# Local networks and Tailscale

Reach the same trusted Mac nearby or away.

Canonical: https://roboty.dev/guide/setup/networks
Content revision: 4
Platforms: iphone, mac, browser

## When to use it

Use a local connection nearby. Use your private Tailscale network when your phone is away from the Mac. Both are routes to one computer, not ways to share work between computers.

## Steps

1. Nearby: put the phone and Mac on networks that can reach each other. The Mac may use Ethernet while the phone uses Wi-Fi. Allow Roboty’s Local Network permission on the phone.
2. Away: install and connect your own Tailscale clients on the phone and Mac using the intended private network.
3. On the Mac, open **Settings → iPhone Connection**, pause availability, enable Allow Tailscale connections, then resume. Your Tailscale access rules must allow Roboty’s native port.
4. If pairing remotely, choose Use Tailscale for this pairing code on the Mac and use its fresh invitation. If already paired, reconnect locally once to learn the Mac’s enabled remote route.

## What to expect

Connect shows the successful connection method. Roboty reconnects to the selected Mac using trusted local or Tailscale routes. Returning home does not require turning Tailscale off, re-pairing or changing workspaces.

Turning off Allow Tailscale connections also clears Use Tailscale for this pairing code. If you enable Tailscale again, choose remote pairing again when you need it. Otherwise, new pairing codes use the local route.

## If something goes wrong

- Nearby, check Local Network permission, Wi-Fi, the Mac firewall and guest-network isolation. A guest network may block communication even with internet access.
- Away, check Tailscale is connected on both devices, the Mac allows Tailscale connections and its access rules permit Roboty. Tailscale does not wake the Mac or start Roboty.
- Read Connection details for the recorded error. An unreachable phone cannot reliably distinguish sleep, firewall, permission or network isolation. Check the Mac rather than assuming a cause.

## Addresses and port

The native port is 8766 by default. Current Tailscale support uses private numeric IPv4 or IPv6 addresses. MagicDNS names are not supported. Computer settings can add an address manually after pairing. Every route must verify the same trusted computer. Public forwarding is not needed.

## Developer installation and testing

Tailscale connects Roboty to its trusted Mac. Xcode installation and device testing
use a separate paired connection. Joining the same tailnet does not establish
that development connection. Nearby wireless development depends on Apple's
pairing and network requirements. USB remains useful when that connection is
unavailable.

Content ID: networks
Compiled digest: 6a9203f1b5ea1a99ea5f4492b2f00022cb0c5914ca4540f9fa5d96ac6611133c
Language: en