Stremio on iPhone works through your PC as a server, not as a standalone app

Stremio does not have an official iPhone app. To watch your Stremio library on an iPhone, you run Stremio on your PC and use your phone to connect to it over your home network or the internet. Your PC stays on and acts as the media server; your iPhone becomes the remote viewer. This setup works best when both devices are on the same WiFi network, though you can also access it from outside your home if you configure remote access.

The process involves three steps: installing Stremio on your PC, enabling remote access in Stremio's settings, and then opening Stremio's web interface on your iPhone through a browser. You do not need to install anything on the iPhone itself — you access Stremio through Safari or another browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Stremio on iPhone runs through a web browser connected to your PC, which must be running Stremio and left on while you watch.
  • Both devices need to be on the same WiFi network, or you must enable remote access in Stremio's settings to use it away from home.
  • You access Stremio on iPhone by typing your PC's local IP address (or remote URL) into Safari, not through a dedicated app.
  • The web interface on iPhone works but is not optimized for mobile — the desktop layout shrinks to fit the smaller screen.

Install and configure Stremio on your PC first

read Stremio from stremio.com and install it on your Windows or Mac computer. Open the process, sign in with your account, and add your add-ons and content the way you normally would. Make sure your add-ons are enabled and your library is populated before you try to connect from your iPhone.

Once Stremio is running on your PC, leave it open. Stremio must be actively running for your iPhone to connect to it. Closing the process or putting your computer to sleep will disconnect your iPhone.

Find your PC's local IP address

To connect from your iPhone on the same WiFi network, you need your PC's local IP address. On Windows, open Command Prompt and type ipconfig, then press Enter. Look for the line that says "IPv4 Address" under your active network connection — it will look like 192.168.1.100 or similar.

On Mac, go to System Preferences, click Network, select your WiFi connection, and the IP address appears in the window. Write this number down or keep it visible on another device.

Connect from your iPhone on the same network

Open Safari on your iPhone. In the address bar, type http:// followed by your PC's IP address and :8080. For example, if your IP is 192.168.1.100, type http://192.168.1.100:8080 and press Go.

Stremio's web interface should load. You will see your library, your add-ons, and your watchlist. Tap any title to play it. The interface is the same as the desktop version but scaled down for the iPhone screen, so some buttons may be small or require scrolling to reach.

If the page does not load, check that your iPhone and PC are on the same WiFi network and that Stremio is still running on your PC. If you recently restarted your PC, the IP address may have changed — run ipconfig again to confirm.

Enable remote access to use Stremio away from home

If you want to access Stremio from your iPhone when you are not on your home WiFi, you need to enable remote access in Stremio's settings. Open Stremio on your PC, click the settings icon (usually a gear in the top right), and look for a "Remote Access" or "Server" section. Enable remote access and note the URL or code that appears — Stremio will generate a unique address for your server.

On your iPhone, open Safari and enter that remote URL instead of your local IP address. You can now watch your library from anywhere, though playback may be slower depending on your internet speed.

Remote access requires your PC to remain on and connected to the internet. If you turn off your computer or lose your internet connection, your iPhone will not be able to reach Stremio.

Troubleshoot common connection problems

If Safari shows "Cannot connect to server" or times out, first check that Stremio is still running on your PC. Close Safari and try again after waiting a few seconds. If the problem persists, restart Stremio on your PC and try the IP address again.

If you see a blank page or only part of the interface loads, try refreshing the page in Safari (pull down from the top and release). If the interface loads but videos do not play, check that your add-ons are enabled in Stremio on your PC and that the add-on sources are responding. Some add-ons are slower than others or may be temporarily offline.

If you are trying to use remote access and it is not working, make sure your PC is connected to the internet and that remote access is actually enabled in Stremio's settings. Some routers block remote connections by default — if you have a firewall or VPN running on your PC, it may be blocking access as well.

Understand the limitations of the web interface

The Stremio web interface on iPhone is functional but not designed for mobile. Text is small, buttons are close together, and scrolling through a large library can be tedious. Playback works, but you cannot use AirPlay to send video to an Apple TV or HomePod directly from the web interface — you are limited to playing on the iPhone screen itself.

If you frequently watch on your phone, consider whether a dedicated streaming app with native iPhone support might suit you better. Stremio's strength is on desktop and Android, where the experience is more polished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Stremio to use it on my iPhone?

No. Stremio is free on all platforms, including when accessed through the web interface on iPhone. Some add-ons may require separate subscriptions to the services they pull from (like Netflix or Disney+), but Stremio itself has no cost.

Can I use Stremio on iPhone without a PC?

Not directly. Stremio requires a server to run — either your PC, a Mac, or a dedicated server. There is no standalone iPhone app. You must have a device running Stremio that your iPhone can connect to.

Will my iPhone connection work if my PC goes to sleep?

No. Your PC must be awake and Stremio must be actively running. If your computer sleeps or Stremio closes, your iPhone will lose the connection and cannot reconnect until the PC is awake and Stremio is open again.

Is the web interface on iPhone as good as the desktop version?

No. The web interface works but is not optimized for mobile screens. Buttons are small, navigation is slower, and some features may be harder to access. It is functional for occasional use but not ideal for regular viewing on a phone.

Can I cast from the Stremio web interface to my Apple TV?

The web interface does not support AirPlay casting. You can only play video directly on the iPhone screen. If you want to watch on a larger screen, you would need to use Stremio on a device that supports casting, such as an Android phone or a PC connected to your TV.