---
id: bridge-devices.does-bridge-work-over-the-internet
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/does-bridge-work-over-the-internet
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Staying connected"
question: "Does Bridge work over the internet, or only on the same Wi-Fi?"
alt_questions:
  - "Do both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi for Bridge?"
  - "Can I use Bridge when I'm away from home?"
  - "Bridge across different networks"
  - "Connect my office PC to my home Mac"
  - "Does Bridge need a local network?"
  - "Remote access with Storage Studio Bridge"
short_answer: "Both. Bridge links your devices on the same Wi-Fi or across the internet, always directly and end-to-end encrypted. Turn on “Use local network only” if you want it to stay on your home or office network."
tags: ["bridge", "internet", "wi-fi", "remote"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-use-local-network-only-do", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-find-each-other-automatically-do", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-do-direct-and-slower-mean-on-the-path-line"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Does Bridge work over the internet, or only on the same Wi-Fi?

Both. Bridge works when your two devices share a Wi-Fi network and when they're far apart on different internet connections. Either way the link is direct between your devices and end-to-end encrypted.

On the same network, the connection is usually fastest. Across the internet, how quickly files move depends on both connections.

If you'd rather Bridge never used the internet at all, turn on **Use local network only**; then both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi or local network.

- [Local network only](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-use-local-network-only-do)
- [Find each other automatically](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-find-each-other-automatically-do)