Join your household

Connect to a server, find something you want, and know what happens after you request it.

Someone in your household runs the Cantinarr server. They provide its address and your account or invitation. You do not need Docker, service API keys, or your own AI subscription to browse and request media.

Get connected

Use the web address your administrator gives you, or install the phone app. Open your connect link on the device you want to use.

A connect link works once and expires after seven days. A replacement link invalidates the previous one. If it has already been used or expired, your administrator can issue another. Do not post it publicly: it can sign a device into your account.

If you have a password, passkey, Plex sign-in, or another sign-in provider, choose the method your administrator enabled. With required single sign-on, you must complete that sign-in even when opening an invitation.

Find something

Open Discover and choose Movies, TV Shows, Books, or Music. The search field follows the tab you are using: book search on Books, album and artist search on Music, and movie, show, and person search on the movie and TV surfaces.

Open a result to read about it and see its current status. Two similarly named titles can be different editions, releases, or series. Check the year, artwork, author, or artist before requesting.

Request it

Choose Request. Depending on your account, you may be able to pick seasons, a library, a quality option, or a book format. You only see choices your administrator allows.

Cantinarr saves the request before sending it to the library manager. Waiting for approval means an administrator must decide. Requested means it has been accepted, but may still be waiting for delivery or a suitable release.

Repeatedly tapping Request does not make a release appear sooner. Open your request to read its current explanation. See what each status means.

Watch, read, or listen

When a title is available, use its open, watch, listen, or download action if your server enables it. Playback happens in your media app or browser. You may need to accept a Plex invitation or finish creating a media-server account first.

Cantinarr access and Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, or Audiobookshelf access are separate. Available can mean the library has the file even if your playback account still needs attention. Open media server access for help.

If something is wrong

Use Report a problem on the relevant movie or TV page when it appears. Say what happened and which episode, version, or audio track is affected. “Episode 3 plays episode 2” is more useful than “broken.” Follow the issue thread for updates.

If Books or Music is missing, ask your administrator to check your access to its library. If a movie is hidden on a kids account, its rating or the account’s policy may explain it.

Make the app comfortable

Choose the notification categories you want in Settings > Notifications > Push Notifications.
Choose supported playback and listening apps under Settings > Account.
Use Settings > Guides > Media server access if you hid its navigation shortcut.
To leave the demo or switch servers, choose Settings > Sign out, then connect to the intended address.