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Connect your iPad to your computer

Run the heavy lifting — native Python, terminals, file access, GPU — on your computer, and drive it all from your iPad. This guide pairs the Circuitry iPad app with Circuitry Server running on your Mac, Windows, or Linux machine.

You only do this once. After the first connection your iPad reconnects automatically whenever both devices are on the same network.

What you'll need

  • The Circuitry app on your iPad (from the App Store).
  • Circuitry Server installed on your computer (Step 1 below).
  • Both devices on the same Wi-Fi / local network.

Step 1 — Install Circuitry Server on your computer

Circuitry Server is a small companion app that runs on your computer and does the work your iPad asks of it.

  1. On your computer, open the Downloads page and get Circuitry Server for your operating system — macOS, Windows, or Linux.
  2. Install it and open it.
  3. Leave it running. It shows a QR code, along with a server address (e.g. http://192.168.1.100:3030) and an access key. You'll use one of these in the next step.

For more on what the server does, see the Circuitry Server overview.

Step 2 — Connect from your iPad (QR code — easiest)

  1. In the Circuitry app, tap the ⚡ lightning icon in the top toolbar.
  2. Choose Scan QR Code.
  3. The first time, iPad asks "Allow 'Circuitry' to find devices on your local network?" — tap Allow. This is what lets your iPad reach Circuitry Server on your computer; pairing can't work without it.
  4. Point the camera at the QR code shown by Circuitry Server.

You'll see a "Connected" confirmation and the lightning icon turns green. Done.

Alternative — Connect manually in Settings

If you can't scan the QR code, enter the details by hand:

  1. Tap the ⚡ lightning icon → Settings. This opens the Execution Server settings.
  2. Tap Add Server.
  3. Fill in:
    • Server Name — anything you like, e.g. "MacBook Pro".
    • Server URL — the address shown by Circuitry Server, e.g. http://192.168.1.100:3030.
    • Access Key — the key shown by Circuitry Server.
  4. Tap Add Server to connect. The first time, you'll get the same "Allow Local Network" prompt — tap Allow.

If you tapped "Don't Allow" by mistake

iPad only asks for Local Network access once. To turn it back on:

  1. Open the iPad's Settings app.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security → Local Network.
  3. Turn on Circuitry.
  4. Return to the Circuitry app and connect again.

You don't need to delete or reinstall the app.

Troubleshooting

  • Nothing connects — make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, and that Circuitry Server is still open on your computer.
  • The "Allow Local Network" prompt never appeared — enable it manually in iPad Settings (see the section above).
  • Works at home but not at the office — some workplace and guest networks stop devices from seeing each other ("client isolation"). Try a home network or a personal hotspot.
  • The camera won't open to scan — use the manual Settings method instead.

What you can do once connected

  • Run native Python, far faster than in the browser.
  • Open a terminal on your computer from the iPad — see Terminals.
  • Read and write files on your computer.
  • Use your computer's GPU for heavier work.

The same steps work for iPhone and Android — tap the lightning icon and scan, or add the server in Settings.

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