How to Enable Media Sharing in Ubuntu Linux

Media sharing in Ubuntu Linux lets you stream music, photos, and videos from your computer to other devices on your home network, such as a smart TV or game console. The feature uses a free tool called Rygel, a media server that sends files over your local network, to turn your PC into a personal streaming hub.

You can install Rygel with a single command in the terminal or through the Ubuntu Software Center (called App Center in newer Ubuntu releases). If the Media Sharing option described below is missing from your Settings, Rygel is most likely not installed yet. Once it is set up, it runs in the background, so you can watch movies and play songs stored on your computer on any screen in your house.

How to turn on or off media sharing in Ubuntu Linux

You can turn media sharing on or off from the main Settings app: open the Sharing panel, choose Media Sharing, and flip the switch. The whole setup takes only a few minutes, and you do not need to restart the computer afterwards.

Most configuration lives in the Settings app. There are two ways to reach it, and both start at the top-right corner of the desktop.

1. Click the System menu in the top-right corner of the desktop. This is the area with the network, volume, and power icons.
2. Select Settings from the menu that opens.

The system menu also offers a Settings button directly, so you can use it instead if you prefer. On the System menu, select Settings, as highlighted below.

3. In the Settings app, find the Sharing tile and click it. The Sharing panel opens on the right. If you cannot see it, scroll the sidebar or use the search🔍 box at the top of the window.

The switch at the top of the Sharing window is the master control for sharing. When it is on, the computer’s media files become visible to other devices on the network, so they can reach your music, videos, and pictures. Sharing stays disabled while the switch is set to Off. If the options below it are greyed out, the master switch is probably off.

You can also change the name that other devices see for your computer. If the text under Computer Name is editable, change it and the name shown on the network updates. Pick something recognizable, such as “Living-Room-PC”, because that is what you will look for on your TV.

4. In the Sharing panel (Settings › Sharing), select Media Sharing, as highlighted below. A separate Media Sharing window opens.

5. In the Media Sharing window, set the Media Sharing switch to On. The folder and network options below it become active.

To undo this later, set the same switch back to Off. That disables the feature, and other devices will no longer see your media.

By default, your Music, Pictures, and Videos folders are shared automatically. To stop sharing one of them, click the × next to the folder’s name.

Next, choose which network connection to share on. Other devices can only see your media if they are on the same network as this computer. If a Wi-Fi network is available, it is usually the easiest way to reach TVs and consoles, but a wired connection works just as well if the other device is on the same network.

To share a folder beyond the three defaults, add it yourself:

1. Click + in the Media Sharing window. The Choose a folder window opens.
2. Browse to the folder you want to share.
3. Click Open. The folder now appears in the list of shared folders.

4. Click X on the Media Sharing window to close it. Your settings are saved automatically.
5. On the other device, such as your TV or console, open its media player or media server list and look for your computer’s name. Browsing or playing media from the shared folders should work right away.

If the device does not show your computer, check that both are on the same network and that the Media Sharing switch is still on. Everything is now ready for use.

Conclusion:

• Media Sharing in Ubuntu Linux can be easily enabled or disabled using the Sharing panel in System Settings.
• Following the simple steps outlined in this post, you can share music, photos, and videos with UPnP or DLNA-enabled devices across the same network.
• Select the appropriate network connection for seamless sharing with other connected devices.
• After configuring Media Sharing, you can access and enjoy your media on various external devices such as phones, TVs, or game consoles.