Yous have an sometime Android device sitting in a drawer. Meanwhile, you're working out how to afford the hardware to build a media centre. What you haven't realized is that the hardware is already there, sitting in the drawer!

Save time, space, and your electricity bill by turning your old Android device into a media server.

It's true - your Android device can be configured to stream content around your dwelling house to compatible devices. Improve however, it's probably already continued to your domicile network and loaded upwardly with your favorite music and movies.

Perhaps you've heard near Android set-top boxes (such as those running Android Tv set) that stream video from the internet? Well, this is similar, just instead of ownership new hardware, you tin utilize the Android device y'all already own.

The process is unproblematic: all you need to do is install the right media server software. While information technology volition run from battery ability, keeping your old Android phone plugged in provides a more than reliable solution.

So, grab your old Android phone, charge it up, and make information technology useful once again.

Setting up an Android media server is straightforward, but you'll need a few extra things first:

  • Old Android telephone or tablet
  • Suitable charger/mains power adapter
  • Wireless network
  • High-capacity microSD card for additional media storage
  • USB OTG adapter for connecting USB storage
  • Media streaming software

With the hardware connected, you lot'll be set up to install some media streaming software. The pick you make will depend on your existing entertainment setup.

Y'all probably already know that you can bandage content from your Android telephone to a TV. This might be via a game console, fix-top box, media streamer, or an actual Google Chromecast stick.

While useful, this isn't the aforementioned equally serving media.

A media server maintains a library of the content stored on the device, allowing remote browsing and playback.

To cover all basis, we're going to expect at a pair of tools that cover both options.

Various media server tools are at your disposal on Android. The question is, which ane should y'all utilize?

  • Kodi is peradventure the all-time pick to convert your Android device into a media server.
  • BubbleUPnP meanwhile lets you bandage to any DLNA/UPnP fix device. Perhaps a smart TV, perhaps a game console or streaming device.

We're going to expect at each of these options in turn. Nosotros'll likewise examine why setting up a Plex server on an Android device is a waste material of fourth dimension.

Your best option for an Android media server is to install Kodi and configure information technology as a server. Once gear up, any Kodi installation can then connect to the server over UPnP.

Start past downloading and installing Kodi on your desired Android server.

Download: Kodi for Android (Free)

Upon the commencement launch, accept the file access permissions when prompted. With the app running, you can enable server functionality.

  1. Tap the Settings cog
    Access the Services menu on Kodi on Android
  2. Click Services > UPnP / DLNA
  3. Here, switch Enable UPnP support to On
  4. Similarly, switch Share my libraries to On
    Enable UPnP in Kodi on Android

Your Kodi server is at present ready to use. To access the server, you'll demand a second device running Kodi unremarkably. Before proceeding, ensure both devices are continued to the same network.

  1. Open Kodi
  2. Click Videos > Files > Add videos
  3. Here, select Browse
  4. Find UPnP devices in the list
  5. You should encounter the Kodi device listed along with its IP address
    Add UPnP source in Kodi on Android
  6. Select this, so OK

You can repeat the process to add the server equally a source for music. Whatsoever fastened devices can as well be browsed and added as sources.

To play, open up Videos > Files and select the Kodi server. You lot'll then exist able to browse the library and play the chosen media.

Terminal note: you lot'll enjoy meliorate results using the Kodi client app rather than the HTTP interface on a browser.

Prepare an Android DLNA Server With BubbleUPnP

If you lot don't desire to use Kodi, BubbleUPnP is a skillful alternative. This lets yous configure your Android device every bit a network source for devices like set-top boxes, networked Blu-ray players, and game consoles.

Still, in that location is no library or browsing option. The media must be cued and ready to play on the Android device earlier playback.

Download: BubbleUPnP (Gratuitous)

To employ BubbleUPnP:

  1. Launch BubbleUPnP
  2. Browse your device and select the media you wish to play
  3. Tap the Bandage button to select a destination

With the media playing through your TV y'all tin utilise the BubbleUPnP app to control playback or the remote control.

Tin can You Fix a Plex Server on Android?

Things are a picayune confusing with Plex on Android.

You have 2 options here: a client app, and the server app. However, the server app is only available for Nvidia Shield devices. While you lot might find information technology "in the wild" or use a build.prop hack to bypass Play Store restrictions (non-Shield devices are listed as "incompatible"), the Plex Server app for Android remains unreliable.

Nosotros've tested this with another Android device set up every bit a client, and from a Windows PC, and neither was able to stream from the Android-powered Plex Server.

Meanwhile, brief exploration of the Plex customer app for Android reveals a Sharing menu in the Settings screen. Amid the options here are Advertise as server. When enabled, this allows other Plex apps to stream content synced to the device.

Specifically, this refers to content streamed from Plex. Unfortunately, information technology doesn't refer to files stored on your Android phone – these cannot exist accessed from another Plex client.

In brusque, Kodi remains your best option for a total media server experience on Android.

Congratulations: You Converted an Old Android Phone into a TV Box

While Android has the hardware and networking capabilities for serving media, it isn't blessed with a broad pick of media server apps. Fortunately, Kodi is upward to the chore, but Plex is in a good position to provide a stiff alternative – eventually.

If all you want to do is stream media from Android over a Chromecast or DLNA device, BubbleUPnP is ideal.

Wondering if it's fourth dimension to turn your electric current phone into a media server? Lookout out for these warning signs that yous demand a new Android phone.

vii Warning Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Android Phone

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About The Author

Christian Cawley (1586 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software back up. A correspondent to Linux Format magazine, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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