---
id: bridge-devices.what-does-find-each-other-automatically-do
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-find-each-other-automatically-do
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Staying connected"
question: "What does “Find each other automatically” do in Bridge?"
alt_questions:
  - "Should I turn on Find each other automatically?"
  - "Bridge can't connect across networks — what setting helps?"
  - "Find each other automatically meaning"
  - "Does Find each other automatically send my files to a server?"
  - "Bridge auto-detect setting"
short_answer: "It helps two devices on different networks find each other when the code alone won't connect, such as on a mobile hotspot. Only finding happens there — your files and clipboard still go directly between your devices, end-to-end encrypted."
tags: ["bridge", "settings", "connection"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-wont-bridge-connect-on-a-mobile-hotspot", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/is-bridge-private", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-use-local-network-only-do"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does “Find each other automatically” do in Bridge?

It helps two devices on different networks locate each other when the connecting code alone won't link them — for example when one is on a mobile hotspot. It's on unless you switch it off.

It only helps the devices find one another. Your files and clipboard never pass through it: they still travel directly between your devices, end-to-end encrypted. We don't publish the details of how devices locate each other, but that's what it means for you.

It can't be used together with **Use local network only**, which keeps Bridge off the internet entirely.

- [Hotspot connections](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-wont-bridge-connect-on-a-mobile-hotspot)
- [Is Bridge private?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/is-bridge-private)