---
id: bridge-devices.what-does-keep-connected-for-do
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-keep-connected-for-do
category: "Bridge & your devices"
subcategory: "Staying connected"
question: "What does “Keep connected for” do in Bridge?"
alt_questions:
  - "Bridge auto-disconnect setting"
  - "How long does Bridge stay connected?"
  - "Make Bridge disconnect after an hour"
  - "Keep Bridge connected always"
  - "Bridge disconnects by itself"
  - "Auto-disconnect timer in Storage Studio Devices"
short_answer: "It's an auto-disconnect timer: pick from 15 minutes up to 1 week, or Always. When the time is up the device disconnects but stays paired, so you can Connect it again any time."
tags: ["bridge", "settings", "disconnect"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-the-difference-between-disconnect-and-forget", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-did-my-bridge-device-disconnect-by-itself"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does “Keep connected for” do in Bridge?

It sets how long a device stays connected before Bridge disconnects it on its own. You can choose 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2, 4 or 8 hours, 1 day, 1 week, or **Always**, which stays connected until you disconnect.

It's handy when you only want a device linked for a work session. The device stays paired after the timer runs out — use **Connect** on its row to link it again.

You'll find it under **Connect a device** in the Devices tab; the Bridge app has the same setting for the Mac it's linked to.

- [Disconnect vs Forget](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/what-is-the-difference-between-disconnect-and-forget)
- [Why did my device disconnect?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-did-my-bridge-device-disconnect-by-itself)