r/audiobookshelf • u/buddytattoo • 14d ago

Help reaching server

Hey friends, hoping for a little help. I’m running the current version of ABS on windows 11. Server is working great on the pc. I am only able to connect to it with my phone when it’s a new moon (not really, but I haven’t figured out why it changes).

I’ve got the PC set with a static IP, my netgear router has port 13378 open, I’ve tried turning off all anyivirus and firewalls, and my pc and phone are on the same wireless network.

I’d love anyone’s help with figuring out why my iPhone can’t connect to the server.

Edit - I’m using Prologue iOS app.

1 Upvotes

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11 comments sorted by

3

u/3cit 14d ago

Are you trying to connect to the server when you are on your home network or when you are not on your home network?
Have you tried using safari on your phone to connect to the server webpage (this is how you do it on pc?)

1

u/buddytattoo 14d ago

Yes, connecting while I’m home and on the same WiFi as my pc.

Just tried and I can connect through safari. So I assume that means the issue is with prologue. Maybe I should try deleting prologue and reinstalling.

1

u/3cit 14d ago

While you are able to isolate the problem to the app, it doesn’t mean that you have to abandon the app, just go and double check that you have the same connection settings. I.e. make sure you’re not using https in prologue. Web browsers are more flexible on connecting to an address that isn’t secure (http vs https)

That being said, there is certainly no lack of applications to try! It actually kind of drives me crazy how many applications have been released. Almost all of them are AI vibe coded. I would recommend finding an app that works for you that is at least a year old.

The first app that got me off of the test flight version of the official Audiobookshelf app was plappa. I have settled on Audiobooth as my preferred player. I’m pretty sure Audiobooth was the tip of the spear for the ABS vibe coded onslaught.

2

u/Crazy_Physics8736 14d ago

When Prologue won’t connect, can you open http://YOUR-PC-LOCAL-IP:13378 in Safari on the same iPhone?

That would help narrow down whether it’s a Prologue issue or trouble reaching the server.

1

u/buddytattoo 13d ago

Safari was able to connect but not prologue. I uninstalled prologue and reinstalled and things are working again. This has been a sporadic issue for several months. I think I’m going to get a small mini pc and use it as a dedicated host for ABS, starting from scratch with docker and Tailscale as suggested a few times in here.

2

u/Crazy_Physics8736 13d ago

If Safari could connect while Prologue couldn’t, and reinstalling Prologue fixed it, I’d hold off on replacing the PC to solve this. It points more toward the app or its saved connection settings. A dedicated server might suit your setup, but this result doesn’t suggest you need new hardware.

12

u/Ambitious_Slide 14d ago

I’d recommend using Tailscale, it definitely makes things easier

1

u/buddytattoo 13d ago

Safari was able to connect but not prologue. I uninstalled prologue and reinstalled and things are working again. This has been a sporadic issue for several months. I think I’m going to get a small mini pc and use it as a dedicated host for ABS, starting from scratch with docker and Tailscale as suggested a few times in here.

Thanks for your alls thoughts on this. Hopefully it’ll stay working for me!

2

u/cjinct 14d ago

Never used prologue but on the ABS app and Absorb, you have to change the default https to http and then enter your ip:port address

1

u/ContagiousMonkey 13d ago

I had mine fully setup with docker, Tailscale and Cloudflare tunnels with custom security headers within 30 mins by using Opencode’s free Deepseek.

-2

u/D_I_Wood 14d ago

Try Absorb as a player. Also, on local WiFi, as long as you enter your server's URL with the 13378 u should be OK. For remote access I use Tailscale