Two devices won't connect with Bridge

When two devices won't connect with Bridge, start with the basics — both devices awake, both running Storage Studio or the Bridge app — and then test the network itself. If the two devices can't see each other at all, even with Apple's own sharing features, the network is blocking them and no setting in Storage Studio will get round it. If the network is fine, connecting from the other device or pairing again usually does it.

What you might see

On the device's row in the Devices tab:

• Connecting… — it's trying.
• Reconnecting… — no reply from the device — it was linked but the other side stopped answering.
• Not connected — no link right now.
• Not connected — you disconnected it, or Paused — Resume to reconnect — you stopped it from this side.
• Paused on the other device — the other side paused it.
• Not connected — this device was unpaired.

When pairing: "Pairing didn't complete.", "Couldn't reach the Bridge helper.", or "You can pair up to … devices with this Mac. Remove one first."

Likely causes

• One side isn't running or is asleep. Both devices must be awake with Storage Studio (or the Bridge app) open.
• One side was restarted. Quitting or restarting Storage Studio closes its device links, including ones the other device opened. Paired devices reconnect on their own afterwards, but give it a moment.
• The network keeps the devices apart. Some networks — guest Wi-Fi, office networks, mobile hotspots — stop devices reaching each other.
• Use local network only is on but the devices aren't on the same Wi-Fi.
• The link timed out. Keep connected for disconnects the device after the time you chose.

%% caption: Working out why two devices won't connect
flowchart TD
  A[Devices won't connect] --> B{Both awake with the app running?}
  B -->|No| C[Open the app on both and wake them]
  B -->|Yes| D{Can they see each other with Apple's sharing features?}
  D -->|No| E[The network is blocking them - try another network]
  D -->|Yes| F{Does it say to connect from the other device?}
  F -->|Yes| G[Enter this Mac's code on the other device]
  F -->|No| H[Click Connect, or Forget and pair again]

How to fix it

1. Open Storage Studio on both devices and make sure neither is asleep. Open Devices (Bridge)… from the More menu, or the Devices tab of Remotes & Accounts.
2. Test the network. On two Macs on the same Wi-Fi, see whether each appears to the other through AirDrop or in Finder's Network location. If they can't see each other that way either, the network is keeping them apart — try both on another network, such as your home Wi-Fi.
3. Check the switches in Connect a device. Use local network only "Keeps the link entirely on your local network … Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi/LAN." Turn it off if they aren't. Find each other automatically "Helps two devices on different networks find each other when the code alone won't connect (e.g. one is on a mobile hotspot)."
4. Connect from the other side if Storage Studio says Connect from the other device: "To connect, go to that device → Storage Studio → Devices → Connect a device, and enter this Mac's code". Once linked, "files flow both ways".
5. Click Connect on the device's row. If it still won't link, use Forget, then pair again with a fresh code. When two Macs pair, check the code matches on both — "Confirm this code matches on both Macs" — and click Confirm.
6. Set Keep connected for to Always if links drop after a while.

Avoid restarting Storage Studio repeatedly while you test — each restart drops the link and starts over.

Whichever way you connect, the link between the two devices is end-to-end encrypted.

See also: Bridge: connecting another device · Shared Folders: keeping a folder the same on two Macs · What happens to transfers when you restart · Something's not working: start here