How To Install Jellyfin on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 provides a stable and secure foundation for running Jellyfin, offering long-term support and regular updates. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a fully functional Jellyfin server up and running on your Ubuntu system, ready to organize and stream your media library across various devices.

What is Jellyfin?

Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server software that allows you to organize, manage, and stream your personal media collection. It supports a wide range of media formats, including movies, TV shows, music, and photos. Jellyfin stands out from alternatives like Plex and Emby due to its commitment to privacy, lack of premium features, and fully open-source nature.

Key features of Jellyfin include:

• Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, and various mobile platforms)
• Customizable user interface
• Live TV and DVR support
• Robust metadata scraping and management
• Multiple user accounts with parental controls
• Transcoding capabilities for optimal playback on various devices

Unlike Plex, which requires a subscription for certain features, Jellyfin offers all its functionality for free, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize openness and control over their media server.

Prerequisites

Before we begin the installation process, ensure that you have the following:

• A computer or server running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
• Administrative access (sudo privileges)
• A stable internet connection
• At least 2GB of RAM (4GB or more recommended for better performance)
• Sufficient storage space for your media files

It’s also helpful to have a basic understanding of Linux command-line operations, although this guide will walk you through each step in detail.

Preparing Your Ubuntu System

Before installing Jellyfin, it’s crucial to ensure your Ubuntu system is up-to-date and properly configured. Follow these steps to prepare your system:

1. Update System Packages

Open a terminal and run the following commands to update your system’s package list and upgrade existing packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Necessary Dependencies

Jellyfin requires certain dependencies to function correctly. Install them using the following command:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release -y

3. Configure Firewall Settings

If you have UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) enabled, you’ll need to allow traffic on the ports Jellyfin uses. Run these commands:

sudo ufw allow 8096/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8920/tcp
sudo ufw reload

These commands open ports 8096 (for HTTP traffic) and 8920 (for HTTPS traffic) that Jellyfin uses by default.

Installing Jellyfin

Now that your system is prepared, let’s proceed with the Jellyfin installation:

1. Add the Jellyfin Repository

First, we need to add the Jellyfin repository to your system. Run the following commands:

curl -fsSL https://repo.jellyfin.org/ubuntu/jellyfin_team.gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/jellyfin.gpg
echo "deb [arch=$( dpkg --print-architecture )] https://repo.jellyfin.org/ubuntu $( lsb_release -c -s ) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list

2. Install Jellyfin via apt

With the repository added, update your package list and install Jellyfin:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install jellyfin -y

3. Verify the Installation

After the installation completes, Jellyfin should start automatically. You can verify its status using:

sudo systemctl status jellyfin

If Jellyfin is running, you should see “active (running)” in the output.

Accessing Jellyfin

Jellyfin offers various ways to access your media server:

1. Local Network Access

On your local network, access Jellyfin by navigating to http://your-server-ip:8096 in a web browser.

2. Remote Access Setup

To access Jellyfin from outside your network:

1. Configure port forwarding on your router for ports 8096 and 8920
2. Set up a dynamic DNS service if you don’t have a static IP
3. Consider using a reverse proxy for added security

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Jellyfin. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Jellyfin software media system on the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system.