Support
Need help with Bearfin, found a bug, or have an idea? Email bear.reacts03@gmail.com.
When reporting a problem, please include your device (Apple TV, iPhone or iPad), the Bearfin version from Settings, your Jellyfin server version, and what you were doing when it happened.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to use Bearfin?
A Jellyfin server. Jellyfin is free, open-source media server software you run on your own computer or NAS. Bearfin plays the movies, shows and music on your server. It contains no content of its own.
How do I sign in?
Enter your server address (for example http://192.168.1.20:8096 or https://media.example.com), then your Jellyfin username and password. On Apple TV, Quick Connect lets you skip typing a password: press Quick Connect, then enter the code it shows on a phone or computer that is already signed in to Jellyfin.
What are pre-rolls?
Short clips Bearfin plays before a movie or episode, like trailers and bumpers at a theater. Put your clips in a Jellyfin library with "preroll", "intro" or "trailer" in its name and Bearfin finds them. You can turn pre-rolls off or pick the library in Settings.
How do Skip Intro and the credits countdown work?
Bearfin uses the opening and credits times from your server (for example from the Intro Skipper plugin) or from chapter names. You can also mark the times yourself from the player. When credits start and a next episode exists, Bearfin counts down and plays it.
A video won't play or shows a conversion message.
Bearfin plays most files directly. When a file uses a format the device can't decode, your Jellyfin server converts it on the fly, which needs hardware or CPU power on the server. Check Jellyfin's Dashboard > Playback settings if conversions are slow.
What is the Music tab?
Bear Music connects to a Subsonic-compatible music server such as Navidrome. It's optional. If you don't run one, you can ignore the tab.
Where is Live TV?
The Bearfin LiveTV tab appears only when your Jellyfin server has a TV tuner set up under Dashboard > Live TV.
Is Bearfin made by the Jellyfin project?
No. Bearfin is an independent app and is not made or endorsed by the Jellyfin project. Jellyfin is a trademark of its owners.
Privacy Policy
Bearfin does not collect, store or share any personal data.
The app connects only to the media server and the optional music server whose addresses you enter. Your server address and sign-in token are kept on your device so you don't have to sign in every time. Playback progress, watched status and settings are sent to your own server and to no one else.
Bearfin contains no analytics, advertising, or tracking, and uses no third-party services. Nothing about you or your library is sent to the developer.
Bearfin asks for local network access so it can reach a server on your home network.
If this policy changes, the new version will be posted on this page. Questions: bear.reacts03@gmail.com.
Last updated October 14, 2026.