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Connect · 6 minute read

# Connect over USB or Wi-Fi

iPhone supports USB and Wi-Fi routes for the same stream. Android currently uses Wi-Fi. Picture, phone audio, orientation, and telemetry use the same Mac pipeline.

USB preferred automatically Direct TCP connection

## Choose a route

Route | Prepare | Best for
--- | --- | ---
iPhone USB | Use a data-capable cable, unlock the iPhone, and accept Trust This Computer. | Stable desk or studio sessions with a physical tether.
Wi-Fi | Put both devices on the same non-isolated local network. | Flexible placement when a cable would get in the way.

The source control labels the routes — wired camera and — wireless camera. Press `⌘1` to open it and `⌘R` to repeat discovery.

Android cable connections are not camera routes

An Android USB cable may provide charging, MTP, or ADB while Viewfinder still shows only the wireless camera. Android USB tethering is not accepted as a camera transport in this release. That is expected app behavior; there is no phone setting that enables an Android wired source.

## Use another phone in another window

Choose File › New After2AM Viewfinder Window or press `⌘N` for each additional camera. Every window owns an independent phone connection, preview, audio meter, telemetry, teleprompter, monitor controls, and recorder. If several phones are already broadcasting, the new window automatically selects the first one that is not in use.

1. Broadcast from every phone. Confirm each companion appears in the source list.
2. Check the automatic selection. A phone selected elsewhere is marked in use; choose another source only if needed.
3. Confirm each destination. Every phone returns to its own remembered folder.
4. Record in each window. Every window creates its own MOV.
5. Make a sync clap. Use the visible and audible spike to align the takes in your editor.

Independent recording controls

There is currently no Record All command or shared timecode. Start and stop each window independently. An iPhone's USB and Wi-Fi entries count as one phone and cannot be divided between two windows. A new phone initially uses the default recording folder from Settings; the window's folder button assigns a destination to that phone for future sessions.

## iPhone automatic handoff

When Viewfinder selected an iPhone source automatically, route changes need no new broadcast and usually no manual refresh. Android currently advertises one Wi-Fi route.

01 Broadcast once
02 USB preferred
03 Unplug cable
04 Wi-Fi resumes
05 Reconnect cable
06 USB returns

A source chosen manually remains selected while it is available. If that route disappears, Viewfinder falls back to the remaining route and resumes automatic selection.

A take cannot span a handoff

If the source disappears during recording, Viewfinder finalizes the current MOV. Wait for live video and audio on the new route, then start a new take.

## What survives reconnection

Each handoff creates a fresh interface-bound connection and receives the stream description again. Saved monitor choices do not reset:

Retained Horizontal and vertical mirror
Retained Grid, level, and VU visibility
Retained Recording destination
Refreshed Orientation, battery, attitude, and audio route

## If a source does not appear

1. Confirm the phone is still broadcasting. Start 4K Broadcast must remain active.
2. Check the route. For iPhone USB, unlock and trust the phone and verify the cable carries data. For Wi-Fi, avoid guest or client-isolated networks.
3. Press Refresh. Use the toolbar button or `⌘R` after fixing the route.
4. Check Local Network permission. If access is blocked, use the offered settings button or press `⌥⌘,` to open the macOS privacy pane.