Trakt is a tracking service that helps people record what they watch. It works with many apps like Kodi, Plex, Stremio, VLC, Jellyfin, Emby, and Syncler. When you link your Trakt account, the app can sync your activity, update your watchlist, and track progress for movies and TV episodes. The activation step uses a device code. You enter that code at trakt.tv/activate to connect your app to your Trakt account.
Most apps show the code on their Trakt settings page. After you enter the code online, the app starts sending your watch data to Trakt. The setup is fast and works on almost every media client that supports Trakt plugins or add-ons.
How Trakt Activation Works
Trakt uses a simple device link flow. The app gives you an activation code. You visit trakt.tv/activate, sign in, and confirm the request. After you allow access, the app can read and update your Trakt data.
This includes items like:
- Your watch history
- Your favorites and collection
- Your progress on shows
- Your ratings
- Your lists and hidden items
If you remove the device later, it stops sending watch data until you activate again.
Steps to Activate Trakt Using trakt.tv/activate
Follow these steps on any supported platform.
- Open your media app
- Go to the Trakt settings or Trakt plugin menu
- Select Authorize or Activate
- Note the device code that appears
- On your phone or laptop, visit trakt.tv/activate
- Sign in to your Trakt account
- Enter the code
- Allow access
The app should update within a few seconds. Some apps refresh faster than others.
How to Activate Trakt on Different Apps
Each app has its own menu layout, but the flow stays the same. Here are quick notes for popular platforms.
Kodi
- Open the Trakt addon inside Program Add ons.
- Select Configure.
- Choose Authorization.
- A code appears.
- Enter it at the activation page.
Plex
- Go to Account settings in the Plex server or client.
- Find the Trakt plugin.
- Click Sign in.
- Get the code and activate.
Stremio
- Open the Trakt addon.
- Press Login.
- The screen shows a code.
- Enter that code on the Trakt site.
VLC
- Some VLC builds use extensions.
- Enable the Trakt extension in the plugins area.
- Get the code and link it.
Jellyfin
- Go to Plugins.
- Install Trakt Scrobbler.
- Open the plugin settings.
- Authorize and enter your code online.
Emby
- Open the Emby dashboard.
- Find the Trakt plugin.
- Sign in using the code.
- Approve the request.
Syncler
- Go to Syncler settings.
- Open Trakt.
- Select Link Account.
- Activate using the shown code.
Most apps update instantly once the link is confirmed.
Trakt Permissions and What Happens After Activation
When you activate Trakt, the app can:
- Add watched episodes
- Update your progress
- Add or remove items from your watchlist
- Sync your history
- Pull metadata like trending movies
- Apply ratings you set
- Track the exact time you stopped watching
You can change privacy settings inside your Trakt profile. You can also control what apps can see or update.
Fixing Common Trakt Activation Problems
If Trakt does not activate, here are ways to solve it.
- If the code expired, request a new code from the app
- If the page rejects your login, reset your Trakt password
- If the app says invalid code, retype the code slowly
- If linking fails, restart the app
- If sync does not work, check your internet connection
- If plugin errors show up, update the app or plugin
- If the device links but does not scrobble, turn on scrobbling inside settings
Many problems come from expired codes or plugin updates.
How to Remove or Revoke Access
If you want to unlink a device, open trakt.tv in a browser.
- Go to Settings.
- Open the Applications or Devices menu.
- You can remove any linked app.
- The app will stop syncing until you reactivate it.
Final Thoughts
Trakt activation is simple. You get the code from your app, enter the code at trakt.tv/activate, and approve the request. Once it is active, your watch history updates on every supported device. If you run into problems, a new code or a quick restart fixes most issues.
If this helped you set up Trakt, feel free to comment or share it with others who need help linking their apps.