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How to Install Jellyfin Media Server on Linux Mint 21 or 20
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Jellyfin has gained traction as a free and open-source media server, offering a reliable platform for streaming movies, TV shows, music, and photos. This guide aims to walk you through how to install Jellyfin Media Server on Linux Mint 21 or its older stable release of Linux Mint 20. Along with first-time setup tips, we’ll also demonstrate how to set up firewall rules and a reverse proxy with Apache or Nginx.
Why Choose Jellyfin on Linux Mint 21 or 20?
Open-Source: Unlike some competitors, Jellyfin is entirely open-source, meaning it’s free to use and modify. This fosters an active developer community focused on continuous improvement.
Device Compatibility: Jellyfin works across various devices, from smart TVs and mobile devices to game consoles, making media access incredibly flexible.
Automatic Media Categorization: Unlike Kodi, Jellyfin automatically sorts and categorizes your media, simplifying library management.
Configuring media drives for read-and-write access
Setting up firewall rules for secure access
Implementing a reverse proxy with Apache or Nginx
Obtaining a Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for enhanced web application security
Stay tuned for detailed steps on installing Jellyfin and optimizing its settings for your Linux Mint system.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Update Linux Mint Before Jellyfin Media Server Installation
Before installing the Jellyfin Media server on your Linux Mint operating system, ensuring that all packages are up to date is essential. Updating your operating system will ensure that all current packages are up to date and can help prevent any compatibility issues with Jellyfin.
To update your Linux Mint operating system, open the terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This command will update all the packages on your system to their latest versions, ensuring that your system is up to date.
Step 2: Install Required Packages for Jellyfin on Linux Mint 21 or 20
After updating your Linux Mint operating system, you must install the necessary packages to install the Jellyfin Media server. The required packages may vary depending on your Linux Mint distribution and version.
To install the required packages, open the terminal and run the following command:
This command will install the necessary packages, which include apt-transport-https, ca-certificates, gnupg2, and curl.
Step 3: Install Jellyfin Media Server on Linux Mint 21 or 20
To install the Jellyfin Media Server on Linux Mint, you’ll need to import the Jellyfin GPG key and repository since the software isn’t available in the default repository. This process ensures the package is authentic and hasn’t been tampered with.
First, import the GPG key by running the following command in the terminal:
This command downloads the GPG key from the Jellyfin website and adds it to your system’s keyring, allowing you to verify the package’s authenticity during installation.
Next, import the stable or unstable Jellyfin repository. The stable repository is recommended for most users since it’s thoroughly tested and stable. To import the stable repository, use one of the following commands:
Import JellyFin stable repository for Linux Mint 21 or 20:
Import JellyFin Media Server stable for Linux Mint 21 distribution series:
Importing the correct repository for your specific version of Linux Mint is crucial. Importing the wrong repository could result in Jellyfin not installing correctly or not functioning as expected.
Import JellyFin unstable repository Linux Mint 21 or 20:
Alternatively, you can import the unstable repository using the following commands. Note the unstable repository requires FFMpeg 5. Jellyfin now offers FFMpeg 6 support via its repositories, so this should still be installable.
Import JellyFin Media Server unstable for Linux Mint 21 distribution series:
Once you’ve added a new software repository, you must update your system’s repository listing to recognize the new additions. To do this, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt update
After running the sudo apt update command, your system’s repository listing will be updated to include the newly added repository. This update ensures that Linux Mint recognizes the new repository and its contents, allowing you to install the Jellyfin Media Server on your system.
Step 4: Install Jellyfin on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via APT Command
Now that you’ve imported the Jellyfin repository and GPG key, installing the media server on your Linux Mint system is time. The installation process is simple and can be completed using the following command:
sudo apt install jellyfin
After the installation is complete, the Jellyfin service will be automatically started. To check the status of the Jellyfin service, use the following command:
systemctl status jellyfin
PinSystemctl status confirming successful Jellyfin installation on Linux Mint.
If, for any reason, the Jellyfin service fails to start, you can manually start it using the following command:
sudo systemctl start jellyfin
To ensure that the Jellyfin service starts automatically during system boot, run the following command:
sudo systemctl enable jellyfin
These commands will ensure that the Jellyfin service is started and will start automatically during system boot.
Step 5: Jellyfin Media Server Initial Setup on Linux Mint 21 or 20
To access the Jellyfin Web UI, you need to open your internet browser and enter the IP address of your server, followed by the default port 8096. If you’re accessing the Jellyfin server on the same machine installed, use 127.0.0.1 as the IP address.
For instance, you can type the following address into your browser’s address bar to access the Jellyfin Web UI:
http://127.0.0.1:8096
Upon entering the above address, you’ll be directed to the welcome screen for the initial server setup. This setup screen provides the necessary steps to configure Jellyfin for first-time use:
PinFirst-time setup welcome screen for Jellyfin on Linux Mint.
During the initial setup of your Jellyfin server, you’ll be asked to choose your preferred display language within the Jellyfin interface.
Once you’ve selected, click the “Next ->” button to move on to the next step.
After selecting your preferred display language, you’ll be prompted to create a username and password for your Jellyfin account. This account will provide administrative access to the Jellyfin server, allowing you to manage media libraries, user accounts, and server settings.
It’s crucial to create a strong and unique password that includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to ensure the security of your Jellyfin server.
Once you’ve created your username and password, click on the “Next ->” button to proceed to the next step of the initial server setup.
PinTell Us About Yourself’ step during Jellyfin setup on Linux Mint.
After creating your Jellyfin account, the next step in setting up your server is configuring your media libraries. Media libraries allow you to add your media content to Jellyfin and organize it in a structured manner. You can create multiple libraries for different media types, such as movies, TV shows, and music.
PinSetting up libraries and media in Jellyfin on Linux Mint.
To organize and display your media content in Jellyfin, you need to add your media content to your media libraries. You can do this by clicking the big “+” or “Add Media Library” button from the Jellyfin dashboard, which will take you to the Media Library setup screen where you can add your media folder.
Adding your media content to Jellyfin is straightforward; users familiar with Plex will find the process quite similar. Once you’ve selected the “Add Media Library” button, you can choose the media type you wish to add, such as movies, TV shows, or music, and follow the prompts to add your media folder. Additionally, you can specify the metadata language for your media content, which is used to provide information such as episode descriptions, actor biographies, and album artwork.
Adding your media libraries allows you to organize and browse your media content in Jellyfin efficiently. Once you’ve added your media libraries, you can proceed to the next step by clicking the “Next ->” button. The next screen is the Metadata Language screen, which allows you to select your preferred language for the metadata of your media content. This information enriches your media content with information such as cast and crew details, plot summaries, and reviews.
PinChoosing metadata language during Jellyfin setup on Linux Mint.
Once you’ve set up your media libraries and selected your preferred metadata language, the next step is configuring remote access to your Jellyfin media server. Remote access allows you to access media content outside your local network, such as from a different location or device.
To enable remote access, you can allow remote connections to your Jellyfin media server and enable automatic port mapping. You can access your media content from anywhere with an internet connection by allowing remote connections. Automatic port mapping ensures that the ports are opened to allow incoming traffic to reach your Jellyfin server.
For users unfamiliar with port mapping, automatic port mapping redirects traffic from one network port to another. By enabling automatic port mapping in Jellyfin, incoming traffic is redirected to the correct port on your local network, allowing you to access your media content remotely. This process is crucial for accessing your media content securely, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access your media files or network.
PinConfiguring remote access settings during Jellyfin’s first-time setup on Linux Mint 21 or 20.
After completing the initial setup of your Jellyfin media server, the following screen will confirm that the installation process is finished and your server is ready to use.
PinCompletion screen for Jellyfin’s first-time setup on Linux Mint.
Once you have accessed the Jellyfin Web UI, enter the username and password you created during the initial setup process, then click on the “Sign in” button. You will be directed to the Jellyfin dashboard to access your media libraries and manage your content.
PinLogin screen for accessing Jellyfin Media Server through the web UI on Linux Mint.
Once you log in to your Jellyfin media server, you can access the dashboard to manage your media libraries, users, and server settings. Here are some actions you can perform from the dashboard:
Add more media content: You can add more to your Jellyfin server by clicking the “Add Media Library” button and selecting the media type you want to add, such as movies, TV shows, or music. You’ll need to provide the necessary information, such as the library’s name, location of the media files, and any specific settings for the media type.
Configure customizations: You can customize the look and feel of your Jellyfin server by configuring customizations such as theme, language, and metadata. Click on the “Dashboard” button, then select “General” or “Display” settings to make changes.
Manage users: You can add, remove, and modify user accounts to manage access to your media content. Click on the “Users” button on the dashboard, then select “Add User” or “Edit User” to make changes.
Here are some general tips for managing your Jellyfin media server:
Keep it updated: Regularly check for updates and install them as they become available to ensure your server is up to date.
Use plugins and extensions: You can use plugins and extensions to add additional functionality to your Jellyfin server, such as support for subtitles or remote control.
PinJellyfin Media Server dashboard as seen through the web UI on Linux Mint.
Troubleshoot: Reset the Initial Setup
If you run into any issues during the initial setup of your Jellyfin media server or need to start over for any reason, resetting the setup process is a straightforward process. By modifying the “IsStartupWizardCompleted” value in the system.xml file and restarting the Jellyfin server, you can reset the initial setup process and begin again. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the system.xml file: You can do this by running the following command:
sudo nano /etc/jellyfin/system.xml
This command will open the system.xml file in the nano text editor, allowing you to change the file.
This change resets the initial setup process, allowing you to start again from the beginning.
To restart the Jellyfin server, run the following command:
sudo systemctl restart jellyfin
Restart the setup process: Once you’ve restarted the Jellyfin server, you can revisit the HTTP://127.0.0.1:8096 and restart the setup process.
Step 6: Setup Permissions for Media Drives for Jellyfin on Linux Mint 21 or 20
After installing Jellyfin on your Linux Mint system, setting up the necessary permissions for the media server to access and read your media directories is essential. This can be done using the setfacl command, which provides more detailed access control than the chown and chgrp commands.
Before proceeding with setting up permissions, ensure that you have the ACL package installed by running the following command:
sudo apt install acl
To give Jellyfin access to your media directory and all its subdirectories, use the following command with the -R (recursive) flag:
Additional Commands & Tips with Jellyfin on Linux Mint 21 or 20
Configure SSH for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
If you plan to access your Linux Mint Jellyfin Media Server remotely, setting up a Secure Shell (SSH) tunnel is essential. SSH is a protocol for secure remote login and other secure network services over an insecure network.
To configure SSH on your Linux Mint server, follow these steps:
Install the SSH server on your Linux Mint machine using the following command:
sudo apt install openssh-server
Once the SSH server is installed, you can connect to your Jellyfin Media Server remotely using an SSH tunnel. Replace {server-ip-address} with your server’s IP address and enter the following command in your terminal:
ssh {server-ip-address} -L 8096:localhost:8096
This command creates an SSH tunnel for the Jellyfin Media Server.
After creating the SSH tunnel, you can access the Jellyfin Media Server through the following link in your web browser:
Please note that through an SSH tunnel, the HTTP request will be redirected to http://localhost:8096/web, which is the remote server. Once the initial setup is complete, you can access your Jellyfin Media Server using your remote server IP address at https://{server-ip-address}:8096.
Configure UFW Firewall for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
Configuring the UFW firewall is crucial for managing incoming and outgoing network traffic on your Linux Mint server. Unlike Ubuntu, the UFW firewall is not enabled by default in Linux Mint, so it must be enabled manually. By enabling the UFW firewall, users can ensure that only necessary traffic is allowed to their server.
To enable the UFW firewall, you can use the following command in the terminal:
sudo ufw enable
Once enabled, it is essential to allow incoming traffic on port 8096, which is required for the Jellyfin Media Server to function correctly. To allow incoming traffic on port 8096, use the following command:
sudo ufw allow 8096
This command will allow incoming traffic on port 8096 to your server, ensuring that the Jellyfin Media Server can function correctly.
For users who do not have UFW installed, the following command can be used to install it:
sudo apt install ufw
Setup Apache or Nginx as a Reverse Proxy for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
Setting up a reverse proxy for Jellyfin can help you access the media server from a remote computer or network.
Setting up Apache as a Reverse Proxy for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
If you want to access your Jellyfin media server from a remote computer or network, you can set up a reverse proxy using Apache or Nginx. The guide will cover setting up Apache as a reverse proxy on Linux Mint.
First, install the Apache web server using the following command:
sudo apt install apache2
By default, Apache should be enabled, but if it is not, you can enable it using the following command:
sudo systemctl start apache2
Next, use a text editor to create a new virtual host configuration file for Jellyfin. For example, you can use the nano editor as follows:
sudo systemctl enable apache2
Next, enable the necessary modules with the following command:
To create a subdomain, you must have an active domain name. One option for purchasing a domain name is through NameCheap, where domains are available for as little as $1 to $2. Alternatively, if you prefer a .com domain, you can use Cloudflare.
Once you have created your subdomain, you can set up a virtual host with Apache by following these steps:
To ensure that there are no errors in the Apache configuration or virtual host file before enabling the virtual host, you can perform a “dry run” using the following command:
sudo apache2ctl configtest
After checking the Apache configuration syntax for any syntax errors using the previous command, you can proceed to enable the virtual host using the following command:
sudo a2ensite jellyfin.conf
By creating a symbolic link from the sites-available directory to the sites-enabled directory, the previous command enabled the virtual host to be served by Apache. Once the virtual host is enabled, it is necessary to restart Apache to apply the changes. This can be done by running the following command:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
The command stops and starts the Apache service, applies the new virtual host settings, and reloads the configuration with the updated changes.
Setting up Nginx as a Reverse Proxy for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
Nginx can be a reverse proxy to enable remote access to your Jellyfin media server. Nginx is a lightweight and high-performance web server commonly used for this purpose.
To install Nginx, use the following command:
sudo apt install nginx
Next, start the Nginx service using the following command:
sudo systemctl start nginx
To ensure that Nginx is enabled, run the following command:
sudo systemctl enable nginx
This command starts the Nginx service and ensures that it starts automatically at boot time.
Example output if successful:
Synchronizing state of nginx.service with SysV service script with /lib/systemd/systemd-sysv-install.
Executing: /lib/systemd/systemd-sysv-install enable nginx
To check the status of Nginx, use the following command:
systemctl status nginx
Once you have confirmed that Nginx is running correctly, you can create a new server block file at /etc/nginx/conf.d/jellyfin.conf. In this example, we will use the subdomain jellyfin.example.com.
sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/jellyfin.conf
To configure Nginx as a reverse proxy, you need to set up a server block file at /etc/nginx/conf.d/jellyfin.conf with the following directives:
The listen directive sets the port and address that Nginx should listen on. For this example, port 80 is used.
The server_name directive sets the hostname or domain name Nginx should listen to. Replace jellyfin.example.com with your domain name.
The access_log and error_log directives: These set the locations for the access and error logs.
The location directives: These define how Nginx should handle incoming requests.
The location directives configure the proxy_pass, which will forward requests from Nginx to Jellyfin. The proxy_pass sets the protocol and address of the upstream server, the Jellyfin server, and is set to listen on port 8096. The location directive specifies how Nginx should handle incoming requests and can handle requests for the root URL (/), requests for the /web/ directory, and requests for the /socket directory.
Here is an example server block file:
server {
listen 80;
server_name jellyfin.example.com;
access_log /var/log/nginx/jellyfin.access;
error_log /var/log/nginx/jellyfin.error;
set $jellyfin jellyfin;
resolver 127.0.0.1 valid=30;
# Security / XSS Mitigation Headers
add_header X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN";
add_header X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block";
add_header X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff";
location = / {
return 302 https://$host/web/;
}
location / {
# Proxy main Jellyfin traffic
proxy_pass http://$jellyfin:8096;
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Protocol $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Host $http_host;
# Disable buffering when the nginx proxy gets very resource heavy upon streaming
proxy_buffering off;
}
# location block for /web - This is purely for aesthetics so /web/#!/ works instead of having to go to /web/index.html/#!/
location = /web/ {
# Proxy main Jellyfin traffic
proxy_pass http://$jellyfin:8096/web/index.html;
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Protocol $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Host $http_host;
}
location /socket {
# Proxy Jellyfin Websockets traffic
proxy_pass http://$jellyfin:8096/socket;
proxy_http_version 1.1;
proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
proxy_set_header Host $host;
proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Protocol $scheme;
proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Host $http_host;
}
}
Save the file (CTRL+O), then exit (CTRL+X).
It is essential to verify that the configuration for Nginx as a reverse proxy for Jellyfin is error-free before proceeding. To do this, a dry run can be executed using the following command:
sudo nginx -t
This command will test the configuration file for syntax errors and other issues. If everything is working correctly, the output should show that the configuration file is ok and the test is successful, as follows:
nginx: the configuration file /etc/nginx/nginx.conf syntax is ok
nginx: configuration file /etc/nginx/nginx.conf test is successful
To apply the changes to Nginx, you need to reload the service. You can do this by running the following command:
sudo systemctl reload nginx
After properly configuring Nginx as a reverse proxy for Jellyfin and setting up your domain and DNS records to point to your server IP, you can now access your Jellyfin Media Server at jellyfin.example.com. With Nginx acting as the intermediary, remote users can now access Jellyfin by visiting the subdomain, and Nginx will direct their requests to Jellyfin’s web interface.
Create Let’s Encrypt SSL Free Certificate for Jellyfin and Linux Mint
This section will guide you on securing your Apache or Nginx server using a Let’s Encrypt SSL free certificate. Using an SSL certificate ensures that the communication between the user’s browser and the server is secure, making it an ideal way to run your server on HTTPS.
To install the certbot package, you must match the reverse proxy you installed. If you’re using Apache, you need to install python3-certbot-apache; if you’re using Nginx, you need to install python3-certbot-nginx.
Install Certbot for Apache:
sudo apt install python3-certbot-apache
Install Certbot for Nginx:
sudo apt install python3-certbot-nginx
To secure the Apache or Nginx with a Let’s Encrypt SSL Free Certificate, you need to install the certbot package that matches the reverse proxy you have installed. If you’re using Apache, install python3-certbot-apache; for Nginx, install python3-certbot-nginx.
Once installed, run the certbot command to create a certificate. The command has options like –apache or –nginx, depending on your reverse proxy, as well as –agree-tos, –redirect, –hsts, and –staple-ocsp. These options help set up 301 redirects, a Strict-Transport-Security header, and OCSP Stapling, making it a secure setup. Remember to replace the email and domain name with your own requirements.
Run Certbot for Apache for Jellyfin and Linux Mint:
After creating the SSL certificate, the user’s URL will change from HTTP to HTTPS. To ensure the certificate is automatically renewed, the user can set up a cron job that checks it daily. Certbot provides a script that can automatically renew the certificate. Before setting up the cron job, the user should test the script by running a dry run with the following command:
sudo certbot renew --dry-run
After confirming the successful dry run, the user can set up a cron job to automate the certificate renewal process. To do this, the user can use the following command:
sudo crontab -e
This command opens the user’s cron table in edit mode. Next, the user can add the following line to the end of the file to schedule a daily renewal check at 2:30 am:
30 2 * * * /usr/bin/certbot renew --quiet
Once the user saves and exits the file, cron will automatically check the certificates daily and renew them if necessary.
Update Jellyfin Media Server
To update your Jellyfin Media Server, you can use the standard apt commands, just like you would for any other package on your system. This makes updating Jellyfin a simple process.
To check for updates, run the following command:
sudo apt update
If there are any updates available, run the upgrade command:
sudo apt upgrade
Remove (Uninstall) Jellyfin Media Server from Linux Mint
To uninstall Jellyfin from your system, you can use the following command:
sudo remove install jellyfin
To ensure that you don’t accidentally reinstall Jellyfin in the future, removing the Jellyfin repository from your system is recommended. You can use the following command to remove it:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list
This command will remove the repository file for Jellyfin from the sources.list.d directory, preventing future updates or installations of Jellyfin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up a media server can seem daunting, but with Jellyfin and Linux, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Jellyfin is a free, open-source media server that offers a wide range of features, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to set up a media server.
