AFTERGLOWYour movies, shows and music, on every screen.
Afterglow is two parts: the server, on one computer at home with your collection, and the clients, on your phone and your other computers, which play it at home or anywhere. Each is a single download, and each keeps itself up to date.
1Afterglow Server what makes it all work
The server is Afterglow itself. It goes on one computer at home, the one with your movies, shows, music, podcasts and books: it sorts them out with artwork and details, and plays them to every screen. Every client below connects to a server. You only need one, and only if the collection is yours: invited by a friend? Skip to the clients.
The computer with your collection
Afterglow Server for Windows
Install this on the computer that has your movies, shows, music, podcasts and books. It sorts them out with artwork and details, and plays them to everything else.
- Point it at your folders; it does the rest
- Channels, playlists, profiles for everyone at home
- Your phone reaches it from anywhere, safely
The computer with your collection
Afterglow Server for Mac
Afterglow Server on a Mac, for when your collection lives on one. Everything the Windows server does, from the menu bar at the top of the screen. Open Terminal (in Applications › Utilities), paste this and press Return. It installs Afterglow Server in Applications and opens it, with no warning from macOS.
Or download it, drag Afterglow Server into Applications and open it. The first time, macOS says it can't check it: open System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll down, and choose Open Anyway.
2Afterglow Clients to watch and listen, anywhere
A client goes on each device you watch or listen on. It finds an Afterglow Server (yours at home, or a friend's from their invite), connects to it safely from anywhere, and plays what's on it. Clients hold no collection of their own, and you can have as many as you like.
Phones and tablets
Afterglow Client for Android
Watch and listen on your phone, at home or away. It finds your Afterglow by itself, and keeps playing with the screen off.
- Remote-control the TV or computer
- Watch together, in step, with the family
- Add a friend's Afterglow from their invite
Installing it, the first time
- Tap Download for Android, then open the file when it's done.
- If your phone asks, allow your browser to install apps (it's a one-time switch), then go back.
- Tap Install. If Google Play Protect asks about it, choose Install anyway: Afterglow isn't in the Play Store, so Google doesn't know it yet.
- Open Afterglow. At home, it finds your Afterglow computer and asks you to check a code there.
Other Windows computers
Afterglow Client for Windows
For a laptop or another PC: it sits by the clock, connects to an Afterglow (yours or a friend's) and opens it in your browser with one click. Not needed on the computer that has your collection.
Macs
Afterglow Client for Mac
The same as the Windows client, in the menu bar at the top of the screen: it connects to an Afterglow (yours or a friend's) and opens it in your browser with one click. Open Terminal (in Applications › Utilities), paste this and press Return. It installs Afterglow in Applications and opens it, with no warning from macOS.
Or download it, drag Afterglow into Applications and open it. The first time, macOS says it can't check it: open System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll down, and choose Open Anyway.
Linux computers
Afterglow Client for Linux
The same as the Windows client, in your panel. Paste this into a terminal: it installs for you only (no password) and starts right away.
Works with KDE, GNOME, XFCE, Cinnamon and most others.
Questions
iPhone, iPad or a smart TV?
There's no app for them yet. At home, open Afterglow in the web browser (on an iPhone or iPad, Safari's Share › Add to Home Screen puts it on your home screen like an app): on the Afterglow computer, Settings › Server › Phones and other devices shows the address to type in. Smart TVs can also be sent things from the Android app with Cast.
How do I invite family or friends?
On the Afterglow computer, go to Settings › Server and, under Friends, choose Invite a friend. Send them the message it makes. Their link brings them here, gets them the right app, and connects it, all in a couple of taps.
Is it safe?
Your collection stays on your computer; nothing is uploaded anywhere. Only devices you've approved (or invited) can get in, and the connection away from home is encrypted end to end.
Does it cost anything?
No. Afterglow is free, with no accounts and no ads.
Windows warned me about the download.
Windows SmartScreen warns about apps it hasn't seen much yet. Choose More info, then Run anyway.
My Mac says it can't open Afterglow.
macOS stops apps that aren't from the App Store or a paid Apple account when they're downloaded in a browser. The easy way round it: install with the Terminal command above (open Terminal from Applications › Utilities, paste, press Return). It puts Afterglow in Applications and opens it, and macOS doesn't ask. With the download instead: open System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll to the message about Afterglow, and choose Open Anyway, then Open.
Updates?
Every Afterglow app checks for a new version every hour and updates itself quietly when nothing is playing. There's nothing to do.