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Treadle

The iPad or iPhone can't find my Mac

Updated October 1, 2026

If your iPad or iPhone can't find the Mac, check these in order: both devices on the same Wi-Fi, the Local Network permission granted on the device, and the Mac's engine running. If discovery still fails after that, you can type the Mac's address by hand.

A checklist in order: same Wi-Fi, Local Network permission granted, Mac engine running, and if all else fails type the Mac's address by hand.

Check the basics

  1. Make sure the Mac and the iPad or iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network. A guest network or a separate band set up as its own network can keep them apart.
  2. Make sure Treadle is running on the Mac. Its icon is in the menu bar. If the menu-bar popover shows the engine is stopped, choose Restart engine.
  3. Make sure the iPad or iPhone is actually connected to Wi-Fi, not only to cellular.

Enter the address by hand

If automatic discovery still does not work, you can point the iPad or iPhone at the Mac directly:

  1. On the Mac, open the menu-bar popover. It shows the Mac's address on the local network.
  2. On the iPad or iPhone, tap Change server and type that address.

A note on Sidecar and Universal Control

Sidecar and Universal Control can interfere with how the iPad or iPhone and Mac see each other on the network. If discovery behaves oddly, try turning those off while you pair.

Once the iPad or iPhone finds the Mac, finish pairing. If a paired button still does nothing, see A button does nothing when I press it.

Questions & answers

Why do both devices need the same Wi-Fi?
Treadle works only over your local network — the device finds the Mac on the same Wi-Fi. There is no internet relay in between.
Can I connect by typing the address?
Yes. If automatic discovery fails, enter the Mac's address by hand on the device and it connects directly.

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