{"id":"bridge-devices.why-cant-bridge-find-my-mac","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/why-cant-bridge-find-my-mac","category":{"id":"bridge-devices","title":"Bridge & your devices"},"subcategory":{"id":"troubleshooting","title":"Troubleshooting"},"question":"Why can't Bridge find my Mac?","alt_questions":["SS Bridge says it can't find my Mac","Bridge not connecting to Mac","PC can't see my Mac in Bridge","Bridge connection fails on Windows","Bridge won't connect at all"],"short_answer":"The devices usually can't reach each other. Keep both apps open, use the same Wi-Fi, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, re-type the code, and on a hotspot connect from that device.","answer_markdown":"Usually the two devices can't reach each other on the network. Work through this:\n\n1. Make sure Storage Studio is open on the Mac and Bridge is open on the PC.\n2. Put both on the same Wi-Fi or network.\n3. On Windows, allow **SS Bridge** through Windows Firewall on **Private** networks, and check your Wi-Fi is set as Private.\n4. Re-type the connecting code carefully.\n5. On different networks, turn on **Find each other automatically**; if one device is on a mobile hotspot, connect from that device.\n6. If **Use local network only** is on, both must be on the same network.\n\n- [Windows Firewall](/faq/bridge-devices/how-do-i-allow-bridge-through-windows-firewall)\n- [Hotspot](/faq/bridge-devices/why-wont-bridge-connect-on-a-mobile-hotspot)","answer_html":"

Usually the two devices can't reach each other on the network. Work through this:

\n
  1. Make sure Storage Studio is open on the Mac and Bridge is open on the PC.
  2. Put both on the same Wi-Fi or network.
  3. On Windows, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, and check your Wi-Fi is set as Private.
  4. Re-type the connecting code carefully.
  5. On different networks, turn on Find each other automatically; if one device is on a mobile hotspot, connect from that device.
  6. If Use local network only is on, both must be on the same network.
\n","answer_text":"Usually the two devices can't reach each other on the network. Work through this:\n\n1. Make sure Storage Studio is open on the Mac and Bridge is open on the PC.\n2. Put both on the same Wi-Fi or network.\n3. On Windows, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, and check your Wi-Fi is set as Private.\n4. Re-type the connecting code carefully.\n5. On different networks, turn on Find each other automatically; if one device is on a mobile hotspot, connect from that device.\n6. If Use local network only is on, both must be on the same network.\n\n- Windows Firewall\n- Hotspot","tags":["bridge","troubleshooting","connection","windows"],"related":[{"id":"bridge-devices.how-do-i-allow-bridge-through-windows-firewall","question":"Should I allow Bridge through Windows Firewall?","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/how-do-i-allow-bridge-through-windows-firewall"},{"id":"bridge-devices.why-wont-bridge-connect-on-a-mobile-hotspot","question":"Why won't Bridge connect when one device is on a mobile hotspot?","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/why-wont-bridge-connect-on-a-mobile-hotspot"},{"id":"bridge-devices.what-does-pairing-didnt-complete-mean","question":"What does “Pairing didn't complete” mean in Bridge?","url":"/faq/bridge-devices/what-does-pairing-didnt-complete-mean"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Why can't Bridge find my Mac? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"The devices usually can't reach each other. Keep both apps open, use the same Wi-Fi, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, re-type the code, and on a hotspot connect from that device.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Bridge & your devices","path":"/faq/bridge-devices/"},{"name":"Why can't Bridge find my Mac?","path":"/faq/bridge-devices/why-cant-bridge-find-my-mac"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-cant-bridge-find-my-mac","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why can't Bridge find my Mac?","alternateName":["SS Bridge says it can't find my Mac","Bridge not connecting to Mac","PC can't see my Mac in Bridge","Bridge connection fails on Windows","Bridge won't connect at all"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually the two devices can't reach each other on the network. Work through this:\n\n1. Make sure Storage Studio is open on the Mac and Bridge is open on the PC.\n2. Put both on the same Wi-Fi or network.\n3. On Windows, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, and check your Wi-Fi is set as Private.\n4. Re-type the connecting code carefully.\n5. On different networks, turn on Find each other automatically; if one device is on a mobile hotspot, connect from that device.\n6. If Use local network only is on, both must be on the same network.\n\n- Windows Firewall\n- Hotspot","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/bridge-devices/why-cant-bridge-find-my-mac"}}]},"fragment":"
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Bridge & your devices · Troubleshooting

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Why can't Bridge find my Mac?

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Short answer: The devices usually can't reach each other. Keep both apps open, use the same Wi-Fi, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, re-type the code, and on a hotspot connect from that device.

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Usually the two devices can't reach each other on the network. Work through this:

\n
  1. Make sure Storage Studio is open on the Mac and Bridge is open on the PC.
  2. Put both on the same Wi-Fi or network.
  3. On Windows, allow SS Bridge through Windows Firewall on Private networks, and check your Wi-Fi is set as Private.
  4. Re-type the connecting code carefully.
  5. On different networks, turn on Find each other automatically; if one device is on a mobile hotspot, connect from that device.
  6. If Use local network only is on, both must be on the same network.
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