Accessing Your Jellyfin Media Library on a Chromebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a Jellyfin Media Server user eager to stream your favorite content directly on your Chromebook? Thanks to the capabilities of Linux on Chrome OS, this is entirely feasible. This comprehensive guide will assist you in seamlessly installing the Jellyfin Media Player on your Chromebook, ensuring you enjoy uninterrupted media access.

Enabling Linux on Your Chromebook

Step into Linux Functionality

If your Chromebook supports virtualization, you can run Linux applications. However, this feature is not pre-enabled; you will need to activate it. Begin by navigating to the settings on your device. Click on the clock icon located in the taskbar and select the gear icon to open your Chromebook settings.

Within the settings menu, find the Advanced section and click on it to reveal additional options. Look for the Developers area, where you will find the option for the Linux development environment. Click on this option and press the Turn on button to initiate the download of a Debian Linux container, which is essential for running Linux applications on Chrome OS.

Once Linux support is activated, access the Chrome OS app menu and search for Terminal. In the Terminal, select Penguin to launch the command-line interface for the Linux container.

Updating Your Linux Container

To ensure your Linux container is current, you’ll need to update its software sources. Type the following command to initiate the update:

sudo apt update

After the update process is complete, upgrade the installed packages with the command below. Be prepared, as this may take a moment to finish:

sudo apt upgrade -y

Installing the Jellyfin Media Player on Chrome OS

Using the DEB Package

The most straightforward way to install the Jellyfin Media Player is by utilizing a DEB package, which eliminates the need for repository configurations. Simply download and install to get started.

1. Open the Terminal app, selecting Penguin to access the command-line interface.
2. Download the latest version of Jellyfin Media Player using the following command:

wget https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin-media-player/releases/download/v1.9.1/jellyfin-media-player_1.9.1-1_amd64-bookworm.deb

1. Once the download is complete, install the package using this command:

sudo apt install ./jellyfin-media-player_1.9.1-1_amd64-bookworm.deb

While the DEB installation is user-friendly, note that it does not provide automatic updates from Jellyfin. For those keen on the latest features, regularly check the Jellyfin Media Player repository for updates. Alternatively, consider the Flatpak method for self-updating applications.

Installing via Flatpak

For users who prefer automatic updates and access to new features, the Flatpak version of Jellyfin Media Player is the way to go.

1. Begin by entering the command-line interface and ensure Flatpak is installed with this command:

sudo apt install flatpak

1. Next, enable the Flathub app store, which hosts a wide array of applications:

flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

1. With Flathub set up, install Jellyfin Media Player using:

flatpak install flathub com.github.iwalton3.jellyfin-media-player

After installation, you can find the Jellyfin Media Player in the Linux apps section of your Chrome OS app menu.

Logging into Jellyfin Media Player

To access your media library via the Jellyfin Media Player:

1. Launch the Jellyfin Media Player from your apps.
2. Click on the Add Server button and input the IP address of your Jellyfin Media Server.
3. Hit the Connect button to establish a link to your server.
4. Enter your user credentials—username and password—to gain access to your media collection.

By following these straightforward steps, you’ll enjoy seamless streaming of your media content through Jellyfin on your Chromebook. Whether you’re unwinding with movies, music, or shows, your Jellyfin Media Player is now at your fingertips. Happy streaming!