Pairing with your Mac

Pairing links a phone or tablet to the free LocalPhotos app on your Mac. It happens once; after that the two devices recognise each other automatically.

On the Mac

1. Open LocalPhotos → Settings and turn on Companion Sync. The pairing PIN (and a QR code) appear there; the PIN rotates every 30 seconds.
2. Companion Sync is per-library: right-click a library in the sidebar to enable or disable it for syncing. Only enabled libraries are offered to paired devices.
3. Keep the Mac awake and the app open while a device pairs and runs its first sync.

If devices can’t find the Mac

• macOS firewall: allow incoming connections for LocalPhotos (System Settings → Network → Firewall).
• Both machines must be on the same network — guest Wi-Fi networks often isolate devices.
• The device can always connect directly to the address shown in Companion Sync settings, port 51900.

Set up

1. On your Mac, install LocalPhotos from localphotos.app and open it.
2. In the Mac app’s Settings, turn on Companion Sync — the pairing PIN appears there.
3. Keep the Mac and this device on the same Wi-Fi network.
4. In the app, choose Direct Mac Sync, pick your Mac from the list (or scan the QR code shown on the Mac), and enter the 6-digit PIN.

If your Mac doesn’t appear

• iOS needs the Local Network permission to discover your Mac — check Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network if the list stays empty.
• Guest Wi-Fi networks often isolate devices from each other; use the same regular network.
• A firewall on the Mac can block discovery — allow LocalPhotos in the Mac’s network settings.
• Skip discovery entirely: choose Connect by Address and type the Mac’s IP address (shown in the Mac app’s Companion Sync settings), port 51900.
• “Incorrect PIN” usually means it rotated — read the current one off the Mac and try again.

The device stores only a pairing token, in the Keychain. The PIN itself is never saved.

Set up

1. On your Mac, install LocalPhotos from localphotos.app and open it.
2. In the Mac app’s Settings, turn on Companion Sync — the pairing PIN appears there.
3. Keep the Mac and the phone on the same Wi-Fi network.
4. In the app, choose Connect to Mac, pick your Mac from the list (or scan the QR code shown on the Mac), and enter the 6-digit PIN.

If your Mac doesn’t appear

• Guest Wi-Fi networks often isolate devices from each other; use the same regular network.
• A firewall on the Mac can block discovery — allow LocalPhotos in the Mac’s network settings.
• Skip discovery entirely: choose Connect by Address and type the Mac’s IP address (shown in the Mac app’s Companion Sync settings), port 51900.
• “Incorrect PIN” usually means it rotated — read the current one off the Mac and try again.

The phone stores only a pairing token, in encrypted storage. The PIN itself is never saved.