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Play NAS Videos on Android With SMB
Use an SMB source to browse and play videos stored on a NAS, Windows PC, Mac, or another server on your local network. Stream can scan selected SMB folders into the same movie and TV library as your local files.
Before You Begin
- Enable SMB file sharing on the computer or NAS.
- Note the server hostname or IP address and the share name.
- Make sure the Android device is on a network that can reach the server.
- Have a username, password, and domain ready if the share requires them.
Add the SMB Source
- Open File Source in Stream.
- Choose Add File Source, then select SMB under Network Share.
- Enter a recognizable name, such as
Living Room NAS. - Enter the server and share path, such as
192.168.1.20/media. - Enter the username, password, and domain only when the server requires them.
- Choose Add. Stream verifies the connection before saving it.
Stream can scan for SMB servers advertised on the local network. Tap a discovered server to fill its address, or enter the address manually when discovery does not find it.
Add SMB Folders to the Library
Open the saved SMB source, browse to a folder containing movies or TV shows, and select it for the media library. Start a scan when prompted. For better matching, use the recommended movie and TV file names.
Get to Your First Playback
Begin with one folder containing a video you can already open on another device. An MP4 or M4V video at 1080p or lower is a useful first check for free playback. Additional supported formats and higher resolutions require Stream Pro; device codec support still applies.
After scanning, open the title in the library and press Play. Keep the NAS online and the Android device on a network that can reach it. If the file plays from the source browser but does not appear in the library, check folder selection and the scan rather than changing working credentials.
The same server and share-path checks apply on Android TV. You can use a phone or computer to check the NAS settings, then enter the reachable address on the TV. A TV connected to guest Wi-Fi may not be able to reach a NAS on the main home network.
Supported Scope
Stream connects to SMB shares over the network and plays supported media directly from the source. The server must remain online and reachable while browsing or playing content.
Common Problems
- No servers are discovered: Grant local-network access if requested, confirm Wi-Fi is enabled, or enter the server address manually.
- Connection failed: Check the IP address, share path, username, password, and optional domain.
- The server works on a PC but not Android: Check guest isolation, VPN rules, firewall settings, and whether TCP port 445 is reachable.
- Playback stops or buffers: Test closer to the router or use a wired connection for the server.
Check the Share Path, Not Just the NAS Address
For a share named media on 192.168.1.20, enter 192.168.1.20/media. A NAS management page such as http://192.168.1.20:5000/ is a different service and is not an SMB share address. Use the share name configured by the server, which may differ from the folder name shown in its file manager.
If discovery finds the server but adding it fails, enter the share path manually. Discovery does not establish that your account can read a particular share.
Separate Login Problems From Network Problems
- Confirm that the Android device and NAS can reach each other. Check guest Wi-Fi isolation, VPN routing and firewall rules for SMB.
- Verify the same share with the same user account from another device on that network.
- Check the account's permissions on both the share and the folder. A successful NAS web login does not guarantee SMB access.
- Re-enter the password exactly as configured. Use the domain field only when your server or account requires it.
A Saved Source Has an Empty Library
Open the source first. If no files can be listed, resolve access before scanning again. If videos are visible, select a folder for the library and scan it. A scan can complete with no supported video files, and unclear names can prevent a reliable movie or episode match. See the file naming guide for examples.
If a previously working source stops responding, check whether the NAS IP address changed. Update the saved source address and credentials before refreshing its library.
Privacy and Credentials
SMB credentials are used to access the share you configured. Passwords are not uploaded with Stream's Google Drive sync data and may need to be entered again on another device.