Frequently asked questions

1. Make sure Host is running (menu bar icon). 2. Make sure both devices are on the same network (same Wi-Fi, LAN, or Thunderbolt). 3. Check the firewall allows WisBridge Host to accept incoming connections. 4. A VPN can interfere — try turning it off or use a manual IP. 5. macOS: allow Local Network for WisBridge in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network, then reopen WisBridge. 6. iOS: allow Local Network for WisBridge.

Check that Host is powered on, online, and WisBridge Host is running. Wake the controlled Mac, check Wi-Fi/Ethernet, or switch links. With Thunderbolt, make sure Thunderbolt Bridge is enabled in network settings.

Click Refresh Routes in the Control Center, pick an available link (marked “current” or “recommended”) from the list, and confirm before switching.

Use Refresh Routes to pick the correct Thunderbolt address, or enter the right IP manually. If it still fails, restart Host and try again.

- **Wait a moment first**: “Preparing Display” is the normal stage where the Host creates a virtual high-resolution display and readies the picture. The first preparation on a headless Mac can take around ten seconds — wait about a minute before concluding it's stuck. - If it stays on Preparing Display much longer, try these in order: 1. **Check permissions**: in System Settings → Privacy & Security, confirm Screen Recording, Accessibility, and Local Network are all allowed for **WisBridge Host** (any missing one can keep the picture from ever getting ready). 2. **Check the Thunderbolt link**: if you're on Thunderbolt, make sure the controlled Mac has the **Thunderbolt Bridge** service enabled in System Settings → Network (Intel Macs often need it added manually); if it still times out, unplug the Thunderbolt cable for 1–2 seconds and plug it back in. 3. **Try another route**: refresh routes and connect over **Wi-Fi or Ethernet** instead (the occasional Thunderbolt-route-mapped-to-invalid-LAN-IP problem is known and being fixed). 4. **Restart Host**: quit from the menu bar icon and reopen, or restart the controlled Mac. 5. **Reinstall Host** (last resort for a known issue): in rare cases the Host gets into a bad state that only a reinstall of the latest package recovers. - For the complete headless setup and connection steps, see the “Headless Macs” guide.

Switch to Easy display mode to prioritize smoothness. If possible, use a wired (Ethernet / Thunderbolt) connection.

1. Use a display for first-time setup: when installing WisBridge Host on a headless Mac, connect a TV or temporary monitor over HDMI to install and grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions (once; unplug it afterwards). 2. Enable automatic login: System Settings → Users & Groups → Automatic Login. macOS must reach the desktop by itself at boot, otherwise WisBridge Host's startup item won't launch. Note: Automatic Login is unavailable when FileVault is on — disable FileVault first if needed. 3. Confirm WisBridge Host is a login item: System Settings → General → Login Items. 4. Network tip: prefer wired Ethernet for the headless Mac — Ethernet is online before login, while Wi-Fi joins only after login. 5. On the controlling side: in the WisBridge login panel, enable Auto Login and check Remember Password for that Host, so every launch auto-discovers and signs in. On iPhone / iPad, just tap the Host in the list. 6. No monitor is needed afterwards: the Host creates a virtual high-resolution desktop automatically.

Yes, with conditions. When both A—B and B—C are Thunderbolt cables (a plain USB-C cable won't do) and Host B has two Thunderbolt ports, the three Macs form a daisy chain on one Thunderbolt bus, and Thunderbolt Bridge puts them in the same network segment. Viewer A can then discover and connect to Host C directly — no forwarding through B and no setup on B. - How it works: Thunderbolt is a bus interconnect; traffic from A to C enters the bus through the A—B cable and exits through the B—C cable — physical bus forwarding, not IP routing. - When it won't work: B has only one Thunderbolt port; one of the cables is a plain USB-C cable; or C connects to B over Ethernet (different segment — macOS doesn't forward IP by default, and WisBridge doesn't bridge across segments). - Note (tested): on some models — especially Intel Macs like the MacBook Pro 2020 — the Thunderbolt route probe can time out in a daisy chain. First make sure that Mac has the Thunderbolt Bridge service enabled in System Settings → Network; if it still times out, unplug the Thunderbolt cable for 1–2 seconds and plug it back in, then refresh routes or type the other Mac's actual Thunderbolt Bridge IP manually (pick the target Host's own IP, not another device's IP on the bus), and restart the Host if needed. The occasional TB3-route-mapped-to-invalid-LAN-IP issue is a known problem being fixed. - Controlling B and C at the same time is multi-Host concurrency, which requires the Pro tier.

- Thunderbolt cable: direct connection between two Macs, fastest, and WisBridge's automatic routing prefers it. It must be a real Thunderbolt cable — a plain USB-C charging cable only charges and can't connect. - Ethernet cable: both setups work. 1) Via a router / switch: plug into the router's LAN port and put both Macs on the same router / switch, i.e., the same LAN — WisBridge discovers them automatically; this is the most common setup. 2) Direct Mac-to-Mac: plug the two ends into the two Macs (modern Mac ports auto-negotiate; no crossover cable needed). - Wi-Fi: just connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi (same router). - Won't work: plain USB-C charging cables / USB data cables. A USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter counts as an Ethernet link and works fine. - Re-plug trick: sometimes the Thunderbolt bridge network doesn't come up after plugging in (probe times out) — unplug for 1–2 seconds and plug back in. Thunderbolt is hot-pluggable, and re-plugging forces a fresh link handshake, device enumeration, and bridge IP assignment. - Requirement: any cable must put both devices in the same network segment (same LAN or direct link); WisBridge doesn't bridge across segments or over the internet.

1. Keep the default quality settings — all modes are optimized for smoothness. 2. Switch to Easy mode (Control Center → Easy). 3. Check the Wi-Fi signal or use a wired connection. 4. Make sure Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions are complete on Host.

Switch to Easy mode or reconnect. If the headless virtual display fails, restart Host.

Wait a few tens of seconds first — headless Macs prepare the first frame more slowly. If there is still no picture: check the Screen Recording permission on the controlled Mac (Privacy & Security → Screen Recording), then reconnect or switch to Easy mode. If a headless Mac is stuck on Preparing Display, see the dedicated FAQ.

This means the controlled Mac's screen cannot be captured — the display hardware itself is not the problem. In order: 1. In System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording, make sure WisBridge Host is checked (if already checked, uncheck and recheck it). 2. Restart Host. 3. Switch display modes (Easy / Pro / Max) and try again.

Known issue: after auto-reconnect on a dropped link, or after manually selecting a route, the picture may not auto-fill the screen. Workaround: switch desktops left or right once (Control + ← / →, local Mac desktop switching); the system will automatically fill the screen with the Host picture.

On the controlled Mac, check Accessibility under System Settings → Privacy & Security. If it still fails, remove and re-add WisBridge Host, grant access again, then restart it. Make sure WisBridge Host is installed inside the Applications folder, not run from a quarantined location.

Fn+Option combinations are local WisBridge shortcuts (screenshot / recording / PiP) and need the WisBridge window focused. Mission Control / Launchpad: use Option+↑ / Option+↓. PiP shortcut: Fn+Option+F6; if it doesn't respond, use the Control Center button.

Update to the latest version. In newer versions, the mouse wheel is forwarded as remote scrolling while the PiP is locked.

Use Fn+Option+Space.

1. Make sure Host audio capture is working; if there's still no sound after video appears, reconnect or restart Host. 2. Check whether WisBridge has Local Mute or Listen Here Only enabled. 3. Check the controlled Mac's volume and audio devices. 4. If it's a MacBook with the lid closed, that's a known situation (see System & devices).

Use a faster link (wired), or lower the display mode (Easy).

Wait for automatic recovery or reconnect. If the problem persists: check the audio output device and volume on the controlled Mac; if it happens after closing the lid, see the System & Devices FAQ; if it keeps recurring, copy the diagnostic log and send it to us.

After the trial, you still get 15 minutes of Lite free usage every day. Buy or subscribe to Lite or Pro to unlock full access (one-time or subscription). Check your status in the license panel (Cmd+L).

Lite connects to 1 Host at a time; Pro connects to 3. Close other Host sessions, or upgrade to Pro.

These are Pro-only features: multiple Hosts (up to 3), interactive PiP (clicking/typing inside PiP), MOV recording, and the iOS multi-PiP overview. Lite includes 1 Host, PiP viewing only, and the same high-fidelity system audio as Pro. These being unavailable is an expected license difference - they unlock automatically when you upgrade. During the 7-day trial you get full access.

Check your network and App Store account, then try again later (applies to both one-time and subscription purchases).

Restoring only brings back access you already own — it never charges you again, so it's safe to tap even if you've already bought or subscribed. License panel → Restore Purchases, using the same Apple ID (works for one-time purchases and subscriptions still within their active period). If a subscription has lapsed, resubscribe to renew; manage or cancel subscriptions in the license panel / App Store.

Have you switched Apple IDs? Entitlements follow the Apple ID used at purchase; if the current account isn't the purchasing one (changed, shared, or a different account after a reset), you'll see a downgrade (back to Lite / trial) or the app may be unusable. Fix: sign out in App Store and sign back into the original purchasing Apple ID, then use Restore Purchases in the license panel. Your subscription may have expired (subscriptions and one-time purchases are separate). Cross-platform use requires the same Apple ID. Refresh entitlements or restore purchases in the license panel.

First check what you bought: Lite comes as a one-time purchase or a monthly / yearly subscription. If it's a subscription, when it lapses you go back to the 15-minute daily free allowance — that's expected, and renewing restores access. If it's a one-time purchase but still shows expired: have you switched Apple IDs? Entitlements follow the Apple ID used at purchase; switching accounts shows up as expired or back to trial. Fix: sign out in App Store and sign back into the original purchasing Apple ID, then use Restore Purchases in the license panel. Also refresh entitlements / restore purchases, and note cross-platform use requires the same Apple ID (Universal Purchase).

The license panel loads in-app products (Lite / Pro one-time and subscription options) from the App Store. If they won't load, the App Store product catalog is temporarily unavailable — this does not mean WisBridge is missing from the App Store. Check your network and try again later.

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording → check WisBridge Host → restart Host.

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility → check WisBridge Host. Without it, the mouse can move but clicks and keyboard input won't work.

File transfer window: click Grant Folder Access… in the WisBridge pane and allow the folder you need. For other file writes, choose a writable folder or grant file/folder access in System Settings.

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation, allow WisBridge Host to control Finder. Without it, received files are saved to the Desktop instead — the feature still works.

Local Network permission was declined. Restore it: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → check WisBridge, then restart WisBridge.

iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → enable WisBridge. Make sure iOS and the Host are on the same network.

- This is macOS's built-in **Local Network privacy** permission (macOS 11+, a standard system prompt, the same mechanism as iOS's Local Network). “Find” is Apple's standard wording; granting it actually covers both: ① Bonjour/multicast advertising so the Viewer can discover this Host, and ② accepting inbound connections from the Viewer over Wi-Fi / LAN / Thunderbolt. - **If you deny it**: the Host won't appear in the Viewer's list, and even a manually typed IP may fail — the Host can't be used remotely. - **To restore**: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → check **WisBridge Host** → reopen (or restart) WisBridge Host.

Update both ends to the latest version: upgrade the Host online from its menu bar status window (or reinstall from our website), and update WisBridge in the Mac App Store. If it still happens, copy the diagnostic log and report it.

- Control works: connect the two Macs with a Thunderbolt cable (a plain USB-C charging cable won't do). When you plug it in, macOS may ask you to approve the new accessory (e.g. "Allow Thunderbolt accessory to connect?") — tap Allow; the system then creates a Thunderbolt Bridge network, and WisBridge's automatic routing prefers this high-speed link. The same applies when plugging in an Ethernet cable: approve it when prompted. - Charging does not: the iMac's Thunderbolt/USB ports don't deliver the high-power PD charging a notebook needs, so the MacBook Pro must be powered by its own adapter (or a PD-capable dock/display). - Risk without separate power: the MacBook keeps draining its battery during the session; with insufficient power you may see unstable or dropped connections, and in some cases macOS may show "USB Accessories Disabled" and turn the port off. Always power the MacBook separately to keep Thunderbolt and other accessories stable. - Whether other devices (such as a Mac mini) can be charged over similar connections: follow Apple's official documentation, or ask Apple Support to confirm.

- Why it happens: closing the lid triggers macOS's clamshell policy — the system locks and tries to sleep. WisBridge Host requests sleep prevention during a remote session, but locking is an independent system security behavior that sleep prevention can't block; the freeze is the system switching display/power states the moment the lid closes, which pauses the remote picture briefly. The login screen is just the lock screen, not a logout — your account and the Host keep running in the background. - To use it with the lid closed: switch the route to Wi-Fi first (the Thunderbolt link can drop during lock/state changes), and after the lid closes and the lock screen appears, type your system password in WisBridge to unlock — you can then keep using it with the lid closed, and the Host's sleep prevention keeps the Mac awake. - If you're only controlling this MacBook remotely, keeping the lid open with brightness turned all the way down is the most reliable. - This is a known situation, and we keep improving lid-closed behavior.

Reconnect first, then send again. If it still fails: check write permission and free space at the destination; for large files prefer a wired link (LAN / Thunderbolt); name conflicts show a resolution dialog — pick an option and continue; if needed, restart both ends.

Try a different folder, and check space and permissions.

WisBridge runs in a protected environment, so grant folder access first: 1) the first time, choose Home or a specific folder in the Allow Folder Access panel; 2) or click Grant Folder Access… to add one manually; 3) access is remembered and restores automatically.

If a destination was specified, files go there. Otherwise, Host tries the folder of the frontmost Finder window; if there's no Finder window, files go to the Desktop.

A conflict dialog appears: Keep Both (saves with a “ copy” suffix), Replace (overwrites, backed up first if enabled), Stop (stops the remaining transfer), Apply to All (applies to all remaining conflicts).

Update to the latest version. The new version no longer reads your device clipboard in the background — text is only sent explicitly via the “Send Text to Mac Clipboard” shortcut.

Automatic: menu bar menu → Automatically Install Updates (we recommend keeping it on). Manual: Host status window → Update.

Check your network; if needed, download the installer from our website and install manually.

That's normal — Host restarts automatically after the update; just reconnect.

Check the iOS Local Network permission. Make sure iOS and the Host are on the same network. You can also connect by entering the IP manually.

Yes: each tap rotates the PiP 90° to the left, and you can keep tapping to rotate in a continuous loop — four taps return it to the original orientation.