness
- Download content instead of streaming