Do I need a robot, an iPhone or a Mac?
Learn what each device contributes before setting anything up.
Start on your phone
An installed Roboty app opens without website login. You can learn, edit a camera-free goal, keep local drafts and review retained local results without a Mac connection. A physical robot is unnecessary for these steps.
When a Mac helps
A connected Mac owns its own workspace and supported simulations. Keep it awake, logged in and reachable while using that route. The phone is the interface. The selected Mac performs the attempt and retains its records.
USB is useful for development installation and observation. It is not a substitute for Roboty's authenticated runtime connection. Nearby connections use a reachable local network. Remote access needs the configured private network route.
Can the phone run a simulation alone?
Support depends on your app, device and selected task. Use this device appears only when the app can offer local simulation. If it is unavailable, you can keep editing locally or select a connected Mac.
Can I use only a Mac?
Yes: the Mac workspace has its own controls and records. Pairing a phone is optional for that route. Use the available supported task and readiness shown by the Mac.
Requirements and where work is saved
| Route | What you need | Where the work lives |
|---|---|---|
| Installed Mac workspace | A matching invited Roboty for Mac build and a task that reports ready | Records stay in that Mac installation. Optional iCloud sync can replicate saved content. Pairing is separate. |
| iPhone or iPad local workspace | A matching invited app build | Local drafts and downloaded results stay on that device. Local simulation is offered only for a supported device/profile. |
| Connected Mac workspace on a phone | Compatible apps, trusted pairing and a reachable awake Mac | The Mac runs the attempt and keeps original results. The phone retains its separate draft/context and selected downloaded records. |
There is no universal OS-version promise for every task. Follow the requirements supplied with your invited build and its actual readiness check. Find your version before reporting a mismatch.
What changes with a physical robot?
Hardware adds mounting, power, calibration, supervision and installation-specific stopping requirements. A successful simulation does not prove that physical motion is supported. Begin with Add a supported robot for your exact kit. The Mac owns USB and the managed hardware component. A paired iPhone is optional guidance. Saving preparation is available independently of qualified hardware operation. Follow the specific blocker shown beside a procedure. Roboty for Mac manages its own runtime. Roboty operation requires no separate Python or conda installation or AI provider setup. Suppliers own assembly and firmware servicing. Roboty guides supported necessary motor configuration and calibration using its managed component. Installed users choose Add a robot, and new users apply for invitation-only beta access. A follower can complete setup without a leader. The separate leader-following test remains unavailable until both arms and its operating prerequisites are present.
Under Explore more, for how Roboty uses LeRobot and MuJoCo, alternative upstream interfaces and what can travel between them, read robotics tools and your data. The web can explain physical preparation but does not operate USB hardware.
Robot setup from iPhone
Open Home → Add a robot. With no selected Mac, choose Connect a Mac or Get Roboty for Mac for invitation-only access. With a saved offline Mac, reconnect to that computer. When connected, review preparation for the named Mac. Read setup guide and Prepare offline remain useful without a connection. Local drafts stay in their original workspace. Pairing does not move an unpaired draft or enable sync. Optional iCloud sync follows saved personal content, while preparation and operation recovery keep their original Mac.
A pending preparation save or hardware action keeps its original Mac. Use Review robot preparation / Stop to inspect it. Protected local operator recovery must be performed on that Mac.
Use Add a supported robot for necessary software configuration and calibration on the owning Mac. Suppliers retain assembly, firmware servicing and repairs. Preserve their assembly sequence and the optional note from Gabe. Each hardware action needs its own current local review. Powered commissioning remains separately qualified.
Keep track of your Library
On iPhone, Library names its selected location. If a selected Mac disconnects, its Library stays selected and shows Offline. Reconnect to that Mac to read or change its contents. Choose Use this device’s Library to switch deliberately to the phone's reusable content. A connection loss does not move or delete saved work. Original pending requests remain attached to their Mac.
Continue a phone goal on your Mac
In the phone's local goal editor, open More → Continue this goal on [Mac name]. Connect a Mac first if none is selected. Choose Save on iPhone and review for unsaved changes, or Review copy for a saved goal. Review the named Mac and selected goal, then choose Copy goal to [Mac name].
The copy becomes an independent project on that Mac. Open the copied project when ready. Your original goal, notes and recorded attempts stay on the phone. This copy includes no personal notes, recordings or active operation. A source guide reference stays with a goal that came from a learning guide. Review it under Included source guide reference. The Mac checks compatibility during preparation. Prepare and Start remain separate actions.
If delivery is uncertain, reconnect to the original Mac and choose Retry original request. Roboty reconciles that same copy. Work on → Mac still opens the Mac workspace without copying the phone's goal.
Page tools
Read as Markdown for copying or use with an AI agent.